Xoanon here,

WOO HOO!!! Ian McKellen, recently from God's and Monsters will play the wizard Gandalf. My sources say that Ian had been in close communication with PJ's people all week and the last hurdle was the casting difficulties with his upcomming role as Magneto in Bryan Singer's X-Men being filmed in Toronto, Canada. AICN has confirmed what our sources have been telling us all week, read on:

The word currently is that McKellen will be going into New Zealand in January fresh off of finishing his role up as Magneto in Bryan Singer's X-MEN. He will then be a part of the production for... ELEVEN MONTHS. The word circulating my spies in New Line and Weta is that Ian read all 3 scripts and adored the project and felt it was a great part. It also seems that New Line has been completely and totally behind the idea from the get go and were quite accomadating with allowing room for his role as Magneto.

More info to come!

Also confirmed is Ian Holm for Bilbo. I loved him in The 5th Element. This is a very good sign if these two actors are signed on for these important roles. You can see Ian in other roles in films such as eXistenZ, Joe Gould's Secret, The Match, Shergar, Simon Magus, A Life Less Ordinary, Night Falls on Manhattan and will soon be on Alice Through the Looking Glass on TV and Esther Kahn, directed by Arnaud Desplechin

Xoanon here,

New is buzzing that Wi Kuki Kaa has been cast as Ghan-buri-ghan. More info when this story develops. Just recieved this picture from a fellow 'Ringer'

As this story keeps developing I've been getting a ton of emails asking me who Ghan-buri-Ghan is. This is what I've got for you: Wose chieftan of Druadan. During the War of the Ring, Ghan-buri-Ghan was the leader of the white-skinned, pygmy-like race called the Woses that inhabited the Druadan Forest, and helped the Rohirrim and Dunedain in breaking the siege of Gondor. Ghan led the Rohirrim through the secret trails of the forest so they might have the advantage of surprise in the Battle of Relennor Fields. Also in the ensuing battle, Ghan's people slaughtered many Orcs who attempted to flee into the woodlands. After the war, Ghan and his people were granted legal title to their forest land. Hope that helps!

Xoanon here,

Pete sent me this aricle from The Press Online.

Hobbit fever has hit Christchurch, with hundreds of hopefuls queuing up for minor roles in Peter Jackson's feature film, Lord of the Rings. When the casting call started at 1pm yesterday, more than 300 people had lined up through the Christchurch Boys' High School grounds, where the auditions were held...

Check out the rest of the article here

Thanks Pete!

Thanks to everyone who particpated in our first LIVE interview last night! I hope you had as much fun as I did!

The log from last night's interview can be found in the new Events section! This new section is pretty empty right now, so lets fill it up! There is a form to fill out on the page if you have an upcoming event.

Thanks again to everyone involved with making our first chat a success!

Recieved this amazing scoop from BOB in NZ!

Hi, (last) Friday morning I went to a talk/seminar about computer graphics in Wellington,

At this seminar was the director of visual effects for lord of the rings. He basically told us about how they worked out how to do the special effects and in what order they had to shoot things to get the shots done etc...

Things he told us were - filming starting in late September early October now (don't know if you know that) finished storyboarding first two movies on Friday they're using "Maya unlimited" software for their CG effects

(Though its been modified by them allot)

In one example of CG effects he described a scene Gandalf and some hobbits around a fire/light? Fire/light goes bang/explodes out comes lots of colorful butterflies hobbit kids chase the butterflies....

Only got to see one storyboard page. During this example he was telling us about when to use real effects/explosions versus CG ones. And he said, "Now we wouldn't want Sean Connery to get burnt, now would we?". Dont know if this was a Freudian slip or what but that's what he said. But everyone started laughing....

There are going to be about 1600 shots with CG effects in them in all three movies that's all I think I remember ....

Oh and they will be looking for people to do post production animation in the new year.

Cheers BOB

At 9 PM EST TheOneRing.net will have a live chat with the head graphic artist working on 'The Trilogy' a Lord of the Rings role playing game!

Ask him your gaming questions! Want to know what a computerized hobbit will look like? Ask him!

The chat will be held on our room here.

Having trouble getting on that chat? Do you have MIRC? change the server to www.theonering.net and join the room /Join #TheOneRing.net and enjoy!!

Check out NZ Exclusives for Tehanu's latest adventure!

Just another tidbit on Ian Holms. We receieved a lot of emails reminding us that he has already played the part of Frodo in the BBC Radio presentation of Lord of the Rings! One of our spies, Jincey, has found a couple links that we hope you find interesting.

You can find a biography and listing of Ian Holms work at The Bittersweet Hereafter.

If you are interested in purchasing the radio version of LOTR with Ian playing Frodo, go here.

Just a little follow-up to the report from AICN. Here is an image of the potential candidate for Bilbo: Ian Holm. Follow the link to see IMDB file on him.

Xoanon here,

Harry just told me yesterday (along with a nice birthday wish, thanks Harry!) that Moriarty would be posting a rant today. This is what he spoke of concerning hobbits and other things...

"I also managed this week to infiltrate the offices of one of the town's major talent agencies, where I took a long look at the casting that's going on for JAMBOREE. Oh, wait a minute... that's just the code name. I think you'd know it better by its real title -- LORD OF THE RINGS. By now, we've all debated the merits of Elijah Wood and Sean Astin as Frodo and Samwise. Personally, I like the choices. Astin's exactly what I pictured reading the scripts -- a thick guy with a big, wide open soul, kindness and heart wrapped up in an oversized, powerful body. Samwise is the trilogy's real lead, and I think Astin's got a lot of work ahead of him. It should pay off beautifully, though, especially surrounded by some of the other talent that's coming into focus. My sources revealed that Ian Holm is in final negotiations to play Bilbo, something that mademe do a little dance around my own private Hobbit hole. I think he's a wonderful choice, and I smile just thinking about his address to everyone just before slipping on the Ring and vanishing. Marvelous. I'm also dying to see him in his scenes with Gandalf. I know there's been a ton of speculation about this character, and I can understand it. There's something very iconic about him. He's one of the more immediately recognizable things about the series. That's why I wasn't surprised when I learned that a firm offer is out now to Ian McKellan, this year's favorite old man. I've heard a lot of great names bandied about like Christopher Lee, Patrick McGoohan, and Tom Baker, and it's been rumored that these actors may yet find their way to Middle Earth. With McKellan, though, people forget that he's the same age as Nick Nolte, still in his early 50s. He just plays older very, very well. He will bring both Gandalf the Grey and Gandalf the White to life in different and exciting ways, and I hope he is able to juggle his schedule between LORD OF THE RINGS, X-MEN, and MINORITY REPORT, where he may play a key role. If so, he'll join Uma Thurman, Ethan Hawke, Jeffrey Comb (believe it, folks -- he's Wormtongue), Bryan Boyd, and the still-negotiating Kate Winslet, who would be a lovely Eowyn."

Just one comment, I think Bryan Boyd is really Billy Boyd, and Moriarty, contact me!

Yes, TheOneRing.net brought you this news a few weeks ago. It seems to be semi-confirmed. The Sunday Star Times had an article about Boyd, his past acting experience and how he will be 'shrunk' for the film.

This is official-unofficial confirmation here folks. But I like it.... View the article here.

News for Jul. 18, 1999

A little tidbit about cows.

7/18/99, 6:34 pm EST - Tehanu

We've wondered how the the hobbits will be made to look small against other animals like horses etc. Looks like one option may be the use of really huge animals. I talked to somebody who owns the world's largest cattlebeast, a South Devon steer. He weighs two tonnes (well over 4000lbs) and stands over six feet high. Already a local celebrity in Levin, Big Red has been approached to play a part in the movies. They were going to ship him to 'near Hamilton' (which is where Hobbiton is located) but Big Red doesn't travel well.

I asked if Big Red would have to do anything special but the owners thought he might be more of a backdrop to make the hobbits looks smaller. I wonder if the casting agents are scouring the country for enormous chickens and giant cabbages and so on?

Weekly Site Report

7/18/99, 5:39 pm EST - Calisuri

We had a few changes over the weekend. The most exciting of which are the new forums! Go to the Discussion section to see the new boards. (One is even a game!)

Thanks to Sean Michaels for this weeks poll! Its a real brain bender.

Have a great week everyone! (I hope to met everyone chat room!)

New Fan Art

7/18/99, 8:27 am EST - Calisuri

Check the Fan Art page for this update.

News for Jul. 17, 1999

NZ Exclusive Articles

7/17/99, 11:13 pm EST - Calisuri

Check out NZ Exclusives for the update.

Go back to Main News Archives