It’s too expensive and thousands of miles away from everywhere… but New Zealand always had ONE thing going for it – but now the Kiwis have lost Lord of the Rings to the UK… and they only have themselves to blame
As a dedicated fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth and its on-screen adaptations, I find myself deeply saddened by the news that The Rings of Power is leaving New Zealand for greener pastures. Having visited the stunning landscapes of Aotearoa myself, I can attest to their unparalleled beauty and how they have breathed life into the pages of my beloved books.
Critics are currently accusing New Zealand’s lawmakers for their harsh COVID-19 measures, as they believe these actions may have resulted in the loss of one of the country’s most valuable possessions – the Lord of the Rings film franchise.
Since director Peter Jackson filmed the initial installment of the hit fantasy series in his home country, New Zealand is now strongly associated with it.
Notable locations in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, ranging from The Shire to Mount Doom, were beautifully translated onto the big screen in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies by a series of well-known New Zealand landscapes.
Yet, the nation surrendered control over the franchise following Prime Video’s prequel series, The Rings of Power, choosing to shift filming location to the UK for the first time ever in Lord of the Rings’ history for its second season.
Instead of its scheduled premiere on August 29, the multi-million dollar fantasy series shifted focus to the native land of J.R.R. Tolkien, and scenes were captured in picturesque areas across the United Kingdom, such as Surrey and Berkshire.
The huge move divided fans and left locals devastated as New Zealand has long been known as the home of Middle-earth, but light has now been shed on exactly how the country lost its hold on LOTR.
Reports indicate that the $1 billion project was moved partially because of New Zealand’s stringent Covid-19 measures, and also due to Amazon’s significant investment in a high-priced UK production studio.
Initially, the production encountered minor setbacks due to New Zealand’s stringent COVID-19 measures. At one point, the actors themselves voiced worries that the series might not be completed.
The show joined numerous international productions in halting filming back in March 2020. Filming resumed approximately from September 2020, and it finally concluded in August 2021.
However, New Zealand endured a significant setback as the second series was subsequently moved to the United Kingdom, marking a major shift, even though they had previously been granted financial incentives by the New Zealand government.
Simultaneously, it was announced that New Zealand’s stunning landscapes will no longer be part of Middle-earth, and Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern revealed that stringent COVID-19 border restrictions would persist until 2022.
Amazon made significant investments in production studios and facilities in New Zealand, committing around $465 million for their initial season. This substantial investment, as stated by Amazon’s Jennifer Salke, was to create the foundation for the entire series’ future.
Instead of staying in New Zealand due to a substantial tax incentive they received, they opted to relocate to the United Kingdom after receiving a more advantageous proposition instead.
According to reports, it was said to have been granted a 20% tax reduction by the New Zealand government, a significantly larger concession than what’s usually offered to other productions; however, it decided to withdraw from the agreement.
At that moment, Albert Cheng, who shares the leadership role in TV production at Amazon Studios, affirmed their decision to forego a 5% increase in financial returns if the project had continued within the nation’s borders.
Following the turn-down of New Zealand’s financial incentives worth millions, it was suggested that the UK offered a more cost-effective option for Amazon as they took over the renowned Bray Film Studios in Berkshire, making it a preferable destination for their future plans.
Patrick McKay and JD Payne, who share the role of co-showrunners for the program, acknowledged that the decision was beyond their authority, explaining that Amazon aims to consolidate all its productions in a single location – their newly established studio space in the UK.
Earlier this year, Payne stated to GQ that Amazon has been expanding its manufacturing infrastructure in the UK, making it one of their biggest projects. They aimed to consolidate everything under a single facility.
They’ve since justified the contentious move by stating that New Zealand more closely resembles the vision JRR Tolkien initially had for it.
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but feel a deep connection to England; it’s as if J.R.R. Tolkien himself walked these lands while crafting his magical tales. In a sense, we’re not just visiting Middle Earth, we’re bringing the world of The Lord of the Rings back home.
In our production, we strive to make each scene and every universe within it seem authentic and believable within their respective settings.
“Our aim is for you to immerse yourself in the sensation of fresh air, fog, greenery, and trees, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Middle-earth.”
As a lifestyle expert, I’d put it like this: “Though we filmed season one in New Zealand and season two here in the UK, ideally, there would be a consistent aesthetic throughout. The degree of change should mirror not only the environments our characters inhabit but also the emotional arcs of their stories.”
McKay stated to GQ that it presents a distinct scenery and atmospheric conditions, which significantly contribute to a Middle-earth more akin to the one readers envision from the books, as he had described earlier.
They had expressed gratitude for the time they spent filming in New Zealand earlier, lamenting their departure from the land where Lord of the Rings was once filmed.
Lindsey Weber, the producer, mentioned: “It’s undeniably tough to say goodbye. Not only did we establish professional connections, but we also formed meaningful friendships with many of the folks there. I genuinely hope we can maintain contact with everyone.”
McKay expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Sunday Star-Times, stating that he adores New Zealand and feels deeply thankful for having spent such a substantial amount of time there with both family and the production team, while creating this amazing show.
Although The Rings of Power production has departed from the nation, the New Zealand Film Commission express optimism about potential future Lord of the Rings projects returning to the country.
It emerged earlier this year that Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis, who aren’t involved with Amazon’s separate LOTR series, have been busy creating a brand new Lord of the Rings movie, set to hit screens in 2026, entitled “The Quest for Gollum.”
Despite the current events, the New Zealand Film Commission is excited about the possibility of more Middle-earth tales coming back to New Zealand, following the significant setback brought on by The Rings of Power.
“Annie Murray, NZFC CEO, shared exciting news back then: Middle-earth could be returning to New Zealand under the experienced leadership of Sir Peter Jackson, Dame Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens.”
The influence that the original film series exerted, particularly on New Zealand and its movie industry, has proven to be substantial and long-lasting.
For a span of five years, between 1999 and 2004, the production team behind the original Lord of the Rings trilogy utilized a vast number of actors and workers in New Zealand.
In the year 2012, Tourism New Zealand announced a significant surge of 50% in tourist arrivals following the release of the highly successful fantasy trilogy.
Since the reconstruction of The Shire set in Matamata, New Zealand’s North Island for the filming of The Hobbit, a growing number of fans have been drawn to the country.
As an ardent admirer, I’d rephrase it like this: “Ever since The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit graced our screens, I’ve been proud to call Aotearoa New Zealand home – a land that has long been recognized as a global filmmaking powerhouse. From Avatar to the upcoming live-action Minecraft, our country continues to shine in the world of cinema.”
Many global travelers remain drawn to New Zealand due to its profound link with Middle-earth, often naming the films “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” as key motivators for their vacation selections.
Approximately one-third of tourists, while visiting New Zealand, opted to explore film locations, join tours, or engage in experiences such as the unique, live-action movie set of Hobbiton situated in the North Island.
The initial season of the Amazon show ‘The Rings of Power’ reinforces New Zealand’s role as the setting for Middle Earth, promising an influx of tourists eager to witness the breathtaking scenery and filming locations showcased in numerous movies and TV productions filmed in New Zealand.
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2024-08-27 06:35