[The Saucepan Man]

Expanded role of the Watchers at Minas Morgul?

I was hoping that this would be in the Extended Edition but, having watched the theatrical version on DVD the other day, I am now doubtful. Jackson avoided Sam using the Ring because he wanted the audience to think that it had been taken by the Orcs who had captured Frodo right up to the moment when Sam reveals it. So, assuming he wants to maintain this approach in the EE, Sam would have to use some other way of getting past the Watchers.

Perhaps a short battle with Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, & the Dead Army vs. the Corsairs? That's not so likely, but it's still possible...

I recall reading somewhere that additional footage involving the Corsairs was shot. So I still think there's a good chance of the battle at Pelargir being included.

Denethor revealing that he has a palantir.

Denethor certainly has a line which suggests this (something about him being able to see more than Gandalf gives him credit for). But, if he did have a Palantir, I would have expected to see it in the Pyre scene. Mind you, I wouldn't object to new scenes being inserted here which are closer to the book, or at least ones which don't involve Shadowfax kicking Denethor into the flames.

I think that the others mentioned are all pretty likely. I was wondering whether the Mouth of Sauron will appear as the gates open (before Aragorn and co withdraw back to the main force) or whether this will happen once Aragorn's army is encircled. Watching the film again, the latter seems more likely.

Incidentally, I wonder whether the Mouth will have the Mithril Shirt, given that the Orc most likely to have carried it back to Sauron (Shagrat, I think), gets skewered by Sam.