Although there is an ongoing writers strike, Amazon Prime Video’s Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is pushing through with finishing production of the show without the showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay.
The second season has been in production since October 3, 2022, just a little over a month since it was released on the streaming platform. The production has been hard at work trying to finish the series.
Unfortunately, the recent Writers Guild of America Strike that started on May 2 has halted every show and movie that are currently in production in Hollywood. Even though the production of the Lord of the Rings series is in the UK, both showrunners are members of the WGA.
The strike won’t allow Payne and McKay to work or even do consultation for any project even The Rings of Power or they can be barred from the guild. Because of this many are wondering how the Rings of Power finish filming.
The Rings Of Power Will Move Forward Without The Showrunners
READ MORE: Rings Of Power Season 2 Adds Star Wars & James Bond Cast Members
Based on the information provided by Variety, Amazon Prime will be moving forward to finishing production of season 2 even without the help of the showrunners Payne and McKay. Especially with just 19 days to go to end principal photography, they are already too close to the finish line to end midway.
It seems that the writers were prepared for the strike. They have planned ahead with the production just in case the writers strike would push through. Non-writing executive producers, directors and other members of the production would be taking over overseeing the project.
This gives a bit of assurance that the show will go on and is still scheduled to release in 2024.
Credit: Prime Video
During the strike, all writers can’t work on TV shows and movies. The Hollywood Reporter stated:
During a strike, writers cannot do any writing, revising, pitching or discussing future projects with companies that are members of the AMPTP. If members do not abide by the rules, the Guild can impose discipline for violations, including but not limited to, expulsion or suspension from membership, imposition of monetary fines or censure.
The length of time until the strike ends is unpredictable. Based on previous events, WGA strikes usually last more than 100 days. The shortest was in 2007 which lasted exactly 100 days. And the longest was in 1988 which lasted 155 days.
Showrunners of The Rings of Power Made Preparations Before The WGA Strike
Credit: Amazon Prime
READ MORE: Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power’s Best Duos
Stopping mid production can be devastating to shows. Usually, there are shows that even get completely cancelled because it took too long before they could resume production. Shows like Pushing Daisies, Bionic Woman, Firefly, and The Black Donnellys were cancelled partially because of the strikes.
The Lord of the Rings series has been Amazon Prime’s main highlight even before it was released in September 2022. The show even got lots of attention because the cost of each episode is almost $60 million per episode, which is practically a budget of a mid-range full length film.
Holding the production midway Amazon’s most expensive show would result in higher costs and the possibility of cancellation. Getting the stars and crew back on schedule can be a nightmare which is why everyone in production wants to get the show done within its planned timetable.
What do you make think of Rings Of Power Season 2 pushing through the final leg of shoot even without its showrunners? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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