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
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.
Forging Dragons(Or Most Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Dragons (Or At Least a Certain Amount)
John Howe writes: A new book coming out is always fun, generally as it means the editors involved are happy to coax me from my lair to go sign copies in some far-flung clime.*
After spending Bilbo and Frodo’s birthday week riddling, Doug Adams announced what the ‘other major release’ his book will be tied to: LOTR: THE RARITIES ARCHIVE, scheduled for release in the fourth quarter 2009. There will be substantially more rarities material released. Doug’s initial project was limited in terms of budget (buying rights from Warner Brothers). WBR owns all this so licensing rights is not an issue. Doug wrote:
“This means that CONSIDERABLY more music is now available for the project! You will see why this qualifies as something “major,” I promise. And as I’ve said, there is some incredible LOTR music that no one has ever heard.”
Message board member Beren sends this in: Hello!. I was contacted this weekend by Houghton Mifflin to do a chat session with Alan Lee on the 14th of October. As part of the celebration for the release of the Children of Hurin Paperback in the U.S., Alan will be doing three days of signing, and will come and chat with Tolkien fans on the 14th. Alan has agreed to make some sketches in copies of the paperback to give away. It would be great if people could send in some questions as well. For sure Alan knows stuff on the Hobbit movies that will be of interest to all Tolkien fans!
The chat will take place at Tolkienlibrary.com. Follow the “Discuss” link below to join the discussion on our message boards and get your question on the list, or email Beren at TolkienLibrary.com
Or a Few Words From Someone Else About Dragons
