"Lord of the Rings": Amazon no longer wants to shoot the series in New Zealand

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Parade for the premiere of the third "Lord of the Rings" film in Wellington, New Zealand (2003)

Photo: ANDE MERTL / AFP

The untouched nature of New Zealand was - in addition to actors, scripts and special effects - an important factor for the success of the "Lord of the Rings" films.

The »Hobbit« films also ensured that the Tolkien works are closely connected to the island nation.

In addition, they represented a significant economic factor on site.

However, Amazon Studios has now decided to relocate television production for the series "Lord of the Rings" from New Zealand to Great Britain.

The world's largest online manufacturer announced this to the New Zealand government.

"The government was informed of this decision yesterday," said Stuart Nash, Minister for Economic Development, expressing disappointment at the move.

»Amazon Studios intends to continue work on the post-production of the first season until June 2022 in New Zealand.

The first episodes are to be published weekly from September 2022.

According to previous information, the series is set to play thousands of years before the movies.

It would take viewers back to an era, as Amazon said in January, “when great powers were forged, kingdoms rose and fell, unexpected heroes were tested, hope in the thinnest of all Strings hung, and the greatest villain who ever flowed from Tolkien's pen threatened to shroud the whole world in darkness ”.

Shooting in the UK will begin in the second season. "Amazon wants to expand its manufacturing space in the UK and expand its presence there," said Nash.

Series should break all cost records

The US company is spending $ 465 million on filming the first season alone.

As a consequence, New Zealand is withdrawing a five percent funding grant from the film production grant.

Another 20 percent grant has already been used, according to the government.

Amazon has been filming in Auckland since last year and employs more than 1200 people in production, another 700 are indirectly involved, according to the New Zealand government.

Positive effects on New Zealand's economy and tourism have been expected for years.

Amazon Studios plans to produce five seasons of the series, which would make it one of the most expensive television series of all time.

jok / Reuters