Peter Jackson was interviewed by Matt Lauer this morning which started off with an extended video clip of Saruman giving his speech to the Uruk Hai on the balcony of Orthanc.
Matt started off with a joke, reading a piece from a press clipping written before the opening of “Fellowship.” He read, “Peter Jackson is the guy that may ruin New Line Cinema if this movie sucks.” Matt went on to say the movie proved the critics wrong by getting 13 Academy Award nominations and winning 4, and going on to earn $890MM. Matt then asked if now that the studio pressure is off, is it much easier this time around. Peter said he is in the fortunate position – “that ship has already sailed.” Over the course of a year and a half, the film has already been shot. Then Peter said he must remain faithful to the movie, even more so than the book, because he views the films as one long story, broken in to three 3-hour pieces. He said he took some license with the film as he did with Fellowship, in order to tell the story the best way on film.
Peter said The Two Towers literally picks up where Fellowship leaves off. Matt asks if this version is darker and more violent. Peter explained that the second chapter of a trilogy is inherently darker. He said the first piece sets up the characters and sees them set off on their Quest. Now, things get more difficult. At this point, we hear Peter’s voice as we see some of the filming of TTT. There are shots of orcs falling off the ladders scaling the walls of Helms Deep. There are some beautiful shots of Edoras, Helms Deep, and of Theoden walking out of what looks to be an opening of the rocky wall at Helms Deep and Theoden turns around stopping Aragorn in his tracks and places his hand on Aragorn’s chest. He speaks to Aragorn very enthusiastically and has the power of the healed Theoden.
Then Matt asks him about the work ahead for ROTK. Peter just smiles and says next week he begins cutting the film together and that they have about 800 effects shots to work on, so they will be busy.
Peter was actually wearing shoes this time, his black sneakers and a regular short sleeved polo shirt. Brave clothes, since it is 30 degrees Fahrenheit here in NYC today! Peter seemed quite calm and with his understated sense of humor.
Viggo Mortensen certainly got what he wished for, people talking politics and war as opposed to his role in TTT, this from his visit to the Charlie Rose show last night. TORN fans have certainly been vocal, both pro and con Viggo in regards to his statements last night. Take a sampling here:
–I must say that the best part of the show was the clips from the film….there was some talk about making the film, and other projects that PJ, Elijah, and Viggo were working on, but, I’m sorry to say, Viggo spent the first 10 minutes talking about his political views. He was wearing a t-shirt that said No Blood For Oil. I did not feel that this was the time or place for making a political statement. I was very disappointed that Viggo chose to do just that. PJ and Elijah were not included in this discussion, and the host tried to turn the subject away more than once. As a fan of the films, I wanted to hear about TTT, but instead, I got to hear Viggo’s position on Iraq. I hope that future shows about TTT are actually about TTT. Nikki
-I was hoping for some scoop on the movie, maybe a little insight from the director and actors about the filming of the movies, what to expect next, etc. What’s up with Viggo Mortensen hijacking half the segment with a monologue on US foreign policy? I can’t believe I stayed up late on a school night to watch it…
– I’m sure you’ve gotten a ton of emails about this already about Peter Jackson, Elijah Wood, and Viggo Mortensen being on the show Charlie Rose last night. They showed three clips from TTT. One being the scene when they first meet with Eomer where Legolas almost takes him out for threatening Gimli. Another was when Frodo and Sam are wandering around and realize that they just went in a circle and that they are being followed. And the last is where Frodo and Sam are in some kind of storage room (perhaps after being taken by Faramir?) and they want to escape. Here Sam urges Frodo to put on the ring so that they may escape. Basically, Peter said the same things you heard everywhere else. Elijah didn’t get to say much. The majority of the show was about Viggo (who was wearing that “no more blood for oil” shirt) and his political standpoint on the US war. Charlie tried to blow Viggo off like he was one of those misinformed idiotic actors trying to sound smart. But he eventually shut up and let Viggo talk. Viggo made a lot of good points. It was fun to watch because Viggo didn’t care if Charlie agreed with him or not. haha. -Fozzer
-Viggo had a shirt on that said, No blood for Oil. He questioned the U.S. on attacking and bombing innocent people. He said the U.S. is the bad guy and that Bush is Saruman. He said we should question what’s going on. He also said it’s wrong how the news turns into a countdown to war, like it’s a countdown to New Years. Which I agree with, but I don’t think the U.S. is seeking out to kill innocent people. Sadly they’re in the way and the real bad guys, the terrorist use them as shields. The difference between the U.S. and the terrorist and sadam is that their intentions are to kill innocent people. We’re trying to fight an enemy amongst an innocent people. It’s not easy to get to these devils. Sadly innocent people die. Anyway, I don’t want to turn this into a political debate. It just surprised me how out spoken Viggo is on the subject. Charlie Rose asked him back, just so they could continue the discussion. Viggo said he’d like that. Viggo sort of reminds me of Harrison Ford. Soft speaker and he seems shy, but on screen he’s an intense actor. Anyway, that left 10 minutes to talk to Peter and Elijah. -Orionsaint
–I could not resist reacting to your comments about Viggo’s appearance with Charlie Rose. First of all, I thought it was selfish and arrogant of Viggo to wear his political views on the program. The purpose of the program was to discuss and promote the movie. His shirt and comments took time away from Peter and Elijah and a further discussion of the movie. Secondly, for him to equate the U.S. with the evil Saruman shows an extreme absence of moral clarity. Perhaps he should live in a totalitarian country such as Irag, N. Korea, Sudan, etc. and experience what is truly evil. Maybe then he’ll appreciate the United States. Sorry, but I don’t see where his comments are “brave” or “knowledgeable”. He came across as a naive, moral idiot (and he is certainly no “Aragorn”!) Thanks for listening! Kirk
-Maybe it’s the Canadian in me, but I agree wholeheartedly with the comments of your reporter “Richard” re: Viggo Mortensen on The Charlie Rose Show.
I’d read some condemnation on the web this morning about what Mortensen said, then anxiously, nervously watched the program this afternoon — when the PBS affiliate in Buffalo broadcasts it — because I’ve seen some movie stars (hello Barbra Streisand) make complete mugs of themself when they tip-toe into the political arena.
Bravo! For Viggo!! Not only did he come out alive, my admiration for him just went up a hundred-fold. He was informed and opinionated, without being aloof or confrontational, and acquitted himself wonderfully. He knew his stuff. He bravely went out on a limb, and will likely be condemned in many quarters as a traitor, but in my mind he was a genuine American patriot, asking serious questions that needed to be asked. It was telling that Rose invited him back to address the issue some other time — Rose knows a smart guy when he sees and hears one. (I’m not sure if you are aware, but Justin Raimondo, the brains behind antiwar.com, wrote an excellent review of FOTR that ran last December (“Sauron in Washington” – http://www.antiwar.com/justin/j122401.html ) that hits many of the same points that Mortensen was expressing and runs counter to many of interpretations FOTR has received in the mainstream American press over the past year.) I thought the conversation might become a total distraction, but Elijah and Peter didn’t seem put-out, and listened patiently and attentively. Later, I was most fascinated about Peter’s comments regarding the uncomfortable political campaign of The Academy Awards. He said he’ll never be a part of such a campaign ever again. Take care, and thanks for the accurate, balanced view. T. B
–I’m not f**king interested in you’re motherf**king opinion about politics. Stick to the movies!!! Viggo is an a$$hole for attacking the very country that gives him the right to spew his bullshit. F**K you and him!!!! (kindly edited by me -Xo)
-Xoanon — Thanks for posting Richard’s note.
I saw Viggo and Charlie rumble on PBS too, and boy it was the best thing I’ve seen on color TV in a long time. Charlie said he would actually like to have Viggo back to discuss the issues with some right-wingers.
It took me a while to explain to my husband the connection Viggo was making between the mechanized war-machine of Saruman and the bombing-from-30,000-feet war-machine that is the USA armed forces.
BUT, I feel that the point must be driven home that Viggo was NOT SUPPORTING ANY COMPARISON between current events and either Jackson’s or Tolkien’s work. He was merely stating, if you’re going to make that UNJUST comparison, get it right who is defending their homeland and who the war-machine is.
I just wanted to put another letter of support for Viggo in, there are plenty of the younger generation who are seeking to oppose the war, but who are struggling to find organized anti-war efforts. Oh look, here comes the Dec 8 deadline… off I go to the frontline. PEACE JLPE
This post from Xenu’s Sister from usenet group rec.arts.books.tolkien may be very useful for people in the USA – it’s a near comprehensive listing of all tolkien/lotr-related TV shows for the next two weeks. It may not be complete, but there’s a lot of stuff here …
The shows aren’t in any specific order.
ALL MY TIMES ARE CENTRAL STANDARD.
CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS.
SYNDICATED means that the program airs at different times on local stations. Check your local listings.
=========
NEW
Syndicated – Charlie Rose The Two Towers Tuesday December 3 11:00pm (Channel 11 Chicago) Wednesday December 4 12:00am (Channel 20 Chicago)
“Movie ‘Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’; director Peter Jackson; Elijah Wood; Viggo Mortensen.”
=========
Syndicated – Entertainment Tonight The Two Towers December 4 12:37am
Tivo blurb just says “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers cast”.
=========
Syndicated – Entertainment Tonight The Two Towers December 6 6:30pm December 10 12:37am
Tivo blurb just says “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”
=========
Syndicated – Access Hollywood The Two Towers Friday December 6 6:30pm
“Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers premiere”
=========
WB – The Lord of the Rings: Return to Middle-Earth The Two Towers December 4 – 8:00pm
=========
NBC – Today Peter Jackson December 4 – 7:00am
=========
NBC – Today Elijah Wood December 12 – 7:00am
=========
Ch 9 – The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Return to Middle Earth The Two Towers December 4 7:00pm
I don’t know if this is local to Chicago, or national, or what. My Tivo picked it up. The blurb says “Michael Rosenbaum previews the feature film and chronicles the life-altering adventures shared by its stars in New Zealand during the three-film shoot.”
=========
BBCAmerica – French & Saunders The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring December 5 7:00pm December 6 2:00am
The blurb says “The duo spoofs the movie blockbuster.”
=========
Bravo – From Page to Screen The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring December 9 – 7:00pm December 9 – 10:00pm December 10 – 3:00pm December 13 – 11:00m December 15 – 11:00am
New show about adapting published works for the screen.
=========
Bravo – Bravo Profiles Cate Blanchett December 8 – 6:00pm December 9 – 12:00am December 14 – 12:00am
A repeat, but was filmed after the LOTR: FOTR shoot.
=========
Bravo – James Lipton’s Inside the Actors Studio Ian McKellen December 8 – 7:00pm December 8 – 11:00pm December 15 – 10:00am
It’s listed as a premiere, so it’s new.
=========
MTV – Movie House The Two Towers December 9 – 8:00pm December 10 – 2:00pm December 11 – 10:00pm December 12 – 5:00pm December 13 – 3:30pm
“Making the second of the Tolkien trilogy.”
=========
MTV – Making the Video Game: Lord of the Rings The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring December 9 – 8:30pm December 10 – 1:30pm December 11 – 10:30pm December 12 – 5:30pm December 13 – 4:00pm
“The creation of a video game based on the movie.”
=========
Starz – On the Set The Two Towers December 11 – 10:45pm December 12 – 1:45am December 13 – 10:40pm December 14 – 6:40am December 14 – 2:40pm December 14 – 5:00pm December 14 – 8:00pm December 14 – 10:40pm December 15 – 1:15am December 15 – 4:15am December 15 – 6:40am December 15 – 12:05pm December 15 – 2:40pm December 15 – 3:05pm
Amazing that there are so many of these so close together. Starz! is weird.
Starz! is also showing the movie LOTR: FOTR this month. They’ve been having beautiful preview sequences between movies.
=========
NEW
? – Regis & Kelly Elijah Wood December 13th – ? (Check local listings)
This post from Xenu’s Sister from usenet group rec.arts.books.tolkien may be very useful for people in the USA – it’s a near comprehensive listing of all tolkien/lotr-related TV shows for the next two weeks. It may not be complete, but there’s a lot of stuff here …
The shows aren’t in any specific order.
ALL MY TIMES ARE CENTRAL STANDARD.
CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS.
SYNDICATED means that the program airs at different times on local stations. Check your local listings.
=========
NEW
Syndicated – Charlie Rose The Two Towers Tuesday December 3 11:00pm (Channel 11 Chicago) Wednesday December 4 12:00am (Channel 20 Chicago)
“Movie ‘Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’; director Peter Jackson; Elijah Wood; Viggo Mortensen.”
=========
Syndicated – Entertainment Tonight The Two Towers December 4 12:37am
Tivo blurb just says “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers cast”.
=========
Syndicated – Entertainment Tonight The Two Towers December 6 6:30pm December 10 12:37am
Tivo blurb just says “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”
=========
Syndicated – Access Hollywood The Two Towers Friday December 6 6:30pm
“Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers premiere”
=========
WB – The Lord of the Rings: Return to Middle-Earth The Two Towers December 4 – 8:00pm
=========
NBC – Today Peter Jackson December 4 – 7:00am
=========
NBC – Today Elijah Wood December 12 – 7:00am
=========
Ch 9 – The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Return to Middle Earth The Two Towers December 4 7:00pm
I don’t know if this is local to Chicago, or national, or what. My Tivo picked it up. The blurb says “Michael Rosenbaum previews the feature film and chronicles the life-altering adventures shared by its stars in New Zealand during the three-film shoot.”
=========
BBCAmerica – French & Saunders The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring December 5 7:00pm December 6 2:00am
The blurb says “The duo spoofs the movie blockbuster.”
=========
Bravo – From Page to Screen The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring December 9 – 7:00pm December 9 – 10:00pm December 10 – 3:00pm December 13 – 11:00m December 15 – 11:00am
New show about adapting published works for the screen.
=========
Bravo – Bravo Profiles Cate Blanchett December 8 – 6:00pm December 9 – 12:00am December 14 – 12:00am
A repeat, but was filmed after the LOTR: FOTR shoot.
=========
Bravo – James Lipton’s Inside the Actors Studio Ian McKellen December 8 – 7:00pm December 8 – 11:00pm December 15 – 10:00am
It’s listed as a premiere, so it’s new.
=========
MTV – Movie House The Two Towers December 9 – 8:00pm December 10 – 2:00pm December 11 – 10:00pm December 12 – 5:00pm December 13 – 3:30pm
“Making the second of the Tolkien trilogy.”
=========
MTV – Making the Video Game: Lord of the Rings The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring December 9 – 8:30pm December 10 – 1:30pm December 11 – 10:30pm December 12 – 5:30pm December 13 – 4:00pm
“The creation of a video game based on the movie.”
=========
Starz – On the Set The Two Towers December 11 – 10:45pm December 12 – 1:45am December 13 – 10:40pm December 14 – 6:40am December 14 – 2:40pm December 14 – 5:00pm December 14 – 8:00pm December 14 – 10:40pm December 15 – 1:15am December 15 – 4:15am December 15 – 6:40am December 15 – 12:05pm December 15 – 2:40pm December 15 – 3:05pm
Amazing that there are so many of these so close together. Starz! is weird.
Starz! is also showing the movie LOTR: FOTR this month. They’ve been having beautiful preview sequences between movies.
=========
NEW
? – Regis & Kelly Elijah Wood December 13th – ? (Check local listings)
This post from Xenu’s Sister from usenet group rec.arts.books.tolkien may be very useful for people in the USA – it’s a near comprehensive listing of all tolkien/lotr-related TV shows for the next two weeks. It may not be complete, but there’s a lot of stuff here …
The shows aren’t in any specific order.
ALL MY TIMES ARE CENTRAL STANDARD.
CHECK LOCAL LISTINGS.
SYNDICATED means that the program airs at different times on local stations. Check your local listings.
=========
NEW
Syndicated – Charlie Rose The Two Towers Tuesday December 3 11:00pm (Channel 11 Chicago) Wednesday December 4 12:00am (Channel 20 Chicago)
“Movie ‘Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers’; director Peter Jackson; Elijah Wood; Viggo Mortensen.”
=========
Syndicated – Entertainment Tonight The Two Towers December 4 12:37am
Tivo blurb just says “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers cast”.
=========
Syndicated – Entertainment Tonight The Two Towers December 6 6:30pm December 10 12:37am
Tivo blurb just says “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”
=========
Syndicated – Access Hollywood The Two Towers Friday December 6 6:30pm
“Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers premiere”
=========
WB – The Lord of the Rings: Return to Middle-Earth The Two Towers December 4 – 8:00pm
=========
NBC – Today Peter Jackson December 4 – 7:00am
=========
NBC – Today Elijah Wood December 12 – 7:00am
=========
Ch 9 – The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Return to Middle Earth The Two Towers December 4 7:00pm
I don’t know if this is local to Chicago, or national, or what. My Tivo picked it up. The blurb says “Michael Rosenbaum previews the feature film and chronicles the life-altering adventures shared by its stars in New Zealand during the three-film shoot.”
=========
BBCAmerica – French & Saunders The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring December 5 7:00pm December 6 2:00am
The blurb says “The duo spoofs the movie blockbuster.”
=========
Bravo – From Page to Screen The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring December 9 – 7:00pm December 9 – 10:00pm December 10 – 3:00pm December 13 – 11:00m December 15 – 11:00am
New show about adapting published works for the screen.
=========
Bravo – Bravo Profiles Cate Blanchett December 8 – 6:00pm December 9 – 12:00am December 14 – 12:00am
A repeat, but was filmed after the LOTR: FOTR shoot.
=========
Bravo – James Lipton’s Inside the Actors Studio Ian McKellen December 8 – 7:00pm December 8 – 11:00pm December 15 – 10:00am
It’s listed as a premiere, so it’s new.
=========
MTV – Movie House The Two Towers December 9 – 8:00pm December 10 – 2:00pm December 11 – 10:00pm December 12 – 5:00pm December 13 – 3:30pm
“Making the second of the Tolkien trilogy.”
=========
MTV – Making the Video Game: Lord of the Rings The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring December 9 – 8:30pm December 10 – 1:30pm December 11 – 10:30pm December 12 – 5:30pm December 13 – 4:00pm
“The creation of a video game based on the movie.”
=========
Starz – On the Set The Two Towers December 11 – 10:45pm December 12 – 1:45am December 13 – 10:40pm December 14 – 6:40am December 14 – 2:40pm December 14 – 5:00pm December 14 – 8:00pm December 14 – 10:40pm December 15 – 1:15am December 15 – 4:15am December 15 – 6:40am December 15 – 12:05pm December 15 – 2:40pm December 15 – 3:05pm
Amazing that there are so many of these so close together. Starz! is weird.
Starz! is also showing the movie LOTR: FOTR this month. They’ve been having beautiful preview sequences between movies.
=========
NEW
? – Regis & Kelly Elijah Wood December 13th – ? (Check local listings)
There’s a short article on The Two Towers at Entertainment Tonight’s website. There will also be a look at The Two Towers New York Premiere on Entertainment Tonight on Friday, Dec. 6. This shows airs at around 7:00 or 7:30pm across the US on a local channel. More]
The E! News Live website also has an interview with Elijah here. (RealPlayer needed) [More]
I also watched the Charlie Rose show and have a summary of it:
The first couple of minutes shows Elijah and Viggo answering a couple of questions with some quick shots from the trailers showing, then for a period of around 22 minutes, Albina du Boisrouvray talks about AIDS. Finally, after an older trailer for The Two Towers plays, Peter Jackson, Elijah, and Viggo are interviewed together for the rest of the show.
All is going as expected for a few minutes until Charlie Rose comments on Viggo’s T-shirt which reads, “NO MORE BLOOD FOR OIL” in bold handwritten letters. Then the topic changes completely and for several minutes, Charlie and Viggo debate the topic of the US governments’ war on terrorism and Iraq. Viggo said some of the most bold things I’ve heard from anyone about the US response to 9/11 and the situation in Iraq. He basically feels that the US was unjust in bombing innocent civilians in Afghanistan and is against a war on Iraq.
He also did not like how people compare the US to the good guys in The Lord of the Rings movies and terrorists to Sauron and Saruman. He says that the opposite is, unfortunately, true and that the US is like Saruman in its need to control and cause destruction in other countries. Viggo spoke rather intelligently and he went out on a thin limb making these somewhat radical statements, but he made his point and came out alive. Charlie Rose was defending the US, but he said he respected Viggo for making his comments. I have even more respect for Viggo now as it required a large amount of bravery and knowledge to say what he did, and he faced some strong arguments from Charlie Rose.
Throughout the show (which had no more talk of politics after that), 3 clips were shown. 2 of them were the ones shown on E! News Live and the last one was in a small room with wooden barrels in it and Sam tries to encourage Frodo to put on the ring to escape, but Frodo says he can’t. Pretty interesting.
