From IMDB:

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King sold about $34.1 million worth of tickets at the domestic box office on Wednesday, setting a record for a Wednesday premiere and also setting the stage for what many analysts predict will be the biggest opening weekend for any film ever. The previous record for a Wednesday opening was set by Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace in 1999, when it took in $28.5 million. New Line Cinema distribution chief Rolf Mittweg reported that the film earned an additional $23.5 million in 19 other countries, including $5.2 million from the U.K., where it also set a Wednesday record.

From Box Office Mojo:

Among all opening days, Return of the King's $34.1 million ranks third behind Spider-Man's $39.4 million and The Matrix Reloaded's $37.5 million, but ahead of the first Harry Potter's $32.3 million.

...

Ultimately, Two Towers became the first sequel to an uber-blockbuster ($250 million plus) to out-gross its predecessor, $339.8 million to $313.4 million. Return of the King could become the second.

Here's a fun interview with Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh.

An interesting tidbit: Not ony does he still cut his own hair, she lets him cut hers, too!

I know I personally started whitefonting book stuff out of a desire to not spoil Aimee on the best parts. That issue will be over soon

No it won't. I'm not seeing RotK.

I'm not seeing RotK.

Hush, you. Go see it.

Silly, but cute.

t scurries back out

Skipping a bunch of posts to say that I just saw it again, and the pumpkin hobbit at the end? I think that was Andy Serkis.

Be back with the gender discussion at some point.

Skipping a bunch of posts to say that I just saw it again, and the pumpkin hobbit at the end? I think that was Andy Serkis.

Dude! I've been wondering that.

Also, I have asked twice (in real life) if peeps thought the "pumpkin stroking hobbit" was Serkis, only to get funny looks and have to explain that Pumpkin Stroking was NOT a euphemism.

only to get funny looks and have to explain that Pumpkin Stroking was NOT a euphemism.

You've been asking this question of people who know you well?

You've been asking this question of people who know you well?

Husband and workmates.

I'm just sayin'... If you were to start talking to me about the hobbit who was stroking his pumpkin, I'd be imagining a short guy with a bulbous orange member...