From The Dominion Post: Though the rest of the cast have expressed their enthusiasm for being in New Zealand, it seems The hobbit actor Sir Ian McKellen isn’t quite as excited. In a blog, McKellen – who will reprise his role as Gandalf – said he was relieved to have negotiated an “escape clause from Middle-earh” so he could play a Mafia don on stage. He will take a break during the 18 months of filming to fly back to Britain and star in The Syndicate, at the Chichester Festival Theatre, The Daily Mail reported. On his blog, McKellen also questioned his decision to play Gandalf, saying sequels aren’t necessarily as rewarding to act in as their originals. “My worry that I could not escape from Middle-earth was lifted.” McKellen is apparently on holiday in India, and will travel direct from there to New Zealand, where he will start filming on February 21.
UPDATE Sir Ian took to Twitter to correct a mistake in the above story. His start date for filming is now March 28th, and not February 21st.
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Bruce Hopkins writes: I have uploaded this 2007 audio from an early morning visit to the studio by Sir Ian McKellen, Sylvester McCoy and Jonathan Hyde, truly the A Team of acting. They were in NZ with the Royal Shakespeare Co, performing King Lear and The Seagull. I took them on some sight seeing around Auckland and after the final show took them to a bar called Shanghai Lils. When I said I had to go to my talkback radio show Ian inquired if they were coming also, and so they did. The callers to the show didn’t really know who the guests were and my co-host Joe, wasn’t making a big deal of it. Highlights include Sylvester playing the spoons while a regular caller, 75yr old “Leggy Peggy” plays a knees up medley on piano. It’s 20mins long but has some great moments! Thanks to the producer Jason Beaumont for having the sense to record it. More..
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If you are following along with the Westminster Dog Show, you’ll know that a Bearded Collie by the name of ‘Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins‘ has taken the first prize in the 2011 Best of Herding group. After some more research, it looks like the owners were inspired to name many of their dogs after the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Pretty neat! We can’t help but think being named ‘Baggins’ helps with the judges. The Westminster Dog Show wraps up tonight on USA Network, check your local listings. [Westminster Dog Show] [ Tolkien Raintree Mister Baggins Homepage]
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The Lord of the Rings Online video contest is now open for voting! Click here to view the two entries that were selected as finalists! Watch each video, then come back here to vote! Tell your friends, family and even that cave troll down the street to vote! Voting will be open for 1 week. Continue reading “LOTRO Video Contest: Vote Now!”
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An official casting call for Elves in the upcoming Hobbit films has been posted at TradeMe.co.nz.
The production is looking for tall and slender people to play Elven Horse Riders and Elven Extras. The age and height requirements according to gender have been given as follows:
- Men aged 17 – 40 with a height of 6ft (183cm) and taller.
- Women aged 17 – 40 with a height of 5ft 9 (175cm) and taller.
The venue for the casting call is the Te Whaea – National Dance and Drama Centre, 11 Hutchinson Rd, Newtown, Wellington, and it’s to take place on Saturday, 26th February 2011 from 9:30 am – 12:00 noon and from 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm.
Additional details can be found from the link provided above.
If you happen to attend the casting call and have any stories to share, please feel free to write us. You can do so either by clicking the “Got news?” link at the top-right of the home page or by sending an email directly to spymaster@theonering.net.
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Veteran actor Sir Christopher Lee has received a Bafta Fellowship at the academy’s film awards. The event ended with a standing ovation for the distinguished thespian, who is famous for his roles as Dracula, and in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, The Wicker Man and The Man with the Golden Gun. He accepted the Bafta Fellowship from director Tim Burton, who described the 88-year-old as an “electrifying screen presence”. More..
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From The Dominion Post: Though the rest of the cast have expressed their enthusiasm for being in New Zealand, it seems The hobbit actor Sir Ian McKellen isn’t quite as excited. In a blog, McKellen – who will reprise his role as Gandalf – said he was relieved to have negotiated an “escape clause from Middle-earh” so he could play a Mafia don on stage. He will take a break during the 18 months of filming to fly back to Britain and star in The Syndicate, at the Chichester Festival Theatre, The Daily Mail reported. On his blog, McKellen also questioned his decision to play Gandalf, saying sequels aren’t necessarily as rewarding to act in as their originals. “My worry that I could not escape from Middle-earth was lifted.” McKellen is apparently on holiday in India, and will travel direct from there to New Zealand, where he will start filming on February 21.