News Archive

Well hello fellow CoEers. Spring has finally arrived where I am from, and I’m sitting here with my orange cream italian soda, writing you all. This newsletter has been a very good group building exercise (twice!). It was wonderful to see my Realm members actively participate in pulling together such great articles! A big thank you to all who were involved!

I want to encourage the rest of the CoE membership to get actively involved. There are many many ways to become involved on the site such as ecards, encyclopedia articles, good discussion in the forums, lively chat sessions and more. Our Announcements forum contains detailed information.

As the summer holidays rapidly approach, and The Return of the King being prepped for DVD release, just know that CoE could not run the same without all of you and we appreciate all that you do as a membership. So travel safe as you go on your hols–and if you’re not going any where, good! More company!

Also, I’d like to recognize the other staff members here as well. They volunteer many hours of their personal time to make sure we all have a wonderful visit while at CoE. Thank you Staff members.

Hats off to you all CoE!
Veaglarwen

Nominations for the 2004 round of the Mithril Awards for Tolkien Fanfiction will close in 10 days’ time, on Sunday 9 May 2004. Visit the website to nominate your own choices of fanfiction, poetry & research articles for this year’s awards.

Good news for all fans of the LotR score! According to Empire Online, Howard Shore is planning to release an extended edition of the LotR soundtrack, featuring eight or nine discs of music with all of the score from the theatrical versions of the films. This momentous set could be released as early as next year.

“Thus it came to pass that of the Ainur some abode still with Ilúvatar; but others, and among them many of the greatest and most fair, took the leave of Ilúvatar and descended into it. But this condition Ilúvatar made, that their power should thenceforward be contained and bounded in the World, to be within it forever, until it is complete, so that they are its life and it is theirs. And therefore they are named the Valar, the Powers of the World.” – Taken from The Silmarillion (Ainulindale)

Named Ulmo by the Eldar, he is second in authority among the seven Lords of the Valar and within his song he bent his thoughts to all bodies of water in Arda, from the early morning fogs laying across wide fields to the outermost seas. Ulmo built no residence in Valinor and was seldom seen there unless the need was great. His halls were within the Encircling Seas that lay west of Valinor. Like the ebb and flow of water, Ulmo travels around and under the Earth; in this way he gathers all the information of Arda and passes it along to Manwë.

Accompanying Ulmo to Arda are the Maiar: Salmar, who created the horn of Ulumúri, the sound of which, once heard, is forever remembered as an unquenchable longing for the sea. Given the task of protecting the inner seas are Ossë and his wife Uinen, both feared and loved by mariners.

Both Ulmo’s and Ossë’s great love of Elves and Men manifested it self in various ways:

From Ulmo’s appearance in visions, dreams and actual manifestation he instructed Finrod and Turgon to construct the hidden realms of Nargothrond and Gondolin that stood through out the greater part of the Wars of Beleriand. He also designated Tuor to deliver a message to Turgon, warning him of Morgoth’s knowledge of Gondolin. Turgon ignored it but Tuor remained there and wed Idril, who bore their only child, Eärendil, who later married Elwing. When Fëanor’s sons came to reclaim the Silmaril, Elwing threw herself into the sea and was rescued by Ulmo and turned into a bird. Joining her husband Eärendil, they used the Silmaril’s great power to gain entrance to the Blessed Realm to beg assistance of the Valar against Melkor.

Ossë’s songs of the seas sung to the Teleri increased their love of Arda and a greater reluctance to leave its shores. When Ulmo grudgingly came with the lonely isle to bear the Elves away, it was Ossë following behind singing to them still of the sea, that moved Ulmo to anchored Tol Eressëa within sight of the Blessed realm. The other Valar, displeased that the Teleri were still not on the actual shores, bade Ulmo to bring them finally home. Ulmo gave Ossë the task of teaching them shipbuilding and when they had finished, Ulmo sent white Swans to guide them at last to the Blessed Realm.

by Naurlas

Now that the movies are over with, what are the cast members doing now?

First, Elijah Wood, aka Frodo. He has appeared in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind this year. In 2005, he will be in The Yank and Sin City, both of which are in filming. He will also appear in Everything is Illuminated, which is in preproduction. In 2006, he will voice a character in Happy Feet.

Next, Sean Astin, or Sam, can be seen in 50 First Dates. He has three movies in postproduction: Smile, Slipstream, and Elvis has Left the Building. He also is appearing in a TV production, Party Wagon.

Billy Boyd, or Pippin, will be voicing a character in Seed of Chucky, which is in filming.

Dominic Monaghan, or Merry, was in a 2003 show called Spivs. He has two 2004 movies in postproduction: Shooting Livien and The Purifiers.

Ian McKellen, aka Gandalf the Grey (or White, your choice), is in Asylum, premiering in 2004.

Viggo Mortensen, or Aragorn, was in the 2004 movie Hidalgo. He will also appear in Alatriste in 2005.

John Rhys-Davies, or Gimli and the voice of Treebeard, was in La Femme Musketeer, a 2003 TV mini series, and in Dragon Storm, a 2004 TV show. He will appear in five 2004 movies: The Princess Diaries 2, The Lost Angel, The Game of Their Lives, Catching Kringle, and Living in Neon Dreams.

Orlando Bloom, or Legolas, is appearing in Troy, The Calcium Kid, and Haven in 2004. He is also in Kingdom of Heaven and Elizabethtown in 2005, and Pirates of the Caribbean 2 in 2006.

Sean Bean, or Boromir, is also in Troy. He has four other 2004 movies coming out: National Treasure, Venetian Heat, Pride, and Barry.

Cate Blanchett, or Galadriel, will be in The Aviator and The Life Aquatic in 2004. In 2005, she will appear in The Little Fish.

Ian Holm, aka Bilbo, will also be in The Aviator. He will also appear in The Day After Tomorrow and Garden State in 2004.

Christopher Lee, or Saruman, will be in Crimson Rivers 2: Angels of the Apocalypse in 2004, May Day (2004), Star Wars: Episode III (2005), and The Last Unicorn (2005).

Marton Csokas, or Celeborn, will be in Asylum, The Great Raid, and Kingdom of Heaven.

Craig Parker, or Haldir, voiced a character in Power Rangers Ninja Storm (2003), a TV show.

Andy Serkis, or Gollum/Sméagol, is in Standing Room Only (2004), 13 Going On 30 (2004), Samantha’s Child (2004), and The Merchant of Venice (2005).

Liv Tyler, or Arwen, is in Jersey Girl and Lonesome Jim, both 2004 films.

Hugo Weaving, aka Elrond, is in a 2004 film by the name of Peaches.

Brad Dourif, or Grima Wormtongue, is in Deadwood, a TV show, The Devil’s Due at Midnight, The Hazing, Seed of Chucky, and Brew, all for 2004.

Bernard Hill, or Théoden, is in Wimbledon (2004).

Bruce Hopkins, aka Gamling, also voiced a Power Rangers Ninja Storm (2003) character.

Miranda Otto, or Éowyn, is in The Flight of the Phoenix and In My Father’s Den, both in 2004.

David Wenham, or Faramir, is in Van Helsing (2004), Stiff (2004), a TV show, The Brush-Off (2004), another TV show, and Three Dollars (2004).

by Laitoste_of_Rivendell

October, November, and December

October 2, 1980: Unfinished Tales was first published

October 3: Gandalf was attacked by the Ringwraiths on Weathertop

October 6: Frodo and his friends were attacked by the Ringwraiths, and Frodo was stabbed by a Morgul blade

October 12: Elf Day

October 20: Viggo Mortensen’s birthday. Viggo played Aragorn in the movies

October 20: Frodo escaped the Ringwraiths by crossing the Ford of Bruinen

October 24: Frodo awoke in Rivendell

October 25: Council of Elrond Day

October 31: Peter Jackson’s birthday. Peter directed the movie trilogy

November 1: Frodo and his friends were arrested by the Shirrifs in the Shire

November 3: The Battle of Bywater. The Shire was reclaimed from the ruffians, and Saruman was killed. At this time, the War of the Ring was officially over

November 11, 1954: The Two Towers was first published

November 18, 2003: The Two Towers Extended Edition DVD was released

December 8: Dominic Monaghan’s birthday. Dominic played Merry in the movies

December 16: Miranda Otto’s birthday. Miranda played Éowyn in the movies

December 17: Bernard Hill’s birthday. Bernard played Théoden in the movies

December 17, 2003: The Return of the King is released in theaters

December 25: The Fellowship left Rivendell at dusk, beginning their quest

December 26, 2003: Trilogy Day

by oinklikeapig

One of the best “The Return of the King” movie tie-in books I have found is “Weapons and Warfare” by Chris Smith. It is one of the most amazingly detailed, visually pleasing and impressively researched books on the LOTR movie trilogy that you will find. This book reconstructs the history and events surrounding the epic events and battles found in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

What is commendable about this book is the amount of information it contains and the obvious, painstakingly research the author Chris Smith has done to create this book. He has clearly done his homework. Not only has he researched the available “Lord of the Rings” books but also collaborated closely with WETA (the special effects wizards), director Peter Jackson and the crew. Throughout the book there are references to “The Hobbit,” “The Unfinished Tales” and “The Lord of the Rings” (including the appendices).

This terrific book covers all of the notable warriors (good and bad), battles and skirmishes that took place throughout the history of the trilogy. Included as well is the respective armor, weapons, cultures, fighting styles and even some battle plans that we have seen in the movies. For the warriors, everyone from Aragorn, Boromir, Isildur, Théoden, Éomer, Denethor, Gandalf, Legolas, the hobbits and Gimli to the Corsairs of Umbar, the Haradrim, Sauron, the Army of the Dead, the Easterlings and the various types of orcs and uruk-hai are found in this awesome book. There are detailed descriptions of weapons, names, pictures and inscriptions. From the graceful elven soldiers to the horrific war machines of the Dark Lord, each culture’s approach to combat is explained – how they fought, why they were fighting, what armor they wore and what weapons they used against their enemies. The book explains the differences between the various orcs such as the berserker uruk-hai, Mordor orcs and Moira orcs, and their specific roles and uses are detailed. The Rohirric and Gondorian cultures are discussed in detail ranging from emblems, flags, and origins to weaponry and their uses. There is a battle plan for the Battle of the Second Age, the flight and skirmish at Helms Deep, and the Battle of Pelennor Fields. The book has even included the skirmish in the Mines of Moria.

Even the pickiest Lord of the Rings fan will enjoy this book. Just when you think you know everything there is to know about the books or movies, you will surely find a few facts or images in this book that will surprise you. The book is pretty substantial at over 200 pages and is simply loaded with information, however, it is not all text. There are hundreds of beautiful, full-color pictures and illustrations that alone make the book worth having. It has something for everyone and is a book that every Lord of the Rings fan should own.

by LadyCeleborn

Nintendo.com has an interview with Steve Gray, the Executive Producer of ‘LotR: The Third Age’. In the interview, he answers questions about the gameplay and plot of the upcoming game.

The question on everybody’s lips recently has been ‘Will Peter Jackson make The Hobbit into a film?’ and I can say with some degree of certainty ‘Yes he will’. It is just a matter of time before we will get to see this enchanting story on the big screen. Debates over the ins and outs of making this film have been raging but I hope to clear up all the confusion here and now.

Many sources have confirmed that Peter Jackson is interested in producing the Hobbit but there are many obstacles in the way. Firstly PJ is currently occupied in directing the remake of the classic movie, King Kong. He would also like to make another small New Zealand based movie before returning to the world he spent 7 years of his life in.

The biggest obstacle to the film’s production is the ownership of the rights. ‘New Line Cinema’ owns the rights to make the film however ‘United Arts/MGM’ owns the rights to the film’s distribution. In essence this means ‘New Line Cinema’ would fund a film they would receive little money for. The legal rows continue over this but all we can do is wait and hope for the best.

If the film is produced, we have lots to look forward to. Sir Ian McKellen has expressed his interest in participating in the Hobbit. He is very much looking forward to playing Gandalf the Grey again as he found Gandalf the White to be ‘a stick in the mud’. PJ has hinted that other favourites from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy including Andy Serkis, Hugo Weaving and even Liv Tyler may also be involved. Weta workshop is almost certain to be involved so we should get a film that fits well within the world PJ has conjured up. And if this is the case I personally can’t wait.

by Vaulrir

As part of its May Movie Month, the Cartoon Network will screen animated films of The Hobbit (1977), The Lord of the Rings (1978), and Return of the King (1980). For air-dates see the Cartoon Network’s schedule.