'Rings' producers produce conundrum

By LOUISA CLEAVE

Who will collect the Oscar if The Lord of the Rings wins best picture?

That is the question being thrashed out behind the scenes as the movie's makers bask in the glow of 13 Academy Award nominations.

The best picture award is presented to a maximum of three producers, who get the opportunity to stand on stage in front of Hollywood's elite and up to one billion television viewers.

The Rings project started with three New Zealand producers: Peter Jackson, Barrie M. Osborne and Tim Sanders. But Sanders' name has disappeared from advertising material for the movie.

Fran Walsh, who wrote the screenplay and is Jackson's partner, is now listed as a producer.

Early material about the production listed her as co-producer.

Sanders spent three years on the Rings project but left suddenly in early 2000.

Reports at the time stated that he would be credited as a producer on the first film.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts has Sanders listed as a producer on the Rings' best picture nomination. The Bafta awards will be held on February 24.

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