Peter Jackson has hinted in the media for years and told us at TheOneRing’s own Oscar Party (not in that linked video) that he always planned to deliver a high definition ultimate edition of the LOTR trilogy.
Blu-ray sales for the LOTR trilogy were / are strong, taking the #1 position on the sales chart its first week, moving over 124,00 units despite its hefty price. But did it sell well enough? Can fans look forward to that Ultimate version to rule them all jam packed with new extras and the Extended Editions we have been waiting years for?
Nobody knows and Warner Bros. hasn’t revealed its plans, but the media is starting to pay attention to the possibilities. EE DVD architect Michael Pellerin is in-the-know (look for him soon with our very own Xoanon on TORn’s blogtalkradio) and spoke recently with Hollywoodnews.com.
In some of the highlights from the interview he said: (emphasis mine) ” . . . Thinking ahead, from the very beginning, we always saved the best for last. Now, people wouldn’t believe that because the Lord of the Rings extras were so extensive. . . . It’s very real, but right now the future of when these treasures will see the light of day is unknown. Continue reading “More hints about an ‘Ultimate’ hi-def LOTR box set that may never happen”
The future of the storied MGM studio is uncertain and is keeping a pair of potential “Hobbit” movies uncertain as well. Variety re-reports this morning, with some new details, that the studio wants to push back a deadline for debt payments that expires on Friday. You must subscribe to get more than a tease but The Wall Street Journal reports the studio is seeking a reprieve until the end of June or perhaps even longer while it gets its…uh…stuff together. (Don’t reward them with a click though, they want to charge for the internet!)
Debtholders hoped to sell the historical studio which includes 4,000 catalog films (including this year’s “Hot Tub Time Machine,”) future James Bond films and half of “The Hobbit” films’ earnings among other assets. TORn friend Kristin Thompson explains on her own Frodo Frachise site that Time Warner (parent company of studio Warner Bros that swallowed up LOTR studio New Line and is the other 50% of “The Hobbit”) is flush with cash and as the last bidder standing on MGM, might just buy the thing “at the right price”. Meanwhile quiet pre-pre-production continues in New Zealand, waiting for the day when the two films get the greenlight. Yup, it is a mess but we will do our best to keep you posted.
Linuxelf sends along more videos from back in the LOTR heyday. Take a look at Peter Jackson talking about the premiere of TTT, the TTT premiere in New Zealand and New York.
Eregian writes: I just found out Howard Shore will be one of 10 soundtrack composers attending the World Soundtrack Awards (WSA) in Ghent (Belgium) on October 23. The WSA is part of the ‘Flanders International Film Festival’.
The awards always feature live music performances while film excerpts play in the background. The conductor will be Dirk Brossé, who is currently touring with ‘Star Wars in Concert’. I think this will be a great opportunity to see Shore’s music played live with the added bonus of 9 other high-profile film composers. More..
Variety: Len Blavatnik’s Access Industries has dropped out of the bidding for beleaguered MGM, leaving only Time Warner Inc. as a potential buyer. Reps for MGM and Access had no comment but a source close to the situation indicated Friday that Access has withdrawn its offer after a deadline passed to accept the bid. For Blavatnik, buying MGM would have established him as a certified showbiz player, but one who would have probably sold off the rights to James Bond and the Hobbit. MGM put itself up for sale in November, drawing a trio of binding offers in mid-March. Lionsgate bailed out of the bidding a week later. More..
Brian writes: I don’t know if this was posted somewhere on your site, but you might be interested in knowing that the Hobbiton set in New Zealand was just featured as a photo shoot location on “America’s Next Top Model” of all shows! More..
Peter Jackson has hinted in the media for years and told us at TheOneRing’s own Oscar Party (not in that linked video) that he always planned to deliver a high definition ultimate edition of the LOTR trilogy. 
Eregian writes: I just found out Howard Shore will be one of 10 soundtrack composers attending the World Soundtrack Awards (WSA) in Ghent (Belgium) on October 23. The WSA is part of the ‘Flanders International Film Festival’.