LOS ANGELES The first-time director and cast of unknowns of the acclaimed sci-fi thriller “District 9” have given Hollywood a late-summer box-office boost. The Sony release produced by “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson led the weekend with a $37 million debut, according to studio estimates Sunday. “District 9” is the debut feature from commercial and music-video director Neill Blomkamp, who co-wrote the tale about extraterrestrials forced by humans to live in squalor in a ghetto in South Africa. More..
Category: Production
BARNEY MCDONALD from the Sunday Star Times writes: The first time I saw Peter Jackson on set directing The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the (now trim) film-maker was sat barefoot in a big, comfy armchair of dubious origin. He’d get up and move around, interacting with actors and crew, but before long he’d be back in the low, rounded chair, staring at his monitors, deep in thought.
During shooting of pick-ups for The Twin Towers [SIC] and The Return of the King, I spent a week apiece with a veritable United Nations of international media, watching Jackson working on set and location, snatching moments to talk to him about his epic journey with the film. Always unflappable, ever affable, Jackson controlled his environment with understated and seemingly effortless ease, so much so that the armchair became a symbol for the man himself. Whenever he wasn’t on set, the chair remained, motionless and serene, commanding respect on behalf of its master. More..
Staffer MrCere has a day job where he occasionally writes about LOTR related items. Check out his article on the buzz-generating ‘District 9’ and its producer Peter Jackson and director Neill Blomkamp. It starts, “In a summer filled with big-budget movies featuring brand names such as “Transformers,” “G.I. Joe,” “Star Trek” and “Harry Potter,” Peter Jackson knew that the low-budget, aliens-on-earth tale “District 9,” which he produced, couldn’t succeed if it took the same special effects-heavy approach as those films.” Read it here.
Thanks to forum board member Theodred for this link to an MTV Rough Cut video in which Peter Jackson shoots down the rumor of a third ‘bridge’ film being made:
There is a very informative article in the Wall Street Journal today that covers the past and upcoming projects of Peter Jackson. There is a particularly interesting tidbit on his decision to not direct ‘The Hobbit’ flims:
Mr. Jackson is co-writing and producing an adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” but he’s handing the directing reins to Guillermo del Toro, known for his fantastical hit “Pan’s Labyrinth.”
“In some respects, I’m still not sure if I made the right decision in not directing, because I’m enjoying it so much,” Mr Jackson says of “The Hobbit.”
Thanks to forum member Loresilme for the heads up and you can read the full article through the following link. [Read More]
Marc Bernardin from Entertainment Weekly writes: I will take any opportunity to see The Lord of the Rings in a full-blown theater, my love for those films is so great. Heck, I almost pilgrimaged to Austin to see it at the Alamo Drafthouse, where they’ll feed you whatever the Hobbits ate — while they’re eating on screen! (Hobbits eat rabbit stew, you eat rabbit stew. Hobbits eat lembas bread, you eat…Ritz crackers, probably. Hobbits gallivant on the bed, you sit uncomfortably in your seat.) More..
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