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How Tolkien Is Connected To… John Wick?

In a new anniversary retrospective, creators of John Wick talk about how The Lord of the Rings inspired and is connected to the production of the huge action franchise.

Over at Indiewire, director Chad Stahelski talks about the Tolkien influence on John Wick:

"I’m a big Tolkien fan, and I’d always wanted to do a modern-day fantasy that scratched that itch so when this came along, it was the perfect hanger to put our coat on. I’d been trying to sell this idea of Greek mythology and underworlds but Tolkien was probably my favourite growing up [and a big influence]. I was fascinated by world creation. Add 10 years working with the Wachowskis, and I didn’t want to do a regular old action or assassin movie. I wanted something where we could have a little element of fantasy."

The LOTR Film Connection

That's not the only LOTR connection! Stahelski was the stunt double for Keanu Reeves on The Matrix, which was produced by Barrie Osborne before he jumped into producing the Lord of the Rings films with Peter Jackson (bringing Hugo Weaving with him).

Read the whole 10 year anniversary interview of John Wick over at Indiewire. This, naturally, prompts the question, what would a Chad Stahelski directed LOTR movie or Rings of Power episode look like? Discuss in our Discord!




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EXCLUSIVE: LOTR Secrets Revealed in NEW Memoir from Ian McKellen’s Webmaster

It’s one thing to just be a reporter who covered The LOTR Trilogy during it’s lengthy production —...

The post EXCLUSIVE: LOTR Secrets Revealed in NEW Memoir from Ian McKellen’s Webmaster first appeared on Lord of the Rings & Tolkien News - TheOneRing.net Fan Community, since 1999.










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Many Iron Age swords may be tainted by modern forgery

Ancient weaponsmiths combined bronze and iron to fashion swords during the early Iron Age – but modern forgers glue together elements from different weapons, making it difficult for researchers to study the ancient technology




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Preserved tracks suggest non-avian dinosaurs used their wings to run

Not all winged dinosaurs were necessarily capable of full flight, but this anatomical feature may have enabled them to travel further by flapping or gliding




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Morphing red blood cells help bats hibernate - and we could do it too

Animals that hibernate need a way to keep their blood flowing as their body temperature drops, and it seems that the mechanical properties of red blood cells may be key




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Meta AI tackles maths problems that stumped humans for over a century

A type of mathematical problem that was previously impossible to solve can now be successfully analysed with artificial intelligence




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All your questions about Marburg virus answered

Everything you need to know about Rwanda's outbreak of Marburg virus, which has been described as one of the deadliest human pathogens




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A supernova may have cleaned up our solar system

A nearby star that exploded some 3 million years ago could have removed all dust smaller than a millimetre from the outer solar system




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Google tool makes AI-generated writing easily detectable

Google DeepMind has been using its AI watermarking method on Gemini chatbot responses for months – and now it’s making the tool available to any AI developer




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DNA has been modified to make it store data 350 times faster

Researchers have managed to encode enormous amounts of information, including images, into DNA at a rate hundreds of times faster than was previously possible




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Battery-like device made from water and clay could be used on Mars

A new supercapacitor design that uses only water, clay and graphene could source material on Mars and be more sustainable and accessible than traditional batteries




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Complex form of carbon spotted outside solar system for first time

Complex carbon-based molecules crucial to life on Earth originated somewhere in space, but we didn't know where. Now, huge amounts of them have been spotted in a huge, cold cloud of gas




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Meditation seems to improve our empathy for strangers

In a small study, women experienced more empathy for strangers who were experiencing pain after an eight-week meditation training programme




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Flu viruses have evolved proteins that let them break through mucus

Computer simulations of how influenza A moves through human mucus found it is ideally configured to slide through the sticky stuff on its way to infecting cells




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Clean energy rollout means China’s emissions may have peaked

China's carbon emissions may have peaked in 2023, as figures suggest its output has plateaued so far in 2024




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AI helps driverless cars predict how unseen pedestrians may move

A specialised algorithm could help autonomous vehicles track hidden objects, such as a pedestrian, a bicycle or another vehicle concealed behind a parked car




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The Amazon is teetering on the edge of a climate tipping point

In some recent years, the Amazon biome released more carbon than it absorbed, and further degradation could make it a permanent shift




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War-era sugar rationing boosted health of UK people conceived in 1940s

People conceived during the UK's 1940s and 50s sugar rationing have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure than those conceived after rationing ended




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Cloud-inspired material can bend light around corners

Light can be directed and steered around bends using a method similar to the way clouds scatter photons, which could lead to advances in medical imaging, cooling systems and even nuclear reactors




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One in 20 new Wikipedia pages seem to be written with the help of AI

Just under 5 per cent of the Wikipedia pages in English that have been published since ChatGPT's release seem to include AI-written content




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There may be a cosmic speed limit on how fast anything can grow

Alan Turing's theories about computation seem to have a startling consequence, placing hard limits on how fast or slow any physical process in the universe can grow




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Cancer deaths expected to nearly double worldwide by 2050

Experts predict that the number of cancer cases around the world will skyrocket, resulting in millions more fatalities by 2050




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Ancient Egyptians shaped sheep's horns – and we don't know why

The earliest evidence of livestock with modified horns has been discovered in ancient Egypt – sheep skulls with horns that point in unnatural directions suggest humans forced them to grow that way




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More people are living with pain today than before covid emerged

Chronic pain has increased among adults in the US since 2019, which could be due to a rise in sedentary lifestyles or reduced access to healthcare amid covid-19 restrictions




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Carbon emissions from private jets have exploded in recent years

The climate impact of flights taken by the super-rich rose sharply from 2019 to 2023, fuelling calls for a carbon tax on private aviation




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DNA analysis rewrites the stories of people buried in Pompeii

Genetic analysis of five individuals preserved as plaster casts in the ruins of Pompeii contradicts established beliefs about the people and their relationships




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How a single gopher restored a landscape devastated by a volcano

Never underestimate what a single gopher can achieve in a day: one of the burrowing mammals helped boost soil fungi in an area blanketed by ash from the explosive eruption of Mount St Helens in Washington state




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Audio AIs are trained on data full of bias and offensive language

Seven major datasets used to train audio-generating AI models are three times more likely to use the words "man" or "men" than "woman" or "women", raising fears of bias




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Red kites and buzzards are being killed by misuse of rat poisons

Campaigners are calling for stricter controls on rodenticides after finding that birds of prey in England are increasingly being exposed to high doses of rat poison




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Humanity has warmed the planet by 1.5°C since 1700

Most assessments of global warming use 1850-1900 as a baseline, but researchers have now established a new pre-industrial reference by using Antarctic ice cores to estimate the average temperature before 1700




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Snuggly Selection of Cute Cats Competing For Cuddles Right Next to Your Face Because Who Needs to Breathe Anyway

We….do not have a snuggly cat. As much as we wish we did (and as much as we tried to make her a snuggly cat), it's just not in the cards for us. We tried luring her to the bed with treats, playing relaxing music, and even holding her there against her will - none of it worked. Maybe our next cat will be a cuddly cat, or, we'll just live vicariously through the lives of strangers on the internet and not be jealous at all of all of their outrageously cute cuddly cats.

Not only are they cuddly, but they appawrently like to cuddle right next to their pawrents' faces because they're just that silly and awwdorable. They probably can't breathe very well at night, but if that was a burden we had to bear, we would bear it with purrfect pride because it would be absolutely worth it. Enjoy this snuggly selection of cute cats competing for cuddles below, we're going to try to lure our cat into bed one more time. Have a great week!




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22 Coo-Coo Cat Memes Madly Meowing For a Feline Filled Full Wholesome Weekend

There's something special about spending an absurd amount of time goofing around with your cat. It can be a simple playtime toy that your cat loves so much, making them wiggle wiggle before they pounce to hunt it, or it can be a full playtime of hide and seek between your cat and you - but there's definitely something special about this time. It's the ultimate coo-coo cat time, full of cat craziness and cuteness. And since now it's still the weekend - you can have as much of a coo-coo cat time as you want. Or as much as your cat wants, obviously, but they usually like it so much that they just want to continue playing.

If you want to feel the cat coo-cooness and get inspired for a fully-fledged feline friendly playtime, we have here a very coo-coo-inspiring cat meme list. It can definitely get you, and your cat, in the right crazy cat mindset.




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26 Particularly Pawsitive Purr-Powered Posts to Put You in a Pawsitive Place

After a chaotic Caturday it is time for us weary hoomans to harness the pawsitive power that cats have within them. After all, if you are a feline pawrent, you spent most of your day yesterday cleaning, feeding, playing and pampering your at home purr machine to no end. But in the case that your cats have decided to keep the Caturday celebrations going all weekend long, or you simply do not have a cute cat at home, we made this list of particularly pawsitive purr-powered posts to put you in a pawsitive place.

From the fat and friendly feline who loves people but loves food even more, to the cute catto who does not believe in having a closed door policy at home and will reach its little paws under any closed door until it is opened once more, to the smiling feline sweetheart who might not understand what is being said to it, but it sure can pull off a coy smile, to the confused cat who has lost its operating manual and is working on how to move its body.




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Not impressed with nature !




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"Roommate thinks my cat is 'our' cat": Fed Up Cat Owner Tries to Find Peaceful Ways to Navigate A Frustrating Feline Conflict

Those of us who have at some point in our lives lived with roommates know that having roommates can be a total disaster. Speaking from my own experience, moving to a big city and needing to find an apartment ASAP causes you to compromise on some things, but roommates shouldn't be one of them. Unfortunately, that's often the way the cookie crumbles. From messy roommates to roommates who use the kitchen to cook the weirdest and most unappealing foods, to roommates who never take their clothes out of the dryer, there often is much to be desired. 

For the original poster of the thread we are featuring today, a frustrating feline situation left them feeling confused and fed up as to how to approach their roommate. The roommate in question completely crossed the line when it came to OP's cat, often referring to the cat as their shared cat, rather than OP's cat. The kicker is that this cat is OP's childhood cat and of course, OP covers all of the cat's expenses. What would you do in a situation like this? We would have to move out at all costs. 




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Person Adopts the ‘Mean, Hissing, Swatting’ Cat That No One Wanted at the Shelter, and after Getting Some Love, the Fluffy Feline Shows Her True, Cuddly Colors

Getting a cat to love you can take some time. We think that most cat owners know that. It's a rare thing for a cat to fall in love with its new owner on day one. Especially when you're adopting an older cat. You don't know what they have been through. You don't know where they came from most times. What you do know - or should know - is that for most cats, it's a matter of time. You need to give cats space and respect, affection when they ask for it, and snacks… like- all the time. 

And eventually, when you do all of that enough… your cat will show you love. Now, that might take a few days, a few weeks, or a few years. As long as your cat is not actively harming anyone around it, there is no reason to give up on them. You just need to keep giving them those things, and when the time is right, they will make as big of a turnaround as this kitty.




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Black Cat Starts Mysteriously Losing Its Color, Other Vexed Void Owners Question When Their Cute Cats Go From Midnight to Moonlight

We may or may not be a helicopter cat pawrent - meaning that we may or may not go to Google for every pawssible thing that might be wrong with our cats. Their meow sounds a little different than normal? Google. They all of a sudden start sleeping in a random spot we've never seen them sleep in before? Google. They didn't eat the food that they normally love? Google. Most of the things we google end up being purrfectly fine (we are not prone to overreaction, not one bit). But if our black cat started losing its beautiful black color, now that would be a thing to google!

There are a few pawssible explanations for this: the first is a meowgnificent genetic trait called "vitiligo" - which causes cats to lose pigment in their fur, giving them unique and rare fur patterns. Another option is called a "fever coat", which is a temporary change in a cat's fur pigment due to illness or stress. The last, and final option that we know of, is that this black beauty is just getting old. Either way, you'd be surprised how many vexed void owners chimed in with their black cats that went from midnight to moonlight. Scroll down to see all these fading felines below!




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22 Fatigued Feline Memes Taking a 16-Hour Nap Nocturnating During the Day. And Night. And the Day After.

Cats can sleep for eternity, and somehow still be tired. Sleep surrounds cats, probably because they're such cutie patooties when they sleep. It's like the universe graces us, humble hoomans, with the gift of watching cats sleep - and it gives it to us in abundance. Sleepy cats are among the cutest things the world can offer us, and we cannot be more grateful for the eep that cats have. It's a true internal struggle - the urge to schmoop them and pet them because cats are absolutely pawdorable when they sleep - but with the realization that we can't, because it will disturb their precious princely sleep.

Since we cannot disturb the cats with the big eep who sleep, we prepared a bunch of sleepy cat memes to scroll through, so we can deal with the pet urge together, all cat pawrents. Gather the strength and don't fall asleep - it's worth it.




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1-year-old siamese cat refuses to use the bathroom unless human accompanies him to the litter box, fed up feline owner seeks solutions: 'My cat demands bathroom reciprocity'

Cats are truly unique creatures. Much like us humans, each one has their own completely developed personality and quirks. Some cats are perpetual balls of energy, pausing from their mischief only to engage in a well deserved cat nap. Some cats are totally indifferent to your existence, you could provide them with treats, pets, the whole lot and still not receive much attention in return. And some cats need their favorite human to accompany them to the litter box any time they need to take care of business. The cat featured in the story we are covering today is the latter, and might we add, a total goofball. 

To be honest, this is a new one for us. We have yet to come across a cat who demands that their human be present during all bathroom activities. We've heard of cats who like to go to the bathroom while their humans are in the bathroom, to protect them from whatever evil lies dormant in the toilet, but yeah, this is a new one. What advice would you give to the original poster? All we can think of is to laugh and cry at the same time. 




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10 Ai Generated Memes of Purrfessional Construction Cats Who Caught the Early Bird and Left the Worm in Your Silly Slippers

Welcome to the modern age feline fanatics. We have finally made it to the moment when AI has begun working to create cat memes along with the bright minds here at Cheezburger. Finally allowing us to bring you the very freshest in feline funnies hot from the oven of our collective ICanHasCheezburger mind. And today we are taking a dip into the world of cat construction, a little known environment which allows cats access to tools and methods of expression that they are usually not able to comprehend. But thanks to our supportive AI we have made this crossover come true.

So without any further delay we would like to present to you this list of Ai generated memes of purrfessional construction cats who caught the early bird and left the worm in your silly slippers. Prepaw yourself for a funny feline ride through some brand new never before heard feline notions.




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26 Colossally Cute Cat Memes for Hoomans Having a Horrible Week Who Need a Double Dose of Cat Comfort

Much as we might have started this week with the hope that we would find some pawsitivity, it does not always go that way. And this week is simply one of those weeks that runs behind your ankles like a cat on zoomies, throwing you completely off balance and making you almost hit your head on that new glass table you recently purchased. But you, being a feline fanatic, are lucky to have a permanent support system in place, in the form of feline funnies. And this list of colossally cute cat memes for hoomans having a horrible week and need a double dose of cat comfort, is chock-full to the gills with hilarious cats.

From the comfort eating catto who was more than a little bummed out that the takeout place gave him three forks even though he only ordered for one, to the captivated cat pawrent who has permanently booked themselves up to spend time with their furry felines.




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30 Purrfect Pictures of Cats Cuddling Calmly in Cozy Covers is Exactly What You Need to Pleasantly Pause and Ponder on Life’s Pleasures

Dear I Can Has-ers, today, we woke up thinking about a Danish term that will elate your days until the blessed weekend arrives: hygge. 

Hygge describes contentment derived from coziness, comfort, and gaiety. It is comprised of all that is cuddly, pleasant, cake-centered and candle-lit—in short, all the factors that make us purr.  
 

Hygge is all about enjoying each day to the fullest. All it takes is noticing the pleasantries of our daily lives. And it's no coincidence that cats and Hygge go together like Ben & Jerry. As you can see in the following photos of proud pawrents presenting their funny fluffy feline - cats are superior creatures, and understand that even the most mundane thing can be celebrated: a ball of yarn placed too low, cuddles with hoomans, and of course - continuous napping. If only we hoomans would appreciate our cozy domestic daily moments as cats (and Danes) do!
 

The ingredients for this comforting contented coziness are incredibly easy to obtain: Pour yourself a nice warm cup of your favorite beverage, wrap your feet with animal-shaped slippers, animal-printed socks, or your partner's backside, cuddle with your cutest cat, and scroll down these lovely screen shots from this post on Reddit. We must warn you, though - this post is not easy to leave. If you have plans today, cancel them. You are about to enter cuddle heaven.




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Heartless Owner Returns Cat to Shelter Because She ‘Wanted to Cuddle Them at Night’, Then Her New Hooman Un-Breaks Our Hearts and Shows She’s Living Her Snuggliest Life Now

Look, we have heard stories of cats being returned to shelters. We have heard people say that they felt like they had no choice. The couldn't afford taking care of a cat anymore, they found out they were allergic… there are all kinds of reasons. At least everyone who returns a cat is a heartbroken, at least that's what we thought. We never imagined that someone would do it because the cat they adopted wanted to cuddle with them at nighttime. 

Everyone wants a velcro cat, right? Cuddly cats are the best! Cuddling with your cat is one of the best feelings in the world. The trust they show you, the love, the calmness that being so close to them gives you… there is nothing quite like it. To complain about a cat being too cuddly is like complaining about something being too tasty. It's silly. And ridiculous. And thank goodness that this sweet girl is now in the hands of someone who actually deserves her. 




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Guardians of the Food Bowl: 14 Marvel-Flavored Feline Funnies for Hangry Hoomans Who Haven't Had Lunch Yet

Monday is a tough day to navigate, even at the best of times. You are still finding your feet, fumbling around trying to remember where you left things in the office after your anger attack, which left the office in a state not seen since the great office showdown of 2019. Add to that micromanagers dumping deadlines on you left and right, and you are in for quite the unpleasant and busy day that has got your hanger huffing and puffing its way towards exploding.

But you have nothing to fear for we have enlisted the help of the Guardians of the Food Bowl, who are a feisty feline crew, hell-bent on pawtecting your food from thieves. And they told us that the best thing for you right now is a list of marvel-flavored feline funnies for hangry hoomans such as yourself who have not had lunch just yet. So sit back, relax and know that your food is waiting for you under their pawtection.