Amazon Announces Writers for Its 'Lord of the Rings' Epic Series

Did you know that Amazon is developing a television adaptation of The Lord of the Rings?! Because we didn't, somehow, and are discovering this now as they announce the series' showrunners today.

The studio has tapped Star Trek 4 and Jungle Cruise's JD Payne and Patrick McCay, both of whom have no previous credits in TV.

The pair announced in a statement: "The rich world that J.R.R. Tolkien created is filled with majesty and heart, wisdom and complexity," Entertainment Weeklyreports. "We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Amazon to bring it to life anew. We feel like Frodo, setting out from the Shire, with a great responsibility in our care -- it is the beginning of the adventure of a lifetime."

Amazon has committed to multiple seasons of the TV adaptation of LoTR, and the budget has been estimated as up to $500 million, making it the most expensive freshman television show in history.

According to EW, the show will take place before The Fellowship of the Ring, meaning it could have some crossover with The Hobbit or just be entirely new.