Hey folks, we should be hearing some casting news pretty soon I guess on LORD OF THE RINGS. Word has it that Peter Jackson has been doing quite a bit of globetrotting to check out actors in person, though that is unconfirmed right now. When is the next LORD OF THE RINGS Q&A? That ball is in Peter's court, and I imagine he's going to want to hold off till he has some casting comments.... Of course that's just idle speculation on my part. But you know what? Right now.... All the way in New Zealand... Hobbiton is being built. Can you imagine that? Hills are being drilled and doors are being placed in them with windows and chimneys. Can you imagine the feeling of walking about Hobbiton? For real. Personally, I can't wait to see this film. I get giddy just thinking about it. The scale... Speaking of which, that budget figure below is in New Zealand money, not American, just to avoid confusion. If anyone can find me a pic that approximates the look of this hilly are in New Zealand, I'd appreciate it.... It must be beautiful.... eh?
>From The Evening Post 9/4/1999
Hobitton grows in Hinuera
Bulldozers and Army trucks are clearing an access route to Hobbiton, one of the villages in Peter Jackson's $260 million film version of J R R Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.
Eventually sheep will be joined by elves and wizards in the rolling hills of Hinuera in the Waikato.
Work started on Ian Alexander's farmland - about 8km south of Matamata - two weeks ago.
Wingnut Films approached My Alexander to use part of the Buckland Rd land in October. Film company spokeswoman Sian Clement said she was unable to make any comment about the film until shooting of the first of the three-part trilogy - The Fellowship of the Ring - began on September 19. NZPA
Harry Here again. This time addressing a letter I just got about a posting on MR SHOWBIZ. The letter read:
According to a small blurb on Mr. Showbiz, principle photography has begun on the trilogy which is about the search for three rings of power to overthrow Sauron...
1. Did they get the scoop on you?
2. Is PJ really fucking with the plot of one of the most amazing books of all time?
The Maus
Harry Here.... First off, nowhere at Mr. Showbiz is it stated that 'principle photography' has begun. It states that 'Production has started'. Which is basically that... well sets are being built... which they are as the above article from New Zealand proves. However, there are no 'THREE RINGS OF POWER' in the three scripts (which I have not read, but a friend has who was up for casting). Mr Showbiz also states that the BBC is reporting that SEAN CONNERY has been cast as Gandalf. I traded brief emails about a week ago with Peter Jackson, and he basically confirmed that he's sick of that rumor, and by the way... Last I heard it was UNTRUE. Basically though... the Mr Showbiz article is nothing.... Production has been going on this film for a very long time. Sets have been being designed, costumes have been being created, effects work and test have been moving forward for over a year now, and as Peter stated, the film won't begin shooting till around Summer's end... or at least that was the last I heard. In the last Q&A we did with Peter Jackson, he stated that:
"We are talking with New Line about extending our prep and design phase to enable us to fully work up the scripts, designs and storyboards. We did talk about shooting in May, but I feel that we would not be fully prepared. I am determined to keep this project under control in a way that rarely happens with big budget FX films. It is all about being prepared, and once we start rolling we are making 3 huge movies in a row. We have to be SO prepared! I would like to have until August or September to fully finish my storyboards and animatics. New Line are thinking about that. Contractually, we have to be filming by October, so don't worry - by this time next year The Fellowship of the Ring at least will be in the can! "
That was back on December 31st, hopefully the next Q&A will be soon since we obviously have a lot of catching up to do! Can't wait.
I just received this tidbit from a UK source. There is of course no news on whether or not TOM BAKER got the part... only that he auditioned for the part. But it does give you an idea of at least one kind of direction that Peter Jackson has been exploring.
On Saturday 27 March, I met Tom Baker (ex-Doctor Who and brilliant bloke) at a literary evening, and he informed me that the following day he was travelling to London to audition for the part of Gandalf in "Lord of the Rings".
