We’ve just heard the sad news that Andrew Lesnie has died of a heart attack at the age of 59.
The filmmaker from Sydney, Australia, won an Academy Award for Best Cinematography for his work on Peter Jackson‘s “The Fellowship Of The Ring” in 2002. He is most associated for his work with Peter Jackson on the adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings,” trilogy and on “The Hobbit.” But his film catalog is much larger, including the just released Russell Crow-directed film, “The Water Diviner.”
He also served as director of photography for the Australian “Babe,” movies which led Jackson to him. In an interview with DigitalProducer.com, Jackson talked about the series of events, including Lesnie leaving “Mission Impossible 2,” to come to the Tolkien films. Said Jackson:
“I’d never worked with him or even met him before, but he’d shot the Babe films and I thought they looked amazing, the way he’d used backlight and the sun and natural light to create a very magical effect. And Babe had that larger-than-life feel about it that I wanted. So when we began looking for DPs in early 1999, I first decided to get either an Australian or New Zealand DP as they’d be used to the way we make films. Every country is slightly different in that way, and I immediately thought of Andrew. But he was shooting MI2 in Sydney, so I was a bit stuck then. But then after three weeks he left MI2 — apparently there was a lot of friction on the set, and we called him the next day and persuaded him to fly over to meet. Then we showed him all the designs and sets and he got very excited, and I liked him a lot.”
Jackson and Lesnie made the six Tolkien films together but they also collaborated on “King Kong,” and “The Lovely Bones.” Other notable films he worked on:
“Rise of the Planet of the Apes,” and “I Am Legend,” among others.
He can be seen as a painter acting in the Sean Astin-directed short film, “The Long and Short of It.” He made a cameo in “Return of the King,” as a Corsair of Umbar sailing to battle. By all accounts and from personal observations, Lesnie was excellent to work with. He is immortalized through his work.
All of us here at TheOneRing.net send our best wishes and condolences to his family and friends.
Below is the video of Lesnie winning his Academy Award for “Fellowship,” where he is graceful, humorous and thanks many people person-to-person before walking on stage to accept the award. It is a fine example of his professionalism and good nature.
Namarië Andrew! You will be greatly missed.
Rest in Peace
MrCere contributed to this report.
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The next fantastic Weta item we’re going to be taking a look at made its debut at Comic-Con 2014. King Thror on Throne was a surprise to fans like myself, but it is not surprise that Weta has once again shown the ability to rip what we see on screen and put that right into our collections. The piece has amazing details, including the symbol of the Arkenstone on the back of the throne and the rings on Thror’s hands. Despite his all-to-short screen time, I would highly suggest adding this beautiful piece depicting the great king of the Dwarves, Thror, to your collection.
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He just went on sale and we have an exclusive first look at this fantastic statue. We’ve teamed up with our friends at Weta Workshop to give you the first chance to see just how awesome the Bolg statue from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug turned out.
Bolg is an impressive statue with some gruesome metal implanted into his body. All the fanstastic details were put there by the talented Gary Hunt and Greg Tozer. Bolg has an edition size of 1000 pieces world wide and comes with a price tag of just $279, which for something this size, detail, and paint is a really good deal.
Continue reading “Collecting The Precious- Weta Workshop’s Bolg Statue Exclusive First Look Review”
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On March 28, 2015 TheOneRing.net livestreamed an interview with animation pioneer Ralph Bakshi to discuss the first-ever “The Lord of the Rings” film (1978), and to parse the differences between homage and rip-off (and the not-so-nebulous chains of inspiration from one artist to another).
Bakshi revealed to us that his Studio’s “LOTR” character designs and artwork were sent down to Three Foot Six in New Zealand; elevating the conversation of his impact on the live-action epic.
The subversive director has lived through numerous controversies, yet remains undervalued by Ringer fans and feels personally slighted by Jackson. He carries on vigorously at 77 years old with a new crowdfunded animated work, “The Last Days of Coney Island” and his intent to direct a “Wizards 2” follow-up to his 1977 cult hit. Continue reading “The Bakshi Interview: Uncloaking a Legacy”
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The newest environment to from Weta Workshop has landed as an in-stock purchase. The House of Beorn from The Hobbit: The Desolation Smaug joins the other amazing places that are part of so many collections. Beorn’s house comes in with an edition size of only 750 pieces world wide and is priced at $279. If you are in the UK it is back-ordered until June.
Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – Weta Workshop’s House of Beorn and Bolg Order Information”
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We know that many fans are in New York this week, enjoying the fabulous Lord of the Rings in Concert performances at Lincoln Center. For those of you who can’t be there, here’s a short video to enjoy, which captures the excitement of seeing these great films with live orchestra:
We hope that everyone who is there is having a great time in the Big Apple!
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