RotK Extended Edition possibly 5 hours long?

[Dark Jezter]

Nothing clear yet on the release date, let alone the disc specs for the third installment of The Lord of the Rings, however since both previous films had Extended Editions released on DVD it is fair to assume this will happen again, especially after it is rumoured Peter Jackson said the following at the Copenhagen premiere. Basically he commented that the first cut of Return of the King had a running time of four hours and fifty minutes. When asked why this was too long for theatres but acceptable for DVD, he said:

"It is different with the DVD version. People watch it at home. They can lay on the couch or spread the experience over two or three nights. That is the amazing thing with DVD. It gives a whole new dynamic and I can assure you that the DVD version of Return of the King will be longer than 4 hours and 50 min."

Unless any of our Danish readers have can confirm this then it is still rumour, however if true, this really is interesting news.

My note: Also note that Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf) appeared on Jonathan Ross Friday night, and he said that the Extended Edition would be over five hours long.

Andy

Source: http://www.theonering.net/staticnews/1072200980.html

I should point out that the accuracy of this report has not yet been confirmed. But if it's true... wow!

 

[reapersaurus]

I just don't see how they could sink so much money into such an over-the-top endeavor as filming SO much more than they could release in the theaters.

Even with DVD being a VERY profitable medium, it doesn't make sense that they'd film (and create effects for) over 2 hours more film than could ever make it into the theatrical release.

The EE will sell like hotcakes anyway - it's not like they have to go above and beyond like that, but if they do, I say Woohoo!

Keep in mind though, that on the FotR: EE, they said that the initial cut of FotR was over 4 hours... and what got on the EE DVD was "only" 3.5, IIRC.

I often wondered - "What happened to that extra 30 minutes. Why didn't they put it in the EE?"

 

[johnsemlak]

I just don't see how they could sink so much money into such an over-the-top endeavor as filming SO much more than they could release in the theaters.

Even with DVD being a VERY profitable medium, it doesn't make sense that they'd film (and create effects for) over 2 hours more film than could ever make it into the theatrical release.

The EE will sell like hotcakes anyway - it's not like they have to go above and beyond like that, but if they do, I say Woohoo!

Keep in mind though, that on the FotR: EE, they said that the initial cut of FotR was over 4 hours... and what got on the EE DVD was "only" 3.5, IIRC.

I often wondered - "What happened to that extra 30 minutes. Why didn't they put it in the EE?"

Well, I'm not sure it's hard at all for them to sell and extended version that is over 5 hours.

Most films are edited down to half (or less) the size of the total filming done, as far as I understand.

 

[Celtavian]

re

I hope its five hours, though I would be surprised if they could add that much more footage. It would be nice to see alot of plot holes filled in like what happens to Saruman, the Houses of Healing, and a bit of a longer scene of Eowyn slaying the witchking.

 

[Alaric_Prympax]

I often wondered - "What happened to that extra 30 minutes. Why didn't they put it in the EE?"

In November 2004 we'll see the RotK EE. In November 2005 I would bet that we'll see a box set of all 3 movies that are even longer then the extended versions we have now.

Since they're already calling them Platinum Collector's Editions the 3 move box set will be the Titanium Ultimate Collector's Gift Set that contains not only the 3 movies but 40 DVD's of interviews, specials, ect with little statues of the 9 members of the Fellowship and the 9 Nazgul along with minitures of Orthanc, Barad-Dur, Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul. It'll probably sell for $349.95

And you know something? I'd buy that too. That's how bad I am.

 

[Truth Seeker]

The Ulimate Collection....

In November 2004 we'll see the RotK EE. In November 2005 I would bet that we'll see a box set of all 3 movies that are even longer then the extended versions we have now.

Since they're already calling them Platinum Collector's Editions the 3 move box set will be the Titanium Ultimate Collector's Gift Set that contains not only the 3 movies but 40 DVD's of interviews, specials, ect with little statues of the 9 members of the Fellowship and the 9 Nazgul along with minitures of Orthanc, Barad-Dur, Minas Tirith and Minas Morgul. It'll probably sell for $349.95

And you know something? I'd buy that too. That's how bad I am.

I have heard of this, from a Ring man who has membership, the DELUXE Set will sell for '$425.00'...I will still BUY it, and never leave home for a week.

(Many jobs will be missing people, calling in sick... )

Just give me everything...and I will be HAPPY!!!

 

[Eridanis]

The two comments I've read most about RotK (after the gushing praise) are (1) it was a really long time to sit in a theater chair, and (2) the movie felt very rushed, and left out a lot of plot points. Since the two comments tended to come from the very same people at the same time, I'd say it's a perfect opportunity to release a super-long DVD cut. As I left the theatre, I thought that it might have been better for RotK to have been two movies (though I dare you to try to find a place to end Part 1), and a 5-hour DVD would certainly fit that bill.

Even with DVD being a VERY profitable medium, it doesn't make sense that they'd film (and create effects for) over 2 hours more film than could ever make it into the theatrical release.

I read recently that 2003 was the first year that studios made more money on DVD sales of a movie than on its theatrical release. Wouldn't surprise me at all that directors would film more than they need; they always have anyway, and now DVDs give a chance to make some of that money back.

 

[Krieg]

I just don't see how they could sink so much money into such an over-the-top endeavor as filming SO much more than they could release in the theaters.

That's actually pretty much the case for ALL films. The amount of material "left on the cutting room floor" often rivals in length what made it into the final film.

 

[Null Boundry]

Well thats five hours I will be free from those that that think it is the greatest work of art ever. But lets see how can I get them to spend 2 hours trying a new experiance such as seeing Media or The Birds. Well I guess thats the downside of such purists, unless its original they don't want to know.

 

[Tarrasque Wrangler]

Uh, Null Boundry, what's your point?