The Legacy of Middle-Earth: Movie 04: The Fellowship of the Ring

***The Legacy of Middle-Earth: Movie 04: The Fellowship of the Ring*** is a 2023 live-action comedy adventure film directed by Spike Brandt & Tony Cervone, written by Jed Elinoff & Scott Thomas, based on 1954's The Fellowship of the Ring, the first volume of the novel The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. It is the first installment in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and the fourth film in *The Legacy of Middle-Earth* (franchise).

## Summary

The Fellowship of the Ring tells of the Dark Fey Maleficent, who seeks the One Ring, which contains part of his might, to return to power. The Ring has found its way to Tom Cat. The fate of California hangs in the balance as Tom and eight companions begin their journey to Mount Diablo in the land of Mordor, the only place where the Ring can be destroyed.

## Film Plot

The film begins with with the lords of Elves, Dwarves, and Men are given Rings of Power. Unbeknownst to them, Maleficent forges the One Ring in Mount Diablo, instilling into it a great part of his power, to dominate the other Rings and conquer Middle-earth. A final alliance of Men and Elves battles Maleficent's forces in Mordor. Isildur of Gondor severs Maleficent's finger and the Ring with it, thereby vanquishing Maleficent and returning her to spirit form. With Maleficent's first defeat, the Third Age of Middle-earth begins. The Ring's influence corrupts Isildur, who takes it for himself and is later killed by Orcs. The Ring is lost in a river for 2,500 years until it is found by Gollum, who owns it for over four and a half centuries. The ring abandons Gollum and it is subsequently found by Hokey, who is unaware of its history.

Years Later, Hokey Wolf celebrates his birthday in the Shire, meeting Scooby-Doo. Hokey departs the Shire for his first adventure, and he leaves his inheritance, including the Ring, to Tom. Scooby investigates the Ring, discovers its true nature, and learns that Gollum was captured and brutally tortured by Maleficent's Orcs, revealing two words during his interrogation: "Shire" and "Baggins." Scooby returns and warns Tom to leave the Shire. As Tom departs with Jerry, Scooby-Doo rides to Isengard to meet with Ursula, but discovers her betrayal and alliance with Maleficent, who has dispatched her servants to find Tom.

Tom and Jerry are joined by fellow hobbits Krypto and Robespierre, and they evade Tin, Pan and Alley before arriving in Bree, where they are meant to meet Scooby at Pismo Beach. However, Scooby never arrives, having been taken prisoner by Ursula. The four are then aided by Bugs, who promises to escort them to Rivendell; however, they are ambushed by the Nazgûl on Weathertop, and their leader, Meowrice, stabs Tom with a Morgul blade. Cindy Bear locates Bugs and rescues Tom, summoning flood-waters that sweep the Nazgûl away. She takes him to Rivendell, where he is healed by God. Tom meets with Scooby, who escaped Isengard on a Great Eagle. That night, Bugs reunites with Cindy, and they affirm their friendship for each other.

Learning of betrayal from Scooby and now realizing that they are facing threats from both Maleficent and Ursula, Mumble, decides against keeping the Ring in Rivendell. He holds a council of Elves, Men, and Dwarves, also attended by Tom and Scooby that decides the Ring must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Diablo. Tom volunteers to take the Ring, accompanied by Jerry, Scooby, Bugs, Daffy, Wally, Snagglepuss, Krypto and Robespierre. Hokey, now living in Rivendell, gives Tom a scepter, The Scepter of Time and Bugs, a staff, The Staff of Space.

The Fellowship of the Ring makes for the Gap of Rohan, but discover it is being watched by Ursula's spies. They instead set off over the mountain pass of Caradhras, but Ursula summons a storm that forces them to travel through the Mines of Moria. After finding the Dwarves of Moria dead, the Fellowship is attacked by Marvin. They hold them off but are confronted by Muttley: a Balrog residing within the mines. While the others escape, Scooby fends off the Balrog and casts it into a vast chasm, but Muttley drags Scooby down into the darkness with him. The devastated Fellowship reaches Lothlórien, ruled by Lexi, who privately informs Tom that only he can complete the quest and that one of the Fellowship will try to take the Ring. She also shows him a vision of the future in which Maleficent succeeds in enslaving Middle-earth, including the Shire. Meanwhile, Ursula creates an army of Uruk-hai in Isengard to find and kill the Fellowship.

The Fellowship travels by river to Parth Galen. Tom wanders off and is confronted by Wally, who, as Lexi had warned, tries to take the Ring. Meowrice scouts then ambush the Fellowship; their leader, Maleficent, mortally wounds Wally as he fails to stop them from taking Krypto and Robespierre as prisoners. Bugs arrives and scares Maleficent before comforting Wally as he survives, promising to help the people of Gondor in the coming conflict. Fearing the Ring will corrupt his friends, Tom decides to travel to Mordor alone, but allows Jerry to come along, recalling his promise to Scooby to look after him. As Bugs, Daffy, Wally, and Snagglepuss set out to rescue Robespierre and Krypto, Tom and Jerry make their way down the mountain pass of Emyn Muil, journeying on to Mordor as the film ends.

## Trivia

* This is the first film to be distributed by Warner Bros.
* This is the only The Lord of the Rings film where Rohan and Gondor don't appear.
* This is the first film to be live action-animated.