Lord Of The Rings TV Series Could Be R-Rated

Amazon’s ridiculously expensive Lord of the Rings TV series could be taking a page out of Game of Thrones‘ book(s) for its approach towards adult content – and we’re not just talking about the violence, either.

The notoriously secretive production has once again been outed by their online listings and casting calls, seeking out an intimacy coordinator – think the sex equivalent of a fight choreographer – as well as actors “comfortable with nudity”.

Adding an element of sex is fast becoming the norm in the realm of fantasy shows post-Game of Thrones. But while the likes of Game of Thrones and even The Witcher have source material explicitly alluding to sex, Lord of the Rings does not (there’s a joke somewhere here about the fandom but it feels lazy). J.R.R. Tolkien was, after all, as Catholic as they come.

RELATED: ‘Lord Of The Rings’ TV Series Wants To Cast Weird-Looking Extras.

Naturally, fans were quick to voice their opinions regarding the HBO-ification of a beloved universe. Already uncertain about the upcoming series’ direction given it’s an entirely unexplored storyline, the prospect of a Lord of the Rings TV series earning its R-rating for the wrong reasons has certainly ruffled feathers. Amazon Prime Video, however, has yet to confirm or deny the latest reveal.

Set in the Second Age of Middle-Earth, Amazon’s Lord of the Ring TV series will star:

• Robert Aramayo (Game of Thrones)
• Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones)
• Ismael Cruz Córdova (The Mandalorian)
• Nazanin Boniadi (Homeland)
• Tom Budge (The Pacific)
• Owain Arthur (The Palace)
• Morfydd Clark (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies)
• Ema Horvath (The Gallows Act II)
• Markella Kavenagh (Romper Stomper)
• Charlie Vickers (Medici)
• Daniel Weyman (Gentleman Jack)

With a current total series budget exceeding US$1 billion – US$250 million for the rights alone – filming has just resumed in New Zealand, and a release scheduled for sometime in 2021.