‘Middle Earth’ is set to be the one biopic to rule them all! Based on the life of J.R.R. Tolkien, this film will be brought to the big screen by Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne who produced the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. It doesn’t look like Peter Jackson will be involved which may annoy some but will be a relief to Tolkien purists (it also means that this will be a single film and not a trilogy). Angus Fletcher has written the script for this look at the author who had meant so much to so many with James Strong (‘Broadchurch’,’Downton Abbey’) on directing duties.

This piece was not quickly put together either as Fletcher had spent the last six years pouring over old archival research, interviews, and more while putting together the script for ‘Middle Earth’. It is being described as the “epic story” of “Tolkien’s early life and love affair with Edith Bratt, whom he later married. The couple lived happily in Oxford, surrounded by friends, but when war broke out in 1914 Tolkien embarked on four years of battle and hardship, an experience that influenced his Middle Earth stories.”

The project was actually greenlit at New Line prior to ‘Lord of the Rings’ being released so it was considered as a hugely ambitious risk at the time. However, as we all know how that work turned out, it seems like a green light would be no-brainer these days. Even prior to the massive blockbuster success of the films there was likely enough interest in Tolkien to draw interest here. While previous biopics have apparently fallen through, as no word has come from them in years, the producers behind this one clearly have the clout to make sure that this is made.

Are you looking forward to learning more about the life of J.R.R. Tolkien or were the fantasy worlds that he created all that interested you?

Source: Slash Film

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Stuart Conover is an author, blogger, and all around geek. When not busy being a father and husband he tries to spend as much time as possible immersed in comic books, science fiction, and horror! Would you like to know more? Follow him on Twitter!