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50 Facts You Didn't Know About The Lord of the Rings

The Why・21 minutes read

A Soviet play adaptation of "The Fellowship of the Ring" was found in 1991, Harvey Weinstein's initial rejection almost jeopardized the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, but New Line Cinema eventually took over, leading to the successful film series.

Insights

  • Harvey Weinstein's rejection of Peter Jackson's initial proposal almost derailed the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, prompting New Line Cinema to step in and support the project, showcasing the pivotal role of external backing in major film productions.
  • The intricate planning process behind "The Fellowship of the Ring," including the strategic introduction of characters and the extensive use of storyboards and animatics, highlights Peter Jackson's meticulous approach to filmmaking, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparation in creating a successful cinematic experience.

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Recent questions

  • Why did Harvey Weinstein initially reject Peter Jackson's proposal?

    Budget concerns

  • How did Peter Jackson plan the film before filming?

    Extensive storyboarding

  • What challenges did John Rhys-Davies face during filming?

    Prosthetic process

  • How did Peter Jackson incorporate animals' sounds into the film?

    Creature effects

  • What inspired Pippin's song during Faramir's charge?

    Karaoke night

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Summary

00:00

"The Lord of the Rings: Behind the Scenes"

  • In 1991, a low-budget Soviet play adaptation of "The Fellowship of the Ring" was rediscovered, described as comical and confusing due to its green screen effects.
  • Harvey Weinstein initially rejected Peter Jackson's proposal to adapt the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy into two films, hiding the budget and almost ruining the project.
  • Weinstein's interference led to leaked scripts and eventually attracted New Line Cinema, which pushed for the trilogy.
  • Weinstein likely prevented Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino from getting roles in the film due to past experiences, leading Peter Jackson to dislike working with Weinstein.
  • Scenes in "The Fellowship of the Ring" were strategically set up to introduce characters and provide comic relief, like Mary and Pippin lighting a dragon firework.
  • Peter Jackson extensively used storyboards to plan the film, creating an animatic with local actors voicing scenes before filming.
  • The prologue was challenging to adapt, leading to Cape Blanchett narrating it for her powerful voice and connection to the story.
  • John Rhys-Davies, who played Gimli, underwent a demanding prosthetic process daily, causing topical eczema.
  • Pre-visualization technology helped conceptualize scenes cost-effectively, with George Lucas and Rick McCallum's assistance.
  • Various animals' sounds were used for creatures in the film, like baby elephant seals for Moria orcs and sea lions for Uruks.

17:07

Behind-the-scenes secrets of LOTR trilogy.

  • Peter Jackson used a stand-in for Carl Urban in a scene post-battle of Helm's Deep due to Urban's unavailability, forgetting to digitally replace his head in post-production.
  • The world premiere of "The Return of the King" in Wellington, New Zealand drew around a hundred thousand fans who watched the actors parade down the streets.
  • Peter Jackson had three cameos in the trilogy, appearing as different characters in each movie.
  • Christopher Lee was upset about being cut from "The Return of the King" but later reconciled with Peter Jackson during the filming of "The Hobbit" films.
  • The steps of Cirith Ungol were challenging for both the crew and actors to film due to their steep and fragile nature.
  • Pippin singing "Edge of the Night" during Faramir's charge was inspired by Billy Boyd singing "Delilah" at a karaoke night, leading to the creation of the song in the movie.
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