Amazon Prime's production of its upcoming Lord of the Rings series has been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. The shutdown, affecting approximately 800 staff, follows New Zealand's decision to close its borders on 13 March to curb the spread of the virus.
In a memo sent to cast and crew on Sunday, GSR Productions announced a two-week suspension starting 16 March. The statement cited daily travel restrictions and the need to minimise stress on local resources and infrastructure. It added that there are no clear answers on when filming will resume.
New Zealand has reported eight confirmed cases of Covid-19 and two probable cases. Among them, a man in his 60s visiting from Australia is symptom-free but self-isolating, while a woman from Denmark is recovering.
The Lord of the Rings series, with a budget of $1 billion (£814 million), is one of several major productions halted due to the outbreak, including Robert Pattinson's The Batman, Mission: Impossible 7, and the postponement of film premieres such as No Time To Die and Fast & Furious 9.
Globally, over 2,700 people have died from Covid-19, which causes fever, cough, and can lead to viral pneumonia. The virus is more severe in older individuals and those with weakened immune systems. No cure or vaccine is currently available.
