June 29, 2002

Future Castings
Brett C.

Kalimac's article actually reminded me of a question I've been meaning to ask; does anyone have info on whether we will see Prince Imrahil on screen in ROTK. I have actually seen Nick Nolte's name on a cast list for Beregond, which made me do a bit of a double take, but so far nothing on my favourite minor character. I really missed him when the BBC did their radio drama back in the 80's, and I think the lord's council in Minas Tirith will look a bit thin if it's just Denethor, Faramir and Gandalf. Not to mention the charge from the gate to save Faramir during the siege.

I am so looking forward to the next installment. A friend of mine recently asked me which movie I enjoyed watching more; Episode II or FOTR. I had to truthfully reply Episode II, in part because of the mystery of an unfolding story as opposed to one I know intimately. Still, my fiend, who know's I'm a Tolkien nut, was taken aback until I reminded him that Episode II is just that - the second installment of a trilogy, which is where things should really start to heat up. The real question should be whether I liked FOTR more than Phantom Menace [absolutley!!!] and how Attack of the Clones will measure against the Two Towers.

Now I know it's a little petty to compare the two movies like this, since they are both undoubtably great feats in cinematic creation, but I can't help wondering how the two will end up measured against each other. Such as...

The machievellian intrigues in the Republic Senate versus the scheming plots in Edoras.

The battle in the arena between the jedi and the battle droid army versus the attack on Isengard by Treebeard and the ents.

The clone trooper assault on the Geonosian armories versus the desperate defence of Helm's Deep by the Rohirrim against thousands of Orcs and Hillmen. And finally...

The climactic showdown between Count Dooku and Yoda versus what could be an all out wizards brawl between Gandalf the White and Saruman.

Hmmm, now that I see all that in text...you don't think GL was getting some of his inspiration from a certain Oxford Professor, do you?