With a dearth of second-round activity in MGM’s search for a buyer, there is increasing likelihood that the studio will undergo a bankruptcy reorganization. Six suitors are conducting additional due diligence, which includes management presentations of detailed financial information about the Century City studio. But a deadline on second-round bids hasn’t been set following receipt last month of a dozen nonbinding offers in an initial round of bidding best described as underwhelming.
MGM consultant Moelis & Co. invited just half of those making first-round offers to participate in the next phase of the process, including Time Warner, Lionsgate and Access Industries, with Qualia Capital still circling but not actively involved. More..
In an interview with BBC’s HARDtalk, Sir Ian McKellen shares his thoughts with show host Stephen Sackur on reprising his role as Gandalf the Grey, on whether he’s going to find his return to the role fresh and challenging, and on working with director Guillermo del Toro.
Linuxelf writes: Peter Jackson talks about the beginnings of the making of the mammoth task which became the lotr trilogy. Plus some personal insights from Peter Jackson. Peter also reveals that’s Gandalf’s voice is based on Tolkien’s voice!
MaedrosOneHand writes: I had the privilege of attending both Tom Shippey lectures at Swarthmore College in Philadelphia today and I thought I could offer something of a report.
In his first lecture, Shippey focused primarily on the differences and similarites between the Lord of the Rings books and films. He had three primary observations about Jackson, Boyens and Walsh’s treatment of the story. First, he noted that the films place far more importance on character “journeys” than the books. For example, the fairly straightforward character of Faramir in Tolkien becomes the tortured, indecisive, father-scorned character in the movie who has to go on a “journey” of character development before he’s willing to part with the ring. Along with this, Shippey also talked about how the minor characters played a much bigger role in the films of changing major characters’ minds. Faramir was essentially convinced by Sam to let the quest to Mount Doom proceed and Treebeard was convinced by Pippen to attack Isengard. Shippey didn’t express much condemnation of these choices, he just took them for what they were. Continue reading “Tom Shippey at Swarthmore College Report”
Michiel from the Dutch Tolkien community website DeHobbit.net writes: DeHobbit.net exclusively interviewed New Zealand actor and all-round nice guy Bruce Hopkins about his career, plans for the future and ofcourse… The Hobbit! Bruce Hopkins portrayed Gamling the Old, lieutenant to Theoden King of Rohan, in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This will be a multi-part interview. More..
Sir Ian McKellen likes the idea of returning to Coronation Street – this time as a permanent character. The Lord Of The Rings star played novelist Mel Hutchwright in 2005.
He told the Daily Mirror: “There’s a part of me which is strongly drawn to the idea of returning and making it a job that simply goes on and on.” He added: “I know it wouldn’t be a universally popular decision – there is still a bit of snobbery about appearing in a soap. More..
With a dearth of second-round activity in MGM’s search for a buyer, there is increasing likelihood that the studio will undergo a bankruptcy reorganization. Six suitors are conducting additional due diligence, which includes management presentations of detailed financial information about the Century City studio. But a deadline on second-round bids hasn’t been set following receipt last month of a dozen nonbinding offers in an initial round of bidding best described as underwhelming.
