By Gavin Boyle
The legendary friendship between C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien is set to hit the big screen as the book The Mythmakers, which explores how the two authors spurred each other on, receives a movie adaptation.
“C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien’s works have inspired me for as long as I can remember,” said filmmaker Aaron Burns. “When I read John Hendrix’s The Mythmakers, I immediately knew that [my production company] needed to adapt it into an animated film as special as the book. John’s words and images literally leap off the page, so I can’t wait to capture his creativity and craft a timeless film that families can enjoy for years to come.”
The Mythmakers explores how Lewis and Tolkien reshaped the world of storytelling following two world wars in 30 years. Their stories not only enchanted readers but helped them understand the experiences they had gone through while remaining rooted and faith and pointing back to Christ as the only firm foundation.
“I am thrilled to have Burns & Co. adapting The Mythmakers into a feature-length, animated film,” Hendrix said. “I knew from our first conversation that their team really understood the book and shared my love for the mythology behind Lewis, Tolkien, the Inklings, and the worlds they built together.”
Related: C.S. Lewis’ Most Hellish Work Gets Big-Screen Debut
The works of Lewis and Tolkien have remained a part of the cultural zeitgeist ever since they were published and regularly receive movie and TV show adaptations today. Lewis’ Screwtape Letters, for example, is currently being adapted for the big screen by the Fellowship for Performing Arts. Meanwhile, The Lord of the Rings is an ever-popular IP to bring to screens, with a third season of THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER currently in the works, along with a new movie following Gollum, set to release in 2027.
“The Gollum/Sméagol character has always fascinated me because Gollum reflects the worst of human nature, whilst his Sméagol side is, arguably, quite sympathetic,” Peter Jackson, who is working on the new movie, told Deadline in May 2024. “I think he connects with readers and film audiences alike, because there’s a little bit of both of them in all of us.”
“We really want to explore his backstory and delve into those parts of his journey we didn’t have time to cover in the earlier films,” he continued. “It’s too soon to know who will cross his path, but suffice to say we will take our lead from Professor Tolkien.”
Being rooted in scripture, both authors’ works also continuously speak to new generations as humanity’s struggle against sin and evil – which is at the center of their stories – never changes. It will be fun to see their partnership come to life when the adaptation of The Mythmakers releases.
Read Next: Why THE LORD OF THE RINGS Franchise is Returning with Gollum
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