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by Alex Keen Published: November 28, 2001
Perhaps the greatest trilogy of all time will have its first chapter released on December 19th. Produced and distributed by the mid-sized New Line Cinema, “The Lord of the Rings Trilogy” marks the biggest gamble in the company’s history. “The Fellowship of the Ring,” part one of the trilogy, is expected to have box office totals second only to “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” Oscar buzz is beginning to grow – but depends entirely on the skill of one man, director Peter Jackson. Here is a list of filmographies of the core cast members, and director Peter Jackson: Elijah Wood – Began acting in film in 1989 with a bit part in “Back to the Future II,” his breakthrough roles were as Huck Finn in “The Adventures of Huck Finn” in 1993, as North in 1994’s “North,” and as Leo Biederman in 1998’s “Deep Impact.” While not known to be as good an actor as look-a-like Tobey Maguire, much of the dramatic pressure will rest on Wood’s shoulders. Ian McKellan – Acting in film since 1968, McKellan stayed off the American public’s radar for most of his early career. Appearing as Death in “The Last Action Hero” and receiving an Emmy nomination in “The Band Plays On,” 1993 was an important year in his career. Follow-up roles in “Six Degrees of Separation” and “Richard III” helped McKellan’s stature in critic circles and with independent film fans. In 1998 his starring roles in “Apt Pupil” and “Gods and Monsters” cemented his stance as a powerful dramatic force in Hollywood. His recent appearance as “Magneto” should insure his status as a fan boy favorite for generations. Viggo Mortensen – First seen in 1985’s “Witness,” Viggo Mortensen has quietly developed a small following in the world of character-actor fans. Although lower on the list than former Oscar nominees Gary Oldman and Tim Roth, Mortensen has left his mark in movies like “Leatherface: Texas Chainsaw Massacre III,” “The Prophecy,” “Carlito’s Way,” and his breakout role in “G. I. Jane.” Since “G. I. Jane,” Mortensen has appeared in other mainstream releases – “A Perfect Murder,” “Psycho,” “A Walk on the Moon,” and “28 Days.” Sean Astin – After two small TV movies, Astin exploded onto the American public with 1985’s “Goonies.” While “The Fellowship of the Ring” marks Astin’s only project bigger than “Goonies,” he has appeared in several well-known movies. “Memphis Belle,” Toy Soldiers,” “Encino Man,” and “Rudy” were all large roles for Astin, but never established him as a big draw name. The straight-to-video release “Icebreaker,” also starring B-movie icon Bruce Campbell, cannot help Astin’s image. Astin has the rest of his career in balance – with “Fellowship’s” performance as the heaviest of weights. Liv Tyler – She achieved her first dose of stardom in her dad’s Aerosmith videos – vamping lesbianism with Alicia Silverstone. After roles in a couple small films, Tyler received her first big shot with the wannabe slacker flick, “Empire Records.” Followed up by a prominent role in the Tom Hanks’ directed “That Thing You Do,” and then “Inventing the Abbotts,” Tyler was famous enough to obtain a major role in the mega-budgeted “Armageddon.” Although the film was a critical failure, it had a broad enough appeal to have the 36th biggest box office gross of all-time. Since her experience in that Jerry Bruckheimer actioner, Tyler has taken roles in much smaller films. “Fellowship” marks her return to the box office game. Cate Blanchett – This Australian beauty practically out of nowhere attempted to steal Gwyneth Paltrow’s Oscar, with her performance in 1998’s “Elizabeth.” After only her third major film role (as Elizabeth I), Blanchett starred in “Ideal Husband,” “Pushing Tin,” “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” “The Gift,” “Bandits” and “The Man Who Cried.” With the upcoming release of Oscar contenders “Heaven,” “The Shipping News,” and “Charlotte Gray” Blanchett’s place in the dramatic elite is assured beyond “Fellowship.” Her presence in the trilogy adds an incredible amount of credibility to the project and it’s future. Sean Bean – Best known in America for his role as Alec Trevalyan (006) in “Goldeneye,” Bean has also had prominent roles in “Patriot Games,” “Anna Karenina,” “Ronin,” “Don’t Say a Word,” and the lesser known “$hopping.” Bean is also a character actor, like Mortensen, stuck in limbo without the luck to find a role that will allow him to break out. Peter Jackson – The New Zealand director appears to be the most interesting, controversial, and yet comforting member of this series. He started filmmaking as a hobby, with “Bad Taste,” and became a cult legend with “Dead Alive.” And yet before “Fellowship,” his only Hollywood film was the 1996 flop “The Frighteners.” Budgeted at $30 million, it’s economic weight is dwarfed by the estimated $450 million production and marketing budget for “Lord of the Rings.” Questions abound whether or not Jackson has the chops to make one of the greatest stories ever come alive beyond paper and print. With the trailer and footage revealed so far, Jackson has captured the atmosphere – can he capture the magic? |
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