Project Fiver: Cast Lord of the Rings fan Melissa “Fiver” Kern as a hobbit extra in the upcoming The Hobbit film(s)
To: New Line Cinema / Wingnut Films
The goal of Project Fiver is to deliver a petition to Peter Jackson, New Line, and whomever takes the Directorship, asking that Melissa “Fiver” Kern be cast as a costumed hobbit extra in the upcoming film(s) of The Hobbit.
Melissa has done an incredible amount to promote Tolkien Fellowship with her groups, as well as the DragonCon and Mythic Journeys conventions. She has been an active member on TheOneRing.net, co-founder of ArmsOfMiddleEarth.com and member of numerous LotR-Related Moots, and Meet-Up groups in the Atlanta area.
Melissa has just been diagnosed with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Essentially, it causes all the motor neurons in the brain to shut down, gradually making the muscles unable to function. Life expectancy is 3-5 years from diagnosis. (She’s had the disease for about a year already.) The disease progressively takes away movement and coordination. In September, she marched with fellow LotR fans in the annual DragonCon parade. Six months later, she is barely walking, and needs my help to climb stairs or get dressed.
Many in these groups have been asking what they can do to help her out and lift her spirits, and Project Fiver is my best answer.
It would be a simple matter for New Line to honor her with an Extra role in the Hobbit film, but it would speak volumes about their commitment to the fans of Lord of the Rings.
Sincerely,
For more information, visit Project Fiver: One Hobbit’s Journey.
The Project Fiver: Cast Lord of the Rings fan Melissa “Fiver” Kern as a hobbit extra in the upcoming The Hobbit film(s) Petition to New Line Cinema / Wingnut Films was created by Members of the Lord of the Rings Fellowship and written by Chris Kern (ProjectFiver@gmail.com).