Good friend, good actor and good man Bruce Hopkins has checked in with some news regarding a financial settlement with New Line. In an exclusive he gives us the lowdown. Here it in his own words:

“Gidday,

I trust you are well amidst the heady brew of global financial markets and looming elections!

I wish to inform you that 16 mths after a lawsuit was filed in the Superior Court of Los Angeles, against New Line Cinema, on behalf of 15 NZ actors who played various featured roles in the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, the action has been settled out of court. Continue reading “New Zealand actors settle out of court with New Line”

RingCon, held this past weekend in Bonn, Germany, featured a few ‘LotR’ cast and crew including John Rhys-Davies (Gimli), Mark Ferguson (Gil-galad), Jed Brophy (Sharku), Lori Dungey (Mrs. Bracegirdle), and stunt performer Shane Rangi. Ringer Rosie-with-the-ribbons was nice enough to post a report of the weekend, and noted that during Mr. Rhys-Davies Q&A, the inevitable ‘Hobbit’ question came up. According to the report, “he had spoken with both Peter and Guillermo about a role, and he really was thinking about it. But he wasn’t to sure if he would want to play just one of 13 dwarves, since he was THE dwarf. But if Gimli was in Film 2, he would love to play the part again.” Hmmm…but which of the 13 dwarves could he be referring to? Stay tuned to TheOneRing.net for more information as we get it!

The world is excited.  I feel it in the water.  I smell it in the air.  For much that once was, is rereleased…

As the world of Tolkien fandom eagerly prepares for the coming of The Hobbit movie(s), the BBC is helping us to fill in our time by re-releasing its fabulous radio dramatization of The Lord of the Rings.

Originally broadcast in 1981, this production is almost as classic as the books themselves.  It is THE quintessential radio dramatization.  Brilliantly acted, with atmospheric music and clever sound effects, this series has not dated at all.  Brian Sibley expertly adapted Tolkien’s writing into a script; narration is kept to a minimum and pacing is maintained through active dialogue, but at the same time as much as possible of Tolkien’s original text is included.  Book fans will love hearing cherished, familiar lines, and movie fans will enjoy spotting dialogue which made it into both Peter Jackson’s movies and this dramatization. Continue reading “Review: Re-Release of the BBC The Lord of the Rings”

According to a short video interview with Andy on ITN here, Andy Serkis is looking forward to reprising his role as Gollum:

Female Reporter: Was it very exhaustive being Gollum?

Andy: Yeah, yeah. It was physically very tiring. Physically and mentally and vocally. (laughs)

Male reporter: Being Smeagol, you being Smeagol as well – as an actor, that must be quite nice – to look like you, for once..

Andy: Well the fact of the matter is that I don’t know where they’re going to pick up the story – obviously Gollum in The Hobbit is Gollum – he has transformed into Gollum, so – but then there’s the prequel to The Rings as well, so we’ll have to see. It will be very, very interesting to see where the writing takes the development of the character. But I know they’ll come up with something very interesting.

We’re sure they will too, Andy.

Sala Baker
Sala Baker
Sala Baker (born September 22, 1976) is an actor and stuntman from Wellington, New Zealand. Originally hired as one of several stunt performers for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, he ended up landing the part of Sauron. In addition, he also played several Orcs, a Gondorian, and one of the Rohirrim. Outside of the trilogy, Baker has performed in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and two Pirates of the Caribbean movies.

Last year, “Lord of the Rings” star Viggo Mortensen told MTV News that he was game for a chance to return to Middle-earth, and would welcome the opportunity to portray Aragorn in a “Hobbit” bridge film. So why hasn’t director Guillermo del Toro called him yet? “I haven’t heard anything,” the once and future king of Men said of news about the movie. “I met [Guillermo] once years ago,” but haven’t talked to him since. Viggo Mortensen Still Waiting For Guillermo Del Toro’s ‘Hobbit’ Call