To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Lord of the Rings, a special new edition is being released that will be 109 hours long and will include the story of how the earth cooled and life formed.
“I always thought that the films didn’t really dwell enough on the origins of life,” explained director Peter Jackson.
“I mean, you got that bit about the big fight between the goodies and baddies, but that doesn’t really go to explain how hobbits or orcs came to exist.”
The new edition will begin with an hour of Middle-Earth as a primordial swamp of lava and ocean and strange protein strings. With a crash of lightning, a protein string evolves into a tiny microbe.
“That tiny microbe is Frodo’s original ancestor, so it really gives you a connection with him that the original films didn’t have,” continued Jackson
There is then three-four hours of basic evolution as the microbes slowly change through the generations until there is recognisable bipedal life.
Those creatures begin to use tools, then form into tribes, then slowly grow into different creatures until, around the 20-hour mark, there are recognizable men, orcs, elves, and dwarves.
After Middle-Earth life is established, the story as we know it begins. Jackson confirms there are new story points such as Sam’s shoes hurting and Pippin having a bit of a headache that lengthen the story of the Ring to around twenty-two hours.
“There’s a bit where Aragorn stubs his toe that I can’t believe we left out,” he laughs.
After the Ring story concludes, the film will continue until the hobbits evolve to modernity when they have coffee shops and mobile phones and consider CDs a bit old-fashioned.
Finally, after 109 hours, Middle-Earth’s sun cools, all life ends and the film concludes.
However, it is understood that Jackson is currently working on an even longer cut for the 30th anniversary, that features the birth of the entire universe. It will last a bum-numbing two years, but will feel much, much longer as he plans on including several traditional Middle-Earth songs.
Some links to other bits of the blog that you’ll love*…
*Alright, perhaps ‘love’ is pushing it, maybe ‘be mildly diverted by’
Want to know what’s on telly this weekend? No problem, click on this Weekend Film Guide
Want to impress friends with your superior film knowledge? You’ll be wanting the Fun Facts page.
Or, if links aren’t your thing, here’s an old article you might like…
Peter Rabbit film to expose alcoholism and addiction at heart of modern warrens
The new Peter Rabbit film will cast an unflinching eye over the deprivation, addiction and hopelessness at the heart of warrens in the modern world.
Although originally planned as a light-hearted romp about the adventures of a young rabbit and his friends, as the truth about the problems of modern rabbit life became apparent, the filmmakers felt a responsibility to record what they saw.
“It’s tough to film a hilarious scene of Peter falling over when you’ve just seen a desperate rabbit pawn their last carrot for a hit of smack,” said director Will Gluck.
Mr Gluck was left reeling by the life in the modern rabbit community.
“Prostitution, drug addiction, alcoholism. The worst thing though is the brutal, brutal violence. I personally saw a bunny being viciously beaten and left for dead for simply waggling his nose at the wrong rabbit.
“I think they were all drunk on cheap lettuce cider.”
It was this event that changed the tone of the film.
“I’m a filmmaker, I don’t have the power to make these creatures’ lives better. But, I do have the power to show the world the truth. The ugly truth. That life is cheap for rabbits in 2018, and no one is helping.”
Peter Rabbit: Blood on the Whiskers will be released this week and will be rated 18 for graphic violence.
Be the first to comment