Have a look at this articel :
http://www.figures.com/databases/action.cgi?setup_file=lotrnews2.setup&category=lotr&topic=5&show_article=151CJD
Hmmmm, something odd here, lets try again :
http://www.figures.com/databases/action.cgi?setup_file=lotrnews2.setup&category=lotr&topic=5&show_article=151Why don't I just post the article instead !
Editor and Project Manager Matt Saunders of Topps says, “We’re actually doing a trilogy set next. That’s actually in the works now. It ships at the end of September, so it’ll be coming out in early October. It’s going to be all with chrome cards, kind of like the ‘”Star Wars” Chrome Archives.’ It’s the same kind of technology. It’s going to be all-new imagery. There’s a ton of imagery that still hasn’t been shown on cards, so we’re going to make use of it all and give the fans an extra bang for their buck by printing it all on chrome, too."
This will be an extensive presentation. According to Saunders, "Right now, it's looking to be 100 cards, so you get about 33 per movie, and then a final checklist/title card... It makes sense that if you've got three movies, you've got to give them equal play.".
Imagery from the "Special Extended Editions" of the films, released on home video, will also be included.
"Yeah, definitely (cards for) the first two movies will have shots from the special editions, and we're hoping to have it for 'Return of the King.' We just don't have it in hand yet. That's not a locked-in thing at this moment."
As for the text, Saunders admits, "It's just going to be a plot summary, probably."
Merchandise for each of the three movies has been color-coded: Green for "The Fellowship of the Ring," red for "The Two Towers," and blue for "Return of the King." Asked if the borders of these cards will continue this tradition, Saunders replies, "We've done all new designs for this set, so you won't be seeing the designs from the past, and each movie has its own design for the back. There are certain elements that are in the same place, but the designs and the colors and the patterns and other elements that are used are all brand-new. The positioning of where the image box is on the back, and where the text is -- the skeleton --is the same, but then the design elements that flesh all that out are unique for each movie. So, there are three design backs, one for 'Fellowship,' one for 'The Two Towers,' one for 'Return of the King.'
"I think it's just nice to have that. Each movie has its own feel and look, so we're kind of continuing that theme within this set."
One feature that will not be continued from previous "L.O.T.R." card releases is gold foil stamping. Saunders says, "With chrome, you don't need to add a foil stamp on top of it." On the other hand, there will once again be randomly-inserted chase cards.
"We're looking at autographs and relic cards again. At this point, it's kind of the fourth go 'round, so we'll have to see who's interested, but everyone from the films is fair game, whereas for 'Return of the King,' we couldn't really pursue (actor) Sean Bean, for example, because (his character) Boromir wasn't in that movie. But he's part of the whole trilogy, so he's fair game. We're gonna try to get a few people that hadn't signed before, but nothing's in place at this point, so I can't really speak to who's in or who's out. We'll see who's interested.
"A lot of the guys have a great passion for ("The Lord of the Rings")and the experience (of making the motion pictures) still and they love to do this stuff. Other ones have wanted to move on, so we'll see who's available when the time comes."
Asked whether Topps might approach some of the behind-the scenes people, the crew and artists who helped bring "L.O.T.R." to the screen, Saunders replies, "Yeah, they're all possibilities."
He added that he already has costumes which will be cut up and applied to relic cards, but declined to name which items are being used.
Reflecting upon the "Lord of the Rings" trading card project overall, he says, "I think we were able to put out really good card sets of really high quality. It's for the fans to judge, not for me, but I hope they felt they were a high-quality compliment to the films which captured the spirit of the films in the designs and the look.
"Nothing's ever going to replace the actual films themselves but we're just hoping to make a nice supplement to it, to (let collectors) remember the experience. I think we did great work. It's hard not to when you're given such great (source material) to begin with. The quality that (director) Peter Jackson and everyone put into the films, when you're given something of that caliber, it's hard to do it wrong. You have to work hard to mess it up in the presentation. I just hope the fans agree we did a good job."
