Thousands of extras, a principle cast of twenty-two characters, and plenty of CGI creations. When Peter Jackson throws a party he certainly doesn't skimp on the invitations. We guide you through some of the new (and almost new) faces waiting to be seen in The Return Of The King.
Name: Faramir, D煤nedain lord of Gondor, Prince of Ithilien.Distinguishing Marks: Nordic, battle-worn, chain-mail chic. Long hair in need of some decent Elvish shampoo and conditioner.
Goodie Two Shoes or Dastardly Baddie?: The youngest son of Lord Denethor, Steward of Gondor, Faramir (David Wenham) is the brother of the late Boromir (Sean Bean) from The Fellowship Of The Ring. Although seen earlier in the trilogy, he comes into his own in the final film as he rallies the human forces and poses a challenge to Aragorn's right to be king.
Likely to be Remembered For: Leading the ranger forces into battle as his golden locks float in the breeze. "I just wash and go... to war".
Name: Denethor, father of Boromir and Faramir, and Steward of Gondor.
Distinguishing Marks: Aging Nordic chic. The only person in Gondor to own a razor.
Goodie Two Shoes or Dastardly Baddie?: A regal interloper lording it over Gondor while everyone waits for the return of the king, Denethor (John Noble) is a tragic figure. Laid low by the death of his son Boromir and convinced that his youngest son Faramir may have fallen battling the forces of Sauron, he's been described as the trilogy's answer to King Lear. He's also the main impediment to Aragorn assuming his place on the throne. Likely to be Remembered For: Getting in the way.
Name: Shelob
Distinguishing Marks: Eight legs, menacing pincers, lotsa eyes - well, she is a giant spider.
Goodie Two Shoes or Dastardly Baddie?: Shunted from the end of The Two Towers to the beginning of The Return Of The King, because of pacing problems, Shelob's definitely a baddie. Employed by Gollum to kill Frodo and Sam so that he can get his "precious" back, this arachnid is laying in wait for them en route to Mount Doom. "Come into my parlour said the spider to the Hobbit."
Likely to be Remembered For: Being one of the most spectacular pieces of CGI after Gollum, completely trashing the arachnids in Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets.
Name: Smeagol and Deagol
Distinguishing Marks: Two hobbits with a passion for fishing.
Goodie Two Shoes or Dastardly Baddie?: Years before the trilogy begins, these two hobbits stumble across the One Ring while on a fishing trip. They start off good, then go bad as the Ring leads towards evil. Smeagol (Andy Serkis) eventually gets transformed into Gollum by the ring's power, while Deagol (Thomas Robins) gets... Well, that'd be spoiling it.
Likely to be Remembered For: Giving Andy Serkis a chance to appear on-screen in the flesh rather than as CGI Gollum. Give that man an Oscar. Quick.
Name: The Fell Beasts
Distinguishing Marks: Flying dinosaur-like reptiles.
Goodie Two Shoes or Dastardly Baddie?: These gravity-defying dragons are definitely with the bad guys. They're flying steeds for Sauron's wraiths who've decided to ditch their horses and take to the skies for the finale.
Likely to be Remembered For: Yet more proof that The Lord Of The Rings trilogy has some of the finest CGI around.
