Register  |   Log In  |  
Sign up to our weekly newsletter    
Follow us on   
Empire Magazine
Search   
Empire Magazine
Empire Magazine
Look inside the issue
Subscribe today
Download iPad edition
Subscribe Now For Only £40
And get 12 issues + Ghost Recon game
Download The iPad Edition
Now optimised for the retina display

More Empire Features
100 Things You Didn't Know About Lord of the Rings
Enjoy some obscure fact nuggets about Tolkien's, and Jackson's, classic


We're celebrating 10 years of The Lord Of The Rings in the current issue of Empire magazine, what with reuniting the hobbits, digging up previously unseen concept art and even Aragorn's photo album. But we also thought we'd go back and dig a little deeper into the films to bring you a few tidbits of information that you may not already have chewed up and digested. From obscure cameos to Tolkien extended-world stuff, it's all here...

WORDS HELEN O'HARA

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
 
Page 1 of 7
Next


27 copies of the book were used up in the process of creating the screenplay, between highlighting and note-making and page-tearing.



Stephen Sinclair, Philippa Boyens' partner, was originally a screenwriter on the project when it was set to be two films. He left due to theatrical duties.



The idea of having a battle scene in the Prologue to Fellowship was inspired by the tradition of a James Bond pre-credits action scene.


Sam Gamgee, professional gardener, is only seen gardening once, in the Extended Edition opening section "Concerning Hobbits".



There's absolutely no CG in the scene where Gandalf and Frodo meet in the forest; just small and tall stand-ins.


Gandalf's original name was "Olórin". He also goes by Tharkun and Mithrandir.

The Special Editions, in total, are 158 minutes longer than the Theatrical releases (718 minutes to 560 minutes).



Other wizards named by Tolkien include Radagast, Alatar, Pallando and of course Saruman.



Henry Mortensen, Viggo's son, was called on to research what happened to Thorin's map in the book of The Hobbit to make sure it could reasonably appear (briefly) in Bag End.


Every single character wears a wig, apart from Billy Jackson (Peter's son) in Fellowship, who had "perfect hobbit hair".



There are only about 100 guests at the Long-Expected Party, not a book-mandated gross (144). Pfft! These films barely deserve to be called "epic" anymore!

Lord Of The Rings is the sixth-highest grossing franchise ever, behind Harry Potter, James Bond, Star Wars, Pirates of the Caribbean and Shrek.


Peter Jackson "doesn't like magic in fantasy films" and tried to avoid it.


The shot of Proudfoot at the party is a direct homage to the Ralph Bakshi 1978 film.

Page: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
 
Page 1 of 7
Next


Have Your Say
Register or login now to have your say.

Advertisement

Your Comments

1 RE: Sue281
Posted on Monday March 26, 2012, 01:59 by Kaysee
So your comment about the incorrect numbers is right, but it IS a tunnelweb...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porrhothele_an tipodiana Read More

2
Posted on Tuesday February 28, 2012, 15:05 by Sue281
No 87 (which you wrongly numbered 97) is incorrect. It's a Funnelweb spider, not a Tunnelweb Read More

3 RE: RE:
Posted on Sunday February 26, 2012, 18:38 by target
L: Dante3000 Number 90 isn't Sauron either is it? he characters name is th of Saurononly in the extended edition. Read More

4 RE: RE:
Posted on Friday February 24, 2012, 13:46 by Dante3000
Number 90 isn't Sauron either is it? Read More

5 RE: How can you miss him out?
Posted on Thursday December 15, 2011, 14:15 by kinkykeeks
L: jimmyakey Not one interesting fact about Hagrid? He's my favourite character in LOTR! agrid? LOTR? Please tell me you're kidding Read More

6 RE: Interesting!
Posted on Wednesday November 23, 2011, 08:01 by TK_421
#98: I'd say the Third Age of Middle-Age has set in. Ace list, though ;) Read More

7 RE: How can you miss him out?
Posted on Tuesday November 15, 2011, 10:58 by Timon
That wasn't the first internet trailer, this was - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-7x5D3v6jE It had footage from all the films including test shots that weren't included in the final trilogy. Read More

8 RE:
Posted on Tuesday November 15, 2011, 06:47 by Spaldron
I knew virtually all of this list of "things you didn't know". And I had to laugh at Number 22 Silmarilion, /b] has an even scarier, even more powerful boss called Morgoth"ing an image of Saruman. Do your homework Empire. Read More


Back | Print This Page | Email This Page | Back To Top

EMPIRE OFFERS
Steven Spielberg iPad App
Hollywood's most beloved director in this unique iPad special. Download now
Get Ghost Recon Future Soldier
PS3 or XBOX 360 game + 12 issues of Empire for only £40! Subscribe now
Empire iPad Edition
The world's biggest movie magazine available on iPad Full details
 
Movie News  |  Empire Blog  |  Movie Reviews  |  Future Films  |  Features  |  Video Interviews  |  Image Gallery  |  Competitions  |  Forum  |  Magazine  |  Resources
 
Mojo4music  |  Q4Music  |  Kerrang!  |  Aloud.com  |  Kiss  |  Magazine Subscriptions  |  Movie Magazine Subscriptions  |  Empire Magazine Subscription
 
© Bauer Consumer Media | Terms And Conditions | Our Data Promise To You | Contact Us | Empire FAQ
Bauer Consumer Media. Company number 1176085 (England). Registered Office: 21 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2DY