Peter Jackson’s movie King Kong, which begins shooting in Wellington next month, will be a reunion of the director’s dream team from The Lord of The Rings. King Kong’s crew includes cinematographer Andrew Lesnie, production designer Grant Major, art director Dan Hennah, conceptual designer Alan Lee, Weta special effects whizz Richard Taylor, visual effects director Alex Funke, visual effects supervisor Joe Letteri and composer Howard Shore. [More]

Actress Fay Wray Dies at 96
Fay Wray 1907 – 2004
NEW YORK – Fay Wray, who won everlasting fame as the damsel held atop the Empire State Building by the giant ape in the 1933 film classic “King Kong,” has died, a close friend said Monday. She was 96. [More]

David writes: I thought that you might like to know that there are still tickets available for the Howard Shore LOTR Symphony at the Royal Albert Hall in London on the 23rd September 2004. The performance on the previous evening of the 22nd was sold out immediately, and the second date was then offered and put on sale from the 3rd August. The Royal Albert Hall management tell me that they are concerned that the hundreds who were turned away from the first performance may not be aware that the second is being run the following evening and/or booking now. We want a full house! Can you publicise this? Howard Shore has kindly agreed to this second date, and we don’t want to let him down! [More]

Whether through the six volumes of Tolkien’s classic novel or Peter Jackson’s spectacular film adaptation of the epic, The Lord of the Rings has fascinated audiences of all ages for 50 years. Now fans can relive the magic in a new way with Creating The Lord of the Rings Symphony: A Composer’s Journey Through Middle Earth. This exclusive concert presentation of the films’ unforgettable music, conducted by its composer Howard Shore, will have its Canadian television premiere on Bravo! NewStyleArtsChannel Saturday, September 4 at 8:30pm ET. [More]

Some might have already guessed it but none other than Alan Lee is the latest addition to the lineup for The Fellowship Festival:

We are proud to announce that Mr. Alan Lee, one of the world’s leading Tolkien Artists will be joining us at The Fellowship Festival from 28th-30th August 2004, at Alexandra Palace, London.

As all Tolkien fans out there will know, Alan illustrated the lavish anniversary edition of The Lord of The Rings. Alan also laboured on the New Zealand set of Peter Jackson’s film trilogy, The Lord of The Rings. As conceptual designer for the films, it was Alan’s job to create the distinctive “look” of Middle Earth.

Alan will be talking about his life and work in our Hall of Fire, along with meeting and signing for fans and attending the Fellowship Feast, the exclusive dinner for 90 fans and the cast and crew attending.

Most importantly, Alan, along with John Howe, the other conceptual artist who worked alongside Alan, will be the judges of the fan art competition.

Alan joins our other distinguished guests including:

Bernard Hill (King Theoden)

John Noble (Denethor)

Craig Parker (Haldir)

Mark Ferguson (Gil-Galid)

Bruce Hopkins (Gamling)

Sarah McLeod (Rosie Cotton)

Cameron Rhodes (Farmer Maggot)

Lawrence Makoare (Lurtz)

Jorn Benzon (Rumil)

Jed Brophy (Snaga/Sharku

Jarl Benzon (Glorfindel)

Sandro Kopp (Gildor)

Gino Acevedo (Weta Workshop)

John Howe (Conceptual Artist)

Come and meet Alan, along with the other 14 other The Lord of The Rings cast and crewmembers at the festival.

You can get your tickets here or call our hotline on +44 (0) 208 880 8150

For all event information and a full list of cast and crew attending go to: www.aaaevents.co.uk!