That low rumble you hear from the depths of the Internet is the annual DragonCon in Atlanta waking up from its slumber. While Smaug the Magnificent is waiting in the wings of the hearts of fantasy and movie-lovers everywhere, DragonCon 2008 has no shortage of build for the forthcoming pair of Hobbit-themed movies; and as we seem to be every year, TheOneRing.net is in the middle of it.
Rachael Livermore, Co-Chair, Aetherica writes: Please see below for an announcement of a new convention for fantasy fans. This is a non-profit convention run by fans including several past and present Tolkien Society committee members.
Happy Birthday Billy Boyd! Billy Boyd (born 28 August 1968) is a Scottish actor and musician most widely known for playing the characters Peregrin “Pippin” Took in the film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings and Barrett Bonden in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.
At the recent gaming convention GenCon, Fantasy Flight Games (publisher of the Lord of the Rings and War of the Ring boardgames) released some new details on the forthdoming ‘Middle-earth Quest’ adventure boardgame, as reported on boardgamegeek.com by one G. Purcell (bracketed
remarks are mine):
It *is* still in development [some feared it had been abandoned]
The time period is after Bilbo left the Shire, but before the Lord of the Rings book [sic - he presumably means 'before the Shadow of the Past visit by Gandalf']
You won’t play the LotR heroes, but will encounter them (i.e. Aragorn, off looking for Gollum)
The box size is … about the size of War of the Ring box [not ultra-huge like their StarCraft and World of Warcraft boardgames]
It contains some exciting new mechanics that they’re not ready to announce yet
It’s being designed by [FFG founder and sometimes game designer] Christian Petersen himself
It has been well documented that Guillermo del Toro will approach the original The Lord of the Rings cast to reprise their roles in Middle-earth should the script call for it. News comes today from the MTV Movie Blog that one such actor, John Noble, won’t be available:
“If they said, ‘Would you come and play Denethor again,’” Noble said, “I would have to say, ‘No, I’m doing [new J.J. Abrams television series] ‘Fringe’! And I certainly couldn’t play a younger Denethor or even Ecthelion now that I’m an older John. Not even with makeup.”
For the full story, jump on over to the MTV Movie Blog. [Read More]
The following video is one of the most unique and creative LOTR themed fan films we have ever seen - so we are super glad to share it with you! The film, shot in black and white silent film style, tells the story of a little orc who happens upon two lost hobbits in Middle Earth. Will they be lead into Saruman’s hands or will the little orc help them find their friends? Check out the video on YouTube or view it below. [YouTube]
From IMDB: MGM Tuesday denied published speculation that it had retained Goldman Sachs to explore a possible sale. In a statement, the studio couched its denial in language that appeared to some to fortify the rumors, saying that while it had indeed retained Goldman Sachs it was doing so “to explore enhancements to MGM’s long-term capital structure.” At the same time, it insisted that its present owners, “are pleased with the company’s current momentum and are committed to the future growth of the studio.” But analysts were not so sure about the company’s current ability to acquire financing for its production slate given the sluggish economy and suggested that the rumors about a possible sale will only make the studio’s efforts to raise cash even more difficult. Nevertheless, other analysts pointed out that MGM — like most other studios — had already reduced its production schedule after going full bore earlier in the year in anticipation of a possible actors’ strike.
Sir Martin Gilbert writes: J.R.R. Tolkien and the Somme were inextricably linked. I learned this forty-four years ago, shortly after I was elected to my first university appointment, at Merton College, Oxford. I was twenty-six years old.
In those days there was a strict seating order at college dinners. The head of the college sat in the centre, the senior fellows on either side of him, and the junior fellows at the far ends of the table. Also at the ends were the Emeritus Fellows, long retired, venerable, sometimes garrulous guardians of the college name. Several of them had served in the First World War. When they discovered a historian, new to his craft, filled with the keenness of a youngster amid his elders, they were happy to talk about those distant days, already more than forty years in the past. What Tolkien Taught Me about the Battle of the Somme
Mark writes: Just want to say a big thank you to theonering.net for posting the article about John Howe attending the Edinburgh Book Festival. I was lucky enough to attend the event last night, at which Mr. Howe spoke about his work illustrating for various projects, including of course The Trilogy. The interviewer did ask if he was involved in The Hobbit films in any way, but he only said (understandably) that it was too early to discuss it. We saw a slide show of concept art from the Trilogy in which there were pictures yet unseen in even the “Art of…” book series or DVD special features. The talk was fascinating, and Mr. Howe was not only very open and in-depth about his work, but had a great sense of humour too. A few members of the audience had the opportunity to ask questions as well, and there was even time for autographs and photos at the end. Overall, it was just a great night! Any more posts for events happening in Scotland or in the UK are most welcome!
Musician ‘Asni‘ sends this along: I’ve been working hard promoting my CD launch in the last few weeks. For those interested, below is my media release. I have finally managed to do a little work on my “Travelguide to Middle-earth” section, at least the photos and the info in this press release are online now, and it looks a wee bit nicer.
If you live anywhere near enough Wellington, please do note the date of the launch in your calendar! It is intended to be a bit of a farewell gig, since I plan to focus on things other than performing in the future - it may be quite a while until you get another chance to see and hear me live! So, do come - and don’t say you haven’t been warned.
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At the recent gaming convention GenCon, Fantasy Flight Games (publisher of the Lord of the Rings and War of the Ring boardgames) released some new details on the forthdoming ‘Middle-earth Quest’ adventure boardgame, as reported on boardgamegeek.com by one G. Purcell (bracketed
