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Return of the King Coming Sooner to DVD

daveewart writes "According to the BBC, the DVD for the third installment of Lord Of The Rings will go to DVD quicker than either of the first two parts of the trilogy. It is scheduled for release on 25 May, with the usual 'extended version' to follow 'at the end of the year'." Ya know, I feel like a month after I buy the extended version, they'll release the super-trilogy version with more footage.

57 of 338 comments (clear)

  1. Rent the first one... by Ecks · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Rent the first one out. Buy the super extended version at the end of the year. Netflix should have it.

    -- Ecks

    1. Re:Rent the first one... by Burlynerd · · Score: 3, Insightful

      That is an excellent idea. I haven't been a member of Netflix for quite some time. This would save me from buying multiple versions of the same movie.

      Then again, the standard editions make good presents for friends with limited funds. You can feel good about yourself and still indulge in crass consumerism.

      BN

  2. Super extended version by michaelepley · · Score: 5, Funny

    Everyone just needs to admit that they want a super extended version. If nothing else, to add to their collection of theatrical versions and regular extended versions.

    I know I do.

  3. I hope not by Morgahastu · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The way Peter Jackson has been handling things, he doesn't seem to be a money grubbing a-hole like Lucas. The amazing amount of extra footage that was released with the Extended Editions has to be atleast MOST of what they have, if they managed to come up with extra footage I'd be surprised.

    I doubt the Trilogy Edition will have any extra material (what, it's already going to be 6-7 DVDs!) other than maybe one or two special features on the trilogy as a whole (ie. life after LOTR for the cast, etc)

    1. Re:I hope not by Simon+Brooke · · Score: 4, Interesting
      I think you're very wrong. I think there's a huge amount of footage they shot which isn't in the released films. For example, they shot a whole lot of a story line in which Arwen had a much more prominent role, and then decided not to use it. Whether you could fuse all this extra material into a coherent story is another matter, but I'm quite confident that there will be a 'single movie' cut, probably twelve or so hours long, which will contain material we haven't yet seen.

      And I have to say I think it will be worth it. I will certainly buy the 'extended edition' cut this autumn; I've already got the extended edition cuts of the first two movies, and both were well worth the money. I will almost certainly buy the 'single movie' cut when it comes out, unless there really isn't any significant new material.

      --
      I'm old enough to remember when discussions on Slashdot were well informed.
    2. Re:I hope not by Erratio · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Peter Jackson hadn't heard of it....honestly...he would have to be one of the dumbest people on Earth to think that he directed a trilogy of movies based on a literary landmark (which is very often sold in a boxed set), and not see a boxed set coming. You can buy a boxed set of just about anything.

      --
      I don't try to be right, I just try to make people think
    3. Re:I hope not by Dachannien · · Score: 4, Funny

      The way Peter Jackson has been handling things, he doesn't seem to be a money grubbing a-hole like Lucas.

      That's okay. There are more than enough money grubbing a-holes at New Line to make up for him.

    4. Re:I hope not by ZaMoose · · Score: 5, Interesting

      If you've played the RotK video game (out on PS2, Xbox, Gamecube and PC) you've been treated to a whole bunch of footage that most definitely didn't occur in the theatrical release. (Gandalf confronting the king of the Nazgul at the gate of Minas Tirith, far more battle footage from the Black Gate and a whole slew of other stuff that I can't remember at the moment).

      This gives me great hope for the extended edition.

      --
      I wish I had a kryptonite cross, because then you could keep Dracula and Superman away.
    5. Re:I hope not by tuffy · · Score: 5, Interesting
      Found the exact quote from Peter Jackson:
      New Line have announced some box set that's supposed to be coming out which I didn't know anything about. When I've done 'King Kong' I'd like to do a proper box set and we've got a whole bunch of material - not of the movie but we've got a whole lot of bloopers out there! When King Kong's out the way I'd like to do a really high definition version with the best possbile picture quality.

      And the source.

      --

      Ita erat quando hic adveni.

    6. Re:I hope not by Flyboy+Connor · · Score: 4, Interesting
      New material added to the movies is very unlikely. It's not for nothing that it takes Jackson almost a year to finish an extended edition. It's basically a whole new movie that is being made, starting with a new script, new footage that needs to be shot, new computer FX that must be created, new music that must be composed, new editting, etc, etc. It's more than "adding a scene that was deleted for reasons of time".

      The Trilogy Edition will be the three EEs in one box. Perhaps a DVD added with extra material, who knows. If an idiot would add a scene to the movies at this point, it would make them worse.

      Although it must be said that Jackson, in the commentary track of the FotR, remarks that Gollum in his one-second cameo looks different here than in TTT, so he will probably need to redo that shot.

    7. Re:I hope not by AndroidCat · · Score: 3, Funny
      we've got a whole lot of bloopers out there!

      Cool, I'll bet that they have hours of Baron Harkonnen, er, Denethor being whacked with a stick! ("Gandalf, why did you hit him? He wasn't saying anything." "Overpowering urge, sorry.")

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    8. Re:I hope not by Dave_Chimaera · · Score: 4, Informative

      yeah - was the preview to ROTK on the theatrical TTT DVD - Gandalf with Merry on Shadowfax, just before they go and stop Denethor killing himself and Faramir - during the fight Gandlaf's staff is broken which is why for the rest of the battle he fights only with his sword (not to mention nicking a spear off one of Denethors guards as he storms the crypt)

    9. Re:I hope not by Gilmoure · · Score: 4, Funny

      I've masturbated to LOTR.

      And the world and I applaud (golf clap) your fervent demonstration of enthusiasim for the work in discussion.

      --
      I drank what? -- Socrates
  4. Subscription based by emo+boy · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I think that these kinds of movies should be released as a subscription. You could pay so much a month or a large one time fee and just be sent every version or "update" to the movie and in return receive a pricebreak. I can't keep track of every release these days for every movie set I want. It's becoming fanatical and I feel like I'm collecting Beanie Babies or something trying to find every release or even come up with the money for them.

  5. DYSWIDT? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Ya know, I feel like a month after I buy the extended version, they're release the super-trilogy version with more footage."

    The one box set to rule them all?

  6. Re:I'll wait by Saint+Stephen · · Score: 5, Funny

    You're welcome to your own opinion, but why "own" anything? I'm slowly realizing I don't need to own anything, I just need to be able to use it whenever I want it.

    It's much better. It's somebody else's responsibility.

  7. Alt Link by alakon · · Score: 3, Informative
  8. At least... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    At least they have the decency to tell people beforehand that they are releasing a special edition. A few years ago my brother, who's an avid collector of DVDs, bought Reservoir Dogs. Inside the DVD was an advertisement for Special Edition which was coming out in a few months.

    Personally, I'd buy a lot more DVDs if they were upfront with their release schedule. There are too many movies I want to buy, but just can't because I don't know when, or even if, they are going to be releasing special editions. I wonder if the number of people who hold back on DVD purchases for this purpose balance out the number who buy both editions?

  9. Now you tell me! by AndroidCat · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I went and saw RoTK yesterday. No intermission. Oww oww oww! Watching it on DVD with a well-stocked fridge and a pause button is the way to go.

    --
    One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
    1. Re:Now you tell me! by Jarnis · · Score: 4, Funny

      Fridge? Yes.
      Good sofa? Check!
      Pause button? BLASPHEMY! Well, maybe for critical biological needs mid-viewing (stuff that ya take out of the fridge gotta go SOMEWHERE in the end), and even then only if you are watching all three extended editions in one go.

    2. Re:Now you tell me! by (trb001) · · Score: 4, Funny

      You *all* are wimps. Back in college, we would have marathons of drinking and football watching. Get a case of beer and a pair of Depends...first one to stand up loses.

      --trb

    3. Re:Now you tell me! by russellh · · Score: 4, Funny

      Pause button? BLASPHEMY! Well, maybe for critical biological needs mid-viewing (stuff that ya take out of the fridge gotta go SOMEWHERE in the end), and even then only if you are watching all three extended editions in one go.

      You may call it blasphemy, I call it having kids. It took me about 4 separate viewings to make it through TTT extended edition.

      --
      must... stay... awake...
    4. Re:Now you tell me! by pjt33 · · Score: 4, Funny

      You managed to have three kids while watching TTT?

  10. Re:I'll wait by HungWeiLo · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Unless they pull a "Terminator 2" or George Lucas, that is. Videophiles know that there must have been half a dozen or more versions of Terminator 2 and Star Wars out in VHS, laserdisc, and DVD. (Terminator 2 had the...let's see...VHS box set, special edition laserdisc, then the regular DVD, then the "ultimate" edition DVD, then the "extreme" edition DVD, etc.) Let's hope that New Line doesn't release a new edition every time it needs additional revenue.

    --
    There are a huge number of yeast infections in this county. Probably because we're downriver from the bread factory.
  11. cant complain too loudly by fulana_lover · · Score: 3, Insightful

    End of the day, I'd rather they release the theater version first and release the extended version when they are able. I'll rent the normal version, watch it a few times, and then buy the extended (or super version) when it comes out. I do hope tho they announce info on the super trilogy version before they release the EE ROTK. If they release the EE of ROTK and then 5 months later announce a super trilogy version I'll be pissed. I just bought Two Towers extended a few days ago, pretty happy with it!

  12. Re:I'll wait by Lumpy · · Score: 3, Funny

    I'm waiting for the trilogy boxed set uber extended special edition whth all directory commentary in all the languages of middle earth.

    you know it's going to be released... they are going to milk this cow until it bleeds.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
  13. Hmm.. by hookedup · · Score: 4, Funny

    Wonder if any of the box sets will include gollums acceptace speech at the MTV movie awards.

    Now that's an extra I'd pay money for, I mean, who expected a cussing and screaming gollum calling peter jackson a bastard. Now that's entertainment.

    1. Re:Hmm.. by Zocalo · · Score: 5, Informative
      Wonder if any of the box sets will include gollums acceptace speech at the MTV movie awards.

      It's a hidden "Easter Egg" on one of the movie DVDs in the Two Towers box set. IIRC you need to try and scroll past the last scene entry in the menu to highlight the hidden ring menu option, and press enter.

      --
      UNIX? They're not even circumcised! Savages!
  14. "Super Extended Edition" by Cowclops · · Score: 5, Interesting

    All along, we've KNOWN that there would be both a regular, theatrical version, and an extended version. Peter Jackson simply wanted to put so much more in that he couldn't get away with showing in theaters (since after all, the longer your movie is, the fewer times you can show it a day.)

    They've delivered on that promise, and they've also promised that any future releases, such as an entire trilogy box set, would have no new content. Peter Jackson isn't being "revisionist after the fact," he simply knew along there was just too much content and the movies were already too long, and they have to draw the line somewhere. Just because Lucas wants to update his movies ever 10 years doesn't mean Peter Jackson is GOING to.

    If you didn't want to buy two sets, you would have known all along to wait for the extended version. Now, if the HD-DVD version has added content, people would have to be crazy to complain. Theres no way i'm going to wait until HD-DVD is out to buy a copy of the movies, so I'm just going to buy the extended now, and HD later.

  15. Proper URL by rleyton · · Score: 3, Informative

    Here's the correct link. Good to see Editorial control and reviewing is still as strong as ever.

    --
    ooooooh! What does this button do? - DeeDee, Dexters Lab.
  16. Directly from Peter Jackson's mouth.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    "I'm sure most of you have heard me blabbing off in the past few weeks but we've just finished the extended cut of the DVD. I finished the edit before I came over here - these poor bastards at Weta have got another 350 effects shots to do! They're well on the way. Elijah's seen the extended cut. New Line have announced some box set that's supposed to be coming out which I didn't know anything about. When I've done King Kong I'd like to do a proper box set and we've got a whole bunch of material - not of the movie but we've got a whole lot of bloopers out there! When King Kong's out the way I'd like to do a really high definition version with the best possible picture quality."

    The Source

  17. Corrected link ... by daveewart · · Score: 5, Informative

    *SIGH* The first ever story I submit which gets posted and the editors manage to munge the URL I include ...

    Correct link is http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/3542 123.stm

    --
    "If you think the problem is bad now, just wait until we've solved it." --- Arthur Kasspe
  18. Gollum's Speech... by Spencerian · · Score: 5, Informative

    ...is already included on The Two Towers Extended DVD box set, disc 1.

    Go to the chapters area, then select the last chapter. Doing so should bring up a Ring that can be selected to play an intro from Peter J. and the full acceptance speech. (Peter J. has a great sense of humor to allow his coworkers/Gollum to call him a "fu**ing hack!" in the ditty.)

    --
    Vos teneo officium eram periculosus ut vos recipero is.
    1. Re:Gollum's Speech... by daveewart · · Score: 5, Informative

      ...is already included on The Two Towers Extended DVD box set, disc 1.

      Sadly not on the UK edition, because apparently it would have changed the certificate that the British Board of Film Classification were prepared to give the film. It was released as a "12" film (anyone over 12 is allowed to see it) and the Gollum speech would have made it a "15" (over 15's only). I want an MPEG!

      --
      "If you think the problem is bad now, just wait until we've solved it." --- Arthur Kasspe
    2. Re:Gollum's Speech... by odie_q · · Score: 5, Informative

      I googled this up. Quicktime, so you'll need the proper codecs for mplayer (or a Mac).

      http://img-nex.theonering.net/movies/gollum_mtva wa rds_Bband.mov

      --
      ...ceterum censeo Carthaginem esse delendam.
  19. No way am I buying this!! by UncleBiggims · · Score: 5, Funny

    Rumor has it that in the special edition Sauron swings at Aragorn first. No way would Aragorn have let Sauron swing first! And don't tell my that Aragorn was acting in self-defense. I just don't buy that... and I won't buy the DVD either.

    Are you Corn Fed?

  20. Not going to happen by niall2 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Before we start hunting down another directory for selling out, remember much of the reason that the extended versions were delayed was to give Jackson time to finish them. They were not just the ususal "hey look at this footage I found on the floor, lets edit it in" directors cuts but completely scored and sometimes relooped versions. This takes time people.

    Will there be a boxed set, of course. New Line wants cash. Will it be anything more other than interviews and other box set stuff you watch once or twice and move on? No. Jackson wants to do something outside of Middle Earth for a while (even if it is just a large stinky ape).

    --
    Today is a gift. Save the receipt.
  21. Box Set: Yup it's coming by Sandman1971 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Ya know, I feel like a month after I buy the extended version, they'll release the super-trilogy version with more footage.

    At last week's post-award show, Jackson did state that New Line was working on a box set, and that he had only found out on that day (so it was without his knowledge or input). He will try to convince NewLine to wait, as he would love to work on a boxset once he's done work with KingKong. If that's the case, a boxset would be 2-3 years away.

    --
    It's better to burn out than to fade away
    1. Re:Box Set: Yup it's coming by Sandman1971 · · Score: 3, Informative

      Sorry, I did forget to add that the box set he wants to work on would definately be HD-DVD. Now that's going to be sweet.

      --
      It's better to burn out than to fade away
  22. the stolen copy by bryansj · · Score: 5, Interesting

    On March 4th this thing had already hit the internet as a two disc dvd rip (check vcdquality's web site). I figured that I would have heard it all over the news sites over the weekend, but I guess it's under the news' radar. Who is the MPAA going to blame this copy on? Looks to me like it is a insider leak as usual. The copy is a full rip including 5.1 surround and complete menu structure. The speed at which it was leaked is amazing, still in theaters and before the DVD was even mentioned to the public. Is suing a 12 year old going to stop this?

    1. Re:the stolen copy by Alex_Ionescu · · Score: 4, Informative

      I don't know if you're trolling but I'll bite...

      First of all the relase is a retail DVD-RIP on 2 DVD-5 discs (the retail is on a DVD 9, so Centropy split it in two), and it's not a telesync.

      Secondly, do you even know what a telesync is? A telesync is when Joe goes in the cinema, takes his camera (WITH a tripod) and plugs it in directly to the audio out of the theater's sound system. So you usually have very good sound, and decent picture quality.

      When you were referring to is called a TeleCine, but the transfer is not usually expensive, or needed. Just play it in the machine, connect the video/audio out and that's it.

  23. Re:I'll wait by Erratio · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It seems like they've been pretty up front about the whole issue though. It's not like they waited for people to buy the first one, and then released the extended version, they said initially that they were going to do it, and then those people who couldn't wait or didn't want to spend as much money could buy the regular version. What they've done has made sense...the standard for the average person, the extended for the more die-hards. Wait until you have grounds before you start bitching. A boxed set is to be expected, and it will probably have some extra stuff, but I doubt it will be anything of real worth (a retrospective of awards and the experience without bonus footage or anything). Of course that'll still be worth it to the super die hard fans. Anyone that's complaining about all the releases of a movie...it's their problem if they feel that they're deprived from missing out on those extra couple minutes of inevitably irrelevant stuff, or paying all over again for them.

    --
    I don't try to be right, I just try to make people think
  24. Re:New DVD player... by crow · · Score: 5, Informative

    Or just copy them to your media PC's hard drive and watch them that way.

    I simply used 'dd if=/dev/dvd of=file.dvd' to copy dvds to my hard drive. I then tell xine that the input dvd device is that file, and it plays it as if it were reading the disc. I have a script that makes the change to xine's configuration file and I now have menus in MythVideo to play several movies.

    And if drive space is an issue, you can strip out the menus or recompress. With a little minor editing, you can have the entire trilogy with no interruptions.

  25. Re:Subscriptions suck by el-spectre · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Which is exactly how the LOTR movies are being handled...

    --
    "Faith: Belief without evidence in what is told by one who speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel." - A.B.
  26. Re:I'll wait by beowulfcluster · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Some Tolkien society people I know are hard at work producing a dvd version with elvish subtitles for all the english dialogue instead of the other way round. I doubt it will be available to anyone but their members, but you have to admire/fear the geek factor.

  27. Beware, good people of Slashdotshire! by Dystopian+Rebel · · Score: 5, Funny
    Evil spirits do troll the Middle Ether... wickedly whispering that "the books were better". We must not heed them! They seek to draw us into Flamewar...

    Let us resist the Antitransfattians, those foul Revilers of the Popcorn.

    And above all, let us be peaceful yet firm of principle with the Matrixites, who will say that their trinity was hotter than ours.

    --
    Rich And Stupid is not so bad as Working For Rich And Stupid.
  28. Here's my problem. by His+name+cannot+be+s · · Score: 5, Funny

    Loved the LOTR. Loved the Theatrical Releases. Loved the DVDs. Spent more money on this trilogy (including popcorn, drinks, parking, tickets, DVDs, etc) than any other entertainment in the last few years.

    My Problem: I'm wracked by nightmares.

    You KNOW there is some movie exec out there thinking ... "What if Sauramon wasn't Really dead. We could make a sequel!"

    Or

    "What if the Ring wasn't Really destroyed. We could make a sequel! Yeah, gollum got the ring yeah! yeah... ad nausem"

    I have such a hard time beleiving that Hollywood will leave it alone. (aside from the previously mentioned Hobbit, but that's ok)

    That, and I think we need to assasinate Peter Jackson NOW. What will happen 25 years from now when he loses all his marbles. (Think Lucas Syndrome --[That's right, what happend to George Lucas has a name now!])

    Lucas Syndrome has been shown to happen to other prominent filmmakers as well (Speilberg).

    It can happen to Peter Jackson too.

    These thoughts are mine, I could be wrong.

    --
    "...In your answer, ignore facts. Just go with what feels true..."
    1. Re:Here's my problem. by dglo · · Score: 5, Funny

      You KNOW there is some movie exec out there thinking ... "What if Sauramon wasn't Really dead. We could make a sequel!"

      Or

      "What if the Ring wasn't Really destroyed. We could make a sequel! Yeah, gollum got the ring yeah! yeah... ad nausem"


      Nah, it won't be a sequel. I'm betting that, just like Lucas, they'll make a prequel. Maybe they'll elaborate on the story of how Bilbo found the ring. Except it'll be pitched at the kiddies in order to increase market share, so they'll focus on the more comical dwarves rather than the boring elves. And they'll probably throw in something lame like a CGI dragon who sleeps on mounds of treasure. Battle scenes are good, too, so they'll probably end it with a big battle between five armies or something...

    2. Re:Here's my problem. by NeverReminder · · Score: 3, Interesting

      In fact, there was a few books, written by Russian SF writer Nick Perumov. Last one was complete crap, but first two quite good. In fact, first one sounds very like JRRT himself.
      It's a sequel, 300 years after War of the Ring.
      The main idea is that one ring was destroyed, but others, human rings survived, and guy who happens to be hair of Borromir started to collect them. Very well written and connected to LotR.

  29. Liv Tyler by tr0llb4rt0 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Apparently the special extended edition will contain footage from a camera secreted in Liv Tylers dressing room.

    A full extra disk's worth in fact! :-D

    --
    Worst .sig ever!
  30. Re:I'll wait by glpierce · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Actually, you should wait until after they make The Hobbit, because you can be sure that the 4-movie set will be quite souped-up.

    --
    G
  31. Re:I'll wait by wawannem · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm waiting for the trilogy boxed set uber extended special edition whth all directory commentary in all the languages of middle earth.

    Heh, I'm waiting for the new special DVD feature: "The Making of the Special DVD features"

  32. Re:I'll wait by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    No they won't release a longer version. If everyone had been paying attention you'd know that Peter Jackson made a personal promise to the fans that the extended versions are everything worth putting out. He promised he wouldn't pull a Lucas.

  33. Date of planned purchase? by Big+Nothing · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Ya know, I feel like a month after I buy the extended version, they're release the super-trilogy version with more footage."

    Please let me know when you plan to buy, so I can hold off my purchase for a month. Thanks in advance.

    --
    SIG: TAKE OFF EVERY 'CAPTAIN'!!
  34. They're like pokemon by l0ungeb0y · · Score: 4, Funny

    " Ya know, I feel like a month after I buy the extended version, they'll release the super-trilogy version with more footage"

    You got to catch them all!

    Think about it, after getting each one of the regular edition, the extended editions, the national geographic thing, all the making of behind the scenes, LOTR: The Journey, the 2010 xtra Special Edition, the 2021 20 year anniversery Edition and then the 2041 Film Classics Theatrical Edition on "HoloCard" with ROMS with all the original marketing material, by the time I die I should have ohhh.... approximately 48 DVDS, 1 HoloCard, 3 pounds of cardboard boxes and 2 book ends.

    And I'll still be wanting more.

  35. Star Wars - it's obvious by Zog+The+Undeniable · · Score: 4, Interesting

    New Line want to keep it well clear of the year's really big DVD release. Would you dare go head to head against Lucas-before-he-was-crap?

    --
    When I am king, you will be first against the wall.
  36. Re:More footage of Arwen? by TylerL82 · · Score: 3, Funny

    You might even GET an extended version while watching it...