We like this a lot! Amazon have announced that the acclaimed filmmaker Juan Antonio Bayona will direct the first two episodes of Amazon Studios’ upcoming series based on J. R. R. Tolkien’s iconic fantasy novels The Lord of the Rings, which is sure to offer all kinds of darkness and mystery, in which he’ll also be exec producer, alongside his partner Belén Atienza, and had this to say:

“J.R.R. Tolkien created one of the most extraordinary and inspiring stories of all time, and as a lifelong fan it is an honour and a joy to join this amazing team. I can’t wait to take audiences around the world back to Middle-earth and have them discover the wonders of the Second Age, with a never-before-seen story.”

While none of us really know ‘what’ story is going to be told, or how, I’m still excited about new Lord of the Rings stories because Middle Earth is obviously so expansive and full of possibilities. And we’ll bring you more about release dates and so forth… as we hear it!

The Lord of the Rings TV series is set during the 3,441-year period, known as the Age of Númenor, or the Second Age, and is currently in production.