The Lord of the Rings Movies
It is likely that few, if any, members of the Mythopoeic Society are unaware of the planned live-action film of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, which began filming in October of 1999. But for those few who don’t know much about it, and for those who are aware, but simply want to know more, here are the details currently available, as well as links to web sites which focus on the film project.
New Line Cinema has budgeted approximately 180 million dollars to produce three films, titled after the three volumes of The Lord of the Rings. To be produced in New Zealand (where 180 million US coverts to 300+ million NZ), the films will be shot back-to-back over an eighteen month period of production. The director of the films is New Zealander Peter Jackson (Heavenly Creatures, The Frighteners). Screenwriters include Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Stephen Sinclair. Art/visual consultants are Tolkien illustrators Alan Lee and John Howe, and the New Zealand-based company WETA will be handling the special effects. Tentative release dates for the films are as follows: The Fellowship of the Ring: Summer 2001; The Two Towers: December 2000/January 2001; The Return of the King: Summer 2002.
Casting of the major characters is almost complete, with Elijah Wood (The Ice Storm, Deep Impact, Flipper) as Frodo Baggins and Sean Astin (Rudy, The Goonies) as Sam Gamgee. Other cast members include Sir Ian McKellen portraying Gandalf, Cate Blanchett Galadriel, Viggo Mortensen Aragorn. The complete cast and crew lists are available on several movie web sites (see below); at present only a few major roles have not been finalized. Conceptual drawings, photos of shooting locations, and lots of news, rumors and speculation abounds on the web.
Selected LOTR Movie Web Sites
The Lord of the Rings Movies
As of this writing, there is precious little at New Line’s official LOTR website, although some impressive pre-production art is worth a look. The inside word says that web designers are hard at work on it now, and a major update is expected soon.
TheOneRing.net
The best of the film fan sites. Great spy reports and insider information, much of it from the filming locale itself, New Zealand. The site, among other things, offers commentary on Tolkien’s imaginary world, fan art and, prominently featured, a very active message board with a wide group of "regulars." TheOneRing.net also features many photos from New Zealand, which demonstrate how well the landscape will double for the many vistas of Middle-earth.
Ain’t It Cool News
One of best "unofficial" sources for film news on the web, with particular emphasis on SF/F genre projects. AICN has published two Q&A sessions with director Peter Jackson, with more promised periodically throughout the filming of the fantasy trilogy.
The One Ring - Tolkien Online
A pretty good site with news, art, message boards, etc., part of the IGN.com web network. Its insider news, however, comes mostly from other sites like theonering.net and Ain't-It-Cool-News. They do manage the occasional scoop.
E! Online LOTR Feature
E! Online recently jumped into the fray with their special feature section titled "Force of Hobbit: An Insider's Guide to Lord of the Rings." It includes monthly "exclusives" such as a new interview with actor Elijah Wood, who portrays Frodo in the films.
Ringbearer
This was one of the early film sites, although it has since joined with Fandom.com. This is not necessarily a good thing. The new site is much harder to navigate, encumbered as it is by endless Fandom.com graphics. But the enthusiasm of its founder, who still maintains the page for Fandom.com, remains undiminished.
Sir Ian McKellen Official Home Page
Sir Ian McKellen's official site includes the actor's musings on his various film projects. "The Grey Book: Notes from Ian McKellen" chronicles the filming of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, in which McKellen plays Gandalf.
Weta Ltd.
The home page of the company that is handling the special effects for LoTR. There’s not much on the site at this time, but expect that to change in the coming months.
The L.O.T.R. Movies Special Effects Site
Part of TheOneRing.net, focusing on the special effects developed for Jackson's film trilogy.
