One of the stars of the blockbuster Lord of the Rings trilogy of films is set to swap hobbits for habits — by directing a film in Norwich about a city drug addict. Andy Sirkis(SIC), who portrayed Gollum in the hit movies will get behind the camera to film Addict, based on the autobiography of former drug addict and vagrant Stephen Smith, who lived on the streets of Norwich during the winter of 1978/79. Sirkis(SIC), who will be appearing in the re-make of King Kong later this year, is set to direct the movie, and filming is due to take place in Norwich in August. [More]

Tickets now on Sale for 2005 GC Game Music Symphony Concert in Leipzig, Germany. The organisers of the 2005 GC – Games Convention symphony concert have informed us that tickets are now on sale for this year’s concert at the Gewandhaus in Leipzig, Germany on August 17th. Further details of the concert program have also been announced including six additional titles. World Of Warcraft, The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, Dragon Quest, Brothers In Arms, Chrono Cross & The Lord of the Rings (Vivendi-Universal series) [More]

From Sports Illustrated: Frodo Baggins talks about his new soccer movie. Elijah Wood, 24, best known for starring in the Lord of the Rings movies, plays a student who becomes immersed in the world of English soccer thugs in the upcoming film Hooligans. [More]

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) – “Ray” and TV hits “Desperate Housewives,” “ER” and “Lost” were among the winners Thursday at the ninth annual Prism Awards, which recognize accurate depictions of drug, alcohol and tobacco use in entertainment. Presented by the Entertainment Industries Council in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, FX, News Corp. and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the PRISM Awards were handed out at a gala dinner at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The awards ceremony will air Sept. 4 as a one-hour special on the FX Network. [More]

Jill writes: AMCtv have been recently advertizing having Orlando Bloom and others involved in ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ on a program called “The Suite” (Sunday mornings at 10:30am).

More Hollywood films may be on the way, but the New Zealand film industry needs to be wary of arrogance and overcharging, says Film Venture Taranaki’s Peter Avery. Mr Avery, who has just returned with a Film New Zealand party from the annual Association of Film Commissioners Internationale in California, said New Zealand was still firmly in the minds of Hollywood film executives. [More]