Fact/Rumor Roundup headlines through September 7

1000 well-funded researchers to get History of Middle-earth in 3 volumes
September 07, 2000 at 12:19:00

A special edition of the 12-book series The History of Middle-earth is being published in 3 volumes, due out in October 2000, April 2001, and October 2001.

Sir Ian McKellen cast as Dumbledore in 'Harry Potter'?
September 07, 2000 at 12:04:33

Tolkien-Movies.com is reporting that Sir Ian McKellen has been announced in various magazine ads (according to a spy report) as the wizard Dumbledore in the upcoming 'Harry Potter' film.

Cirdan says John Noble to play Denethor
September 07, 2000 at 11:49:06

Cirdan says New Line Cinema told him that Australian actor John Noble will play Denethor in Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings' production.

United Artists Theaters enters Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Regal Cinema may follow
September 07, 2000 at 01:54:18

Variety is reporting that United Artists has entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the third major and sixth largest theater chain operator in the United States to do so this year.

The sounds of Middle-earth come to the Web
September 07, 2000 at 01:03:56

Kenneth Magnusson is a Tolkien fan with a mission. He wants to create an Internet radio station which plays only Tolkien-inspired music. His first selections aren't necessarily earth-moving but they aren't bad. The neat thing is that he's soliciting requests from other Tolkien fans.

Tolkien-movies.com publishes first spy photo showing entire Minas Tirith set
September 06, 2000 at 14:20:48

There is nothing grainy about the picture Tolkien-Movies.Com picked up from its sister site Realm of the Ring. Construction on the Minas Tirith is well underway.

Southland Times interviews hobbits by phone
September 06, 2000 at 13:52:12

The Southland Times has published a brief interview with Elijah Wood and Sean Astin, conducted by telephone.

Sir Ian shares Gandalfian wisdom in latest e-post
September 06, 2000 at 01:54:11

'As for others' concerns about the details of the screenplay and characterisation,' Sir Ian McKellen writes in response to a fan inquiry in his September 5, 2000 e-post on Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings', 'I take what is useful (call it 'research') and then plod on with my own interpretation, guided of course by the director and the other participants in front of and behind the camera.' And isn't that the best way to cope with the flood of opinion and 'research' which flows across the Internet?

Cirdan unveils German LOTR board game
September 05, 2000 at 01:55:02

The much-discussed board game based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, with artwork by artist John Howe, has been reviewed by Cirdan on his German-language Web site.

The two Sir Ians may land roles in another New Zealand film
September 05, 2000 at 01:24:57

Tolkien-movies.com seems to have scooped everyone in reporting that both Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Ian Holm may land roles in a historical New Zealand film in 2001.

LOTR films now become entangled in off-duty police regulations
September 05, 2000 at 01:11:44

The Nelson Mail is reporting that 15 local police officers accepted a three-day contract to work as drivers on Peter Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings' films without following proper regulations.

I asked Keith Stern, Sir Ian's Webmaster, to find out if the rumor was true, and he said he had heard nothing about the casting. He also suggests that Richard Harris may have gotten the role of Dumbledore in the upcoming "Harry Potter" film.

I think it's been confirmed Harris will play Dumbledore...

You know, I always thought Harris would make a good Théoden.

Anyway... John Noble... what other films is he in?

has anybody seen a photo of John Noble?

John Noble:

"Virtual Nightmare" (2000),
"Airtight" (1999) (TV),
"The Nostradamus Kid" (1993),
"A Sting in the Tail (1989)",
"The Dreaming" (1988 ) , and
"Call Me Mr. Brown" (1986).

Thanx to Michael Martinez from Xenite.org

Hmm... I don't believe I've seen any of those.

Pics! We need pics!

Xoanon over at TheOneRing.Net dug up a lot of info on Noble. I think I saw a picture there, but I may be mistaken.