Fellowship Of The Ring

Usually the only way filmmakers can ensure an audience watches as the end credits roll is to promise a treat at the end, or a series of outtakes. However, Peter Jackson, director of the upcoming Lord of the Rings series has a new trick up his sleeve - he'll be featuring fans' names in the credits of the Lord of the Rings DVD when it's released next year. For a relatively small consideration ($39.95 of your earth money), charter members of the Official Lord of the Rings fan club will be immortalised on the DVD credits. They'll also receive a bi-monthly magazine; special-edition, widescreen-format collector's LOTR lithographs and advance purchasing of limited-edition collectibles. 'Peter is honoring the role of the fans in this creative journey,' explains Dan Madsen - VP of the company behind the fan club. 'By agreeing to place fans' names in the credits of the films, Peter is demonstrating that he truly understands what it means to be a fan of this brilliant property. This is the first time a director has acknowledged the contribution of fans to the creation of a film in this way.' The first person to sign on the dotted line is the film's star Elijah Wood. ' Since I started working on these films,' he says, 'I've been amazed by how many people have been impacted by this story. The fan club creates one big, worldwide society of Lord of the Rings fans and I am proud to be part of that.' Understandably, the studio expects to have its virtual doors broken down by the sheer numbers of fans wishing to see their names in the credits - so the offer is for a limited time only.