In the Extended Edition

Rating: 10/10 (22 January 2004)

Do not take this list an absolute authority on what will be included in the Extended Edition (EE) of "Return of the King". Take heart however that there are good reasons for every entry on this list because most of the scenes were known to have been filmed as still shots have turned up in various books that have been published on the film, and even the official movie site.
Also, apparently not long ago, Jackson gave an interview to a German magazine and gave a ballpark running time for the extended edition of 4 hours and 15 minutes. This may just be a rumor, but if true, the EE will then be roughly 50-55 minutes longer than the theatrical release.
Things most likely to be seen in the Extended Edition:
1. The wrap-up of the Saruman-Wormtongue story line. Jackson has already gone on record that this 7-minute scene will be the EE. Saruman's and Wormtongue's fate will be spelled out here.
2. The confrontation between Gandalf and the Witch King. This doesn't happen at the breaking of the main gate but instead on the walls of Minas Tirith. Pippin is with Gandalf on Shadowdfax and the Witch King is riding a fell beast.
3. The Houses of Healing. Many missed the part of Eowyn and Faramir's relationship. The Houses of Healing will show Aragorn's healing ability and help fill in this beautiful sub-plot that resolves Eowyn's unrequited love for Aragorn.
4. The trek across Mordor. Think that Sam and Frodo's journey seemed a bit compressed once they were inside Mordor? The official movie book provides a two page spread of pictures and explanation of Frodo and Sam getting caught up in the orc armies and forced to march with them as they are mistaken for deserters. It's reasonable to assume that this and other scenes with flesh out the final trek quite a bit more.
5. Merry's pledge of service to King Theoden. Pictures exist of this scene, but not much is known about how it is fleshed out.
6. Confrontation at the Black Gate with the Mouth of Sauron, Mordor's chief human lieutenant. Although no pictures of this scene have surfaced, The Mouth of Sauron was credited in extended cast lists to the same guy who played the Train Master in "Matrix Revolutions".
7. Eomer's discovery of King Theoden and Eowyn where they fell on the battlefield.
If there is indeed 50-55 additional minutes, then this list is by no means exhaustive. There will probably be a lot of longer scenes like in the Two Towers EE as well as several wholly new scenes we know nothing about as yet.