After months of preparation and speculation, principal photography is finally due to begin on The Lord of the Rings in October. The most keenly anticipated trilogy since The Phantom Menace (plus prequel sequels), the first part of Tolkien's seminal fantasy - The Fellowship of the Ring -will spend months in pre-production even after a hefty shoot.
So how is the equally hefty cast preparing for such a demanding schedule? Sir Ian McKellan, who has a key role as the wizard Gandalf, is getting ready by posting a journal on the net. In The Grey Book, McKellan confides, "Peter Jackson's designs, script and his unshowy dedication to the task are irresistible. Had I been unable to play Gandalf (because of an encroaching "X-Men" schedule), I should have hoped for another less time-consuming part later in the trilogy. I am aware of the high expectations of Tolkien's fans - like myself." "But, never having imagined that I would ever play any sort of wizard, I am ill-prepared. I just worked with a witch, however, a white one, whose spells are formidable. Her energy is impressive. I shall have to come to understand the nature of Gandalf's energy - what keeps him going. What keeps any of us going?" We'll have to wait some time before we discover how McKellan's kept going, as The Fellowship of the Ring isn't due for release until December 2000.