Our long-time readers will have noticed a sharp increase in the amount of coverage which we have been giving actors and actresses and projects outside the United States of America, especially English and Scots films and film festivals. As of this moment, you may stop wondering why this has been so: one of our friends, correspondents, and investigative reporters, operating out of UKONLINE.CO.UK, has sent us the following:

Date: 19 May 1999 17:51:05 GMT

From: reviewerIUFSSI@ukonline.co.uk

Subject: Elijah as Frodo: up-to-the-minute news

(well, as of fifteen minutes ago).

In April, this reviewer is informed that Elijah was about to audition or screen-test for the part of Frodo; report tentatively confirmed by William Morris Agency, vigorously denied by Elijah's publicist.

As of 9:00 AM PDST, 19 May 1999, the William Morris Agency has no comment on report that Elijah has been offered the role and refers this reviewer to the publicist's office, which again denies that Elijah is considering Lord of the Rings and belittles reports on the Internet.

This reviewer then establishes that the report of the offer originated from a Cinesite story, apparently stemming from Warwick Davis spilling the beans At "The Phantom Menace" premiere about who beat him for the role of Gimle the Dwarf. ('tis Mr. Spall, btw.)

As of 10:35 AM PDST, Director Peter Jackson's agency, the powerful ICM, states that (as of Cannes) the plan was to offer the role to Elijah, and "I don't know yet, but if it hasn't been, it will be {offered}."