I think we can all agree that Hollywood has been dominated by media franchises over the last couple of years and while they cater to different sets of fans, their supporters range from passionate to just purely toxic. Just recently, The Lord of the Rings franchise, which made its triumphant return to the world of mainstream entertainment experienced just how destructive some fans could be.
In case you didn't know, Amazon Prime's new hit series The Rings of Power has been vilified by viewers for highlighting a diverse cast, something that has obviously become a standard practice in Hollywood. The show's cast has been getting harassed by toxic fans since its debut on the streaming platform and the toxicity has become too much that the people behind the series were forced to address the matter on social media.
On Twitter, the official handle for the show clapped back at viewers who have thrown nothing but negativity toward its cast, noting that LOTR author J.R.R. Tolkien created a "multi-cultural" world for everyone to enjoy. The official statement reads: "We, the cast of Rings of Power, stand together in absolute solidarity and against the relentless racism, threats, harassment, and abuse some of our castmates of color are being subjected to on a daily basis. We refuse to ignore it or tolerate it."
"JRR Tolkien created a world which, by definition, is multi-cultural. A world in which free peoples from different races and cultures join together, in fellowship, to defeat the forces of evil. Rings of Power reflects that. Our world has never been all white, fantasy has never been all white, Middle-earth is not all white. BIPOC belong in Middle-earth and they are here to stay."
"Finally, all our love and fellowship go out to the fans supporting us, especially fans of colour who are themselves being attacked simply for existing in this fandom. We see you, your bravery, and endless creativity. Your cosplays, fancams, fan art, and insights make this community a richer place and remind us of our purpose. You are valid, you are loved, and you belong. You are an integral part of the LOTR family — thanks for having our backs."
Also Read: The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Answers Racist Backlash on the Show
The statement garnered a generally positive response from social media users and soon after, Star Wars' Twitter page voiced out its support for The Rings of Power's cast, saying that everyone is welcome "from Middle-earth to a galaxy far, far away". Of course, the franchise knows a thing or two about toxic fans and they have long been dealing with them. It's nice to see the solidarity between the two franchises.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power's first two episodes are streaming on Prime Video.
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