King Kong to be a reunion of Rings crew -- Posted by Radagast on Saturday, August 7 2004 at 12:45 PM GMT
Peter Jackson's movie King Kong, which begins shooting in Wellington next month, will be a reunion of the director's dream team from The Lord of The Rings.
King Kong's crew includes cinematographer Andrew Lesnie, production designer Grant Major, art director Dan Hennah, conceptual designer Alan Lee, Weta special effects whizz Richard Taylor, visual effects director Alex Funke, visual effects supervisor Joe Letteri and composer Howard Shore.... More
All won Oscars for their work on The Lord of the Rings.
For fans, it's one exhibit to rule them All -- Posted by Radagast on Saturday, August 7 2004 at 12:39 PM GMT
The Lord of the Rings' Motion Picture Trilogy -- The Exhibition" is, on the brutal face of it, little more than a collection of pretty costumes, drawings, plastic models, and cast-off prosthetics lined up for display. The ambience, however, is hushed, the lighting low, the speakers emitting distant sounds of battle. You would think you were making a pilgrimage to the toe bone of a saint. Many people in the hall think they are... More
One DVD To Rule The All -- Posted by Radagast on Saturday, August 7 2004 at 12:37 PM GMT
Director Peter Jackson's monumental Lord of the Rings trilogy may have wrapped in theaters, but New Line Home Entertainment is just beginning the final stages of home video releases for the series' final entry. On May 25, New Line released the theatrical edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, along with a boxed set that contains the theatrical editions of The Return of the King and its predecessors, The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers.
The new release follows a pattern set up early in the release process by Jackson and New Line, explains Michael Mulvihill, the company's vice president of content creation. "At the time Fellowship of the Ring was looking for theatrical release, Peter came to the studio with the opportunity to create an extended edition DVD." That release would contain an extended version of the film that included 30 to 40 minutes of previously unused footage. "His thinking was that this would give viewers a stronger bond with the characters and the narrative and really propel them into the next episode in the trilogy when that arrived theatrically."... More
McKellen tells of stalker hell -- Posted by Radagast on Saturday, August 7 2004 at 12:35 PM GMT
Lord of the Rings star Ian McKellen once got rid of a persistent stalker - by ignoring the disturbed individual.
The Oscar nominee, 64, decided to make sure the over-zealous fan understood there was no chance of a personal relationship with the actor.
McKellen explains: "I have had a bad case of being followed around but fortunately the misplaced enthusiasm faded once it was made clear that it was not reciprocated by me.
"Actors hope to entertain audiences by moving their emotions and shifting their perceptions.
"This only gets dangerous when stalkers get things wrong, confusing their fantasies with the effect that actors' performance have on them." Source.
Viggo after the Reign -- Posted by Radagast on Friday, August 6 2004 at 9:49 PM GMT
Someone should make Viggo Mortensen an honorary Canadian.
In addition to regular visits to B.C. and Alberta while living in the Pacific northwest several years ago, the Lord of the Rings and Hidalgo star has shot a handful of movies here -- including the locally filmed 1989 drama, The Reflecting Skin -- and is back in Toronto soon to shoot David Cronenberg's A History of Violence.
But what really qualifies Mortensen for a Canadian passport is his passion for our country's beloved sport.... More
Alan Lee to attend The Fellowship Festival! -- Posted by Illuvatar on Friday, August 6 2004 at 5:38 PM GMT
We are proud to announce that Mr. Alan Lee, one of the world’s leading Tolkien Artists will be joining us at The Fellowship Festival from 28th-30th August 2004, at Alexandra Palace, London.
As all Tolkien fans out there will know, Alan illustrated the lavish anniversary edition of The Lord of The Rings. Alan also laboured on the New Zealand set of Peter Jackson's film trilogy, The Lord of The Rings. As conceptual designer for the films, it was Alan's job to create the distinctive "look" of Middle Earth.
Alan will be talking about his life and work in our Hall of Fire, along with meeting and signing for fans and attending the Fellowship Feast, the exclusive dinner for 90 fans and the cast and crew attending.
Most importantly, Alan, along with John Howe, the other conceptual artist who worked alongside Alan, will be the judges of the fan art competition.
Alan joins our other distinguished guests including:
Bernard Hill (King Theoden) John Noble (Denethor) Craig Parker (Haldir) Mark Ferguson (Gil-Galad) Bruce Hopkins (Gamling) Sarah McLeod (Rosie Cotton) Cameron Rhodes (Farmer Maggot) Lawrence Makoare (Lurtz) Jorn Benzon (Rumil) Jed Brophy (Snaga/Sharku Jarl Benzon (Glorfindel) Sandro Kopp (Gildor) Gino Acevedo (Weta Workshop) John Howe (Conceptual Artist)
Come and meet Alan, along with the other 14 other The Lord of The Rings cast and crewmembers at the festival.
Mammoth set for Jackson's King Kong -- Posted by Radagast on Thursday, August 5 2004 at 11:07 PM GMT
A 10-metre-high wall of King Kong-sized building blocks has gone up to create a backdrop for Peter Jackson's latest NZ$200 million movie.
Filming is due to start next month on Jackson's remake of King Kong and work is two-thirds finished on a state-of-the-art $12 million sound stage in the Wellington suburb of Miramar.
Just next to the sound stage, a monster-sized "blue screen" has been built out of freight containers, more than 10m high, to create an outside "backlot"... More
Fiennes is 'Potter's' Voldemort -- Posted by Radagast on Thursday, August 5 2004 at 10:59 PM GMT
He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has been named. Ralph Fiennes, who played memorable evil guys in "Red Dragon" and "Schindler's List," has signed on to portray the wicked warlock Voldemort in the next "Harry Potter" movie, Warner Bros. announced Wednesday. Voldemort is so bad that the magical characters in author J.K. Rowling's stories do their best not to speak his name aloud. In the first three installments of the saga, a deadly magic spell meant for a baby Harry Potter backfired and deprived him of a body. So only his spirit wrought havoc in "The Sorcerer's Stone," "The Chamber of Secrets" and the recent "Prisoner of Azkaban." But Voldemort finally returns in the flesh in part four: "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire." Source.
The Lord of the Rings Symphony Hits Detroit -- Posted by Radagast on Thursday, August 5 2004 at 10:52 PM GMT
At 8 p.m. Saturday, October 16th the Fox Theatre in Detroit will be host to the global phenomenon of The Lord Of the Rings. More than 200 musicians and singers take the stage with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in a spectacular performance of Academy Award-winning composer Howard Shore's The Lord of the Rings Symphony: A Symphony in Six Movements. The musical masterpiece also features a local adult choir, the Christ Church Grosse Pointe Choir of Boys and Girls, and guest vocalist Sissel. Lord of the Rings Symphony is being presented in Detroit by Jam Theatricals, Olympia Entertainment and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.... More
King DVD Scenes Revealed -- Posted by Radagast on Thursday, August 5 2004 at 10:50 PM GMT
David Wenham, who played Faramir in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, told SCI FI Wire that the upcoming special extended-edition DVD of The Return of the King will feature deleted scenes that further develop his character. "It sort of shows that Faramir is probably the strongest member of the family," he said in an interview. "[There's] a scene with Denethor and Faramir where they talk about the ring of power, and Faramir is accused by his father of not being up to it by not actually taking the ring. And Faramir says, 'You don't know the power of this ring, and if Boromir had taken it, you wouldn't have known your son.'"... More
Sean Bean takes "Flight" -- Posted by Radagast on Thursday, August 5 2004 at 7:28 PM GMT
Erika Christensen is boarding Touchstone Pictures/Imagine Entertainment's highflying Hitchcockian thriller "Flight Plan," opposite Jodie Foster and Peter Sarsgaard. Sean Bean ("The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring") also is negotiating to take off in the feature, sources said. "Flight" follows the in-air plight of a woman (Foster) whose daughter mysteriously disappears while on board a passenger jet. Source.
Fact and fiction mix as poll gives Gandalf a real role in history -- Posted by Radagast on Thursday, August 5 2004 at 1:42 PM GMT
Historical fact is being diluted by Hollywood fiction, with some young people believing that Gandalf the wizard masterminded the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
Almost half of 16- to 34-year-olds questioned in a BBC poll did not know that Francis Drake led the English fleet against Spain. One in five 16 to 24-year-olds thought it was Columbus, while one in 20 said it was Gandalf, the wizard from Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.... More
Iris J. Scadden and Shakespeare! -- Posted by Illuvatar on Thursday, August 5 2004 at 6:42 AM GMT
One of our resident artists, Iris J. Scadden is not only a talented artist, but it appears that she is also an active member of her local community as well!
One of her local papers has ran an article on her involvement with the Commerce City Cultural Council, who will be presenting Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" where she will be contributing a major piece of work to be used as a back drop for the play.
Night Watch beats The Lord of the Rings in Russia -- Posted by Radagast on Wednesday, August 4 2004 at 5:56 PM GMT
MOSCOW, August 4 (Itar-Tass) - The film “Nochnoi Dozor” (“Night Watch”), has beaten the Hollywood blockbuster “The Lord of the Rings Part III” both by the number of the viewers and as a box office favorite.
A source in the public relations directorate of Channel One, which produced the Night Watch, told Itar-Tass that more than 3.8 million people watched the film between July 8 and August 1. It is almost half a million more than watched The Lord of the Rings. The Return of the King since it hit the Russian screens... More
Hurt and Harris Join Mortensen in "A History of Violence" -- Posted by Aegis_of_Pyros on Wednesday, August 4 2004 at 1:06 AM GMT
Veteran actors ED Harris and William Hurt are all set to join "Lord of the Rings" actor Viggo Mortensen in a movie version of John Wagner and Vince Locke's novel 'A History of Violence.'
According to Zap2it, the movie narrates the tale of an average family which is thrust into the spotlight after the father commits a seemingly self-defense murder at his diner, which sparks a national debate.
Mortensen will play the central character in the movie, while four time Oscar nominee, "Pollock" star Ed Harris will play the man who goes after Mortensen. Hurt will play the role Harris's half brother.
Makoare Opens Official Site -- Posted by Aegis_of_Pyros on Wednesday, August 4 2004 at 12:53 AM GMT
The folks from lawrencemakoare.com write: Lawrence now has an official website. We hope to keep it updated regularly with exclusive news of Lawrence's current and upcoming projects. We would welcome submissions of any relevant news articles, photos, artwork etc and anything we use will be credited to the relevant source. More.
Sean Astin Calls Four Men 'Dad' -- Posted by Aegis_of_Pyros on Wednesday, August 4 2004 at 12:16 AM GMT
LORD OF THE RINGS star SEAN ASTIN is surrounded by so much confusion about the true identity of his biological father, he now regards four men as his dads.
Astin was told by his actress mother PATTY DUKE that the man who he thought was his father - former ADDAMS FAMILY star JOHN ASTIN, had no hand in conceiving him.
Following Astin's conception, tabloid headlines claimed then unmarried 23-year-old Duke was carrying the love child of her 17-year-old boyfriend DESI ARNAZ JR, and that his mother LUCILLE BALL was horrified. More
Fellowship Festival Announces Exclusive LotR Merchandise! -- Posted by Illuvatar on Tuesday, August 3 2004 at 11:56 PM GMT
Two special collector plates, two lithographs, and special t-shirts have been created especially for the upcoming Fellowship Festival taking place at Alexandra Palace in London from August 28th-30th.
These items will only be made available at the event and only a limited amout will be made available for purchase. Click on the image on the left for a larger image and all te juicy details!
Also...if you have not entered yet, and are going to be in the London area, or willing to make the trip...there are only a few days left in which to submit your entry for a chance to win a pair of 3-Day Gold passes to what is for sure to be the event of a lifetime! If you'd like more details the go here, and good luck!
Interview with Billy Boyd and David Wenham about the ROTK:EE! -- Posted by Radagast on Tuesday, August 3 2004 at 10:59 PM GMT
Ahoy, Quint here with a lovely little interview I conducted with Billy Boyd and David Wenham right after their panel promoting the RETURN OF THE KING EXTENDED EDITION DVD at the San Diego Comic-Con last week. I had met Boyd last summer when I was down in New Zealand during pick-ups for ROTK. He's as nice and genuine as you'd imagine he'd be from his interviews and TV appearances. Wenham I saw work while I was in Wellington, but never got the chance to meet him until this interview. I found him to be just as nice and easy going as Boyd in person. On with the interview!... More
Gollum's sharp suited -- Posted by kenzie on Tuesday, August 3 2004 at 10:32 PM GMT
Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in 'Lord of the Rings', plays Jennifer's boss and gets to wear some very sharp suits.
Unlike most actresses who wear a different outfit for every event, Andy's the complete opposite and only has one suit to his name but he says he's quite happy being scruffy.......more
BuyMagazine interviews Viggo Mortensen! -- Posted by Illuvatar on Tuesday, August 3 2004 at 4:58 AM GMT
The folks at BuyMagazine have sat down with Viggo and interviewed him on his life, Lord of the Rings, Hidalgo and horses! And have even placed him on the cover!
You can read the full interview here, just click on his picture.
Shyamalan's The Village Tops Box Office -- Posted by Radagast on Monday, August 2 2004 at 11:53 AM GMT
M. Night Shyamalan's The Village took over the top box office spot with an estimated $50.8 million from 3,730 theaters, which is the 9th biggest opening for the month of July. The $60 million-budgeted Touchstone feature is the second best opening for the director, trailing only the $60.1 million debut for Signs in 2002. Shyamalan's top-grossing film, The Sixth Sense, debuted with just $26.7 million but climbed to $293.5 million at the domestic box office.... More
At museum, film fans troll for wizardry -- Posted by Radagast on Monday, August 2 2004 at 11:49 AM GMT
The Museum of Science's new exhibit about the making of the ''Lord of the Rings" movie trilogy pulls back the curtain to expose the realities of director Peter Jackson's fantasy filmmaking.
But it was the fans' fantasies that reigned at the exhibit's midnight opening yesterday where many of the hundreds of dedicated ''Rings" followers -- many who had come from across the United States and from other countries -- were dressed as hobbits and elves, displaying their affection for wizardry of all kinds...
Coltrane on Harry Potter & Ocean's 12 -- Posted by Radagast on Sunday, August 1 2004 at 5:11 PM GMT
The Sunday Herald talked to Robbie Coltrane, who plays Hagrid in the "Harry Potter" movie, about the final three films in the franchise and his role in the upcoming Ocean's 11 sequel.... More
Orlando Bloom's mother made him realise he is famous -- Posted by Radagast on Sunday, August 1 2004 at 5:07 PM GMT
British heartthrob Orlando Bloom is one modest guy. The young actor who fist shot to fame as the skirt clad elf, Legolas Greenleaf in "Lord of the Rings," and was also voted the sexist man in Britain recently, has revealed that his mother made him realise how famous he was.
According to the Sun, Bloom did not know the extent of his fame till his mother told him that she had recently flown in a plane with his face all over it. "The first time I knew I was famous was when my mum told me she had flown to New Zealand in a plane with my face on the side," the report quoted him as saying. Source
