Peter Jackson's 'The Lord Of The Rings' Extended Editions Return To Theaters This January
Fathom Entertainment and Warner Bros. will bring all three of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions to theaters this January.
Originally reported by Variety, all three of the films’ extended editions, The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and Return of the King will return to theaters in DBOX presentation from January 16-19 and in standard formats between January 23-25.
Joining the films at the theaters will be limited-edition themed concession items. AMC Theaters will have popcorn buckets with maps of Middle-earth for sale while Regal will sell buckets with a One Ring design.
The Fellowship of the Ring will be in theaters on January 16th and January 23rd. The Two Towers will arrive on January 17th and January 24th. Finally, The Return of the King hits on January 18th and January 25th.
The Extended Editions are significantly longer than the original theatrical cuts. The Fellowship of the Ring is 50 minutes longer and includes major additions surrounding the Shire, Galadriel providing gifts to the Fellowship, more sequences inside the Mines of Moria as well as significant character scenes involving Aragorn and Boromir.
The Tower Towers is similarly 56 minutes longer than its theatrical cut, it includes flashbacks involving Boromir, Faramir, and Denethor in Gondor. There are additional scenes involving Théoden and Éomer and their family backstory. It also includes the full Funeral of Théodred. There are also more scenes with Merry and Pippin and their conversations with Treebeard. Finally, there are additional scenes that extend the battle at Helm’s Deep.
The Return of the King is 62 minutes longer than its theatrical cut. It includes a full confrontation with the Mouth of Sauron at the Black Gate, the deaths of Saruman and Grima Wormtongue, an extended scene involving Faramir and Éowyn, and additional scenes from the epilogue in the Shire.
While the extended versions have some interesting material not seen in the original theatrical release, there is a reason for movie editing. The symphonic character of the movies gets lost with the addition of the extra scenes, and frankly, I enjoy the condensed versions much more due to the flow and rhythm of the experience, kind of like adding extra notes to a great song, it just doesn't ring right. But for those like my older brother who prefer the extended versions, it's a great opportunity to get to see them on the big screen, and maybe get the bad taste out of our mouths left by the Hobbit Travesty, er, Trilogy.
To me, these movies were THE most epic of my lifetime. And I am really glad they are being put back up on the BIG screens again. That said.....
It is very indicative of the current state of the movie industry. They are very VERY hungry right now. To the point of starving, I'd say. Their work isn't making money. No one watches the Oscars anymore. It is just a constant and consistent sh*tshow. People are mostly streaming on their personal screens now and in home theaters. Netflix just purchased Warner Bros. in total, for goodness sake. They are looking at an existential disruption. So it makes sense they are re-releasing this epic movie set. They desperately need cash right now to defib the industry to buy a little time before it calls TOD for the every-day theater experience. Look for a surge and wave of 'newly remastered' older block-buster movie re-releases for 'limited engagement' through '26 and mid '27 until the theaters start closing their doors. It's going to happen. After all: The only constant is change, right?
Hollyzoo has lost the tinsel sparkle. And really............not too sad about it either.