Since hobbits routinely live for more than a century, 11 years is practically nothing, right? That’s how long it’s been since actors Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Elijah Wood flew out to New Zealand in August 1999 to start shooting The Lord of the Rings. Now here they are, in an L.A. studio on a hot May morning, posing for EW’s Reunions issue and catching up on lost time.

Bobafett sends in this recent message from Gerry Brownlee, Minister for Economic Developement in New Zealand. 14 Octorber 2010 Media Statement: The Screen Production and Developement Assosiation (SPADA), Actors’ Equity, and Council of Trade Unions representatives met today, in a meeting facilitated by Minister for Economic Developement Gerry Browlee. It was a useful and productive discussion. Thepartiesw have agreed to work together to udate the conditions of engagement for performers in the New Zealand screen production industry. The parties believe this process will help to ensure New Zealand remains an attractive screen production environment. No further comment will be made.

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Entertainment Weekly, we gathered 12 classic TV and movie casts for the ULTIMATE POP culture get-together. Classic Casts include: Back to the Future, Roots, Lord of the Rings, Pretty in Pink, Will & Grace, Alias, Northern Exposure, The Muppet Show, The West Wing, Gilmore Girls, Married with Children, and Scream.

What do you think about when you think about The Lord of the Rings? A few guesses: Gandalf staring down a fiery Balrog and proclaiming, “You shall not pass!” Legolas firing arrows as he surfs on his shield down the trunk of an Oliphaunt. Sam carrying Frodo to the top of Mount Doom, though he himself barely has the energy to stand. (Sam, if you really think about it, is the coolest character in the movies.) Aragorn being crowned king, then turning to Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, who have lowered their heads reverently, and telling them, “My friends, you bow to no one.” (Aragorn, if you really think about it, is the coolest character in the movies.) Continue reading “EW Presents: ‘The Reunions’”

From tvnz.co.nz: A meeting has been held today in Wellington between the warring Hobbit movie factions. The minister for economic development, Gerry Brownlee, facilitated the meeting between representatives of the Screen Production and Development Association (SPADA), Actors’ Equity, and Council of Trade Unions. Brownlee said it was a useful and productive discussion. He said the parties have agreed to work together to update the conditions of engagement for performers in the New Zealand screen production industry. The parties believe this process will help to ensure New Zealand remains an attractive screen production environment. Brownlee said no further comment will be made.

With Calisuri posting the statement from Phillipa Boyens and Wingnut Films, it might be helpful to get an overview of what is going on in New Zealand.

A group of 90 actors met in Wellington Monday to discuss the boycott of the pair of potential “Hobbit” movies. Also present at the beginning of the meeting were non-actors from the New Zealand film industry including Boyens who clearly is the member of Peter Jackson’s team that will be the front on the labor battle in New Zealand. Continue reading “Overview of actor’s dispute developments”

Can’t make it to New York City for the TTT Radio City Music Hall event?  We invite you to stop by the TORn message boards where we’ll be hosting a virtual concert, giving you another way to celebrate and enjoy the great music from the LOTR films. The Virtual Concert will be conducted in four “Movements” — two on Friday, and two on Saturday.  Each Movement will be in the form of a discussion thread covering several tracks from the TTT Original Soundtrack disk.  So, break out your TTT Soundtrack disk and stop by to post a comment on your favorite tracks.  We encourage our NYC-bound friends to drop in and share some thoughts on the Live Concert, too!  The Virtual Concert will begin at noon EST Friday on our “‘Main” message board and will be available to participate in all weekend.