Be sure to check out our weekly cast watch to find out what films you can catch this week starring your favorite LOTR stars! Of interest this week is the 1990 NZ comedy 'The Shrimp on the Barbie', starring LOTR stars; Bruce Alpress (Aldor), Bruce Spence (Mouth of Sauron) and Noel Appleby (Eveard Proudfoot). 'The Shrimp on the Barbie' airs on the Comedy channel on April 1st. Check your local listings! [More]

From his suite at the Peninsula Hotel last week, Mellon (of Harry's London) hosted a number of stylists and celebrities while also sending the loafers in black kid and black suede to fittings for ceremony and party attendees. In addition, Oscar® nominees and presenters, as well as a number of other lucky gents, received Harry's "Oscar® Survival Kit." Leading men and stylemakers who were gifted Harry's during the week included Orlando Bloom and Elijah Wood. [More]

Laurelinda writes: Here is the comprehensive website I have put together describing the experiences and great times we Seattle-ites had at the One Party to Rule Them All (2003). Thanks for the memories, TORn!! I'll see if I can't bring even MORE NorthWesternessers *next* year! [More]

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif., March 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Five-time Academy Award(R) nominee Peter Jackson will direct "King Kong" for Universal Pictures, it was announced today by Stacey Snider, Chairman, Universal Pictures. Jackson will begin work on the film immediately following the release of "The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King," the third and final installment of his blockbuster trilogy based upon the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien. Jackson will write the screenplay with his partner Fran Walsh and "The Lord Of The Rings" co-writer Philippa Boyens. Jackson and Walsh will produce the film under their WingNut Films banner. Universal Pictures will release "King Kong" worldwide in 2005. [More]

TheOneRing.net has independently confirmed this story to be true. The big monkey is coming back to the screen!

Leo writes: Wanted to send you this smidget of info in the Sun Herald about ROTK re-shoots: Sean Astin, who stars as Sam in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, has confirmed key cast members are returning to New Zealand this week. Director Peter Jackson is keen to put the final touches to his third film, due in December, and has summoned the hobbits back to Wellington.

Update: Some people seem worried that this may mean that Sean will not be at Project Elanor on April 6 or the Portland Two Towers appearance the day before. However, the people at BitofEarth.net have been in touch to say that Sean has not cancelled his appearances at those events.

From Starburst: Just in time to celebrate THE TWO TOWERS win of two Academy Awards - for achievement in visual effects and sound editing. 'STARBURST' magazine has published extensive coverage on the film, featuring rare behind the scenes photos and drawings.

Anyone with scans, send them along!

These are all available [within the US only] from the official New Line shop. [More] Thanks to Ioreth for the link.

Salquendor found this link to a US supplier that is selling the sheetmusic to Gollum's Song for US$3.95 [More] Simpetarwen found that Warner Bros Publishing had not only Gollum's song but an arrangement of music in the movie as well.

Ringer Spy and all around nice guy Irascian has written a very long, very good and very much filled with awesome pictures report about the Two Towers: One Party from last week. 'Only' three pages so far but more to come, check it out here!

Kayjay writes: Never in my wildest dreams would I have ever imagined myself holding an Oscar. Not that I won it mind you, but incredible non-the-less. [More]

Here are over 100 images from TORN's recent gathering in LA. The majority are from the Oscar party itself, with a few from the pre-party the night before, and yet some random photos that may or may not interest the voyeur in you. Take a look! [More]

Darcy writes: The Seattle Symphony has recently announced its schedule for the 2003-2004 season. Included is an appearance of Howard Shore conducting the Seattle Symphony (with the Seattle Symphony Chorale) for "The Lord of the Rings Trilogy: A Symphony in Six Movements." Also shown will be film clips from the trilogy. Performances are Saturday, July 17, 2004 at 2pm and 8pm. Tickets are priced $20-$55 and are available through the Seattle Symphony Ticket Office.

frodo's girl writes: Te Papa is now selling a slew of the noble collection jewelry pieces. It is the first place in NZ where you can actually go down and see them. They have the Evenstar, the Elvish brooch, Nenya, The One Ring, and the Ring of Barahir, and more. [More]

Also, the exhibition has been extended again - this time until 21 April 2003.

Ringers based in and around Portland, Oregon should leap on this rare chance to see Sean Astin at a "once only" charity screening of the Two Towers and Sean's short film The Long and Short of It. The catch is that the organisers are desperately trying to secure a larger venue for the screening. If (and only if!) you definitely think you can make it to this screening, here's how you can help them. Thanks to Ringer Spy Orangeblossom and BitofEarth.net for the news. [More]

Sideshow/Weta Collectibles' very popular 'No Admittance except on Party Business' Bookends are just about sold out! From what we understand there are only 40 left. If you wanted the set, now would be a time to place your order. [More]

Canadian Ringers can catch TORN's Oscar Party coverage on 'Hypaspace', the weekly news show from the guys at SPACE: The Imagination Station (454 on Bell ExpressVu). The crew from 'Hyperspace' was in LA for the party and was in the press line chatting it up with all the stars that arrived. 'Hypaspace' airs on Saturday (March 29th) at 9PM ET, and Sunday (March 30th) at 5PM ET. [More]

Frodolover Aronoff writes, "Warner Music Group has published the words and music to "Gollum's Song" in sheet music format. I was in my local music store on Wednesday and happened to see it (and of course purchased it). It costs $3.95 and has the official TTT poster art on the cover (the back of Saruman's head as he gazes out at his huge army)." [More]

Weta Digital will make its second 3D Festival appearance at the 3D Festival Conference, held 7-10 May 2003. A “Lord of the Rings” Special Conference Day on 7 May will showcase the bleeding-edge digital visual effects techniques used in Peter Jackson’s rendition of Tolkien's "Fellowship of the Ring" and “The Two Towers” [More] Thanks to Javeth for this.

Guillermo sent us this link. "You will find some interesting videos (huge ones, but there are small options depending on the connection) of a chat between Richard Taylor of WETA WORKSHOP and some students from KAWM. Interesting stuff about traditional effects and prostetics. [More]

Hot Topic website is selling fitted T-shirts with Aragorn's face printed on them. They look pretty good! [More]

The folks from elanor.bitofearth.net have sent along the MP3 file and transcript from their interview with Sean Astin (Sam). Take a look (and listen)! [More]

Joni writes: Cate Blanchett (Galadriel) is in Santa Fe filming a Ron Howard movie with Tommy Lee Jones. Sunday, March 30 she's going to be participating in the Women and Cinema (WAC) program sponsored by New Mexico Women's Foundation at the College of Santa Fe. Her movie "Elizabeth" will screen at 7:00 p.m., followed by a Q&A panel afterwards. Tickets are $25 but are nearly already sold out! [More]

Squee sends in some information on Tolkien Reading day and Project Elanor, take a look! [More]

Ringer Spy Carole sends along these scans from the latest issue of Dreamwatch Magazine featuring Sean Astin (Sam). [More]

If anyone was wondering, US Press Secretary Ari Fleischer is not a hobbit. Here's a funny little snippet sent to us by Ringer J.P.:
I saw the following article today and thought you may be interested in knowing that Tolkien-mania has hit certain individuals in Washington. In answering why he declined a serving of the newly-renamed "Freedom Toast" on Air Force One, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer stated ''I'm not a hobbit, so I didn't have a second breakfast. I had my breakfast before I came in.'' [More]

Ringer Spy BrionnDraco sends along these scans from 'The Art of the Two Towers' showing Arwen's armour as we would have seen it if she was included in the Helms Deep scenes. [More]

Chnev sends in one of these 'I heard from a guy who is working on this...' type rumor. If it pans out it could be quite cool, who knows. Take a look at what he has to say about the possible details from EA's ROTK Game! [More] [Gaming Havens]

"The Lord of the Rings" star Sean Astin is in final negotiations and "Blade's" Steven Dorff is set to topline the indie feature "The Mule." Production begins in June on location in London and Amsterdam. Geoffrey Wright ("Romper Stomper") is directing. The project is based on the true story of two Hollywood stuntmen (Astin and Dorff) who began making supply runs of the drug Ecstasy between Amsterdam and Los Angeles during the actors strike in the '90s. What started off as a quick, easy way to make money turned in to an elaborate operation in Europe. Astin, repped by Writers & Artists, manager Joel Stevens and attorney David Feldman, will segue into "Mule" after he wraps shooting Columbia Pictures' "50 First Kisses," starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore (HR 3/17). [More]

Catherine Hanly, Editor for Empire Online writes: Empire magazine's got some free Return of the King posters inside its latest issue. For more info, click here. [More]

WeeTanya writes: The House of Telcontar has posted that Viggo's SLU exhibit is now being hosted online at their site. [More]

Be sure to check out our latest chapter of TORN Digital, featuring our trip to Canton to cover the exhibit. [More]

Withinwithoutyou reports on the following from the Houghton Mifflin website. Some VERY interesting information! Hiding on the website at the moment is the press kit for The Art of the Two Towers which just released. Among other things, it includes this little tidbit buried in bullet #6...[More]

When I saw every second person with a camera the night of the party I knew we'd be in for a slew of pictures in our mailbox. Here is another set from Eric S, take a look! [More]

You can also check out these pics from the lovely Celefinniel. [More]

And for a third dose, check out these pics from Limulus. [More]

SJ writes: Next Saturday, March 29, the Tolkien Society of New York will be hosting an event in honor of International Tolkien Reading Day at Marymount Manhattan College, located in New York City. [More]

bjam writes: This has a cute little article about Lord of the Rings' Oscar wins. The site has a lovely picture of the special effects team! However they said that LOTR only won one award, when it won two! [More]

The folks at digitallyobsessed.com write a small article and post some photos from our Oscar party, take a look! [More]

Ringer Spy LadyEowynKenobi adds some fuel to the fire that is the possible ending for ROTK. Take a look at (SPOILERS highlight to read) this photo of Frodo in Bilbo's den writing in the Red Book. [More]

The One sends along some comments John Rhys-Davies made while at the BBC coverage of the Oscars. [More]

This latest batch comes from Ringer Spy Mooch take a look! [More]

Many folks are writing in to inform us that the latest Orlando Bloom (Legolas) film 'Ned Kelly' opens tomorrow (March 27th) in Australia. The official site has pics from the star-studded world premiere in Oz. [More]

Sideshow/Weta's Series 1 Statues from 'The Two Towers' are now shipping. If you ordered Gimli, Gandalf the White, or the Easterling Soldier, expect to see them at your house shortly! We are also told that the Watcher in the Water exclusive statue will be shipping soon. [More]

FantasyFan sent us these links to articles about travelling to NZ for LOTR fans, featured in the Detroit Free Press. Another article there, Frolic like Frodo, talks about the unexpected popularity of the Hobbiton location as a tourist destination. Meanwhile, for those that want a locations tour in the company of other LOTR fans, don't forget the Red Carpet Guided Tours.

A computer game shop in Lancashire has access to large LOTR figures, which it auctions off [proceeds going to charity.] No idea how many of these were made; if you're in the area you might want to check this out. [More]

The Oscars for films released in 2003 will be presented one month earlier than usual, on Feb. 29, 2004, and the date change already is shaking up Hollywood. Several studios are hurrying to make sure their award hopefuls are ready to be shown well before their December debuts, smaller independents are considering releasing their prestige titles as early as September, and the Golden Globes and the Independent Feature Project's Spirit Awards may move up their dates to stay ahead of the Oscar curve. [More]

The LOTR props exhibition's been extended AGAIN at the Museum of NZ; Australia has another outdoor screening of TTT in Perth; Norway has an impressive box office total. [More]

This is it: the Eowyn Challenge. This is an online group of LOTR fans who have hit on a novel way to get fit - by sharing a commitment to walk as far as Rivendell! [More] Anyone can join.

Before the Oscars, Sean Astin was interviewed briefly. Here's a transcript - what a sweet guy! [More] Thanks to Julie for this.

Nillithwen and Brandybean send in some more stories of Billy's appearance at Trent. [More]

I didn't even know there WAS a 'Serkis.com' Well, there is and it's good. You can read about the transformation from Smeagol to Gollum, or Serkis to Gollum. There's a spoiler pic. of Smeagol, to be seen in ROTK. [More] Thanks to Ally for the link.

The Extended Edition of "The Two Towers" has apparently been rated at filmratings.com. The reasons cited are identical to the theatrical release: Rated PG-13 for epic battle sequences and scary images.
Thanks to Nathaniel for the news.

Lumpkin was kind enough to send us his pictures of the TORN Oscars party. [More]

Those of you living near Pennsylvania might be interested in Emerald Took's booksigning for her Middle-earth Recipe Book on March 29. [More]

Pippin Skywalker wrote in to say that the official website has a place where you can enter to win various LOTR collectibles such as a Frodo plush toy and a leaf pin. The entry is on LordoftheRings.net.

March 25th is the date of (SPOILERS highlight to read all special occasions today) the downfall of Sauron, the Destruction of the Ring, and the New Year in Gondor!

Xoanon here from California, Kayjay and I are still trying to recover from the Two Towers: One Party last night! Take a look at my small report and selection of pictures! [More]

Gawaine the Stout remembered some funny moments from the party last night. [More]

Another outdoor screening of TTT in Australia; complaints about lacklustre promotion of TTT in India; and big concerns from Latin-American fans who a) don't know if they'll ever get the extended DVDs dubbed or subtitled in Spanish, or b) get the extended DVDs at all. [More]

An interview with the reclusive Sir Arthur C. Clarke will be broadcast on Planetary Radio, Monday, March 24 at 8:30 p.m. ET. The broadcast is available on the web at www.KUCI.org, and will be archived here. Among other fascinating things, Clarke will reveal the origin of hobbits, as told to him by J.R.R. Tolkien himself. Thanks to John for the news.

For those of you who LOVE spoilers, I've compiled a list of comments and reports from people who've seen or heard things in interviews and so on, which give a lot of clues to what will most likely be shown in the end of the ROTK. [More]

Greetings everyone! Leo here, live from Los Angeles the day after The Two Towers: One Party-party! And what a party it was! The Hollywood Athletic Club was stuffed with folks from all over the world celebrating the succes of The Two Towers at the Oscars this year an the athmosphere was great! [More]

Our good friend Ian Smith sends in the first great photos and a short report from the party. As, I'm sure you all know, Ian does an amazing job reporting all types of LOTR events worldwide, so check it out! [More]

I just woke up, and I wanted to report real quick to all those waiting for information. The party went off splendidly! We once again had the Oscar winners and Oscar Nominees involved with Lord of the Rings on stage, as well as new guests; Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Sean Astin, Andy Serkies, John Rhys-Davies, Craig Parker and Bruce Hopkins! Barrie Osborne gratefully accepted our 'Golden Gandalf' statue for excellence in filmmaking, and Peter Jackson called from New Zealand to wish us all well! Emerald Rose brought the house down and everyone walked away with a great 'Goody Baggins.' More details to be posted shortly!

A worldwide event, we hope. More information here on the Tolkien Society events page.

They're here on Oscars.com:
Best Sound Editing: Ethan Van der Ryn and Michael Hopkins. [Transcript]
Best Visual Effects: Jim Rygiel, Joe Letteri, Randall Cooke and Alex Funke. [Transcript]
You can also download videoclips of the speeches here. Thanks to Becky for the links.

Los Angeles, CA - The Uruk-Hai Anti-Defamation League (UADL) announced that it would be boycotting the premiere of The Return of the King, and would picket theaters because they are unhappy with their portrayal so far in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Kidnapping of short movie-goers was also threatened. (Thanks to Noratrill for the link.) [More]

First prize [unfortunately, an imaginary prize in this case ] goes to 'tairalitaheryn for posting the first report on our Oscars party....LOOK WHO TURNED UP! [More]
Further reports and photos will no doubt come in when TORN staff and partygoers finally crawl out of bed or peel themselves off the floor.

Here's a link sent in by Cheryl, talking about a dispute that's been going on in the NZ film industry which Peter was involved in - it's finally been resolved. [More]
Maori Hobbit had some more PJ news: "During Channel 3's Nightly News, they showed a segment of the Oscar Party the LOTR crew were attending, at a Wellington Pub/Cafe, and as Peter Jackson entered, he told the cameras his reason for not attending the Oscars was the Studio thought it better if he worked on ROTK, and didn't risk a plane delay or being grounded at an overseas airport. Another topic he brought up, was the fact that THEY ARE DOING PICK-UP SHOOTS IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS." So it's all happening soon.

Some little snippets of news about Sean Astin sent thanks to Naomi. [More]

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers has just lost the Best Picture Oscar to Chicago. TTT won a total of 2 Oscars tonight, Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects, out of a total of 6 nominations. Stay tuned till next year, when the results are sure to be more favorable to LOTR fans! (And a note of personal congratulations to Adrien Brody and Roman Polanski, 2 very deserving dark horses who managed to upset and win their categories! Go see The Pianist!)