Rumors of RotK...

[Dúnedain]

I heard that they made it 4 hours long with an intermission. Has anyone else heard this as well?

[smaug_the_magnificent]

AICN are reporting (from a pretty good source) that the theatrical cut will definitely be 3 and a half hours duration

I find the 4 hours (with intermission) rumour a little dubious, but certainly I won't mind if this is the case.. It will no doubt add to the grandiose nature & aura of the film! Whether intermissions are a commercial reality in today's time is far from certain but if they were to have this situation, doubtless film 3 of the greatest story ever told could be the only one to get away with it!

Personally, I'd be very happy with three and a half hours... To put it into context, that's essentially the length of the EE of Film One.. If it were 3 hours (as the theatrical cuts have hitherto been) then I'd be somewhat worried - a lot of material would then need to be compromised, and the editing would likely suffer the same ill fate of The Two Towers

However three and a half for the theatrical cut is very encouraging - go through yourself what we know PJ will include in the RotK and I think you'll find that such a running time will satisfy the amount of content required and more importantly, allow it to extrapolate at a reasonable pace

[Black Breathalizer]

While the spy report said 3 1/2 hours, I think it is still too early to say with total certainty that this will definitely be the running time. PJ and the editors are still hard at work.

I suspect that this will be a major debate between PJ and New Line who share final cut authority.

[Dúnedain]

Also, if the film length is extended in time, do you think the Scouring of the Shire will be put back in?

[Sween]

How long is that gonna make the extended eddition? :p

[The Gaffer]

I saw a report on another board that there was going to be an intermission. Could just be the same bogus rumour recirculating.

It's hard to imagine cinemas would be up for it; presumably they'd have to sacrifice one screening per day. Punters like me would appreciate not having to wear a catheter so as not to miss anything.

[Black Breathalizer]

Scouring of the Shire in? No.

I recall reading an interview with Peter Jackson where he mentioned all the rumors surrounding the length of the first two films and insider reports on the 'official' length. He said he found them hilarious because in both cases, the length of the final film was never determined until right before he needed to send the completed film off to New Line.

[azalea]

I agree, Gaffer!:)
I think theaters wouldn't mind an intermission, because that would mean more concession sales, which brings in more money for the theater than ticket sales. Besides, a 15 minute intermission isn't going to cut out that many extra showings of a movie that long, esp. considering that all the new megaplexes show it on about 4 different screens all day every day for the first week anyway.

[hectorberlioz]

does that mean that rotk wont be four hours long? darn!

[Evenstar1400]

my only suggestion is if there isnt an intermission.... dont drink too much water or soda. then youll be in a real fix!

[Black Breathalizer]

Originally posted by Evenstar1400
my only suggestion is if there isnt an intermission.... dont drink too much water or soda. then youll be in a real fix! ROTK may spur a big increase in sales for Depends adult diapers. :)

[Gamigar]

I think that there will be an intermission, I mean, there was one in gods and generals.

[smaug_the_magnificent]

Yes, it is true BB, that New Line have the final word on running time...

However, I think it's fair to say, on October 1st 2003, that PJ has a fair idea of how long the film is going to be.. notwithstanding, according to the director at least, he's been able to get his way hitherto vis-a-vis the film's length (so much for New Line's initial 2 and a 1/2 hour cap!)

The AICN spy reporter is *apparently* a close associate of Phillipa Boyens and she was able to, at this late stage, disclose a ball-park figure of 3 and a 1/2 hours..

To me, that seems right on the money

[Elvengirl]

The longer, the better, but there will still be scenes left out, which should be in, i.e. the scouring of the shire.

I thought PJ HAD to make the films just 3 hours for the theaters. It couldn't be over that time, otherwise he would have just kept in the scenes that were then put in the EE. I'm not sure, thats just what I heard. It is a bit too early to tell and it could be a rumor, but I'd like a four hour ROTK. :)

[The Gaffer]

Originally posted by Black Breathalizer
ROTK may spur a big increase in sales for Depends adult diapers. :)
Heh heh. Maybe this will be good for the merchandising. Bag of popcorn, litre of coke and some "Anduril"rubber pants, please.

[Evenstar1400]

or there could be bathrooms inside the theater w/ little screens in the stalls so u can still watch the movie.....

that would be hillarious

[viggosbeard]

dont know if anyone is associated with cinemas and can put me right, but I had heard ( from fat guy down the pub ) that they object to lengthy movies as they cannot fit as many showings during the day, and additional confectionary sales does not make up for the shortfall.

[Dúnedain]

Anyone know of some good rumors sites so that maybe we can look into this further??

[azalea]

Originally posted by viggosbeard
dont know if anyone is associated with cinemas and can put me right, but I had heard ( from fat guy down the pub ) that they object to lengthy movies as they cannot fit as many showings during the day, and additional confectionary sales does not make up for the shortfall.

My bro worked at a theater for years, and he said that theaters get much (if not most) of their revenue through concessions, which is why they're priced so highly. That's why many theaters will offer free tickets to the last showing of a movie before it goes out of the theater -- it will bring people in, and they make money on food and drink, instead of the movie playing to an empty theater. (They only get a small % of $ from ticket sales due to cost of "buying" the movie to show, whatever the studio, distributor, etc get; popcorn and Coke are cheap, and they get all the profits)

So it depends on the length of the film -- of course they want more showings, because there would be more popcorn sold (1 1/2 hours is better than 2). But if the movie is long enough to have an intermission, people will come out to replenish the supplies. And an especially popular movie, such as Lotr, will bring in more people, which is why they show it on so many screens. I forget how we got on the subject, but frankly I doubt that what the theaters want has any bearing on the decision by New Line of the movie's running time will be. Anyway, the theaters will want to show it no matter what, because of its popularity.

[Dúnedain]

Originally posted by azalea
but frankly I doubt that what the theaters want has any bearing on the decision by New Line of the movie's running time will be.

Exactly! I also think that New Line would let PJ do just about anything he wants, even if it were to bump up the running time considering the mass success he has given New Line with these movies. I'm sure they are more than happy with their investment into these films...

[Elvengirl]

Originally posted by Dúnedain
Anyone know of some good rumors sites so that maybe we can look into this further??

I read somewhere that Liv Tyler/Arwen is supposed to sing in ROTK. She supposedly recorded a song. I'm hoping it's a rumor.
I don't know about you, but I'm liable to walk out if that occurs.
But hey, it might be ok. :( :)

[Finrod Felagund]

Well, it WAS a rumour, but as is stated elswhere on the moot, Annie Lennox is doing the song for Rotk.

[Black Breathalizer]

Annie Lennox AND Liv Tyler are BOTH doing songs for ROTK.

[Elfhelm]

Originally posted by Elvengirl
I read somewhere that Liv Tyler/Arwen is supposed to sing in ROTK. She supposedly recorded a song. I'm hoping it's a rumor.
I don't know about you, but I'm liable to walk out if that occurs.
But hey, it might be ok. :( :)

Well, maybe you should wait until you hear the singing. Anyone who grows up thinking Todd Rundgren is her father then discovers it's really Steve Tyler stands a good chance of knowing how to sing.

[hectorberlioz]

lotr becomes a musical!:p that would be funny.

[Elfhelm]

I think Howard Shore has shown good taste so far. Funny, he says that he sees it more like an opera. The Arwen / Luthien parallels are probably what they had in mind. Recall that Luthien's singing was practically magical.

[hectorberlioz]

i know what you mean.
i'm talking about aragorn seranading some script lines.

[Elvengirl]

Just because she's Steve Tyler's daughter does NOT mean she can sing. But I'm not saying she can't as I've never heard her.
I'll give her a chance and wait to see.
Howard Shore has done an awesome job so far with the music, so ROTK will most likely be good too.

I guess I'm just irritated with Liv Tyler or maybe I should say PJ.
Arwen took Glorindel's role, shows up unexpectedly in TT, now she's gonna sing? :rolleyes:

But as I said: It might be good. :(

[Elvengirl]

Originally posted by hectorberlioz
lotr becomes a musical!:p that would be funny.

hehehe picture Gandalf breaking out into song and dance. :D

[hectorberlioz]

*gandalf breaks into song and dance* "a wizard is never latttttttttttteeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!" song ends and frodo starts up.
I'm really annoyed at arwen too. in fellowship of the ring she was okay. in TTT i hated her.

[Elfhelm]

So... I take it you're not among those who want Vig & Liv to make the Beren and Luthien movie?

Elvengirl, she's Todd Rundgren's daughter, too, and that could well mean that she CAN sing. :)

I like Liv Tyler, have adored her since "Stealing Beauty". I'm sure it's my male hormones and second childhood and all that. I really think she's gorgeous, and Arwen has to be gorgeous.

[Dúnedain]

I agree I think Howard Shore has done an awesome job. I think what he composes for RotK should be amazing for the sole reason that the climaxes for the movie and for the main characters will happen. Judging from his compositions thus far and how great they were during climatic scenes I gather we should hear some great music to come with the many climaxes before us...

[Elvengirl]

Originally posted by Elfhelm
1. So... I take it you're not among those who want Vig & Liv to make the Beren and Luthien movie?

2. Elvengirl, she's Todd Rundgren's daughter, too, and that could well mean that she CAN sing. :)

3. I like Liv Tyler, have adored her since "Stealing Beauty". I'm sure it's my male hormones and second childhood and all that. I really think she's gorgeous, and Arwen has to be gorgeous.

1. Not really

2. Why? Did Tod give her singing lessons as a child? ;)

3. granted, feel free to adore Liv Tyler, she's not a bad looking Arwen

[Elfhelm]

I found this, from Liv:

"When I was a kid all I ever wanted to be was a singer, because of my parents. I still love to sing. I feel hesitant about saying it because people will always twist it around whenever I say I love music or want to sing, because they go: So when's your album coming out? It's not about that . . . maybe music is my hidden fantasy, you know what I mean?"

For the record, she didn't even know Tyler was her Dad till she was 11. Another music connection is the fact that her husband is a lead singer. Not that it means anything, but just about everyone in her family is musical ... and yes, I believe musical talent is genetic.

So I think she can probably sing. :-)

[Elvengirl]

Well, we'll have to see, won't we? :D

And if she truly can and genuinely has a good voice, then hey, more power to her, if you know what I mean.

As long as PJ doesn't have Liv Tyler show up singing (whether it's good or not) in added scenes, that don't belong and taking out some vital part of the book that I am eager to see. I want to go see ROTK, not the start of Liv's singing career. :)

[Black Breathalizer]

For what it's worth, PJ and company have been planning to have Liv sing the movie's featured song in ROTK for three years. I think they know what they're doing.

[Black Breathalizer]

Last night I was rereading the dramatic scene between Dernhelm and the Witchking. I thought it would be fun to put myself in the role of Walsh, Boyens, and Jackson and predict how the dialogue between them in the film might go.

See what you think:

The Scene: Pelennor Fields where a young soldier of Rohan stands with drawn sword facing the Lord of the Nazgul who stands over the body of Theoden King.

Dernhelm: Begone, you foul thing! Leave the dead in peace!

Witchking: Do not come between me and my prey or you will suffer the same fate.

Dernhelm: Do what you will but I will hinder you if I can.

Witchking: (incredulous) Hinder ME? YOU FOOL! No living man can hinder me.

Dernhelm: But no living man am I. You look upon a woman. (Eowyn removes her helm.) I am Eowyn, daughter of Eomund. You stand between me and my lord and kin. LEAVE HIM BE for I will STRIKE YOU if you touch him!!!

Thinking about this scene always gives me goosebumps! :)