Since the fan phenomena hit the Internet and computer’s allowed access to video editing, Fan made trailers have kept many of us laughing, crying, and coming back for more. Places like TheForce.net’s Fan Films and FanMadeTrailers.com have focused our attention on these Fan made trailers and given us a consolidated location where we can satiate our need for more.
With the recent release of the first official theatrical trailer for Lord of the Rings, there has also been a flurry of activity in the area of satirical trailers. The most notable entries are
From the man who did the illustrious Sunday Times‘ homework for them, O. Sharp has struck again. I would explain a little more about this trailer, but I don’t want to ruin the surprise that is in store for you. The author of the Tolkien Sarcasm page has definately out done himself with this one.
ModernHumorist.com is always at the fore front of making me laugh. They are offering a little constructive criticism to New Line with Good Lord of the Rings on how to make a truely wonderful trailer.
If you want to be the next Peter Jackson and think that making a short, spoof, or animated feature in tribute to the Lord of the Rings, TheOneRing.net may be able to help you. Over the past 6 months, we have been collecting contacts to help make your project a little easier. Azeem of FanFilms.com (Also known as TheForce.net’s theater section) has offered to prod, cajole, and kick us in the right direction to help the fans out. So TheOneRing.net may be just what you need to put the finishing touches on your plans for a great Fan Film. If you think TheOneRing.net can be of assistance to you, drop us a mail at fanfilms@theonering.net and we will do our best to give you a hand.
Notice: You can also download the Tolkien Saracasm Page’s trailer here.
On Friday, January 19th, RealNetworks and New Line Cinema will launch the Internet premiere of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Movie Trailer in tandem with the debut of a brand new Lord of the Rings/RealChannel, within the RealPlayer.
The Internet premiere of the movie trailer will give the world its first online look at movie footage of the trilogy, which has been three years in the making, with all three stories of J.R.R. Tolkien’s infamous trilogy “The Lord of the Rings” having been filmed consecutively on location in New Zealand.
The Lord of the Rings RealChannel is the exclusive online video destination for all trailers, interviews and behind-the-scenes material from the making of the New Line’s epic adventure trilogy. The release will go on the wires on January 19th.
An advance look at the channel can be found at: http://ramhurl.real.com/smildemohurl.ram?file=channels/lotr/index.smi
Regular LOTR film fans will remember the sudden dismissal of Stuart Townsend in ’99, a week into his role as Aragorn. Earlier this week we reported an interview where he sounded OK about that; this interview in the Irish Times gives a different story.
“Just to let you know, the entertainment supplement with todays Irish Times (17/01) contains an interview with Stuart Townsend where he briefly talks about his short time on the LOTR production.
Quote: ‘I spent two months working on it in pre-production in New Zealand,’ Townsend says ‘and then,the day before shooting started,I was off the picture without filming a single scene.’ His cheery demeanour changes at the mention of the film. It was a ‘horrible’ experience, he says, and not one he’s keen to dwell upon to any extent, although he is becoming more philosophical about it. ‘Now I am glad that I’m off it. I really am. It was a very interesting experience, but I’m glad because it left me free to do another big studio movie, Queen of the Damned, which was wonderful to do”
We’ve already learned that Michael DeLuca, President of Production for New Line Cinema, said sayonara yesterday. Or maybe he was fired… or laid off… we don’t really know. All things being equal, suffice it to say that a very young and creative force behind the Lord of the Rings project is now absent.
Why would DeLuca leave after bringing so much success to New Line? Keep in mind the old adage: In Hollywood, you’re only as good as your last picture. That means even though DeLuca is responsible for green-lighting a remarkable list of money makers (Seven, Rush Hour, the Austin Powers franchise, to name a few), somebody has to take the fall for the huge disappointment of Little Nicky, which was also under DeLuca’s wing. Since the year 2000 was a mediocre year for New Line, the shape of the executive landscape is bound to change.
But has everyone forgotten that Lord of the Rings will, ultimately, be the biggest financial box-office dream that any studio could hope for? I may not be a hard-boiled Distribution Prexy but even I can see how stacked the odds are on this. Still, there are other dark forces behind the curtain influencing events.
This is what Daily Variety had to say:
“In the wake of the Time Warner-AOL merger, which closed last week, the pressure has been on New Line, whose films such as the Sandler vehicle Little Nicky have failed to turn a profit. And then there is the long-gestating Warren Beatty starrer Town and Country, which has everyone worried: Budget for the pic, finally set for release in March, has soared to more than $80 million.”
I’ll translate this for you. New Line Cinema is well under the umbrella of Warner Bros. But now, thanks to the merger, Warner Bros. does not really belong to itself anymore… They have to answer to a larger entity. If you like, you can imagine all of Steve Case’s ill-mannered and brutish henchmen running around the Warner lot barking orders. People will be fired. Projects will be taken out of development. This could get ugly before it’s all over.
With New Line taking big investment risks like Town and Country, and especially sinking $270 million into a huge 3-picture fantasy franchise, you better believe the pressure is on for the current slate of films to rake in the dough. And like I said, the year 2000 has left a very bad taste in their mouths. If the current Thirteen Days underperforms at the box-office, then the stink will really hit the fan.
You may not immediately think that the merger of AOL and Time-Warner would have much effect on the Peter Jackson trilogy of films. And I personally hope with all my soul that they leave this particular production alone. But it may have an effect — in ways yet to be seen.
Ringer Spy Dave sends in some interested news from the world of Stuart Townsend, the ‘first’ Aragorn.
For those that do not know or remember way back in October of 1999 I’ll help you refresh your memory.
Townsend, an Irish actor in his 20’s was first chosen to play Aragorn. He flew down to New Zealand and was on the set opening day. A week later we broke the story that he has left, and that Viggo Mortensen is in. There were rumors about ‘creative differences’ and all the typical stuff you hear about ‘trouble’ on a hollywood movie set.
Dave managed to corner Stuart at a charity event and asked him the big question; ‘why did you leave LOTR?’
(Stuart) said he basically went along (to New Zealand), they made him up as Aragorn and he just didnt look old/scruffy enough for PJs taste . He said it was amicable & he would have loved to have worked on it, also he said he’s a huge fan and would be going along to see it.
Think this is true? I do, Stuart did not have the pull or the clout to start giving enough attitude to PJ, plus he was there only a week, how much supposed fighting could have taken place? Stuarts quote is most likely what actually happened that fall week back in 1999.
Boston, January 16, 2001 — Houghton Mifflin Company, longtime publisher of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, has secured the U.S. rights to publish books related to the release of “J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings” — a three-part film adaptation of his masterwork in production from New Line Cinema.
The epic adventure trilogy being filmed under the direction of Peter Jackson (Heavenly Creatures, The Frighteners), is based on the best-selling novel first published in this country by Houghton Mifflin in 1954. It stars Elijah Wood, Sir Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortenson, Liv Tyler, Christopher Lee, and Cate Blanchett and is set against the stunning landscape of New Zealand as Tolkien’s imaginary Middle-earth.
“As proud stewards of the works of this great writer for more than 60 years, Houghton Mifflin believes that New Line’s creative and talented team will effectively introduce J.R.R. Tolkien’s great tale to a very broad film-going audience,” says Wendy J. Strothman, Executive Vice President of Houghton’s Trade and Reference division. Adds Clay Harper, Tolkien Projects Director for Houghton, “With worldwide sales of more than 100 million copies in over 40 languages since 1954, this is a story that has touched the hearts and souls of an enormous audience already. With the grand scale of epic history, it is a brilliant tale of harrowing adventure in a fantastic land. But in the end, it is the story of a very few brave individuals persevering against overwhelming odds through courage, conviction, and the power of friendship. We have no doubts that Peter Jackson’s films will introduce millions more to Tolkien’s extraordinary world.”
“‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a classic tale that has enthralled kids and adults for close to half a century,” comments David Imhoff, Executive Vice President, Worldwide Licensing and Merchandising, New Line Cinema. “The trilogy is one of the most immense projects in the history of film. It’s only fitting that we partner with Houghton Mifflin, original publishers of this fine work, to capture the artistry, both in front and behind the camera, of these groundbreaking films.
The multi-book deal includes at least six titles with two releasing each year in conjunction with the film releases: in December 2001 with “The Fellowship of the Ring,” in December 2002 with “The Two Towers” and December 2003 with “Return of the King.” The books will include “A Visual Companion to the Fellowship of the Ring” and “The Art of The Lord of the Rings,” featuring the work of noted Tolkien illustrator and conceptual designer for the films, Alan Lee, among others. Houghton Mifflin’s acquisition includes subsequent books based on the film trilogy to be developed in cooperation with HarperCollins UK, publishers of Tolkien outside the United States and with New Line Cinema.
Houghton Mifflin Company, an independent publisher founded in 1832, has over its 169 year history built a reputation for publishing some of America’s finest writers. The Trade & Reference Division publishes books in three categories: adult, juvenile and reference. Its adult titles encompass literary fiction and a broad spectrum of nonfiction, as well as its highly acclaimed trade paperback line, Mariner Books. Its reference titles include the American Heritage Dictionary(R), the Peterson Field guides, and other nature, gardening, and travel guides. Houghton Mifflin’s children’s titles include numerous Newbery and Caldecott Medal winners and constitute one of the richest backlists of children’s literature in the industry. The Trade & Reference Division’s web site can be found at www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com.
Founded in 1967, New Line Cinema is the entertainment industry’s leading independent producer and distributor of theatrical motion pictures. New Line licenses its films to ancillary markets including cable and broadcast television as well as to international venues. The company, which is a subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., operates several divisions including in-house theatrical distribution, marketing, home video, television, acquisitions, production, licensing and merchandising units. For more information on New Line and its subsidiaries, visit www.newline.com
Press Contacts:
Lori Glazer
Vice President, Executive Director of Publicity
Houghton Mifflin, Trade & Reference
lori_glazer@hmco.com
Sheila Feren/Stephanie Greenhut
Feren Communications for New Line Cinema
sheilaf@ferencomm.com
stephanieg@ferencomm.com
