Dueling J R R Tolkien Biopics Are In Development

Dueling J.R.R. Tolkien Biopics Are In Development

By Angie Han/July 16, 2014 2:00 pm EST

However, THR now writes that the faith-based Tolkien & Lewis could get to theaters first. Simon West (The Expendables 2) is already set to direct the $18 million indie, with an eye toward releasing the film around Easter. The story takes place at the start of World War II, as Tolkien struggles with his memories of World War I and Lewis’ religious convictions threaten his relationships and his career.

Lewis was a famously Christian author, but he was an atheist before the devoutly Catholic Tolkien helped convert him. In turn, Lewis encouraged Tolkien to finish his Lord of the Rings series. However, their friendship eventually soured over creative and religious differences.

“Lewis becoming the poster boy for Christianity upset Tolkien,” explained Wernher Pramschufer of Tolkien & Lewis producer Attractive Films. “And obsessive genius Tolkien is blocked, terrified of finishing The Fellowship of the Ring, for fear of the strange, psychotic visions which torture him.”