October 25, 2003

Aragorn's Baths and RotK Opening
Bob Praz

In response to your question, Foxy, I'm pretty sure Craig Parker was joking when referring to Aragorn's lack of baths (though you could choose to believe otherwise; hehe). Because of this topic I'm now seriously considering the fellowship's hygiene and physical condition in LOTR; it's a wonder they didn't get sick at any time! Anyways...

I would just like to add (or correct) my suggestion as to how ROTK will begin, since I realize now I wasn't quite clear on that. What I meant by the third movie beginning with the Osgiliath battle (once again, this is only an idea; there are plenty of possibilities) is that this would make up the OPENING, not the whole first quarter of the film. PJ started FOTR with the prologue and the awesome battle of the Last Alliance, and TTT opened with the spectacular sequence of Gandalf falling with the Balrog. Peter has said and shown that his idea of a good movie is one that starts with a great action sequence that will grab the audience's attention immediately. So my speculation was only on how ROTK would open, on what surprise PJ has in store for us. Otherwise, the first part of the film will, of course, deal with the confrontation with Saruman at Orthanc. So yeah, just to clear that up in case you misunderstood.

While we’re on the subject, I'm very eager to see that particular scene with Saruman and Gandalf confronting each other. I hope they will keep the idea of Saruman's voice enchanting those who listened to it. Plus I'm anxious to find out how both he and Wormtongue die. Apparently, they die the same way they did in the book, except in a different time and place (in this case, Orthanc). It seems that Grima will stab Saruman, who will then likely fall off the tower onto the so-called “Round Spiked Wheelie Dealie”. It’s rumoured that Wormtongue will then be killed by an arrow from Legolas. Although I can’t say I like this last idea as much.