Celebriel forwards an article on New Zealand stuntman and motion capture actor Shane Rangi, whom fans have seen in LOTR, King Kong, the Narnia films, and Avatar.
Speaking of his role as The Witch King of Angmar, Rangi says, “I thought I’d make a T-shirt with, ‘I stabbed Frodo’,” beaming good humour. “I go to conventions and talk to people who know who I am, and because they’re right into it they come up and go, ‘You killed Frodo.’ I say, ‘Look, don’t get upset with me, he survived’.” 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!
TheGreyPilgrim writes: The Venture II, aka Manuia, left the Evans Bay wharf near PJ’s Wellington Studio yesterday and was scuttled in Cook Strait. A sad day for the old vessel which has been slowly dismantled for scrap over the last few weeks. The wharf now looks a tad bare with the Manuia gone – no more happy reminder of King Kong as I drive home each day! More..
Niels writes: I was at the Poolburn Reservoir in the south-island this morning enjoying the scenery where the burning Rohirrim village was shot.
On our way over there through the Ida Valley I already spotted a helicopter, since we’ve seen loads of them on our trip so far I didn’t think anything of it then. But when we were at the Poolburn Reservoir I climbed up on one of the rocks to get a better view of the reservoir below, and the helicopter returned and made a very low pass alongside the reservoir. Continue reading “Poolburn Reservoir Prepping for The Hobbit?”
The director used the Venture II in his 2005 remake and later sold it to a property development firm in Wellington, which kept it moored at a wharf in the city. Ownership of the vessel has now passed to Wellington Regional Council after the company went bust, and local authorities plan to scuttle the ship in the Cook Strait on Tuesday (09Feb10), reports Radio New Zealand.
The plans have proved unpopular with residents after it was revealed the sinking will cost tax payers $23,800 (£14,875), but council officials insist the ship is becoming a safety hazard and can no longer be moored at the wharf. More..
Take a look at our Scrapbook collection of ‘Venture II’ here and here