According to this credible report from excellent Hollywood journalist Nikki Finke, MGM is asking for money and wants the cash to function as a studio and make back the money it owes to its debtholders. She says, “…Last Thursday, right before Easter weekend, MGM Management gave an 8-hour presentation in the old MGM Screening Room to the creditors.” Apparently the creditors’ questions revealed they may not fully understand the film business. Current offers in the auction of the studio are unlikely to be accepted. Credit Finke for not jumping to conclusions and admitting the next step is anybody’s guess. For our “Hobbit” centric audience, Guillermo del Toro says this is indeed an obstacle for getting a green light on the films he is ready to direct. Thanks to Sunflower from our message boards for the tip!
Category: Production
Although actors like Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood, not to mention writer-director Peter Jackson and producer Fran Walsh are often credited with the success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the real folks responsible for bringing them to life are the crew members behind the scenes, led by Weta workshop president Richard Taylor. Since the beginning of the film series, Taylor has provided vital, insightful information about the making of the films, and helped flesh out their journey from page to screen.
This week, Warner Home Video released the theatrical versions of the Lord of the Rings trilogy on Blu-ray. The good folks at WHV offered Hollywood News an opportunity to talk with Taylor about the process of blowing up the films to Blu-ray, and they caught up with him late last week while driving to San Francisco for Wondercon. Although Taylor admitted outright that he hadn’t seen the new discs and had little to do with the high-definition remastering, the effects guru spoke about his interest in the films as new iterations arrive in fans’ hands, and then offered a few brief details about his upcoming work on The Hobbit, which is among Hollywood’s most highly-anticipated future films. More.
To promote the release of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy on Blu-ray DVD Richard Taylor dropped us a line to talk all things ‘Rings’. Richard is hard at work on production of the The Hobbit, and during the chat we spoke a bit about blu-ray and 3D technology effecting the way the folks at his WETA Workshop go about creating sets and props. Our very own MrCere also had the chance to chat with Richard, be on the lookout for his report as well.
Order Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (BD) at the WBshop.com! Continue reading “TORN Chats with Richard Taylor”
LOTR Artist and friend of TORN, Alan Lee, writes: Slightly off-topic, but April 1 is the US release date of SHAPESHIFTERS – tales from Ovid’s Metamorphoses, retold by Adrian Mitchell and illustrated by Tolkien artist Alan Lee. You could do worse – while waiting for the Hobbit movies – than spending time revisiting some of these beautiful and magical stories.
Order SHAPESHIFTERS – tales from Ovid’s Metamorphoses on Amazon.com Today!
Andy Serkis has been describing life as Gollum and praising the talents of friend and Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson. The British actor is reprising his most famous role in the film adaption of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hobbit, due to be released in 2011. Serkis thinks the magic of the character comes, partly from the motion capture techniques used to make the film. “The really key moment really was Peter’s understanding that drama is what happens between two beings,” the 45-year-old said. More..
The folks at Weta have made it possible to own your own Hobbiton. There are two versions, the Open Edition and the Collector’s Editon with interiors. While your eyes soak that in, don’t miss the four-part series by site-friend Daniel Falconer about how this collectible came together.