Alright folks, here's a letter I received today....
Hey Harry!
Check out TheOneRing Net site. The guy that runs it has put up what he says is a casting sheet (no names) that gives very detailed descriptions of what they're looking for. If authentic, it does not bode well for Tolkien traditionalists. The biggest changes I saw were making Gandalf the Grey somewhat humorous and road weary before his transformation into Gandalf the White, and then there is the BIGGIE. Under Arwen's info., it says that whoever palys her needs to know how to ride and WIELD A SWORD! It also says something about her making a journey to discover what the evil world outside of Rivendell really is about. So it seems like some of those rumors about putting Arwen in the Fellowship, might be on track. If so, IMHO, it's gonna ruin the story of the Nine Walkers. Period.
Just Call Me,
Lannes
Well, I know a couple of fellas that have read the scripts for THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy... And I asked them about this scoop and about the changes noted above, and here's what I got....
My Friend,
The casting sheet is acurate to the script though an incredibly simplified run down on the characters that lay within the script. Gandalf the Grey is not humorous and road weary. Gandalf does have a strong character arc that I feel enhances his character as written in the books. His character has doubt about their (the Nine Walkers) chances of success. He feels the wait of Saruman's descent into madness and evil, the sheer number of the enemy and the disorganization of the 'good side' does not bode well for Middle Earth. Gandalf the White is a rebirth... The Steeling of Gandalf's nerves and a powerful character change. Do not fear. He does not crack jokes and he is not picking at blisters.
Arwen is not a part of the Fellowship. The Fellowship is exactly as written by Tolkien. Arwen's part is a bit larger, but I will not spoil her additions Harry, even to you. As this is your first filed report by me and I know many people are going to have doubts about my validity, I am going to contact Moriarty here in L.A. and sit him down to read THE LORD OF THE RINGS. I will not give him a copy to give to you, but the next time you come to L.A. just drop me a line, and I will let you read the drafts. I guard them with my life and do not wish to find them on every street corner, besides my script copy could nail me.
The Cave Troll
