A unique AI mashup sees The Lord of the Rings films done in the distinct style of a Wes Anderson movie. The Lord of the Rings trilogy reignited love in J.R.R. Tolkien’s source material while creating a fantasy world that has thrived for two decades. The Hobbit was also adapted into its own trilogy years later, and the property is still finding popularity through shows like Prime Video’s Rings of Power. During this time, director Wes Anderson made a name for himself, offering a distinct yet unmistakable style that permeated all his films, like The Grand BudapestHotel, Moonrise Kingdom, and his forthcoming Asteroid City.

Thanks to the creators at Curious Refuge, with the help of AI, the world has been introduced to The Whimsical Fellowship, which sees The Lord of the Rings films as if Anderson directed them.

The trailer remakes the fantastical world of Middle-earth, giving it the steady camera shots and various idiosyncrasies of a film from Anderson’s resume. It also offers up the stacked cast that Anderson usually works with, seeing Timothée Chalamet cast as Frodo, Bill Murray as Gandalf, Tilda Swinton as Galadriel, Edward Norton as Aragorn, Adrian Brody as Legolas, and Jeff Goldblum as Elrond, with Willem Dafoe as Smeagol and Owen Wilson’s “wow” uttering Sauron standing out.

Could Wes Anderson Direct A Lord Of The Rings Movie?

The Lord of the Rings films feel a world away from Anderson’s movies, as the sweeping fantasy epics offer a different experience than the director’s dry wit-filled dramatic comedies. However, one commonality between the two comes from the stellar cast both offer up. Anderson is known for working with a long list of high-profile actors, many of whom appear in several of his films. The Lord of the Rings franchise also offers up an all-star cast and turned many actors into known talent. Therefore, while they may feel like a tonal mismatch, Anderson could match Lord of the Rings‘ talent.

Anderson’s films are distinct, with any cinephile able to spot his work even before knowing he directed it. While that makes for good AI mashups, it also means that Anderson’s style is unique to his own work, as the director doesn’t often venture into projects set up by others, instead championing his own content and making a name for himself. The Lord of the Rings franchise also offers a distinct style, but director Peter Jackson’s style is far removed from Anderson’s.

The Lord of the Rings franchise is set to continue with The Rings of Power season 2 and more films planned to expand on the universe. Anderson may not be the best fit for the world; a project from him would lead to more befuddlement than cheers, as the director’s style likely wouldn’t mesh properly with the franchise. Therefore, despite The Lord of the Rings continuing, Anderson is unlikely to be taking part in the series.