For fans who cherish every corner of Middle-earth, Empire has rolled out the ultimate collector publication: The Lord Of The Rings: An Empire Celebration, which brings together the magazine's most comprehensive coverage of the legendary cinematic trilogies. This special issue serves as a treasure trove for enthusiasts seeking a deep dive into the making of some of the most influential fantasy films ever brought to the big screen.
The Making of The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy
When director Peter Jackson first reshaped cinematic fantasy with his landmark Tolkien adaptation, Empire was there every step of the way. Readers can explore all of the original magazine features dedicated to The Fellowship Of The Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return Of The King. These pages capture the intense on-set energy and feature candid conversations with Jackson, his principal cast, and the crew as they pulled off what remains one of the most ambitious filmmaking undertakings in history.
The Making of The Hobbit Trilogy
Roughly a decade later, Jackson returned to Middle-earth to adapt the beloved prequel The Hobbit. Empire once again chronicled the massive production as Jackson expanded Tolkien's concise novel into An Unexpected Journey, The Desolation Of Smaug, and The Battle Of The Five Armies. The special issue revisits those original field reports, detailing the creative challenges and triumphs of Jackson's second epic journey into fantasy cinema.
A Wealth of Archival Interviews
Over the decades, Empire has engaged with many of the key creative minds behind both Middle-earth franchises. This compilation resurrects those historic conversations, including a 2009 discussion with Jackson and Guillermo del Toro back when they were originally slated to helm The Hobbit together. It also features a massive 2011 oral history celebrating The Return Of The King's historic Oscar sweep, alongside a 2015 dual interview pairing Elijah Wood and Martin Freeman to discuss their respective experiences carrying the burden of leading Hobbit roles.
Cast Reunions and Collaborative Q&As
The publication highlights numerous special gatherings, such as a 2017 feature where members of the Fellowship posed questions directly to one another. In a fascinating 2021 pairing, Elijah Wood and Daniel Radcliffe sat down to discuss their parallel journeys as Frodo Baggins and Harry Potter. More recently, the magazine united all four core Hobbits—Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd—alongside Sir Ian McKellen for an epic reunion chat, complemented by joint interviews featuring Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys Davies, Sean Bean, and Viggo Mortensen.
Andy Serkis Reflects on His Legacy
Few individuals understand the fabric of Middle-earth quite like Andy Serkis, whose groundbreaking performance as Gollum redefined visual effects across both trilogies. As he prepares to direct and star in the upcoming The Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum, Serkis contributes an exclusive essay to the magazine, reflecting on his unparalleled experiences within the saga.
Comprehensive Extras and Where to Find It
Beyond the primary features, the magazine includes detailed character journey maps across Middle-earth, a reflective retrospective featuring Peter Jackson and Philippa Boyens, a deep-dive exploration into the creation of Rivendell, and a complete screen history of Gollum. Interviews with minor bit-players and a playful debate over which trilogy film reigns supreme round out the collection. The issue is currently available on newsstands across the UK, or readers can order a copy online here before it hits US newsstands on October 14.
