Two Towers Tidbits

[Algamesh]

Tolkienites,

While crusing about the internet this evening, I found a couple of interesting articles of information concerning the upcoming Two Towers movie.

The first bit is a few weeks old but maybe some of you haven't heard about it yet ...

Lee petitions Jackson for a new Saruman ending.
It's true. Christopher Lee (aka Saruman) is currently trying to persuade Peter Jackson to change Saruman's demise. Lee travelled to New Zealand recently, armed with a public petition, to meet with Mr. Jackson and the production crew. For the full story, go to http://christopherleeweb.com/showarticle.php?threadid=2328&postid=!

TTT Script ?!?!
According to a posting at the onering.net website, an 'insider' has leaked some information from the Two Towers script. Have you wondered why Elves are manning the walls of Helm's Deep in the trailer? Are you curious about Arwen's 'extended' role in the upcoming film? Go to http://www.theonering.net/rumour_mill/rpg/viewer/main/3CFAD67A00047B5B.html for the details!

My take on all this?

Kudos to Mr. Lee for his attempts to satisfy the fans. We all want Saruman's death to mean something.

The Script gets a big THUMBS DOWN! I really hope this is not accurate (but I feel it is ... theonering.net doesn't play around). Elves abandoning Rivendell? Say What? <Remember Algy ... it's an "interpretation" ... calm down ... lol>

More news forthcoming as I can get it!

Algamesh
lol lol

[Pil]

Oooooooooooooo! :elfeek:

[A! Elbereth]

This script Should burn in..... whispers: the fires of mount doom... hehehe.... I cant believe they would even THINK about changing the story! I am appauled! And I only pray that everyone votes NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :flamer: verymad verymad verymad :angry: :angry: :flamer: Time to whip who though of this! :fanboy:

[Bonos-Girl]

oh my god...
oh MY god...
OH my god...
oh my GOD...
sorry, couldn't help it, what was going on with the script???!!!
please help!!!!!!!!!

[Fatty]

I have seen something like this before, it seems plausible to me.........PJ has warned that there are huge variations from the book. This is on eo fthe reasons we did not do our photo gallery in chapters as many do.........I don't think it will follow the chapters in anyway.

[Sindarin]

After reading that spy report, I myself also want Saruman's death to mean something. Besides, Saruman can't die like that! It's inane! And I certainly don't want his demise changed from what's written in the book.

Personally, I like it the way it is, and I wouldn't want Peter to make and drastic modifications regarding Saruman's death in the film.

So, I hope that Peter does not make any changes for Saruman's death, because I'm sure we as fans wouldn't want to see something completely different from what Tolkein wrote.

I would definately want to see those events in the film remain completely faithful to those in the novel.

[Sindarin]

By the way, I hope against hope that the film remains true to the book. If not somewhat true anyway.

[PrinceImrahil]

AHHHHHHHH!!!!verymad verymad verymad verymad
I am cool with a few changes, like Saruman's death, but if the elves abandon Rivendell...well...I think I'm going to be sick.

[Fatty]

LOL yes beggars belief eh..........but lets wait and see!

[Sindarin]

I too agree, I'm okay with some changes, but not drastic ones.

I mean, there were some changes in FOTR that I didn't have too much of a probem with.

Yet those changes concerning Saruman's death, and the elves at Rivendell, SHOULD NOT be messed with!

But, yes - let's wait and see... :shhh:

[PrinceImrahil]

The only really big change in FOTR was the leaving out of TB, which really wasn't that important to begin with. Other changes were meeting Merry and Pippen and The Council of Elrond. But FOTR turned out fantastic as it won 4 academy awards (shouldve gotten more tho). The Q and A we are seeing for this script make TTT sound like ****. But only time will tell.

I also don't like elves at Helm's Deep. TTT and ROTK are about the struggles of MEN since their age is dawning. Also, Lorien has its own problems with Dol Guldor and shouldn't spare Haldir and a company of elves.

[Sindarin]

Yes, FOTR was a fantasic film despite the changes - although I'm sure I'll be able to handle the presence of elves at Helm's Deep, I would not enjoy seeing Saruman's demise be changed.

[Sindarin]

Nevertheless, I'm certain TTT will be a very good film. :)

[Bonos-Girl]

I hope so.

[A! Elbereth]

errr............ arrrrrrgggggggggh!!!!!!!! MUST I WAIT ANY LONGER!.......*sob sob* I still have to wait 5 months and 18 days!!!!

[Algamesh]

This follows the post made by PrinceImrahil above ...

Concerning the expulsion of Bombadil from the first film, I totally agree ... Bombadil is not necessary to the storyline. He is, within himself, an enigma and I really don't see how Jackson could have explained his existence to the movie-going public.

OH, BUT HOW IT TOUCHES A NERVE !!! I see posts all over the internet where people are highly upset that ol' Tom never made it to the silver screen. Personally, I can see a scenario where his inclusion would have been most ridiculous. Tom's personality translates well in literature but I can't see an actor able to speak in that sing-song voice and yet remain solemn and quietly powerful.

Concerning Saruman's death ... I do not like it. But, if you aren't planning on having a "Scourging of the Shire" then what do you do with him? This death still allows Grima to be the instrument, so, I guess its logical in a way. What hasn't been mentioned is if Gandalf will allow Saruman a chance for redemption ... this is a very important message that shouldn't be lost in the movie.

Algamesh
"He rides from the North ... like swift wind upon the grass ... "

[Finrod Felagund]

Folks, he's only got 9 hours to tell a story that takes DAYS to read
There is absolutly NO WAY Jackson can stay really true to the book, ver batim (sp?). Too much detail and too many important things happen in the book to put on film. A better choice might have been a 2 week mini series. Us Tolkienians would have loved that but the general public would have grown weary of it.
Remember, not everyone has read the books, the poor Philistines, so he has to tell the story to reach the most people. As for Elves in Rohan, I think that is one thing non-Tolkienites would like to see... More Elves, they're immortal, magical and attractive what else could a person wish for. Then again, I have a fascination with The Sil and everything that happens prior to the Third Age. I wished the Elves played a bigger role in the Book.

Ever wonder why the Tolkien estate never signed off on the movie, because they knew that there is no way to have a movie and be completly true to the Book. So much happens in TTT and ROK that things have to be changed and rearranged to not leave HUGE gaps in the plot that would leave the unwashed scratching their heads wondering "Where did that guy come from??"

I'm not advocating butchering the story to sell a few million tickets but there had to be some liberties to take to keep a 3 hour movie moving AND connect it to two other movies. I will be disappointed with the changes but I think that PJ is a true Tolkien fan and is doing the best he can given the magnitude of his undertaking

That's just my opinion

Just enjoy the fact that someone decided to spend $250 million bringing to life characters we all wish were real.

[Pil]

I agree with how MEN and MEN ONLY (bar Leggy and Gimli) should be at Helm's Deep. I mean, a point was made, like, the WHOLE way through LOTR of how legolas was representing his kindred in the battles! The other elves had their own problems! They wouldn't have come all the way from Rivendell and Lorien!

INSANITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! verymad :batty: verymad

[Bonos-Girl]

it only took me 9/10 hours to read. if he included tom bombadil then it would've been erally amusing but i can see how that could be percieved as a bad thing...
:flamer:

[Nessa]

Oh yeah bonos-girl, bombadil would have been a mistake. Can you imagine the non-Tolkien audience once he started singing?
EEP!

[Bonos-Girl]

but it would've been soooo amusing..they should've filmed it just to put on the dvd or something so that fans could see it.

[Nessa]

Ah yes, BG, a dancing, singing leprachan bouncing around, I can't say i wouldn't have enjoyed seeing that! For us anyway. :) They could've added a bit of him in the movie, just so we could see the looks on the newbie's faces.....

The topic has been eaten! Uh, those changes seem pretty drastic, but I'm sure they're neccesarry, and will work out.... yeah, sure....:o

[Melkor]

I realy hope Saruman doesnt die like that, go Mr. Lee!!

[A! Elbereth]

And so do all who hear such things.....

Hey did anybody else notice a little bit of Gandalf in that sentence? well well well! hehehe lol

Gandalf in the mines of Moria:

"So do all who see such times"

[Catz]

i agree with Algy and Longshot here......there is no way that we were ever going to get a movie that followed the book without changes....just not possible im afraid, from either an artistic or a marketing viewpoint, however much we wanted it....... so i think we should just wait and see...and take the movie on its own merits...it is a movie and the book is a book....seperate entities
to me what matter most is did the spirit, the underlying message get thru...and if it did, then its a success to me, tho others may have a different opinion :cool: :grin:
:catz:

[Nessa]

Great point :catz:, and I'm sure I'll like the film even with such drastic changes.

But I don't like them. Saruman's death I don't like at all. I suppose if there's no scouring, we really don't need him, but there has to be better alternatives.....the whole ordeal must be pretty hard on Christopher Lee. He's been a Tolkien fan since they were first published...talk about purism!

I don't like the elves at Helm's Deep, because I kind of wanted it to be the victory of the men, but I suppose I could live with it, just for the pure satisfaction of seeing Haldir die. :flamer:

The bottom line is patience. (grumble, grumble) :)

[A! Elbereth]

Well I think the only ones who will notice the changes, of course, will be the fans! Other people who do not know the story will most likely find it fantastic and a wonderful story! If you froget what happens in the book, and think hard about the movie's way of telling it, I'm sure you could enjoy it. If we didnt know what really happened, we wouldnt be arguing....

I have a feeling this post makes no sense, is pointless and no one will take heed to it

[Aragorn Isildur]

I read somewhere, probably here, that Christopher Lee was petitioning for Sarumans death to be reshot and the scouring be included. I dont know if theres any truth to it.

Aragorn:king:

[Nessa]

Elbereth! I heed your post it makes quite a bit of sense. :)

Yup, that was here, Aragorn. I hope its true....

[Pil]

PLEEEEEEEEEASE LET THERE BE THE SCOURING! mecry

[Aragorn Isildur]

Im thinking it should be on the dvd....remember the mirror scene, theres hobbits in chains so it must have been shot?!? Maybe....

Aragorn:king:

[Pil]

Well that's why we're all worried. Apparently that's all the references to the scouring there's going to be! :( mecry

[Nessa]

Yep. PJ figures it would anti-climactic to have a battle and so on after the Mt. Doom ordeal. From a film makers point of view I suppose that makes sense.

I will miss it, though. I hope they can somehow get some things across in other ways....growth and maturity, pacifism, the idea that evil is never entirely beaten, etc.

[Miruvor]

Oh, man, I was having a horrible time resolving myself to that undignified death of Saruman I've been hearing about. I sure hope that petition works. Is there a Jackson web site that would be the best place we could bombard with messages to support that petition? Let me know, and I'll send off my messages.

But then I got a WORSE shock today from that Ian McKellan article on the home page. I have been waiting for these two years to see 'Saruman of many colors' dressed in some mylar laced fabric to make it look rainbow colored, and now I see they are cutting that out all together!!! I HATE them - whoever made such a stupid decision! Somebody help me, I am crying in distress
and already pre-judging the movie negatively. I can't believe I could possibly like it with all these significant things removed.

mecry mecry mecry mecry mecry mecry mecry mecry mecry

[A! Elbereth]

But what was shown in that mirror was what would have happened it they failed, and he didnt, so the scouring would have happened only if he didnt fail because if it wasnt destroyed Saruman wouldnt care about the shire. I dont think those images had anything to do with the scouring

[Narsil's weilder]

Well atleast be glad the movie will be good. Most books that are turned into movies suck take for instance: The Pagemaster.

[Pil]

I liked the pagemaster! :read: :thumbs: verymad

[Lady Galadriel]

I would have to say that I have full and TOTAL confidence in Mr. Jackson. He made us a great movie the first time around, I'm sure our story is in good hands.

[A! Elbereth]

Originally posted by Pil
I liked the pagemaster! :read: :thumbs: verymad

The pagemaster scared the hell outta me :o :o lol

[Pil]

Hehe... :evil: :batty: But it WAS very good. :thumbs:

AAAAAAnyway...( :blush: ) I agree Lady Galadriel. I mean i was so blown over by FOTR...and now we are told that the next film will be bigger...and ROTK even more so! :o *pil collapses in shock*