Payne and McKay are known in Hollywood currently for writing the screenplay for Star Trek 4, as well as aiding in the adaptation of Disney’s upcoming Jungle Cruise movie.
The announcement could mean the two are on board as showrunners, writers, or both for the Lord of the Rings series, none of which would be entirely surprising.
Jennifer Salke’s announcement was somewhat cryptic, as while the recently promoted head of Amazon Studios announced J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay’s involvement in the series at the TCA summer press tour (via THR), she didn’t specify what role the duo would play in development.