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Extended RotK Expected December 14

sbowles writes "DVDAnswers is reporting that New Line plans to release the four-disc extended edition of Return of the King on the 14th of December. As of yet, the LotR official site has not posted an official release date or an official list of contents for the set. This older IGN article gives some great details on the sneak preview presented at the San Diego Comic Con."

35 of 146 comments (clear)

  1. XMAS gifts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    That solves that problem ...

    1. Re:XMAS gifts by xsupergr0verx · · Score: 2, Funny

      What kind of a sucky gift is that? No loving family member would make you wait 11 days to watch it.

      --

      Click here for a free picture of an iPod!
    2. Re:XMAS gifts by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Actually, it takes 11 days to watch it ...

    3. Re:XMAS gifts by Wireless+Joe · · Score: 2, Funny

      Too bad most of my friends are fans. I guess I can look forward to receiving 4 copies of the ROTK extended edition for Christmas.

      ('Cause that's how many friends I have.)

    4. Re:XMAS gifts by aardvarkjoe · · Score: 3, Funny

      Four friends? According to this, you are all alone in the world.

      --

      How can we continue to believe in a just universe and freedom to eat crackers if we have no ale?
  2. Any news by Spad · · Score: 5, Funny

    On the 15 disc Ultimate Super Directors Cut Special Collectors Edition Trilogy Box Set with 3 weeks of previously unseen footage?

    1. Re: Any news by Black+Parrot · · Score: 5, Funny


      > On the 15 disc Ultimate Super Directors Cut Special Collectors Edition Trilogy Box Set with 3 weeks of previously unseen footage?

      You won't get that until after the prequels and sequels are done.

      --
      Sheesh, evil *and* a jerk. -- Jade
    2. Re:Any news by darthtrevino · · Score: 2, Informative
      Honestly dude, you'll be waiting several years for that release to happen. It's not even officially planned.

      I too am pumped about an XTREME TURBO edition, but the value of a DVD is how much mileage it gets. The EE's are getting plenty of mileage and usage, and that makes the purchase worth it. I'd rather spend the money now and watch the DVD's a few times a year now, cause they're that good.

  3. Cue the adjective jokes by rd_syringe · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Let us rally together and write trite "Super Ultra Mega-Expanded Edition" jokes as though you didn't know there has been a theatrical release and an extended release since 2002 and that New Line and Peter Jackson weren't open about it all along. Bonus points for a George Lucas reference, especially if you use "Lucas" as a verb.

    Remember, you must exaggerate that there is a theatrical release and then half a year later an expanded release. You must make it sound like there are multiple versions. "Super Duper Triple Mega Ultra Redux Version Mod Me +5 Funny Because I Use Lots Of Adjectives Edition."

    1. Re:Cue the adjective jokes by Hentai · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Feh. You know, I wouldn't MIND a "Super Ultra Mega-Expanded Edition", personally. If they were smart, and interested in really soaking us all, they'd do something like this:

      A $450 'Ultimate Edition' box, that comes with all 3 Extended Edition movies on 10 DVDs, with 2 CDs of soundtrack, and all three books (plus The Hobbit) in hardbound, AND a rolled-up parchment map of Middle Earth, with annotations of everyone's journeys throughout the movie.

      If they wanted to REALLY soak us (and make it worth it!), they could up it to $750 for a 'Limited Edition' version (only 10,000 made!), with each having an extra, random object:

      Either one of the Elven, Dwarven or Human Rings, or Sting, or an Elven Cloak and leaf brooch, or a Horn of Gondor, or other similar item: 9,999 in all. Then have the 10,000th box have a reproduction of the One Ring, and a certificate for a vacation to New Zealand, and lunch with Peter Jackson.

      --
      -Hentai [in vita non pacem est]
  4. Extended? by Rick+Zeman · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Do we get to find out what happens to Saruman? Or does he go "poof" like "The Scouring of the Shire" did, too?

    1. Re:Extended? by EvanED · · Score: 4, Informative

      Somewhat at least. They filmed Saurman scenes to go at the beginning of RotK, but decided they killed the pace of the movie before it even got started and thus they didn't work. They will be back though for the EE cut.

      Scouring of course won't be, so who knows how they will wrap up the Saurman line.

    2. Re:Extended? by rd_syringe · · Score: 2, Informative

      Yes, actually, you do. Read more if you want to know already.

      *** Spoilers ***

      Apparently, Wormtongue pushes him out of the tower at the beginning, right after the encounter with Gandalf (the "Voice of Saruman" chapter from the book). Saruman falls and is impaled on a large spiked wheel.

    3. Re:Extended? by AndroidCat · · Score: 2, Funny

      And do we get to see the version where Frodo shot first?

      --
      One line blog. I hear that they're called Twitters now.
  5. Re:All I wanted was an action figure... by valisk · · Score: 4, Funny
    but my parents bought me an elephant.

    Surely you meant an Oliphaunt!!!

    --

    Economic Left/Right: -0.62
    Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -3.69
  6. Re:The trilogy was great.. but by Brackney · · Score: 4, Informative

    I'm assuming you're listening to this in 5.1 surround? Might I suggest a good calibration disc like DVD Video Essentials and a sound level meter to properly set up your audio? It might be that your channel gains are simply out of balance with one another. I didn't find myself having to jack with the volume during any of the LOTR discs, and that includes getting my butt thumped quite excessively during the battles at Helm's Deep and the Pelenor Fields.

  7. MOD PARENT DOWN TROLL by Laebshade · · Score: 2, Informative

    Warning: the third invite link is a google cache link to goatse. Very clever.

  8. Re:The trilogy was great.. but by ArchieBunker · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Welcome to surround sound. Maybe its me but I liked the old style sound before they switched to surround. The dymanic range is too great. The quiet parts are too quiet and the loud parts are too loud. Luckily my tv has an automatic volume limiter which does come in handy. The shitty cable co. can't regulate the volume across all their channels.

    --
    Only the State obtains its revenue by coercion. - Murray Rothbard
  9. Theater release? by EReidJ · · Score: 4, Interesting

    There was a rumor going around some time ago that the Extended Edition would be released in theaters before or at the same time it was available on DVD. Anyone know of the status of this? Is it really going to happen, can we see these wonderful new scenes on the big screen?

  10. Re:This is almost a month later than the others... by rokzy · · Score: 4, Informative

    they had trouble getting everyone together to do the commentaries. plus the last one is longer and has about 50 mins extra footage.

  11. I am so looking forward to this! by b4rtm4n · · Score: 3, Insightful

    This is going to make my year! :-)

    I am disappointed that the scouring of the Shire is missing but I can fully understand it from a filmmakers pov as it'd really mess up the pace of the end of the film. Although it may have helped offset the length of the endings.

    The biggest edit I would like is the removal of Legolas surfing the Oliphant. That was just pathetic.

    Still, nearly an hour of extra footage will be fscking brilliant.

    Roll on December!!!

    --
    "goatse? What's that? Anyone have a link?" - AC
  12. Is it just me, by Mordant · · Score: 3, Funny

    or did anyone else read that headline as 'Extended Rot13 Expected December 14'?

    I was thinking that maybe folks had decided to use Rot13 as a replacement for MD5, or something.

    Now that I think about it, that headline probably would probably read 'Rkgraqrq EbgX Rkcrpgrq Qrprzore 14' . . .

  13. Re:A little dissapointed by HeghmoH · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I was under the impression that Peter Jackson said that the extended edition would be released at the same time as the theatrical cut, since the trilogy was at an end.

    I never heard such a thing. Furthermore, it doesn't make any sense. Making the extended edition isn't a matter of just plunking in a few more scenes and burning another master. The editing alone is a painstaking process. The LotR people are so fanatical that they actually re-score and re-record the music to fit with the new scenes. All of this takes much longer than simply transferring the already-finished theatrical film to DVD.

    It may also be a way to squeeze money, but it's hardly a scam. Unlike some films, they let everybody know way ahead of time that they could expect an extended version. Nobody got caught buying the DVD and then finding out afterwards that there was another DVD they really wanted.

    --
    Mod down posts with a "Free Mac Mini/iPod" sig, they're spam!
  14. But RotK needed -trimming-, not extending... by mccalli · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Seriously - the ending just dragged. I could feel people squirming in their seats as yet another cinematic false ending was foisted upon them.

    Now I'm a huge fan of the books, and believe that the Scouring should have been retained as it was a major part of the book's point, to the extent that the book had a point beyond pure myth building. So it's not that I'm moaning about length as such. Just that if you're going to cut the plot, you should also cut the congratulationary stuff that goes on around the sub-plot you cut. And yes, that means straight to the Grey Havens and no Shire scenes for you, m'lads.

    Cheers,
    Ian

    1. Re:But RotK needed -trimming-, not extending... by MagicDude · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I don't think that having a half hour ending for this movie is bad, because it's not the conclusion to just ROTK, it is the resolution to the entire Lord of the Rings series. 30 minutes of character and plot resolution in a 10 hour movie is the same as having 5 minutes of resolution in a typical 90 minute movie. We've spent 3 years getting to know these characters, and I know I'd feel disapointed if all I got after the ring was destroyed was a "Good Job Frodo" and they cut to credits. Plus, the ending gave us a glimpse into how Frodo was still affected by the Ring, how he never really recovered from it. I think what everyone is complaining about is the departure for the gray havens scene, where they schmaltzed it up a little, but honestly, it's just a sign of the time of how short of an attention span people really have if they can't take 5 minutes of artistic liberty after 3 hours of butt-kicking action.

  15. Confirmation..? I don't think so by thellamaman · · Score: 3, Informative

    The linked page says that New Line has confirmed it, which they certainly have not, publically at least. Unless it's someone's "secret source", and I think that's a little suspect.

    About a week ago, TheOneRing.net posted a link to Video Store Magazine online which contained the December 14 date. New Line made them take it down, here is the retraction.

    TORN got a note from New Line as well:

    From New Line Cinema writes: There is an error that Video Store magazine ran in their current issue and they are printing a retraction next week. If you could kindly pull the Celebriel post and note this retraction we would be most grateful! Thanks!

    All that said, I believe the December 14 date is likely correct. But it sure is not confirmed.

  16. Re:The trilogy was great.. but by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    getting my butt thumped quite excessively

    Dude, we don't want to hear about your personal life.

  17. What were you doing? by rd_syringe · · Score: 2, Funny

    Anyone else find that last line pornographic...? ;)

  18. Actual *content* of the DVD by thellamaman · · Score: 3, Informative

    If you want to know all the new stuff that will be on the DVD (Mouth of Sauron, Voice of Saruman, Witch King, Houses of Healing, Crossroads, etc., etc.), here's the most comprehensive site I've found, with photos, commentary, news, and some actual video:

    ROTK SEE Site
  19. Serious question--doesn't anybody RTFA anymore? by rd_syringe · · Score: 2, Informative

    It's the second line in the linked article:

    "New Line has confirmed that the four-disc extended edition of Return of the King will arrive on the 14th December. The set will include around fifty-minutes of additional footage, including the highly anticipated confrontation with Saruman."

  20. Re:Possible LOTR Sequels by sigaar · · Score: 3, Funny

    The Lord of the Rings 8: ???
    The Lord of the Rings 9: Profit.

    Sorry, couldn't resist...

    --
    sigaar
  21. clarify that please by Christ-on-a-bike · · Score: 2, Informative

    To clarify:

    He never said you said he called it a scam.

    But wait!

    You never said he said you said he called it a scam! Aargh!

    ... It's called conversational implicature. It's part of pragmatics. And it's the reason WE DON'T HAVE THREADS LIKE THIS.

    <commits suicide>

  22. My 2c by Aqua_Geek · · Score: 2, Insightful

    A friend of mine had this to say about leaving the "Scouring of the Shire" part out of the ending: in the Fellowship when they reach Lothlorien, Frodo looks into the Mirror of Galadriel. If you recall, it cuts to some shots of what he sees. Correct me if I'm wrong, but these are shots of the Shire being burned and whatnot, aren't they? After he sees these images, Frodo is told by Galadriel that this is what will happen if he fails. But he didn't fail. The ring was destroyed, so it should make sense that he comes back to find the Shire alive and well and NOT in ruins (or under the control of Saruman).

    --
    Disclaimer: This comment was generated by a Flock of Trained Microsoft Programmers for Aqua_Geek.
    1. Re:My 2c by Aqua_Geek · · Score: 2, Interesting
      Yeah, I see what you're saying. The evil doesn't just disappear with the destruction of the ring. That section of the book provided a "well, the main source of evil has been defeated but there are still lesser ones to deal with" idea. I think the same applies today (replace "evil" with "enemy"). Not to start a fire here, but look at the situation in Iraq. Yeah, Sadam has been captured. But is the fight over? Absolutely not. There are still other people and groups of people to deal with. The notion that, once you take out the leader of your enemy the war is over, is a fallacy - a fallacy which, I would have to agree with you, is portrayed in this film.

      It's a slightly more realistic ending than "Hey ho, the Ring is gone, everything is perfect again."

      The movie does point out, though, that everything is NOT perfect. Everyone walks away from it changed. I think one of the best quotes from the movie comes at the end when Frodo is writing everything in the book:
      How do you pick up the threads of an old life? How do you go on, when in your heart you begin to understand there is no going back? There are some things that time cannot mend, some hurts that go too deep, that have taken hold.
      This idea that they are changed as a result of this experience is depicted very well in the scene at the bar. They are all sitting around the table, looking at one another. They are not drinking by the pint as they were at Bree; they are not dancing on the table like they did in Rohan. They are different - they are almost solemn, they have a new outlook on life - a new respect for it and what it means to be alive, and they know just how much that life is really worth. Meanwhile, the life they once knew just goes on around them - barely even taking notice of them. They are now somewhat separated, distant from that life. As Frodo says, you can't go back to it. Things have changed. Some things will never be the same again because of this experience you went through. People who have lost a loved one close to them, for example, know this idea very well. They have a new appreciation for life, a deeper understanding about what really matters. They live each day to a fuller extent than before. Many of the people around them - friends, neighbors, coworkers - still live as they always have. But this person is changed as a result of the experience of losing someone. And consequently they cannot go back to their life before.

      OK, I'm off my soapbox...
      When I read the Scouring, I hated that part of the book - to me it didn't feel like it fit with the rest of the books. It almost felt as if I put down The Lord of the Rings and picked up "Short Guys with Hairy Feet and Other Assorted Children's Stories by J.R.R. Tolkien." I felt like I was in the frickin forrest with Robin Hood and his merry men - fighting against the 'Shirriffs' and Sharkey and whatnot. No, really. I couldn't get that image out of my head while reading. I kept thinking that any minute now, Robin Hood's gonna jump out and steal some cash...
      --
      Disclaimer: This comment was generated by a Flock of Trained Microsoft Programmers for Aqua_Geek.
  23. I don't know... by Vinnie_333 · · Score: 3, Funny

    I mean, I bought LotR: FotR EE and LotR: TTT EE and loved them, after a decade of reading the books once a year. But, maybe I'll pass on this one. I mean, two out of three is pretty good, right?

    --

    "We shall party like the Greeks of old! You know the ones I mean." - HedonismBot