Return to Transcripts main page

Live From...

Lord of the Oscars?

Aired December 17, 2003 - 15:21   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING")
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "LORD OF THE RINGS": The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead. And the dead keep it. The way is shut.

(END VIDEO CLIP, "THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING")

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Note to employers: those no-shows at the office today might not be out with the flu. It could be a severe case of sequelitis (ph) if those missing workers happen to be fans of "The Lord of the Rings." The final installment of the Peter Jackson trilogy hitting movie screens today.

By the way, "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy was from New Line Cinema, one of CNN's sister companies. So if you notice any hobbits in our newsroom, well, there's pretty much a logical explanation.

Speaking of hobbit interest habits, there are some who clearly crossed the line from mere fandom (ph) into obsession, including this (UNINTELLIGIBLE) couple who not only decided to wait in line for the movie, they decided to tie the knot while doing so. They and their guests sported costumes for the ceremony. Now, we're trying to track down a rumor that they plan to name their first child Bilbo.

Meanwhile, the burning question for other fans: will the release of this film mean that "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson grabs Hollywood's gold ring?

CNN's Andy Culpepper with more on Oscar odds for middle earth.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "LORD OF THE RINGS": The board is set. The pieces are moving.

ANDY CULPEPPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): And for one of the most successful franchises in movie history...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "LORD OF THE RINGS": The end has come.

CULPEPPER: With the debut of the third and final chapter of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "The Return of the King" will only add to a series that has become a box office powerhouse. The first two films alone have already earned a whopping $1.8 billion worldwide. Beyond its financial success, the series has also distinguished itself from other film franchises in a very unique way. LEONARD MALTIN, FILM CRITIC: They've managed to get praise and awards, as well as box office numbers, around the world. It's really an unusual situation for a film to be a commercial hit and a critical hit and an award-getter.

CULPEPPER: As early as last summer, many were already calling "The Return of the King" the Oscar favorite for best picture. Now that the trilogy is complete, it may also mean Oscar gold for director Peter Jackson.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's a big buzz whether Peter Jackson will finally just be rewarded for this amazing feat. There's a lot of talk that the academy just sort of waited and wanted to see the films all together and reward the entire trilogy, as opposed to one piece of the film.

PETER JACKSON, "RINGS" DIRECTOR: I'm happy for "Lord of the Rings" to be the most successful film that I ever make, if that's what it actually turns out to be. I'm happy to let the voters who make these decisions to just vote for their favorite movies, and we'll see what happens.

CULPEPPER: "The Lord of the Rings" filmmakers, New Line Cinema, a division of Time Warner, which also owns CNN, broke new ground in Hollywood by taking new risks.

IAN MCKELLAN, "GANDOLF": All three films were made in the same 15 months in New Zealand. Amazing achievement.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So it was a huge gamble on the part of New Line. And the first film, "The Fellowship of the Rings," had that not been the hit that it was and the phenomenon that it became, it would have sunk the franchise. So everything was riding on that first film.

CULPEPPER: And to the victor go the spoils.

Andy Culpepper, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired December 17, 2003 - 15:21   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP, "THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING")
UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "LORD OF THE RINGS": The way is shut. It was made by those who are dead. And the dead keep it. The way is shut.

(END VIDEO CLIP, "THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING")

KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: Note to employers: those no-shows at the office today might not be out with the flu. It could be a severe case of sequelitis (ph) if those missing workers happen to be fans of "The Lord of the Rings." The final installment of the Peter Jackson trilogy hitting movie screens today.

By the way, "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy was from New Line Cinema, one of CNN's sister companies. So if you notice any hobbits in our newsroom, well, there's pretty much a logical explanation.

Speaking of hobbit interest habits, there are some who clearly crossed the line from mere fandom (ph) into obsession, including this (UNINTELLIGIBLE) couple who not only decided to wait in line for the movie, they decided to tie the knot while doing so. They and their guests sported costumes for the ceremony. Now, we're trying to track down a rumor that they plan to name their first child Bilbo.

Meanwhile, the burning question for other fans: will the release of this film mean that "Lord of the Rings" director Peter Jackson grabs Hollywood's gold ring?

CNN's Andy Culpepper with more on Oscar odds for middle earth.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "LORD OF THE RINGS": The board is set. The pieces are moving.

ANDY CULPEPPER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): And for one of the most successful franchises in movie history...

UNIDENTIFIED MALE, "LORD OF THE RINGS": The end has come.

CULPEPPER: With the debut of the third and final chapter of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, "The Return of the King" will only add to a series that has become a box office powerhouse. The first two films alone have already earned a whopping $1.8 billion worldwide. Beyond its financial success, the series has also distinguished itself from other film franchises in a very unique way. LEONARD MALTIN, FILM CRITIC: They've managed to get praise and awards, as well as box office numbers, around the world. It's really an unusual situation for a film to be a commercial hit and a critical hit and an award-getter.

CULPEPPER: As early as last summer, many were already calling "The Return of the King" the Oscar favorite for best picture. Now that the trilogy is complete, it may also mean Oscar gold for director Peter Jackson.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: There's a big buzz whether Peter Jackson will finally just be rewarded for this amazing feat. There's a lot of talk that the academy just sort of waited and wanted to see the films all together and reward the entire trilogy, as opposed to one piece of the film.

PETER JACKSON, "RINGS" DIRECTOR: I'm happy for "Lord of the Rings" to be the most successful film that I ever make, if that's what it actually turns out to be. I'm happy to let the voters who make these decisions to just vote for their favorite movies, and we'll see what happens.

CULPEPPER: "The Lord of the Rings" filmmakers, New Line Cinema, a division of Time Warner, which also owns CNN, broke new ground in Hollywood by taking new risks.

IAN MCKELLAN, "GANDOLF": All three films were made in the same 15 months in New Zealand. Amazing achievement.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: So it was a huge gamble on the part of New Line. And the first film, "The Fellowship of the Rings," had that not been the hit that it was and the phenomenon that it became, it would have sunk the franchise. So everything was riding on that first film.

CULPEPPER: And to the victor go the spoils.

Andy Culpepper, CNN, Los Angeles.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com