Arwen will be meeting Aragorn and the Hobbits in the Trollshaws forest, rather than Glorfindel as in the book.

Elemental Films is in preproduction on a short film called "Elessar", which will tell the story of Aragorn and Arwen. They are negotiating with the Tolkien Estate and Houghton Mifflin for rights to do the production, which may begin in January. The domain is currently "parked", meaning it has no content, and has been set up by Silver Knight Productions, a PR firm for software, hardware, and teleproduction companies.

Eomer, a spokesperson for Elemental Films, dropped by The White Council: Discussion and FAQs for fans of Tolkien and the Inklings on Saturday and told us "The 'Elessar' project is being kept fairly well-guarded, but here's what I can tell you. The story revolves around young Aragorn as he is forced to leave Rivendell and his affair with Arwen, by command of her father, Elrond. The film will be shot entirely in Los Angeles and will enlist several effects houses to make Middle-Earth a reality."

Eomer told Onering.Net that the official site will contain "production stills, storyboards, and quicktime clips" when they are available.

It has been reported that one extra is using a real claymore (a Scottish sword) in the movies.

New Line Cinema is planning to do Internet chats to keep fans updated on movie developments. The chats may be held this location on Neoplanet, but so far the only sneak previews led to the beta site being closed down.

3-D laser holography will be part of the special effects used in the films (see news article links).

Apparently, several actors will wear the One Ring. This is not entirely inconsistent with the story if there are flashbacks to the past.

About 50 roles will be cast from among New Zealand actors. The rest will be cast from among actors around the world.

Monster Makers has been contacted by Richard Taylor at WETA and their latex foam, McLaughlin Foam, (named for Hollywood Rubber Man Tom McLaughlin, who worked on "The Dark Crystal" and the "Star Wars" films) will apparently be used in the movies. McLaughlin foam is used by shows such as Xena: Warrior Princess, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Buffy: The Vampire Slayer, and others, as well as many movies.

Special effects costs are exceeding early budget estimates and some people are making a big fuss over the issue (or non-issue). Budget overruns happen.

Tom Shippey, author of The Road To Middle-earth and a successor of J.R.R. Tolkien at Oxford University, is consulting with Jackson to ensure proper pronunciation of names.

Polish composer Wojciech Kilar has been selected to provide the symphonic soundtrack for the movies. He should begin working on the score around the the beginning of May, 2000.

The New Zealand army has announced they will no longer be able to participate in the "Lord of the Rings" production. Peter Jackson will have to find several thousand extras for the battle scenes from among other New Zealanders (foreign citizens are not able to work as extras in New Zealand except under special circumstances).

Viggo Mortensen has replaced Stuart Townsend as Aragorn.

Principal photography finally began on Monday, October 11, in New Zealand.

New Line Cinema is announcing that "in the coming weeks we will have full content [on the official movie Web site] to support the start of production. Production features and personal interview updates by Peter Jackson" will be included in the new content.

"Also," they tell us, "the official website will offer the Lord of the Rings Internet web browser to support the energy and content currently existing for the film. the LOTR Web browser will include buddy lists, instant messaging and a club building capability. The browser will feature a jump page that will highlight community features and spotlight fan contributed content. This will be a living interface updated on a continuous basis."

It's being reported to the movie news/rumor Webmasters that Sean Connery has been seen in Porirua City, Wellington, New Zealand near Peter Jackson's Miramar headquarters. No immediate connection with the movies has been reported.

TheOneRing.Net is reporting that Michael DeLuca has said Uma Thurman is up for Eowyn, not Galadriel, and that Cate Blanchett is up for Galadriel (although Blanchett is not confirmed). The Uma/Ethan listings may still be tentative.

Rumors about the reported set of Bree are confirmed. Alan Lee is designing the set, which will be filmed mostly in the dark and rain, apparently....

It's being reported that Gary Gygax (co-creator of Dungeons and Dragons) has been hired as a consultant. I've received recent word that Gygax has denied any association with the movies. I've asked for confirmation.

It's also being reported that a "Making of..." film is in the works and camera crews are visiting the sets.

Sir Ian Mckellen has opened a new section on his Web site where he'll post a running commentary as the Lord of the Rings movies are filmed.

Houghton Mifflin Company and New Line Cinema are running a sweepstakes where U.S. Residents can win a free trip to New Zealand and a visit to the set of "The Lord of the Rings". The deadline for mailing entries was October 31.

A call went out on New Zealand's South Island for horses and riders to play the Riders of Rohan in the Lord of the Rings movies in September. Reportedly, as many as 250 horses will be used in the movies. The huge masses of Rohirrim cavalry will be represented through special effects.

Ironically, Ian Holm provided the voice for Frodo in the of BBC's production of "The Lord of the Rings".

The Lord of the Rings movies are scheduled for release starting in Summer 2001, Winter 2002, Summer 2002. Some reports now say the first movie will come out in December 2001.

You can view The Official Lord of the Rings Movie Web Site here and Wingnut Entertainment's Home Page .

Robert Trebor (Salmoneus on Xena and Hercules) announced at DragonCon in July, 1999, that he had auditioned for the role of Gimli. He used a Scottish brogue for the Dwarf's voice but did not get the part.

Jackson has cut Tom Bombadil from the Lord of the Rings. However, he says that he is not combining Bombadil's character with anyone else's. The movie will simply jump ahead so viewers who know the book won't be upset at any unnecessary changes.

Arwen has been given a greater role in the Lord of the Rings movies. The emphasis on the love story between Aragorn and Arwen is being played up. Fans are alarmed that Arwen is being made into an Elven Warrior Princess.

Artists John Howe and Alan Lee have been working with Jackson.

Gollum will be completely portrayed through CGI. The artists WILL NOT be using Steve Buscemi as a model for Gollum.

Most of the speaking roles will apparently be filled by New Zealand actors.

Warwick Davis ("Willow") announced at a STAR WARS convention held in April, 1999, that he had audtioned for the role of Gimli. He had not, at that time, been told whether he got the role. But we now know John Rhys-Davies was given the role.

The weapons being designed for the Lord of the Rings movies look more "realistic" than "fantastic".

Current Lord of the Rings Movie Rumors

Will there be a Lord of the Rings Theme Park? Probably not. But the idea is interesting and it remains to be seen what Saul Zaentz can pull out of his hat. The rumor was found on Sean O'Kane - Connolly's LOTR site.

It's being reported in numerous places that Tolkien's grandson is planning to have a cameo in the Lord of the Rings movies in despite of his family's wishes.

In 1998 A language professor in Auckland, New Zealand apparently offered to assist with the Elvish languages in The Lord of the Rings.

The actors being considered for the parts of Elves and Dwarves are being required to speak with British accents. All other actors may speak with British or American accents.

The Orcs will have pointed ears, thus implying an "Elvish" ancestry.