I dunno. You give a religious guy like Mel Gibson the IP and let him combine his strong action, storytelling, and character chops with his faith and I think you'd get something Tolkien would be proud of and that the masses could still enjoy.
You need a subtle touch, but certainly not a pure secular interpretation. I think Mel can do that, versus something like Angel Studios where the jesus stuff is on front street.
Imagine Jim Caviezel as Beren and Margot Robie as Luthien directed by Mel. Getting chills just thinking about it!
No.
Just being Catholic wouldn't cut it. Nothing would.
Tolkien's Middle-earth is based on far more than Catholicism. It's inspired by England, English culture, English history, experiences of WW1, Northern European mythology, his long love with Edith and much more.
More importantly, this was a hobby and personal passion project for Tolkien. He never originally intended for it to be published, let alone it being adapted to screen. It's a stroke of luck we have it at all.
For these reasons I think it should be left alone. As already stated, enough damage has already been done.
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