Saruman Petition

[Gandollum]

I dont know about you guys but hearing this news has been pretty shocking. I cant believe they're ommiting one of the best scenes in the whole triolgy and one of the best characters in the film. I feel sorry for Chris Lee and i cant believe PJ and New Line is doing this to him and the fans. I just dont understand why they did this, i dont believe its because of the pacing but rather the length. I was alright with the warg scenes, with arwen and the faramir changes but this is freaking ridiculous. There's a petition about bringing him back, ive signed if you guys want to go ahead. Im sure its not gonna make a difference but anything can happen. Im probably overreacting but ive been cranky over the past few days cause of school stress.

http://www.petitiononline.com/smanrotk/petition.html

[downflow311]

im a big chris lee fan so ill sign it!

[scifi guy]

ok I respect what you guys are doing but it's not like were not going to see the scene eventually.

Seeing it on dvd is better then not seeing it at all.;)

[downflow311]

but it belongs in the TC. thats the whole point.

[Coded4Life]

I signed. Saruman deserves closure on the big screen. *nod*

[Gandollum]

Its not that, i feel the ee ispurely for the fans and theatrical versions are basically for non-readers. It feels like PJ is just putting non-books scenes in the te and putting the book scenes in the ee so we the fans have to buy it. It seems really wrong to me and dont feel like waiting 10 months for the complete version of the film. And another is that the first impression is always the best. If they mess up the theatrical release to ROTK then its just not gonna be a satisfying experience even with the extended edition. Im not really a purist and havent read the books in 4 years but i was expecting a very close adaptation of the novel and not PJs interpretation of the book.

[Phil Parma]

Umm, there's no point to this. The movie is done, there's nothing we can do about it, as much as you'd like to see the scene in the theatrical cut. It's time to move on. PJ knows what he's doing. He's seen the movie, we haven't. If it hurt the movie, he wouldn't have taken the scene out. Have some faith. Shame on you.

[Aztec]

Originally posted by Gandollum
Its not that, i feel the ee ispurely for the fans and theatrical versions are basically for non-readers. It feels like PJ is just putting non-books scenes in the te and putting the book scenes in the ee so we the fans have to buy it. It seems really wrong to me and dont feel like waiting 10 months for the complete version of the film. And another is that the first impression is always the best. If they mess up the theatrical release to ROTK then its just not gonna be a satisfying experience even with the extended edition. Im not really a purist and havent read the books in 4 years but i was expecting a very close adaptation of the novel and not PJs interpretation of the book.

This is quite unnecessary. If there is any director in Hollywood that is not milking his/her fans for more dough (read George Lucas) it's Peter Jackson. He made it clear from the get go that there will be two versions of each film. These cuts are being made not to rip off the fanboys but to make it possible for these movies to be 1) short enough in length to play in theaters and 2) simple enough not to turn away mainstream fans. If anything the EEs are PJ's way of saying: "Here's a TREAT for the fanboys out there. I'm sorry I had to cut this stuff out in the first place." So please don't accuse PJ of trying to rip-off his fans, that's just plain wrong.

As for PJ's decision to take out the scene in question: I disagree with it. Although, I'm not going to protest it or sign a petition. IMHO the scene should have been at the end of the TTT, this way Saruman's storyline could be closed in that chapter (which is how I wishrd that Tolkien would have done it in the first place). Besides, it will be in the EE. So you all should just calm down.

[Sirius Black]

I dont give a **** about the damn EE DVD. I dont buy the EE, all the scenes they put in there are not VITAL to the story, but THIS IS. Removed, it now creates a plot hole, one i dont want to see. Oh but its gonna be on the DVD!!! **** THE DVD. If it aint on the theater screen then i dont give a rats ass about it. Saruman story deserves closure so i will gladly sign that petition and pass it on to everyone i know. They all agree with me. i DO trust PJ, but this is simply unecessary

[Turin Turambar]

Originally posted by Aztec
This is quite unnecessary. If there is any director in Hollywood that is not milking his/her fans for more dough (read George Lucas) it's Peter Jackson. He made it clear from the get go that there will be two versions of each film. These cuts are being made not to rip off the fanboys but to make it possible for these movies to be 1) short enough in length to play in theaters and 2) simple enough not to turn away mainstream fans. If anything the EEs are PJ's way of saying: "Here's a TREAT for the fanboys out there. I'm sorry I had to cut this stuff out in the first place." So please don't accuse PJ of trying to rip-off his fans, that's just plain wrong.

As for PJ's decision to take out the scene in question: I disagree with it. Although, I'm not going to protest it or sign a petition. IMHO the scene should have been at the end of the TTT, this way Saruman's storyline could be closed in that chapter (which is how I wishrd that Tolkien would have done it in the first place). Besides, it will be in the EE. So you all should just calm down.

Good post. I agree with everything here.

The EE's is how LOTR should have been done in the first place, so adding this scene to the others will just make it that much more rewarding, and I seriously doubt from an award standpoint that ROTK will suffer in Oscar consideration because this one scene is out. Frankly, I wish the EE's were the true TC's because then not only would the book-readers be rewarded up front, but non-book readers would have a much better understanding of the story.

[Turin Turambar]

Originally posted by Sirius Black
I dont give a **** about the damn EE DVD. I dont buy the EE, all the scenes they put in there are not VITAL to the story

I strongly disagree with you here. Every scene shot for the movie was shot with the intention of it being in the final cut, but not every scene is AS important as others. But every scene that is in the EE will be just as vital to the story that Tolkien wrote to any other PJ and crew filmed.

[adt100]

I agree with Aztec and Phil Param on this one.

Besides, the absolute FINAL deadline is now this Friday according to those sources, and I'm thinking it's more likely this decision was taken some time ago and was not just a hasty decision.

[PsYkOoOoO]

Originally posted by Sirius Black
I dont give a **** about the damn EE DVD. I dont buy the EE, all the scenes they put in there are not VITAL to the story, but THIS IS. Removed, it now creates a plot hole, one i dont want to see. Oh but its gonna be on the DVD!!! **** THE DVD. If it aint on the theater screen then i dont give a rats ass about it. Saruman story deserves closure so i will gladly sign that petition and pass it on to everyone i know. They all agree with me. i DO trust PJ, but this is simply unecessary

then u are saying half the book is not necessary?

[adt100]

A few things are strange about this with regards people's opinions.

If Peter Jackson (and co-writers) alone decided to cut VOS:

1. He/they must have had a valid reason. They have been immersed in this project for about 8 years now, and must now the story as well as anyone. At the same time they must have a good idea what works on film and what doesn't (certainly than anyone on these internet message boards does). They are more than intelligent enough to be well aware of all the 'plot holes' and other problems that this change could potentially lead to, and therefore they must have found ways around them.

2. If this is the case people should have some faith in PJ and co. and wait until we see the film before castigating them as some people have.

If New Line/AOLTW forced the decision:

1. They may not understand the story as well as the likes of PJ and team, nor the feelings of the fans. Forcing a cut such as the VOS may not resolve the Saruman storyline as well as expected and potentially create a few uncertainties and plot holes. Particularly if this was decided quite late in the day, well after all re-shoots had occurred and editing was well under way.

2. If this is the case then you cannot really blame PJ and his team but the 'men in suits' at New Line or AOL/Time Warner.


I'm not being a PJ apologist here (as my comments in the other thread will attest), but just trying to lay out the facts as we know them at present.

If after seeing the reviews in around 3 weeks time, and the film itself in around 5 weeks, people think this cut was a big mistake then fine, complain about it then. Until then, although disappointed I will give PJ the benefit of the doubt.

[Necross]

I agree. At first I was so distressed and angry when I first heard, but I am fine now. I realize that if they did it they had a good reason and dispite it being disappointing that its not there, the movie will still be terrific. It will definetly make me very excited for the EE as well.

[Kinjo]

Petitiononline is retarded. I'd like to know if there's EVER been an effective petition that actually accomplished something from that site.

[Isidien]

Originally posted by Kinjo
Petitiononline is retarded. I'd like to know if there's EVER been an effective petition that actually accomplished something from that site.
i agree with kinjo why is everyone so fussed about a scene that lasts 7 minutes IT WILL NOT EFFECT IT LONG TERM people need to just wait until ROTK you cant say its been ruined until youve actually seen it!

[MMRempen]

Umm, there's no point to this. The movie is done, there's nothing we can do about it, as much as you'd like to see the scene in the theatrical cut. It's time to move on. PJ knows what he's doing. He's seen the movie, we haven't. If it hurt the movie, he wouldn't have taken the scene out. Have some faith. Shame on you.

This guy knows what he's talking about. Seriously, folks, it wouldn't work because of PACING reasons. As unimportant as that may seem, it is seriously integral to the film.

And please, trust Peter Jackson, of all people! If he thinks it's ruin the movie, then it will, and he's done the trilogy thus far, so just suck it up and buy the damn extended version.