This is the most devastating news I have seen in quite some time.
Variety released this report last night, and I was overcome with pure rage:
We have now entered a new era of cinema. Nearly a quarter century(!!!) after the release of the Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings movies, which will ALWAYS be the definitive movies, Warner Brothers has decided that they just can't help themselves.
On a Thursday earnings call, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced that newly-installed studio leaders Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy have brokered a deal to make "multiple" films based on the beloved J. R. R. Tolkien books.
The projects will be developed through WB label New Line Cinema. The first "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, helmed by Peter Jackson, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide; Jackson's follow-up trilogy based on Tolkien's "The Hobbit" matched those grosses.
No filmmakers have been attached to the projects as yet, but in a statement to Variety, Jackson and his main "Lord of the Rings" collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens said Warner Bros. and Embracer "have kept us in the loop every step of the way."
Why do we need more Lord of the Rings films? The originals are perfect!
There is no reason to do this, it's so disrespectful to the cinematic achievement that is the Peter Jackson trilogy.
"Following our recent acquisition of Middle-earth Enterprises, we're thrilled to embark on this new collaborative journey with New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, bringing the incomparable world of J.R.R. Tolkien back to the big screen in new and exciting ways," said Lee Guinchard, CEO of Freemode. "We understand how cherished these works are and working together with our partners at New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, we plan to honor the past, look to the future, and adhere to the strongest level of quality and production values."
If they mess this up...
If they wokify this...
People are, understandably, not too happy about this. Especially after the brutally underwhelming Amazon Lord of the Rings series.
Spoiler: this tweet has about 2k more likes than the original.
Please, WB, I am begging you! Don't ruin these movies!
