The heated debates, the message board petitions, the fervent hope shimmering in the eyes of superfans—all for a version of Lord of the Rings that exists only in dreams. Imagine the disappointment when Peter Jackson himself poured cold water on the myth. Forget the rumored “Mithril Cut”; it’s a mirage.
In an interview with Empire, Jackson extinguished the long-held belief that troves of unseen footage are waiting to be discovered.
“Are there great scenes that we never used? The answer is no,” Jackson stated plainly. “There are bits and pieces, I guess. But if you did an extended-extended cut, or whatever it will get called, it would be disappointing. It would be the extended cut with a few extra seconds of something here and there; it wouldn’t be worthwhile doing.”
Co-writer Philippa Boyens concurred: “There’s not a lot. There really isn’t.”
The Fantasy of More: Why We Crave Extended Editions
Think about your favorite book. The credits roll on a beloved movie, and the immediate reaction for many is wanting more. This desire for deeper immersion explains the popularity of extended editions, but Jackson suggests the cupboard is bare.
What if chasing a “perfect” edition leads to diminishing returns, like gilding a lily?
Will there be a Lord of the Rings making-of movie?
Hope remains for those dedicated to seeing every possible frame. Jackson hinted at the possibility of a Lord of the Rings making-of film. “The footage contains alternative takes, it contains bloopers, it contains a bit more of a sense of the mechanics of making the films,” he told Empire. “But to this day, I haven’t persuaded [the studio], because obviously it’s a big undertaking.”
Consider this making-of film a behind-the-scenes pass, a glimpse into the wizard’s workshop rather than a new magical spell.
Behind-the-Scenes: A Glimpse into Middle-earth’s Creation
We pore over bonus features and director’s commentaries because they give insight into the creative process. From the Beatles’ “Get Back” documentary to countless DVD extras, the appetite for seeing how the magic happens is insatiable. Jackson is uniquely positioned to deliver on this front.
Why was The Lord of the Rings so successful?
The success of Lord of the Rings stems from its world-building, a combination of Tolkien’s source material and Jackson’s vision. A making-of documentary could pull back the curtain on how the filmmakers translated the books into a visual medium, exploring the artistry and technical innovation that brought Middle-earth to life. This peek behind the scenes offers a different type of reward, celebrating the creative journey.
Coming from the guy who released a nearly eight-hour Beatles miniseries a few years back—we know he’s up for a documentary challenge.
How much did The Lord of the Rings trilogy cost to make?
Estimates peg the combined production cost of the Lord of the Rings trilogy at around $281 million (approximately €260 million). Visual effects, set design, and location shooting contributed to the massive budget. A making-of documentary could illuminate the financial and logistical challenges faced by the production team, revealing the sheer scale of the project.
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Ultimately, the absence of a “Mithril Cut” might be a good thing. Shouldn’t some mysteries remain untouched, fueling our imaginations?