July 16, 2003

Ian McKellen Updates the White Book
Bob Praz

(minor spoilers)
I was reading Ian McKellen's White Book on his website the other day and I was pleased by several little spoilers or hints. First off, the most pleasing thing I read was that, during the recent reshoots, Ian McKellen had to do some blue screen for riding on Gwaihir. I was always afraid (and yet looking forward to) of what PJ was going to make of the battle before the Black Gate. Although I never trully believed the unsettling rumours of Sauron appearing in physical form, I was always wondering how (or if) PJ was going to bring the eagles at the end battle, since we did not see or hear much at all of the eagles in the first two movies, and I couldn't see how he could suddenly introduce them at the end of the third movie without having explained them before. But as long as the eagles are in, it's all good.
Ian also describes a few details of the sets of Minas Tirith and the White Tower, and says of course how Peter refers to the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, whether in length or in the number of participants (probably both), as "the biggest cinema battle ever". There is also a nice picture of him in Gandalf's costume walking among the carnage of the Pelennor Fields.
He mentions some interesting little things like the set of the Green Dragon inn being set back up during reshoots (a hint of what we may see of the Shire at the end of the movie) and the Mouth of Sauron throwing down Frodo's mithril coat in the scene at the Black Gate.
That's the most of it (or the most important parts) but those who want to read the article in full can do so at Ian McKellen's official site: www.mckellen.com (go to the section on RotK and read the latest posting of the White Book)