Rebecca writes: IMDB reports that Ridley Scott and the cast of ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ are under tighened security following death threats from Islamic extreamists, who are offended by battle scenes in Scott’s film about the Crusades. The cast and crew, including our very own Orlando Bloom, are still filming in Morocco while under the protection of soldiers and King Mohammed of Morocco. [More]
Category: Old Main News
Sigh. It’s hard to imagine that people could want anyone other than Pierce Brosnan as James Bond, and yet — what do I know? There’s a poll on Entertainment Tonight’s web site asking for votes on the next Bond. Right now Orlando is leading the race. Go and vote as your conscience dictates. [More]
Message Board admin Altaira reminds us that March 25th is “Tolkien Reading Day.” According to The Tolkien Society, the event is “aimed at encouraging the use of Tolkien’s works in education and to get schoolteachers and library staff to participate in reading Tolkien to their classes and in their libraries.” And, as Altaira says, “Crack open those Tolkien books, and share them with a child if you can.” [More]
WELLINGTON, new Zealand (AP) — Hobbits, orcs and wizards are helping draw so many tourists to New Zealand that the creatures are about to vanquish dairy farmers as New Zealand’s No. 1 export earners. The runaway success of director Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy of movies, combined with New Zealand’s image as a safe haven from the world’s troubles, have turned this remote South Pacific nation into a must-see location for millions of travelers each year. [More]
MS writes: MidSouthCon 22 and DeepSouthCon 42, both conventions of some longevity, are combining this year to be held jointly in Memphis from March 26-28, 2004. Several guests, including James Swanger, the founder of the Middle Earth Gaming Association, and Dr. Amy H. Sturgis from Belmont University (“Harry Potter is a Hobbit”), will be speaking and participating in panel discussions. For more information see the official site, which will be updated with more specific programming information soon, and is available at midsouthcon.org
Celandine writes: There was an LOTR reference on “The O.C.” tonight. The gang are heading to a party in Hollywood, and Summer says “I hope Orlando Bloom is there, Legolas is sooo hot!” When Seth says something pithy in reply, she responds “He’s an elf! And he helped save Middle-earth! That’s like an important piece of Europe’s history!”