It has been nearly two decades since The Fellowship Of The Ring revolutionized fantasy adaptations and launched one of the most successful film franchises in history.
And now the stars of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy are reuniting for a new quest: celebrating the 20th anniversary of the beloved film trilogy.
The troubled boutique cinema chain Alamo Drafthouse announced Thursday that it would be showing all three films in the original trilogy beginning in March, followed by post-screening conversations with Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortenson and other cast members, hosted by Stephen Colbert.
Reunited: The stars and director of The Lord Of The Rings trilogy will celebrate the films’ 20th anniversary starting in March 25 with Alamo Drafthouse screenings will special Q&As; still from The Fellowship Of The Ring
‘Twenty years after the release of THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy, we’re getting Middle-earth’s finest back together for three theatrical events hosted by @StephenAtHome to support local theaters everywhere,’ Alamo Drafthouse tweeted out on Thursday to accompany a preview clip.
The screenings were inspired by the recent 4k remasters of the original trilogy, supervised by director Peter Jackson, which have eliminated some of the unusual color timing in The Fellowship Of The Ring that has irked fans for years.
The Fellowship Of The Ring will begin screening the week of March 25, while The Two Towers will follow on 1 and The Return Of The King will be rereleased starting April 8.
In addition to Wood, who starred as Frodo Baggins, the cast chat for The Fellowship Of The Ring will include Sean Astin, who played his best friend Samwise Gamgee, and Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan, who played the hobbits Pippin and Merry, respectively.
Coming soon: The boutique theater chain Alamo Drafthouse announced the screenings Thursday on Twitter
Big fan: LOTR fan Stephen Colbert will host the post-screening conversations with the cast
The stars: In addition to Wood, who starred as Frodo Baggins, the cast chat for The Fellowship Of The Ring will include Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee), and Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan, who played the hobbits Pippin and Merry, respectively
Together again: The Two Towers Q&A will include two of the films’ elves: Cate Blanchett, who played the royal elf Galadriel, and Orlando Bloom, the expert archer Legolas
The Two Towers Q&A will include two of the films’ elves: Cate Blanchett, who played the royal elf Galadriel, and Orlando Bloom, the expert archer Legolas.
Viggo Mortensen and Liv Tyler will also be present. He played the human warrior Aragorn, while she was his elvish love Arwen.
The Return Of The King screenings will highlight director Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis, who did the voice and motion-capture performance for Gollum, along with Sir Ian McKellen, whose role as Gandalf became instantly iconic.
The Return Of The King: Viggo Mortensen and Liv Tyler will also be present. He played the human warrior Aragorn, while she was his elvish love Arwen; seen in October 2020
Finale: The Return Of The King screenings will highlight director Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis, who did the voice and motion-capture performance for Gollum, along with Sir Ian McKellen, whose role as Gandalf became instantly iconic; seen in 2019 in London
Wood revealed in a statement that he was partially responsible for getting the gang back together.
‘One of the experiences I miss most during this last year, beyond getting to hug my friends and travel, is sitting in a dark movie theater eagerly anticipating a new cinematic experience,’ he said.
When Alamo Drafthouse Founder and Executive Chairman Tim League approached him about the marathon, he said he ‘jumped at the chance to help.’
Although many theaters have closed indefinitely or are still temporarily shuttered due to the pandemic, Alamo Drafthouse plans to start the reunion screenings in its own cinemas.
Leading the way: Wood revealed in a statement that he was partially responsible for getting the gang back together after Alamo Drafthouse Founder and Executive Chairman Tim League approached him; still from The Fellowship Of The Ring
Later, the special conversations will be offered to other cinemas, and eventually the videos will make their way online so that fans who aren’t vaccinated or comfortable visiting theaters yet can still enjoy them.
Many Twitter users posted concerned tweets in response to the announcement, fearing that the showing would make more people go to theaters at a time when the CDC still recommends against large gatherings.
In response, the chain’s Twitter account said screenings might be repeated later in the year.
Risky business: Many Twitter users were hesitant about returning to theaters so early. In response, the chain’s Twitter account said screenings might be repeated later in the year; still from The Two Towers
The announcement comes only one day after Alamo Drafthouse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and said that multiple underperforming locations would be closed down.
‘We deeply appreciate everyone’s concern about yesterday’s news. It’d be impossible to respond to everyone (or to fully answer all your questions), but the main thing you need to know is this: Alamo Drafthouse isn’t going anywhere — promise,’ read a statement posted on Thursday.
‘Yesterday’s news wasn’t fun, but the actions we took were necessary to get us through the havoc COVID wreaked upon our industry,’ it continued. ‘In the meantime — we’re showing movies this weekend at each of our open locations, just as we have over the past six months, and just as we’ll continue to do.’
‘As vaccine distribution improves and the studio release calendar solidifies into what should be a heck of a rebuilding year, we’re planning to grow our team back to the pre-pandemic levels and reopen the rest of our theaters — including a few new ones,’ the chain added.
Fans can submit questions for the questions through March 10 using the hashtag #LOTR20.
Bad news: The announcement comes only one day after Alamo Drafthouse filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and said that multiple underperforming locations would be closed down