The Lord of the RingsandThe HobbitauthorJ.R.R. Tolkienwill be the subject of a new biopic that is moving forward and has just landed a new director.James Strong, best known for his work onDoctor Who,Downton AbbeyandBroadchurch, has signed on to directMiddle Earth, which will be produced byBob ShayeandMichael Lynne’s new company Unique Features. BothBob ShayeandMichael Lynnegave the green light forThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy adaptation while they were running New Line Cinema.
Deadlinereports that the filmmaker will direct from a script byAngus Fletcher, who spent six years researchingJ.R.R. Tolkienthrough archival material and personal interviews. Protagonist Pictures is taking care of worldwide sales, with the project expected to be showcased to buyers at the Berlin Film Festival early next year. Noproduction schedulehas been revealed at this time.
The plot will follow the author’s early life and his love affair with Edith Bratt, whom he later married. The couple lived a pleasant life in Oxford before the author was sent off to fight in World War I in 1914. It was his experiences fighting in this war for the next four years that greatly inspired hisMiddle Earth stories.Bob ShayeandMichael Lynnewill also produce withRachel Horowitz.
There was previously aTolkien biopicset up at Fox Searchlight back in 2013, whichDavid Gleeson(Cowboys & Angels) was set to write the screenplay for. That story was set to focus on the author’s days at Pembroke College student and his time as a soldier in World War I.Peter Cherninwas set to produce that project, although it never moved forward into production.
WhenBob ShayeandMichael Lynnegreen-lit theLord of the Rings trilogy, it was considered one of the riskiest projects in cinema history, one that paid off quite nicely. The trilogy earned more than $3 billion worldwide at the box office.Bob ShayeandMichael Lynneformed Unique Pictures in 2008, with their credits includingWhen the Bough Breaksand the upcomingAmbition, whichBob Shayedirected.Rachel Horowitzproduced hits likeAbout SchmidtandMoneyballwhile working at New Line.James Strong’s made his feature debut with the soccer movieUnitedin 2011, and he most recently directed two episodes of Hulu’s11.22.63.
