UK NEWS

LORD OF THE RINGS PREQUEL IS HIT

Sunday November 22 2009

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AN UNOFFICIAL Lord Of The Rings prequel made by a crew of British amateur film-makers for just £3,000 has become a huge hit.

To date, more than four million fans worldwide have logged on to the internet to watch The Hunt For Gollum.

In America, 1.3 million fans saw it during its opening week, making it the fourth most popular film in the US.

Chris Bouchard, 27, used his savings and donations to kick-start the project, then spent two years making the 40-minute fantasy adventure with a 100-strong cast and crew who worked for free.

Now the Hollywood studios have come knocking.

The huge numbers who logged on to watch The Hunt For Gollum mean the only Hollywood blockbusters seen by more people on its opening week were X-Men Origins, Wolverine, and Star Trek.

The film tells of a quest to find Gollum before he reveals information about the One Ring to evil sorcerer Sauron.

Chris, a computer technician from Shepherd’s Bush, west London, said: “The reaction has been beyond our wildest dreams, the film has proved a phenomenal success.” He has not made a penny from the film after agreeing to show it for free in a deal with the copyright-holders, Tolkien Enterprises.

He said: “We are a small band of amateur film-makers, producers and actors who are huge fans of The Lord Of The Rings. Everyone worked to boost their profile rather than for any financial gain.”

They created a glossy look using digital hand-held cameras and CGI special effects to superimpose an alpine background on scenes filmed in Snowdonia, Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath.