The Third Age: the Lord of the Rings [Recent Events]

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Most filmmakers only have to contend with professional critics. Peter Jackson, director of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, will face millions of long-time readers ready to second-guess his every move in his adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy classic.

The criticism, carping and kvetching could make the few sour grapes voiced about “Harry Potter (news – web sites)” seem like child’s play. Or, Jackson could be hailed as a new hero of “Middle-earth” for ”The Fellowship of the Ring,” the first installment in his hotly anticipated cinematic trilogy based on Tolkien’s novel.

Just how anticipated is “The Fellowship of the Ring,” which premiered in London on Monday and will open worldwide on Dec. 19? Hordes of devoted followers have watched each stage of the movie’s production via Web sites in scores of different languages over the past two years.

“I’ve spent the last seven years of my life on this project so far, pouring my heart into every single aspect of it,” Jackson said “But I think that’s the least we owe to Tolkien and the legions of fans around the globe.’

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