Empire Mag

The latest issue of Empire Magazine (124) has a 2 page layout about LOTR.

While some information is wrong (Tim Spall. Sean Connery and Jude Law have NOT been cast) the information is generally accurate and thourough. Read on:

Late last year, Heavenly Creatures director Peter Jackson declared he was finally giving up on his long planned King Kong remake. Instead he would concentrate on a personal project that set the Internet Buzzing – live-action three-part adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s novel The Lord of the Rings. Since the news broke, chat rooms and web sites have been deluged by thousands of posts from sci-fi and fantasy fans speculating as to how the New Zealand helmer would deal with the epic series.

Tolkien’s three novels – FOTR, TTT, ROTK – were published 1954-55 and first made into a single underachieving feature-length cartoon by Fritz The Cat creator Ralph Bakshi in 1978. Since then the classic tomes have long been considered too complex, too grand and too expensive to attempt in live-action form.

There’s also the novels’ huge and fanatical following around the globe – fans who are easily piqued and liable to revolt if they feel the history of Frodo Baggins, Sam, Gandalf and friends aren’t getting the lavish treatment they deserve. Perhaps filming a giant ape climbing up a skyscraper would have been a safer option.

Empire Mag Empire Mag

To read the rest of the article, go out and buy the latest copy of Empire Magazine today!

Ian Mckellen has responded to a few more emails. Check this one out:

Hey there. I sent this email to Sir McKellen, and this is the reply he sent. Interesitng to know that he won’t be there until early next year.

Sir Ian McKellen,

I just wanted to wish you the best in your upcoming adventure as Gandalf in LOTR. I think you will do a great job. How long will it be before you get down to NZ and start filming with Peter Jackson? Anyway, I look forward to seeing you on the screen from Middle Earth.

Peter

dear peter

i will start in new zealand early january 2000 – more news in Grey Book on www.mckellen.com

best wishes ian mckellen

Thanks to Peter for the news!

Ethelion’s full report from Oxenmoot, including his expierence at the gravesite of JRR Tolkien himself.

Read the full report here.

Since Sierra’s decision to ‘revamp’ MEO and KILL ORCS: Revenge of the Ancients. Websites have been popping up all over the place trying to save them.

One of the better ones is called MEO voice. Check it out.

Thanks to the great work from our in-house artist Mia, Book 2 in the continuing ‘Xoanon Rants’ opens with some great depictions of ‘The Hall of Fire’. Check it out, along with my latest Rant.

Click here to read the Rant!

Calling all you NZers! Seeper just dropped me a line saying that there is a casting call on Sunday in Queenstown.

If you live around that area and are planning on going, drop us a line. And bring your camera!

Updated

Another bit of info from Seeper:

Apparently the extras casting in Queenstown is an invite only thing, they are taking the people they had selected from previous files for a final review… it’s strange as the guy on the radio gave details on what you had to wear etc yesterday but the people at 3 foot 6 limited did not advertise it at all…