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Ryan Gosling and Peter Jackson
MISSING THE MARK

Director Reveals Why He Fired Ryan Gosling For Weight Gain

The role was given to an in-shape Mark Wahlberg instead.

Owen Mason-Hill

Héra voiced by Gaia Wise, Helm Hammerhand voiced by Brian Cox, Haleth voiced by Benjamin Wainwright, and Hama voiced by Yazdan Qafouri.
PIECE OF SHIRE

New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Should Be Banished to Middle Earth

The animated feature “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” is a half-hearted, forgettable footnote that’s hard to imagine even the franchise’s most devoted fans enjoying.

Nick Schager

A photo illustration of Charlie Vickers as Sauron on Rings of Power.
CHARACTER STUDY

Sauron on ‘Rings of Power’ Is Officially TV’s Best Villain

With “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” Season 2 now in full flow, we’re enthralled with Charlie Vickers’ captivating, multi-dimensional breakout.

Jack Francis

A photo illustration of Charles Edwards as Celebrimbor.
DISPATCHES FROM MIDDLE-EARTH

This Is the Biggest Reason to Watch ‘Rings of Power’

As the second season of “Rings of Power” continues the show’s sluggish crawl, the best part of the series may be indicative of its biggest problem.

Geoffrey Bunting

Charles Vickers as Sauron and Annatar, Morfydd Clark as Galadriel, Daniel Weyman as The Stranger, Robert Aramayo as Elrond in Season 2 of Rings of Power.
STUNNING

‘Rings of Power’ Is So Much Better Than ‘House of Dragon’

The most expensive show in TV history, the “Lord of the Rings” prequel has a major creative glow-up in Season 2. From storytelling to visuals, Middle Earth > Westeros.

Nick Schager

Cate Blanchett smiling on the red carpet in 2022.
SHE ALSO KEPT THE ELF E

Cate Blanchett Says She Got Paid in ‘Sandwiches’ on ‘LOTR’

Cate Blanchett played Galadriel in the franchise that grossed $2.9 billion.

Clay Walker

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A photo of Gollum from the Lord of the Rings movies
MY PRECIOUS!

I Love ‘Lord of the Rings.’ But Stop Making New Ones!

A new trip to the Shire focused on Gollum was just announced. How many more lackluster TV series and follow-up films must we sit through before we let this beloved franchise rest?

Laura Bradley

Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Yoko Ono, and John Lennon in the studio in a still from ‘Let it Be’
LONG AND WINDING ROAD

Ringo Starr Says ‘Let It Be’ Had ‘No Real Joy’—Until Now

Starr, director Michael Lindsay-Hogg, and Giles Martin recall the fraught history of the band’s final film, which arrives on Disney+ this week in a newly restored format.

Jeff Slate

The Beatles during a photo session in London in 1968
opinion
DON’T MAKE IT BAD

The Beatles Should Have Let ‘Now and Then’ Be

There’s a reason John Lennon never meant “Now and Then”—released this week alongside a short film and a Peter Jackson music video—to be a Beatles song.

Colin Fleming

The Beatles during a photo session in London in 1968
A LONG AND WINDING ROAD

Beatles’ ‘Now and Then’: The Story Behind Their Final Song

“If [this] isn’t an important milestone in the history of modern music, then I don’t know what is,” Oliver Murray, director of “Now and Then: The Last Beatles Song,” tells us.

Jeff Slate

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THE OSCARS MOMENT I’LL NEVER FORGET

David Lynch and Robert Altman’s Poignant, Tragic Oscars Hug

Robert Altman, Peter Jackson, David Lynch, and Ridley Scott were all nominated for the work of their careers. And then they lost Best Director to Ron Howard for “A Beautiful Mind.”

Nick Schager

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