Fox Searchlight Pictures announced today that principal photography has wrapped on Tolkien. Nicholas Hoult (X-Men films, Rebel in the Rye, Mad Max: Fury Road) is J.R.R. Tolkien, writer of such classic works as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, with Lily Collins (The Last Tycoon, Rules Don’t Apply) as his wife Edith. Directed by Dome Karukoski (Tom of Finland), the Tolkien movie is written by David Gleeson (Cowboys and Angels) and Stephen Beresford (Pride).
The film also stars Colm Meaney (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), Craig Roberts (Red Oaks), Anthony Boyle (The Lost City of Z), Patrick Gibson (The OA), Tom Glynn-Carney (Dunkirk), Genevieve O’Reilly (The Legend of Tarzan), Laura Donnelly (Outlander), Pam Ferris (Holmes and Watson) and Derek Jacobi (Murder on the Orient Express). Producers are Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping and David Ready of Chernin Entertainment, along with Kris Thykier of Archery Pictures.
“As a lifelong fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, it is a privilege to bring one of the greatest writers in history to life. Tolkien’s works teach us that even when we meet an obstacle the size of Smaug, with the support and fighting spirit of incredible friends, we can conquer monsters and create magic. Not only is that the story of Tolkien’s life, but it speaks to the making of this film. I am incredibly grateful to our crew and cast, including Nicholas who prepared for months. I will treasure this experience always,” says Karukoski.
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David Greenbaum and Matthew Greenfield, Fox Searchlight Pictures Co-Heads of Production said: “We are thrilled to be working with acclaimed auteur Dome Karukoski to bring this extraordinary true story of love, friendship, and the power of the imagination to screen. Nicholas and Lily are two of the most exciting emerging talents out there, and we can’t think of a better duo to capture J.R.R. and Edith Tolkien’s incredible romance.”
Tolkien explores the formative years of the orphaned author as he finds friendship, love and artistic inspiration among a group of fellow outcasts at school. This takes him into the outbreak of World War I, which threatens to tear the “fellowship” apart. All of these experiences would inspire Tolkien to write his famous Middle-Earth novels.
The film is being overseen by Greenbaum, Greenfield and Vice President of Production Katie Goodson-Thomas. Hoult is repped by UTA, Collins is repped by CAA and Karukoski is repped by ICM.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
