In a surprising turn during a recent interview with New Zealand Herald, director Peter Jackson appeared to voice support for a hypothetical U.S. military intervention in Iran, drawing a controversial comparison to the epic struggles depicted in The Lord of the Rings. “Sometimes,” Jackson said, “darkness gathers in the East, and the free peoples of the world must take a stand. That’s the essence of The Fellowship, and perhaps it applies today more than ever.”

Jackson likened Iran’s current regime to Mordor, describing it as “a looming threat cloaked in fire and secrecy.” When asked if that analogy extended to supporting U.S. involvement, the filmmaker responded, “Well, if Gondor had waited any longer to light the beacons, Minas Tirith would have fallen. I’m not saying we need a ring-bearing hobbit, but action often beats complacency.”

The director's remarks have been met with immediate backlash online, with fans and critics accusing him of romanticizing real-world violence. Despite the criticism, Jackson doubled down in a follow-up statement: “History often plays out like myth — and myths teach us that evil unchecked leads to catastrophe.”

As of now, no major Hollywood figures have echoed Jackson’s sentiments. Warner Bros., which owns the rights to The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, has declined to comment.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/peter-jackson-compares-us-iran-tensions-to-lord-of-the-rings/