Mr. Frodo sent us this link to Adam Sandler’s website; you can see their pic of Sean Astin [Sam Gamgee] “behind the scenes” on this page.
Day: May 11, 2003
TheOneRing.net, in association with Planet BB, is turning the spotlight on the fans of J.R.R. Tolkien in a new feature-length documentary titled “Ringers: Lord of the Fans.” Yes, this is a film about YOU, the FANS! [More] If you wish to contact the producers, please do so at ringers@theonering.net.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
“Many young Americans are involved
in the stories in a way that I’m not…”
— J.R.R. Tolkien
TheOneRing.net, in association with Planet BB, is turning the spotlight on the fans of J.R.R. Tolkien in a new feature length documentary titled “Ringers: Lord of the Fans.”
There are people who claim to enjoy “The Lord of the Rings” — as a story for the ages — and then there are fans who camp out on the sidewalk for five miserable days, suffering cold and flash floods, in order to get the first look at “The Two Tower”s movie. “Ringers” celebrates devotees from different generations, old and young, who share a common bond. They are the lifeblood of the new Tolkien fan-movement; and their stories are funny and often moving.
TORn has witnessed the liveliest and most dynamic fan community ever to grace the Internet. Through years of covering fan events, picnics, Oscar Parties, book signings, conventions, and Line Parties, we discovered that the intimate stories fans shared on-camera were more fascinating than the actual event.
From the hippie counter-culture to the electronic age, from the Bakshi animated films to Jackson’s epic trilogy, this documentary brings together extensive interviews and footage from across the globe. With units in The Netherlands, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and Oxford, England, the fans reveal what drives them to unusual acts of devotion. We highlight couples whose mutual love for “The Lord of the Rings” caused them to fall in love — a girl who waited on the sidewalk at a busy Hollywood intersection from 5 AM to midnight to catch a glimpse of her favorite Hobbit — armchair scholars who fight over differences between book and movie — collectors who fill their homes with amazing toys and rare editions — and young children who pick up their very first book — ever — because they are so inspired by the thrilling adventure of Peter Jackson’s films.
The filmmakers are themselves obsessive Tolkien fans. “Ringers” is directed by documentary filmmaker Carlene Cordova, produced by Danny Lukic and narrated by Cliff Broadway “Quickbeam” — familiar to TORn readers of the Green Books online magazine and as co-author of the best-selling new book “The People’s Guide to J.R.R. Tolkien.” Shooting with the cutting edge digital format of 24P, Director of Photography Josh Mandel gives the film both a fast-moving video style and a richer, more “movie-like” presentation. Their vigorous approach to documenting the “full on experience” of fandom brings laughs and insight into a world otherwise overlooked.
“Ringers” wants you! We still have a few key positions to fill. So if you have any professional filmmaking experience and wish to volunteer to help TheOneRing.net, please send an email explaining your experience to ringers@theonering.net. We need the following positions filled: Music Supervisor, Composer. These open positions are for Los Angeles based people only: Field Audio technician, Assistant Final Cut Pro Editor, Transcriber, Production Assistant, Associate Producer.
We’ll be launching our “Ringers” site soon, so keep checking on TORn for more “Ringers” news!
From Stuff.co we get this story about the people lining up to be extras for the reshoots in ROTK, believed to involve two to six days of work. Even politicians are lining up to be considered for a role, and others have come from as far away as Australia. [More]
Ringer Spy Kevin dropped us a line to tell us that IGN‘s subscriber-only channel has some snippets about EA’s Return of the King film. What’s very interesting is what these snippets may imply as plot spoilers for the film! So if you don’t want to learn what may happen in Paths of the Dead or the host of the West journeying to Mordor, stay well away from this post! [More] Huge Spoilers! Updated!
Ringer Spy Kevin dropped us a line to tell us that IGN‘s subscriber only channel has some snippets already about EA’s Return of the King film. What’s very interesting is what these snippets may imply as plot spoilers for the film!
Kevin writes:
Now, the best place to find (film) spoilers may not be video game articles, but here’s an excerpt from the IGN E3 preview of EA’s Return of the King (the one based on the movies).
Here’s the excerpt:
Gamers can defend the walls of Minas Tirith in the role of the white wizard Gandalf; lead a noble army of reluctant soldiers through the Dead Swamps and in doing so raise the Army of the Dead in Aragorn‘s, Legolas‘, or Gimli‘s boots; and, using every ounce of constitution left in your body, you’ll deliver the ring to the fiery depths of Mount Doom as Frodo and Sam.
End excerpt.
Kevin writes that this seems to imply that while the “Army of the Dead” is in, the Paths of the Dead may be out; in EA’s game at least.
The conclusion seems correct to me, in the EA game Aragorn will raise the Army of the Dead from the Dead Marshes. But whether that would apply to the movie as well definitely remains to be seen. I, for one, will await corroborating evidence from other sources before I accept that this is going to occur in RoTK the movie.
Update:
Well, I said I was unconvinced by a Gaming report alone, and here’s a counter from a much more credible source. John points out that Brian Sibley’s “The Making of the Movie Trilogy” contains a reference to Paths of the Dead on page 61. It says:
“Time to go on,” says Richard, “time to take the paths of the Dead!”
And we are passing between sculpted rock walls in black styrofoam carved with a riot of ruined buildings — steps, doorways, towers, and turrets — all this way and that, and each numbered with a small yellow sticker and pained a luminous green for the purposes of digital photography.
Additionally, Argo from our Discussion Boards points out this Gamespot review of the same game.
From Gamespot.com, a very good gaming site;
“After the defeat of Saruman and the forces of Isengard, the attention of the broken Fellowship of the Ring has turned collectively toward Mordor and the final destruction of the One Ring. You’ll be able to play as eight different characters in various areas taken directly from the movie, such as Gandalf as he helps defend Minas Tirith during the Battle of the Pellennor Fields; Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli as they traverse the Paths of the Dead; and Frodo and Sam as they strive to reach the fiery cracks of Mount Doom while opposed by the evil hosts of Mordor”
Perhaps IGN was mistaken?
Update 2: Ringer Spy Tar Anaclime sends this scan of a section of a map the NZ Film Commission produced which lists all the set locations from Lord of the Rings. Note it lists Paths of the Dead twice.
Unless something else emerges, I guess we can count the report of the deletion of the Paths of the Dead pretty much debunked … for now.