By Widely credited with paving the way for epic fantasy series like Game of Thrones, J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of The Rings trilogy is one of the best-selling novels ever written, with over 150 million copies sold.
The depth and breadth of the world Tolkien created means that despite six very lengthy films based on the original trilogy and origin story The Hobbit, there's still plenty more ground to cover.
This year, Amazon begin production for their billion-dollar five season series based on Tolkien's seemingly endless material, with the first season to focus on Aragon. And in further exciting news for Middle-Earth enthusiasts and hobbits alike, there's fresh details forthcoming biopic,Tolkien.
The film has been in the works for years but Fox Searchlight have now confirmed that, fresh from his lauded appearance in The Favourite, Nicolas Hoult will play with main man himself. Other cast members include Lily Collins, who will play Tolkien's muse and later wife Edith Bratt, as well as Colm Meaney, Anthony Boyle and Patrick Gibson, with Dome Karukoski on board to direct.
The just-confirmed synopsis is as follows:
"Tolkien explores the formative years of the orphaned author as he finds friendship, love and artistic inspiration among a group of fellow outcasts at school. This takes him into the outbreak of World War I, which threatens to tear the “Fellowship” apart. All of these experiences would inspire Tolkien to write his famous Middle-earth novels."
In terms of tone, Collider report that it will be similar to, "J.M. Barrie biopic Finding Neverland and John Lee Hancock’s look at Walt Disney and P.L. Travers in Saving Mr. Banks" however they add that, "Tolkien might be closer to recent biopic Goodbye Christopher Robin" which "delved into dark territory at times."
The release date has been confirmed as May 3, 2019.
