While filming on season one has yet-to-begin, Deadline is reporting that Amazon Studios has already issued an early second season renewal for their upcomingprequel series.Pre-production is expected to begin within the next few weeks in New Zealand, with filming on the first two episodes, which will be directed by J.A. Bayona (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom; The Impossible), expected to begin shortly thereafter.After wrapping the first two episodes, the series will head into a preplanned 4-5 month hiatus to simultaneously give the producers and executives time to evaluate the footage and determine any changes they may need and to also give the writing team, led by showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, enough time to break down season two and write the majority of the scripts.There's also now a strong possibility the new series will follow in the footsteps of the original Peter Jackson trilogy and possibly film seasons one and two back-to-back in order to save time and money as it would be easier to film both seasons right after the winter season ends rather than wait another calendar year. This move would also significantly reduce the amount of time fans would have to wait inbetween season premiere dates.While the cast hasn't been confirmed just yet, it's rumored to include Will Poulter (Midsommar), Markella Kavenagh (Romper Stomper) and Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones) in leading roles.