Given the fact that HBO has become the home of the biggest franchises in the history of television (Game of Thrones), one would have expected that they would be the natural place for a new Lord of the Rings TV series to set up camp. As we know, however, that is not the case. Instead of HBO, Lord of the Rings ended up over on the less established platform, Amazon.

So what’s the reason why HBO didn’t even bid on the remake of the beloved JRR Tolkien books? It turns out they weren’t hungry to bring in another high fantasy series because they already have the narratively rich world of Westeros, as HBO CEO Richard Plepler said at Business Insider’s Ignition 2017 media conference on Wednesday.

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What’s more, in addition to the already-successful series, they already have several other spinoffs of the franchise in the works from veteran writers to the franchise and Game of Thrones author himself George R.R. Martin.

“I’d rather own our IP [intellectual property] 100%… and I’d rather have the ability to work with a product that is inextricably linked to our brand.”

Makes sense to us. Plus, when all said and done, the stories of Westeros are ones that have never before been realized on a big or small screen. Why take the risk on a property that’s already definitively been adapted?

Do you think it was smart of HBO not to bid on the property? Let us know your thoughts down below!

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SOURCE: Variety