[Iarwain]

Well, all I can see is that RotK can go in two very different directions. <P>1) PJ can pull it all back together and make the film a good three to four hour production; squeeze in Shelob, the Gandalf/Saruman showdown, make an amazing Battle of the Pelennor fields, and finish it up with Aragorn and Arwen's marrige and Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin riding off in to dusk. <P>or,<P>2) The trend may continue with Frodo and Sam running through Cirith Ungol without opposition, across Mordor, and Gollum finishing off the ring in the classic way (or Frodo falling in). Saruman will jump to his doom out of Orthanc and the Palantir will be left out of the story. The tiny army of the Rohirrim will ride to Minas Tirith in time, but Faramir will be killed and Denethor will welcome Aragorn with open arms (or kill himself). The Battle upon the Pelennor will be a mere skirmish and by the time it's over, the quest will be achieved. Aragorn will ride to Lindon to meet Arwen. They will be married as Elrond stands angrily by. The screen fades out as Merry and Pippin ride thoughtfully across the Shire. <P>Either way, I don't think time will be as much of a concern as might be thought, since the Scouring of the Shire is to be cut out completely.<P>thoughtfully contemplating,<BR>Iarwain<p>[ December 21, 2002: Message edited by: Iarwain ]