The true story behind The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien is in the works with a biopic tentatively titled Tolkien. The LA Times reports that David Gleeson will be providing the screenplay.
Tolkien is said to focus largely on the author’s young life, including his time at Pembroke College and his military service during the first World War. The film will tie his experiences as a young man to those depicted in his iconic fantasy novels.
It is unknown whether or not Tolkien’s estate will be involved in the biopic’s production in any capacity. Christopher Tolkien, J.R.R.’s son, is infamously not a fan of Peter Jackson’s big screen adaptations, the latest of which hits theaters December 13 as The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.
Peter Chernin will produce Tolkien through his Chernin Entertainment.
