Amazon is tapping into one of the world’s most successful franchises, “The Lord of the Rings” series, authored by J.R.R. Tolkien, for its streaming service Amazon Prime, and it just announced a partial cast.
The cast features alums of the HBO series “Game of Thrones” Robert Aramayo and Joseph Mawle, Variety reports.
Other cast members include Morfydd Clark, Owain Arthur, Nazanin Boniaidi, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Megan Richards, Ema Horvath, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Dylan Smith and Charlie Vickers.
While many of their exact roles are unknown, Clark will be playing a young Galadriel, and Markella Kavenagh will be introducing a new character, Variety reports.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Mawle will be playing a villain named Oren.
The announcement comes after “Midsommar” star Will Poulter, who was rumored to have a leading role, left the series before even starting it due to scheduling conflicts, according to Variety. Aramayo will be replacing Poulter in that role.
According to CNET, the series will serve as a prequel to the films, rather than a remake.
A tweet from the series’ official account reads “Welcome to the Second Age,” hinting that the series will likely take place during the time period in which the infamous “Rings of Power” were originally created, Variety reports.
The Hollywood Reporter is predicting the series will have a $1 billion budget, and is already calling it “the most expensive TV series ever.”
Amazon still looking for extras, according to The Guardian. The series will be filming in New Zealand, and paying $300 a day. They’re looking to cast unique — and mean-looking — extras. Scars, crooked or missing teeth, big noses and body hair are all considered a plus.