Forging Dragons will be out towards the end of the month. Here’s the preface, with the kind permission of the editor, so you won’t need to read it on the way to the checkout.
“SVNT DRACONES”
In the original draft of “Pan’s Labyrinth” – and all the way into production – the centerpiece of the fairy tale told by Ophelia (the film’s main character) to her unborn brother was a striking image: A Black, horned Dragon, fused with a flint stone mountain, surrounded with thorns. And, at the peak of the mountain, a delicate blue rose that concedes immortality to whomever would dare pluck it.
But so fierce was the Dragon (whom I called “Varanium Silex”) that men preferred to avoid pain than to gain eternal life. The fable was pertinent to the very core of the film’s message but, instrumental as it was, the Dragon had to be dropped out of the sequence. Money, resources and lack of time conspired to seal that fate… John Howe’s Journal: FORGING (MORE) DRAGONS
Kristin writes: In recent days there has been news of DreamWorks ending its distribution partnership with Paramount and signing a deal with Universal. That change is affecting both Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones and his collaboration with Steven Spielberg on the Tintin films. I’ve posted an entry on The Frodo Franchise laying out the little that is known at this point about what the effects will be.
Annette writes: The trailer for Reclaiming the Blade, Galatia Film’s documentary on swords and sword fighting is full of LOTR folks. It begins with comments by John Howe who is followed by Richard Taylor, Viggo Mortensen, John Rhys Davies (the film’s narrator), Karl Urban and, of course, swordmaster Bob Anderson. There are clips of all of our favorite sword fights and the list of authorities on the film’s web site is would make an incredible melee!. Continue reading “Reclaiming the Blade Trailer Boasts LOTR Alumni”
We have just received news from Houghton Mifflin that the Alan Lee Book Tour, to promote THE CHILDREN OF HURIN paperback (national release date: October 14) and the brand-new TALES FROM THE PERILOUS REALM, has been canceled. Out of respect for Alan’s privacy, we can only say that he is dealing with a loss in the family. Our condolences to Alan and his family at this time.
During an interview posted on the MTV Movie Blog, Guillermo Del Toro was asked if he would be interested in Peter Jackson directing a scene in “The Hobbit” should the LOTR director have an opportunity to do so. Del Toro agrees that Jackson has certainly earned that right but added a clarification by saying:
“We talked about it. I normally oppose fully the idea of second unit so my first instinct is no, we will not have second unit on this film,” Del Toro said of whether or not Jackson might at some point get behind the camera. “If there is a scheduling conflict or a problem of that sort, we may consider it, but right now the idea is I shoot everything.”
Guillermo del Toro was born October 9, 1964 in Guadalajara Jalisco, Mexico. He developed an interest in filmmaking in his teens and, after dabbling in making his own short films, went on to win numerous awards and recognition for such films as Cronos (1993), Espinazo del diablo, El (2001) and Pan’s Labrynth (2006). On this occasion of his 44th birthday, Guillermo has embarked on what will certainly be yet another acclaimed project: writing and eventually directing The Hobbit and “F2.” So, in addition to wishing him a very ‘happy birthday,’ please join us in wishing him the very best of luck in his latest endeavors.
Or a Few Words From Someone Else About Dragons
