New Line Cinema presents The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, the central film in Peter Jackson�s motion picture trilogy, an epic adventure of good against evil set in a time of uncertainty in the land of Middle-earth, scheduled to open December 18, 2002. The trilogy represents an unprecedented undertaking � three films made simultaneously over a year and a half of production. The first film in the trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, was released December 19, 2001, to widespread critical acclaim and garnered $860 million worldwide. The film was nominated for 13 Academy Awards�, more than any other film released that year, and won four, including Best Visual Effects for the groundbreaking techniques used by Jackson and the visual effects team to fully realize Tolkien�s universe.
At the end of part one, following the death of Boromir (Sean Bean) and Gandalf�s plunge into the pit at Khazad-d�m, The Fellowship was forced to divide. Though splintered into three groups, each member of the original Fellowship is no less determined in his heroic quest.
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers begins in the hills of Emyn Muil, where lost Hobbits Frodo (Elijah Wood) and Sam (Sean Astin) discover they are being followed by the mysterious Gollum (Andy Serkis). A mercurial creature who has himself been warped by the Ring, Gollum promises to guide the Hobbits to the Black Gates of Mordor if they will release him. Sam does not trust their new companion, but Frodo takes pity on Gollum, who like himself was once a Ringbearer.
Across Middle-earth Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen), the Elf archer Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gimli the Dwarf (John Rhys-Davies) encounter the besieged Rohan kingdom, whose once great King Theoden (Bernard Hill) has fallen under Saruman�s deadly spell through the manipulations of his spy, the sinister Wormtongue (Brad Dourif). Eowyn (Miranda Otto), the niece to the King, recognizes a leader in the Human warrior Aragorn. And though he finds himself drawn to her, Aragorn is constantly reminded of his enduring love for the Elf Arwen (Liv Tyler) and the pact they made together.
Gandalf (Ian McKellen) has been reborn as Gandalf the White following his cataclysmic fight with the Balrog, and reminds Aragorn of his destiny to unite the Rohan people with the last remaining stronghold of Human resistance � Gondor.
In their parallel journeys, the Fellowship will face unimaginable armies and deception while also witnessing ancient wonders and the untapped strength of their people. Together they must stand against the powerful forces spreading from the Two Towers � Orthanc Tower in Isengard, where the corrupted wizard Saruman has bred a lethal army 10,000 strong; and Sauron�s fortress at Barad-d�r, deep within the dark lands of Mordor.
The film stars (in alphabetical order) Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Brad Dourif, Bernard Hill, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen, Dominic Monaghan, Viggo Mortensen, Miranda Otto, John Rhys-Davies, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, David Wenham, and Elijah Wood.
New Line Cinema presents a Wingnut Films Production, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, directed by Peter Jackson. The screenplay, by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Stephen Sinclair and Jackson, is based on the classic trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. The film is produced by Barrie M. Osborne, Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh. The executive producers are Robert Shaye and Michael Lynne. Also executive producing is Mark Ordesky. The director of photography is Andrew Lesnie, A.C.S. The production designer is Grant Major. Michael Horton is the editor. The co-pro ducers are Rick Porras and Jamie Selkirk.
Casting is by John Hubbard & Amy MacLean (UK), Victoria Burrows (US), Liz Mullane (New Zealand) and Ann Robinson (Australia). Costume designers are Ngila Dickson and Richard Taylor. Music is composed, orchestrated and conducted by Howard Shore. Special makeup, creatures, armour and miniatures are by Richard Taylor. Jim Rygiel is the visual effects supervisor. The film is released worldwide by New Line Cinema. |
