Today at the Armageddon Expo in Auckland Lawrence Makoare jumped up on stage for a bit of an impromptu chat during the Weta/Sideshow discussion panel.
Not sure if you already knew, but he mentioned that he and Miranda Otto were returning in May to reshoot the entire Witch King sequence, as apparently PJ decided his armor looked altogether too similar to Sauron’s. Lawrence didn’t mention the inclusion of Merry here, but HOPEFULLY this was just an oversight on his part…eek!
He also revealed he has a very strong hunch that PJ will make The Hobbit, and the guy from Weta expressed extreme glee at the prospect of designing a dragon.
Fiver writes: According to an article, PJ will be contributing to the NZ teevee ad campaign for upcoming movie Tongan ninja.
Jason Stutter’s first feature ‘Tongan Ninja’ is set for a wide theatrical release in France, with French distributor Wildside planning to release up to 80 prints of the film in cinemas throughout France.
“Tongan Ninja is really a Wildside film,” said Manuel Chiche of Wildside, who acquired the rights from the New Zealand Film Commission.
The film has been licensed for release in Australia and New Zealand by Magna Pacific. The New Zealand theatrical release is now being finalized, with a television campaign featuring Peter Jackson.
Tongan Ninja, which was written by Stutter, was produced by Andrew Calder, with Sue Rogers as executive producer for Tommy Ringo International and Midnight Films Productions, in association with the New Zealand Film Commission.
Ringer Spy IC writes: The UK based SF & Fantasy magazine SFX celebrated Tolkien Reading Day 25th March in a different way their new edition hit the streets with a special supplement “The Sexiest Sci-Fi Stars in the Galaxy”, opening the issue on page 2 was Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), there were also pix of Liv Tyler (Arwen), Elijah Wood (Frodo) and of course Orlando Bloom (Legolas)!
Also included (and listed here as I know that fans of these shows are also LotR fans) were Alyssa Milano (Charmed), Tom Welling (Smallville), James Marsters (Buffy), Sarah-Michelle Gellar (Buffy), Claudia Black (Farscape), Ben Browder (Farscape), David Boreanaz (Angel), Alyson Hannigan (Buffy), Eliza Dushku (Buffy), Connor Triner (Enterprise), Alexis Denisof (Angel), Charisma Carpenter (Angel), Tobey Maguire (Spiderman), Jolene Blalock (Enterprise), Jennifer Garner (Alias) and Kristin Kreuk (Smallville).
Just wanted to let you know what Sir Ian spoke of last night on Parkinson. I’m from the UK and watched the show intently, waiting for Ian to show (he was the last guest).
He and Parkinson spoke mainly of his new play (and very briedly of X-Men 2), but when there was mention of Lord of the Rings Ian spoke enthuisastically about ‘getting into character’ and the huge amount of time spent making sure his performance was up to scratch.
He told us the fact that he hadn’t read the books before filming (and it’s not clear whether he ever has, since, either) but he was pleased that his performance was accepted by the fans of the books in general.
He also showed us his tattoo that the members of the cast all got done (the Elvish for ‘9’), his was on his right upper arm, but jokingly suggested Wood’s was ‘further down’ toward his waist. Highly entertaining man, as ever, and stole the show for me last night.
Joe Kavalier sends along this snippet of an interview with Doctor Who star Slyvester McCoy. McCoy mentions how close he came to playing Bilbo! (the mind just boggles at the thought of Tom Baker playing Gandalf and Syl playing Bilbo!).
I just came across a tidbit that may be of interest to TORn readers. In an interview with Sylvester McCoy (the seventh Doctor Who), I found the following exchange:
Is it true you were second choice to play Bilbo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings?
Yes, I was down to the last two. They didn’t tell me who the other one was but when I found out I was in the company of Ian Holm that took away some of the sadness, because he’s a brilliant actor. I just wish he’d been busy that week! That would have been a nice pension…
Bailey sends along this bit of information about a new ‘Hobbit’ stage play hitting the stage in Pasadena, California.
The play will be held at the Pasadena Junior Theater located at Scott Hall at Holliston Church. 1305 Colorado Blvd, Pasadena CA.
For information, you can call 626-577-5922. Performances run May 2-11. Fridays at 7PM, Sundays at 5PM. Saturday May 3rd is at 2:30PM and Saturday May 10th is at 7PM. Its a great show and its children age 9-14 performing all the roles.
