Peter Jackson and Richard Taylor on Brain Dead.
Peter Jackson and Richard Taylor on Brain Dead.
UPDATE: Media outlets in New Zealand reported the Wellington City Council approved the proposal unanimously

The long-rumored movie museum for Wellington took a step toward realization after the team behind the dream presented its vision to the Wellington City Council.

Fans of the cinematic versions of Middle-earth will rejoice that the team behind the proposal is led by none other than Sir Peter Jackson and Sir Richard Taylor. The company, The Movie Museum Limited, or TMML, hopes to bring together material from the duo’s many film projects as well as their own “world-renowned movie collections,” according to a release after the meeting this week.

“There is a vast collection of incredible material from the world-famous movies that have been worked on by the companies in Miramar,” said project director George Hickton. “What is less well-known is that Peter and Fran (Walsh), Richard and Tania (Rodger) also have their own personal collections of film and television memorabilia which is one of the best in the world.”

Richard Taylor and Peter with team on King Kong.
Richard Taylor and Peter with team on King Kong.
It is expected that the museum will offer both permanent and temporary exhibition spaces, a cafe, offices and a retail shop.

The presentation, according to the release, was part of considering a new site proposed for the museum that will also include a space for gatherings, such as conventions.

Hickton said Wellington has been known for world-class film making for two decades.

“For much of that time, the driving force behind Wellington’s success has been Peter Jackson and Richard Taylor and their partners Fran Walsh and Tania Rodger as well as the Weta Group of companies they established on the Miramar Peninsula.

“From small beginnings, Wellington is today a thriving centre of film-making creativity and excellence, creating thousands of jobs for New Zealanders and attracting major film and television productions and some of the best directors, producers, actors, artists and technicians from around the world.”

Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor and their team on Heavenly Creatures
Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor and their team on Heavenly Creatures
The concept means the Wellington City Council will provide TMML with a long-term lease of a building built with a museum in mind, constructed and owned by the council. The movie museum organization, if the proposal is accepted, would be responsible for setting up the museum, day-to-day operation and maintenance of the facility.

The hope would be to give Wellington a tourism draw, both to New Zealand and internationally. Readers of of TORn can probably imagine the appeal.

A three-story building is expected, with top floor dedicated to a meeting space for 1100 with the bottom two floors to house the museum with 10,000 square meters of space. The museum is near Te Papa, Wellington’s world-class museum and sit between Wakefield and Cable Streets.

More details, the release said, would be released once the council decides on the proposal and planning and construction begins.

TORn will update this story with more details as they are available. Click on any of the photos for a larger version. (Cinema fans, this is highly recommended.)

peter_jackson_king_kong_premiereWellington may soon announce the often speculated-about film museum that has been in the media rumor mill for well more than a decade. Stuff.co.nz is reporting that construction will start next year on a combination museum and convention center space.

A three-story building is expected, with top floor dedicated to a meeting space for 1100 with the bottom two floors to house the museum with 10,000 square meters of space. Approval of a land purchase is expected as soon as Tuesday for the space to build the museum. It is expected to house permanent collections as well as temporary ones.

The article says the museum will be run by The Movie Museum Limited, a company formed by Sirs Peter Jackson and Richard Taylor. The two men are cinema fans and each owns a considerable film collection that will be featured in the museum.

Richard Taylor

The story also detailed that it would be across from Te Papa, Wellington’s world-class museum and sit between Wakefield and Cable Streets, the site it was rumored to be a possibility at before, at the end of Tory Street in Wellington. Construction is expected to see completion in 2018.

The article also said, “Mayor Celia Wade-Brown said it would be “extremely unlikely” for council to not to go ahead with the complex.”

Fans of Jackson and Taylor know the duo has a knack for presentation on screen and off with previous film exhibitions at Te Papa and even at media events for films. Taylor’s Weta Workshop has the Weta Cave in Wellington to showcase props and collectibles out of his Weta Workshop.

TORn will have the latest details as this story develops.

WellyMootEndOfAllThingsCalling all Ringers in New Zealand and those planning on heading to New Zealand in March 2016.  The team over at Welly-moot are arranging an event of special magnificence, assisted by the lovely crew at Roxy Theatre Wellington.

Continue reading “LOTR/Hobbit Extended Edition Movie Marathon hosted by Welly-moot”

gollumfaceAre you of Sam’s opinion, that Gollum is just a ‘stinker’, with ‘naught left in him but lies and deceit’? Or are you on Frodo’s side, believing Smeagol has good in him yet? Does he redeem himself at the end, with his sacrifice, or does an accidental tumble into lava not count for redemption?

In a bizarre piece of news, a court in Turkey has called in experts to debate this very issue. A doctor is accused of insulting the Turkish President by comparing him to Gollum; his lawyer is arguing, in his defense, that Gollum is not a bad character – so a team of five (including a ‘movie expert’) has been put together to decide.

What would your decision be, if you were called to sit on such a panel?!

Read more about this news story here and here. Thanks to spies davem, Lanirth and Manitou333 for sending us the news!

Royd Tolkien and his brother Mike visit Hobbiton.
Royd Tolkien and his brother Mike visit Hobbiton.

You know what Bilbo had to say about adventures: ‘Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!’ But Professor Tolkien’s own great-grandson, Royd Tolkien, is ignoring all that Bilbo had to say and taking the plunge into a significant adventure of his own!

Royd very sadly lost his younger brother, Mike, earlier this year. Mike had ALS, also known as Motor Neurone Disease, or Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Royd had to watch his active, thrill-seeking brother succumb to a terrible disease, for which there is currently no cure.

But Mike left Royd a legacy – a ‘bucket list’ of fifty challenges for the much more Bilbo-like (ie less thrill-seeking, more cake-and-tea-enjoying!) older brother Royd to undertake. And Royd is going to fulfil that list, with the help of none other than actor Jed Brophy, surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Middle-earth – by which I mean, of course, New Zealand.

This is a remarkable quest, and one which you will be able to see – because Royd is going to make a film of his adventures! Read more about the amazing journey the Professor’s great-grandson has ahead of him at Royd’s website, here. You can also get involved, support Royd on his odyssey, and maybe grab yourself a pretty amazing perk with some Middle-earth cast or crew (including Richard Taylor and folks at Weta!) – learn more here.

It’s a dangerous business, going out your front door – especially when you have no idea what challenges your little brother has left, to test, stretch and possibly humiliate you! Here at TORn we wish Royd every success, and joyful travels; and we honour the memory of Mike, of TORn’s friend Mel, who also sailed into the West far too early, and to all who battle ALS.

[Click here to find out more about Royd Tolkien’s film project ‘There’s a Hole in my Bucket’.]