Amazon Studios has announced to move the production of the Lord of The Rings TV series from New Zealand to the UK.
On Friday, the film producer and distributor revealed that it would film the second season of LOTR’s original series, inspired by the books of JRR Tolkien, to Britain.
“The shift from New Zealand to the UK aligns with the studio’s strategy of expanding its production footprint and investing in studio space across the UK, with many of Amazon Studios’ tentpole series and films already calling the UK home,” the company said in a statement.
The move came as a blow to many people in New Zealand, as the production of the show is one of the most expensive in history.
It created more jobs by employing over 1,000 people directly and indirectly in the southwestern Pacific country.
Amazon likewise spent at least $465m (£336m) on the first season of the show, which just finished filming in New Zealand, according to the government figures.
“This is a shock to everyone,” said Denise Roche, the director of Equity NZ, a union representing performers. “I really feel for all the small businesses, the tech people who invested in this for the future. Nobody had any inkling.”
She explained that people feel let down by Amazon, although, she added that the industry was resilient.
New Zealand has long been associated with the Lord of The Rings. The country’s dramatic landscapes were home to Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies.
Vernon Sanders, who is the vice-president and co-head of TV at Amazon Studios thanked “the people and the government of New Zealand for their hospitality and dedication and for providing The Lord of the Rings series with an incredible place to begin this epic journey.”
However, Stuart Nash, who is New Zealand’s economic development minister, is disappointed by Amazon’s decision.
“I am enormously proud of the New Zealand screen sector. The Amazon Studios’ decision in no way reflects the capabilities of our local film industry or the talents of the people who work in it,” he said. “However, we are disappointed for the local screen industry.”
This series is set to bring a huge boost to the UK’s film and television production industry as it brings millions of pounds into the country.
We are “delighted to hear that Amazon will be making their blockbuster second series of Lord of the Rings right here in the UK,” the UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport told The Independent in a statement. “With our strengths in talent, production and the great environment created by UK Government initiatives including the creative tax reliefs and the Film and TV restart scheme, it’s clear that we are attracting the very best content makers in the world to our shores.”
“Thousands of high-quality jobs all across the UK will be created and supported by The Lord of the Rings television series so this is very exciting news as we build back better,” they added.
The large ensemble cast of the show includes actors Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Sophia Nomvete and Lloyd Owen.
