Amazon looks confident in the success of its forthcoming Lord of the Rings series. Pre-production on the first season has only just begun, and it's already been renewed for a second.

Plot details for the series remain scarce. According to Variety, it will explore new storylines leading up to J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Fellowship of the Ring.” Earlier this year the @LOTRonPrime Twitter account offered some clues with a tweet that referenced "the Second Age." Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films begin with a prologue detailing the defeat of Sauron. Fans and critics speculate that the series will therefore focus on Sauron's rise to power.

Amazon bought the rights to the series, shelling out $250 million to J.R.R Tolkien’s estate. The combined total including casting, production, and visual effects is estimated to cost over $1 billion, positioning it to be the most expensive TV show ever.