The Lord of the Rings Director Honors
Fans
with Their Names in Credits of film's DVDs
The Lord of the Rings Fan Club Launches Today
(NORFOLK, Va. October 17, 2001) - Inspired by the one hundred million readers of The Lord of the RingsTM, Director Peter Jackson has become the first person in movie-making history to simultaneously write, direct and produce three films at one time. In another pioneering and Middle-earth-shattering move announced today, Jackson has decided to immortalize the most ardent Tolkien fans - charter members in The Lord of the Rings Fan Club - by placing their names in the film's credits on the DVDs.
"This is an announcement unprecedented in cinematic history and of immense importance to The Lord of the Rings fans," says Dan Madsen, vice president of Decipher's Fan Club Studio. "Peter is honoring the role of the fans in this creative journey. The fact that these films are being made with such precision and care is exciting in and of itself. But, by agreeing to place fans' names in the credits of the films, Peter is demonstrating that he truly understands what it means to be a fan of this brilliant property. This is the first time a director has acknowledged the contribution of fans to the creation of a film in this way."
Charter Memberships
The Lord of the Rings Fan Club launches today with an innovative
charter membership program on LOTRfanclub.com. In addition to
having their names appear in the film's credits on the DVDs, charter
members receive an annual subscription to the bi-monthly movie
magazine; special-edition, widescreen-format collector's lithograph
(featuring scenes from The Fellowship of the Ring); a 10% discount
at the Fan Club's online store and catalog; preference (two weeks
before the general public) in purchasing exclusive, limited-edition
collectibles; a fan mail service to link fans directly to the
stars of the trilogy; and more.
The cost of a one-year charter membership is $39.95US; $69.95US for two years; and $99.95US for three. Two-year charter members will appear in the credits of the DVDs for the first two films in the trilogy; three-year charter members will appear in the credits of all three films. International memberships will also be available.
Limited-Time Offer
Charter memberships will be available for a limited time only.
To sign up, fans can visit LOTRfanclub.com, or go to the official
Lord of the Rings web site at lordoftherings.net and click on
"Fan Club." Regular Fan Club memberships are expected
to be offered starting in December. Tolkien enthusiasts will also
be able to join the fan club by calling 1-800-451-6381 (inside
the United States only) or 303-856-2201 (from anywhere in the
world) between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. MST.
Frodo Registers as First Member
Actor Elijah Wood, who stars in the trilogy as Frodo Baggins -
the legendary Ring-bearer - has signed up as the fan club's first
official member. "I think what they're doing with the fan
club is really wonderful. Since I started working on these films,
I've been amazed by how many people have been impacted by this
story and how much they care about it at a deep, emotional level.
The fan club creates one big, worldwide society of Lord of the
Rings fans and I am proud to be part of that. Besides, I want
to be sure Peter puts my name in the credits of the film's DVD,"
Wood quipped.
Worldwide Community
Decipher's Fan Club Studio is the worldwide licensee of New Line
Cinema for The Lord of the Rings Fan Club. Through international
partnerships, local chapters are expected to be introduced next
year throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand and around the
world. Details of these features, as they develop, will be released
on LOTRfanclub.com. Whether from Asia, Europe, North America,
South America, Africa, Australia or Antarctica members will receive
similar benefits and share the same news, updates, and intimate
connection with the stars as their friends from around the globe.
World Movie Premiere Sweepstakes
In celebration of the launch of The Lord of the Rings Fan Club,
visitors to LOTRfanclub.com and fans everywhere will be invited
to enter a sweepstakes to win a trip for two to London, England
to attend the star-studded, world premiere of The Fellowship of
the Ring on December 10th. Online and mail-in entries will be
accepted. No purchase is necessary. Contest details are provided
at LOTRfanclub.com.
For more information about The Lord of the Rings Fan Club, go to www.LOTRfanclub.com.
For more information about New Line Cinema's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, go to www.lordoftherings.net.
About Decipher
Founded in 1983 by Warren Holland, Decipher Inc. is a worldwide
leader in the collectible card game industry and fan club industry.
The company's Trading Card Game Studio produces Star Trek™,
Star Wars™, Austin Powers™, and The Lord of the Rings™
(scheduled to release on November 6, 2001) trading card games.
Decipher's Fan Club Studio operates the official fan clubs for
Star Trek™ and The Lord of the Rings™ which includes
publishing official fan magazines and managing online stores.
Decipher's RPG (roleplaying games) & Miniatures Studio is
responsible for the creation of the all-new Star Trek™ roleplaying
games and The Lord of the Rings™ roleplaying games. Decipher's
Online Games Studio offers digital versions of its Star Trek™
and, soon, its The Lord of the Rings™ Trading Card Games.
Decipher's Games Studio produces leading party, card and board
games such as How To Host A Murder®, How To Host A Teen Mystery™,
Pente®, Scratchees™ and more. Decipher's Boy Crazy!™
Studio markets the popular Boy Crazy!™ brand for girls which
includes a magazine, web site at boycrazy.com, trading cards,
and various publishing and licensing ventures (represented by
the William Morris Agency).
Visit decipher.com for additional information.
About New Line Cinema
Founded in 1967, New Line Cinema is the entertainment industry's
leading independent producer and distributor of theatrical motion
pictures. New Line licenses its films to ancillary markets including
cable and broadcast television as well as to international venues.
The company, which is a subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc., operates
several divisions including in-house theatrical distribution,
marketing, home video, television, acquisitions, production, licensing
and merchandising units. More information about New Line Cinema
can be obtained at www.newline.com.
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