This began with a rumor sparked by a casting call for a production in Auckland, NZ that specified being comfortable with nudity. Speculation was that the call was for Amazon Prime's Lord of the Rings series. This seems to be confirmed by the news that an Intimacy Coordinator has been hired for the show. TheOneRing.net's Cliff Broadway has the details.
This was also the main topic of discussion in tonight's TORn Tuesdays livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7wDupNwbl0
I see a lot of "unconfirmed" and "rumor" answers in the fact checks. So it's possible things aren't going to be as raunchy as people are making it out to be.
I don't know if the Tolkien Estate can veto stuff in the series, but it can remove the rights.
My Middle-earth rpg campaign has been a bit more earthy than the books, but I'm not televising it to millions of viewers.
As for the Excalibur bit, that's how Boorman would have shown Middle-earth if he'd had his way!
"My Middle-earth rpg campaign has been a bit more earthy than the books, but I'm not televising it to millions of viewers."
Ah, you caught that comment, did you? Yes, that is a good point. Yes, it's reasonable to think that their might be gambling halls and brothels in Lake-town, but that doesn't mean that we should see Strider making use of them! Third Age example, but you know what I mean.
Lets hope they aren't just trying to make it a new Game of Thrones! :(
Yes, there is enough brutality in Tolkien's Second Age without over-sexualizing it.
Jake, I think you should see this: https://babylonbee.com/news/amazons-new-lord-of-the-rings-series-to-include-transgender-elf-in-wheelchair .
It bears news.
-Aracesicil
@Aracesicil of Gondolin Is this a satirical site along the lines of The Onion? I take this story with a mountain of salt.
If this is true, I wonder if they will explore it with the elves.
I'm not sure that I'm ready for a sex scene between Galadriel and Celeborn.
@andrewlaubacher I think it would traumatise me to see any elves having sex.