From The Advocate: British actor Sir Ian McKellen spoke out on behalf of gay victims of hate crimes Monday, reported Reuters U.K. “There are deaths in public places on the grounds that the victim is gay,” McKellen told Reuters, adding, “My own death threats have declined considerably. I think I’ve become rather boring now to the public at large on this particular issue so I’m thought to be unremarkable.” A founding member of the British LGBT rights advocacy group Stonewall, McKellen is better known for his role as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which he will be taking up again in The Hobbit, filming for which begins next year.
OK, this is either really sad … or Peter Jackson did one heck of a job giving “Lord Of The Rings” even more of a historical feel that he intended. An article in the Newcastle (UK) Journal talks about the complaints on how little British kids know about the world is a bit overblown, but then they said:
It may be slightly worrying that in one recent poll fewer than half those questioned knew that Sir Francis Drake defeated the Spanish Armada. And, okay, it’s frankly terrifying that 6% of those questioned thought that this great historical victory was down to the wizard Gandalf from Lord of the Rings.
So I suppose the Corsairs sailing up the Anduin had a Spanish feel to them. [Read More]
Did you miss Ian McKellen in last year’s King Lear performances?
Theater Mania reports:
The RSC’s recent production of William Shakespeare’s King Lear, directed by Trevor Nunn and with Ian McKellen in the title role, is being filmed for HD TV. It will be broadcast on England’s BBC Channel 4 in December, as well as being broadcast on PBS in the autumn and a number of other TV stations internationally, including NHK Japan. Plans are also in the works to make the tape available on worldwide DVD. [Theater Mania]
Message board member Dive Twin found an interesting article from Kent News in which Andy Serkis said he’s very keen to reprise his role as Gollum:
“Nothing is signed and sealed,” he said. “Gollum and Gandalf are in The Hobbit and whoever says I am in it for sure is assuming it has all been done and dusted. “But you never know in this industry. It would be fantastic to play Gollum again. He is a wonderful character and I enjoyed playing him in the Lord of the Rings. There’s more to be got out of him and more fun to be had.”
We think it would be fantastic for you to play Gollum again too, Andy! Read More
Sideshow collectibles has posted a Backstage Pass video of the latest LOTR diorama, ‘Dark Counsel,’ featuring Grima Wormtongue and Theoden. To view the video follow the link below. Other Sideshow Collectible LOTR headlines: The Aragorn Premium Format figure page has been updated with production imagery (Image of the final piece as it will ship to customers); The Moria Orc Premium Format Figure exclusive is sold out, but you can get the regular edition here; The Sam and Frodo 12-inch figure exclusives are still instock and available for shipping. [Dark Counsel Video] [Aragorn Pics] [Moria Orc] [Sam and Frodo Figures]
Another week, another wacky list from the folks at Entertainment Weekly. This week, EW is listing the ‘Never Say Die: 17 Beloved Pop-Culture Immortals‘ in film, and who do you think makes the list? That’s right! None other than our elf friend Legolas!
He has long blond hair and moves with balletic grace, but Bloom’s Legolas is a born fighter who has deadly aim with a bow even when sliding down the trunk of a raging Oliphaunt. And according to Tolkien, elves live forever…unless they die in battle or decide to take the Grey Havens cruise.
Read through the full list over at EW.com [Full List]
Liv Tyler turns 31 today and Marton Csokas’ birthday was yesterday; he turned 42. Liv, who has been acting in films since the early 90s, graced the screen as Arwen in all three Lord of the Rings movies. Her latest role was that of Betty Ross in The Incredible Hulk which opened in U.S. theaters on June 13. Marton, who played the lord of Lothlorien, Celeborn, in The Fellowship of the Ring, has enjoyed a long and successful film career in New Zealand and internationally and was last seen in Romulus my Father, released in Australia in 2007. Many happy returns to both of these fine actors!
Peter Jackson has finished filming The Lovely Bones, and is now moving on to producing the first Tintin film as well as The Dambusters.
Actor Andy Serkis, who will play Captain Haddock in the Tintin films, told BBC radio that filming will begin in September in Los Angeles, with Spielberg as director and Jackson as producer. Serkis, best known for Gollum in The Lord of the Rings, said Jackson will direct the second Tintin adventure, and Jackson and Spielberg may jointly direct the third.
Message board member FarFromHome alerted us to this interview with Andy Serkis by BBC Radio 5 Live. During the seventeen minute interview, Andy answers questions about the challenges of motion-capture acting, his role in Tintin, his portrayal of Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings” and, yes, the prospect of reprising that role in “The Hobbit.” Read More (scroll down to Andy Serkis)
From Metro.co.uk: Veteran actor Sir Ian McKellen has been made a Companion of Honour for services to drama and equality. The Order of the Companions of Honour consists of the Queen and only 65 other members, all outstanding talents in their fields from painters Lucian Freud and Sir David Hockney to acclaimed actress Dame Judi Dench. He’s known around the globe for his role as Wizard Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which earned him an Oscar nomination in 2002. His other nomination was in 1999 for Gods and Monsters. Read More
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From The Advocate: British actor Sir Ian McKellen spoke out on behalf of gay victims of hate crimes Monday, reported Reuters U.K. “There are deaths in public places on the grounds that the victim is gay,” McKellen told Reuters, adding, “My own death threats have declined considerably. I think I’ve become rather boring now to the public at large on this particular issue so I’m thought to be unremarkable.” A founding member of the British LGBT rights advocacy group Stonewall, McKellen is better known for his role as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which he will be taking up again in The Hobbit, filming for which begins next year.
OK, this is either really sad … or Peter Jackson did one heck of a job giving “Lord Of The Rings” even more of a historical feel that he intended. An article in the Newcastle (UK) Journal talks about the complaints on how little British kids know about the world is a bit overblown, but then they said:
Liv Tyler turns 31 today and Marton Csokas’ birthday was yesterday; he turned 42. Liv, who has been acting in films since the early 90s, graced the screen as Arwen in all three Lord of the Rings movies. Her latest role was that of Betty Ross in The Incredible Hulk which opened in U.S. theaters on June 13. Marton, who played the lord of Lothlorien, Celeborn, in The Fellowship of the Ring, has enjoyed a long and successful film career in New Zealand and internationally and was last seen in Romulus my Father, released in Australia in 2007. Many happy returns to both of these fine actors!
