Why The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Owes Everything to This 1996 Horror-Comedy
As a passionate cinephile, I can’t help but marvel at Peter Jackson’s extraordinary work on The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This monumental cinematic feat was a testament to the masterful directorial techniques he had honed over years spent crafting small-budgeted films. When it came to bringing J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved fantasy series to life, Jackson drew upon all his skills – but it was actually the experience of working on 1996’s The Frighteners that set the whole endeavor in motion.
You see, during the production of The Frighteners, our team had to invest in numerous computers to develop the movie’s visual effects. This technical challenge ignited a spark in Jackson – a revelation about the potential he saw in leveraging this equipment for an even grander project like adapting The Lord of the Rings. While other factors undoubtedly played their part, it was that initial inspiration from The Frighteners that ultimately led to the creation of one of cinema’s most iconic franchises.