It turns out there was more than one One Ring after all.
New Line, the studio that produced the Lord of the Rings trilogy of hit movies based on the classic fantasy novels, has decided that, in addition to producing a two-part movie version of The Hobbit, the Rings “prequel” written by author J. R. R. Tolkien, they will produce a trilogy of three sequels.
The first of the three movies, scheduled for a 2011 release, will be called The Lord of the Rings 2: The Unring.
The storyline, which departs dramatically from the storyline mapped out by Tolkien, has a second One Ring, the Unring, surfacing in Middle Earth, even more powerful than the first. Frodo and Gandolf, who left for the Undying Lands to live the life of immortals at the end of The Lord of the Rings, must return to Middle Earth to destroy this second One Ring.
“As wonderful as the first three movies are, we felt they left the ending sort of open-ended,” said New Line President Toby Emmerich. “This second trilogy will fill in the blanks. Plus, it will have more dinosaurs.”
Peter Jackson, who directed the first three Rings movies and is producing The Hobbit, is not involved in the Second Ring sequels. He has so far refused to comment on the project, but Variety reports a friend saying he thinks the idea is “really, really dumb.”
That said, Elijah Wood and Sean Astin, who played Frodo and Sam, have signed on, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
But Ian McKellen has passed on the role of Gandolf, so that character will be played by Henry Winkler.
Orlando Bloom was reportedly the first to agree to the film.
In a nod to changing sensibilities since The Lord of the Rings novels were written, Rosie Cotton, Sam’s wife at the end of the Rings trilogy, will accompany Frodo and Sam on their second quest, not Merry and Pippin. Sarah McLeod, who played the role of Rosie in the first film trilogy, will be replaced by Kate Beckinsale.
Sauron will return as well, though not in the form of a giant eye that looks out over Middle Earth, as before. The time around, he was appear as a massive, levitating ear.
Chris Columbus will direct.
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I don’t remember there being any dinosaurs in the original Lord of the Rings trilogy. Sure, there were giant spiders, walking trees, elephants and things that looked like 30 ft tall rhinocerouses, but no dinosaurs, no siree. But now you mention it, a Jurassic Park / Lord of the Rings crossover could be interesting… (sarcasm)
wahahahaha!! i thought it was reaL!! nice try peOple!!:D:D
I have just drifted over to this site via a link regarding learning about life from D&D…this site has so much potential but the writing is pretty poor and the need for proofreading is evident. Just a thought since this could be something more.
This article scared the shit out of me … until i got to the editor’s comment!
Hahahaha!
Poor Orlando.
Sigh…
Good prank–although I hope no one in a power to launch this project sees it. They might get tempted to turn it into reality. (Yes, I’m a “little cynical” about Hollywood!)
This was awesome. I’ll admit, it got me at the very beginning and I was starting to get outraged. Then came Henry Winkler and I remember what day it was.
Bravo!
Thanks, Angela. That was supposed to be the tip-off! (If that didn’t do it, the giant ear would!) ;-)
Oh _lol_!
Yeah, I agree, this might be the best prank I see today.
“But Ian McKellen has passed on the role of Gandolf, so that character will be played by Henry Winkler.”
Sam Gamgee: Oh it is so nice to see you, Mister Frodo and Mister Gandolf!
Rosie Gamgee: Indeed, be welcome in our home! But whatever will we do? How could there be another ring?
Gandolf: Ehhhhh! Don’t worry about it Missus G! We’ll take care of it!
Nice try guys.
Chris Columbus–nice!
“Orlando Bloom was reportedly the first to agree to the film.”
Ah, that just made my day. Thanks!
Happy April Fool’s Day! :-)