From the desks of Ringer staff members Gandalf and Jincey:
In recent reports it has been stated that a funeral procession was recently filmed, and it is speculated that the funeral could in fact be for that of King Theoden of Rohan. But after reading the recent E! Online update info: “In the grassy plains below, Peter Jackson walks Bernard Hill through the next shot, a close-up of King Théoden burying his son in the flower-covered tombs outside the city.” Could this in fact be the funeral of Theoden’s only son, Theodred, and not Theoden? The same article mentions that Ian Mckellen (Gandalf) is there to comfort the grieved Theoden. If this is true then they have changed the story a little. Theodred dies before Gandalf and the three hunters reach Edoras. The way the article is written, it seems that this would take place after Theoden’s ‘healing’ by Gandalf. Since Gandalf wasn’t on good terms with Theoden on his previous visit, this is just something to think about.
E! Online has updated their “Force of the Hobbit” section for the month of October. Here are some of the highlights:
- On location discussing filming at Edoras, Bernard Hill as Theoden and Miranda Otto as Eowyn.
- The Latest Word confirms our report from this week that Joel Tobeck is definitely out as the young smeagol. E! Online speculates that the voice of smeagol, Andy Serkis, might actually take over the role. There is also a few tidbits on Arwen and her Xena tendencies, as well as info on Sean Bean going home.
- Ask the Insider features questions on Farmer Maggot and Rosie Cotton. It also confirms reports that Sarah McLeod is playing Rosie.
Check the E! Online site for all the update. [more]
Many fans have noticed that the “thank you” note to Edoras extras from Barry Osbourne and company, has the date of October 25th 2000 (see the note here). As a result, questions of authenticity have surfaced. After further review…we still believe this is in fact authentic and the date was simply misprinted.
Ringer Spy Thorin sends in the following:
“I have a few friends who were part of a filming session as orcs down in the Ruapehu area a few months ago. Aparently there is 2 versions being filmed, one for cinema release, and a DVD release, the latter sounds to be somewhat more gory!
I am told that during the filming of a particular scene (a fairly serious battle) the make-up techs were busy spreading blood and KY jelly over the actors, and the action began… the filming was then stopped, and the scene “topped up” with somewhat what has been described as “buckets-full”,of blood and KY… the latter they were told, for a DVD version.”
If this is true, we could very well have a very cool DVD indeed!
Alert Ringer Kimi sent this in:
“I was just listening to a program on National Radio called “Country Life”. They were interviewing two fibre farmers from Wairarapa (fairly near Wellington) when an unexpected mention of LOTR made me listen harder.
Their farm is called Stansborough Station, and they breed Gotland sheep (along with alpacas and some other types of sheep), and also weave fabric. Their Gotland sheep are grey in colour. They mentioned that early on in their venture they got a large order. The order was from Three Foot Six, and was for 900 metres of fabric from the grey Gotland sheep.
Elven cloaks from Lorien, perhaps?”
Cool. One day I’d love to compile a list of local cottage industries that got this kind of windfall out of the LOTR project. So far I’ve heard of glassmakers, woodworkers, silversmiths, potters and possum-skinners but I bet there’s a whole lot more.
And who is he? He’s the best-known stock market columnist in the US, and he’s written an article on his website about Tolkien! Fascinating point of view too. Head on over to the Fool and check it out. [More]
Thanks to Dudalb of the message boards
