Regular LOTR film fans will remember the sudden dismissal of Stuart Townsend in ’99, a week into his role as Aragorn. Earlier this week we reported an interview where he sounded OK about that; this interview in the Irish Times gives a different story.
“Just to let you know, the entertainment supplement with todays Irish Times (17/01) contains an interview with Stuart Townsend where he briefly talks about his short time on the LOTR production.
Quote: ‘I spent two months working on it in pre-production in New Zealand,’ Townsend says ‘and then,the day before shooting started,I was off the picture without filming a single scene.’ His cheery demeanour changes at the mention of the film. It was a ‘horrible’ experience, he says, and not one he’s keen to dwell upon to any extent, although he is becoming more philosophical about it. ‘Now I am glad that I’m off it. I really am. It was a very interesting experience, but I’m glad because it left me free to do another big studio movie, Queen of the Damned, which was wonderful to do”
Eeeep! Thanks to Cormac for that.
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Finally the trailer’s opened here and we’ve got some responses to the project that’s been going on round our ears for over a year. The NZ Heraldwas there, as was TV3 who included quite a lot of footage from the trailer.
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Just a reminder to all who can catch Access Hollywood to make sure you watch it tonight with your VCR’s handy! They’ll be showing the LOTR teaser trailer tonight! If you don’t know when it’s on in your area, click right here.
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The latest newsletter is away! Do you want to receive our weekly newsletter? Packed with tons of info to keep you up to date on the latest? Plus filled with exclusives from time to time? Join the crowd of about 3100 mailing list Ringers! Sign up now! [More]
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First, Mikko sends us the latest when and where on the Finnish teaser trailer. [More] (This link has been updated with the latest latest info..:) Thanks Mika!)
Mirkwood sends news that Finland’s “Svenskateatern” is performing a musical adventure “SAGAN OM RINGEN”! Opening day is Friday 19.1.2001. Follow the link for more info! [More]
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Greetings — Quickbeam here.
We’ve already learned that Michael DeLuca, President of Production for New Line Cinema, said sayonara yesterday. Or maybe he was fired… or laid off… we don’t really know. All things being equal, suffice it to say that a very young and creative force behind the Lord of the Rings project is now absent.
Why would DeLuca leave after bringing so much success to New Line? Keep in mind the old adage: In Hollywood, you’re only as good as your last picture. That means even though DeLuca is responsible for green-lighting a remarkable list of money makers (Seven, Rush Hour, the Austin Powers franchise, to name a few), somebody has to take the fall for the huge disappointment of Little Nicky, which was also under DeLuca’s wing. Since the year 2000 was a mediocre year for New Line, the shape of the executive landscape is bound to change.
But has everyone forgotten that Lord of the Rings will, ultimately, be the biggest financial box-office dream that any studio could hope for? I may not be a hard-boiled Distribution Prexy but even I can see how stacked the odds are on this. Still, there are other dark forces behind the curtain influencing events.
This is what Daily Variety had to say:
“In the wake of the Time Warner-AOL merger, which closed last week, the pressure has been on New Line, whose films such as the Sandler vehicle Little Nicky have failed to turn a profit. And then there is the long-gestating Warren Beatty starrer Town and Country, which has everyone worried: Budget for the pic, finally set for release in March, has soared to more than $80 million.”
I’ll translate this for you. New Line Cinema is well under the umbrella of Warner Bros. But now, thanks to the merger, Warner Bros. does not really belong to itself anymore… They have to answer to a larger entity. If you like, you can imagine all of Steve Case’s ill-mannered and brutish henchmen running around the Warner lot barking orders. People will be fired. Projects will be taken out of development. This could get ugly before it’s all over.
With New Line taking big investment risks like Town and Country, and especially sinking $270 million into a huge 3-picture fantasy franchise, you better believe the pressure is on for the current slate of films to rake in the dough. And like I said, the year 2000 has left a very bad taste in their mouths. If the current Thirteen Days underperforms at the box-office, then the stink will really hit the fan.
You may not immediately think that the merger of AOL and Time-Warner would have much effect on the Peter Jackson trilogy of films. And I personally hope with all my soul that they leave this particular production alone. But it may have an effect — in ways yet to be seen.
Much too hasty,
Quickbeam
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