Peter Jackson’s Weta Studios is busy working on the new “Rise of the Apes” film, but having difficulty dealing with the ape’s hair.  They’ve just reached out Eitan Grinspun, who we mentioned last week,  to lend a hand after seeing his work in Tangled and hearing about his expertise.  In addition to the Apes, they also need his expertise in the upcoming Steven Spielberg movie ‘Tintin’.

The software uses discrete differential geometry which is so new that the first textbook on the subject was published only two years ago. The same tools are also being used for computer simulations to predict how needles move through human flesh, so that doctors can train to surgery on “virtual” bodies instead of the real thing. Or stick swords into bodies in Fantasy flicks.

Math nerds are striking it big in the movies these days.

via Peter “Ring Lord” Jackson recruits hair expert – Tries to avoid bad hair days | TechEye.