New Zealand’s blockbuster film locations have moved visitors to tears, with Lord of the Rings scenes likened to the Holy Grail – but Wellington is falling short. A study of film tourism by Anne Buchmann, tourism management lecturer at Victoria University Management School, reveals a thriving industry with more than 35 operators nationwide offering tours linked to films including The Chronicles of Narnia, Lord of the Rings, The Last Samurai and Whale Rider. Dr Buchmann said the industry was worth millions, with 30,000 tourists a year visiting Lord of the Rings site Hobbiton, on private farmland near Matamata. The last film in the Rings trilogy was released in 2002. Adults pay $58 to visit the hobbit village, which has largely been returned to its original state though it still has 17 remaining “hobbit holes” and some film set remnants. Capital falls short on movie tours

This story comes to us thanks to the wonders of the wireless world and the internets. Early this afternoon I received a call from a rabid Ringer Diamond T letting me know about a CNBC reporter (possibly at the SXSW Film Fest) who dropped a bomb during an interview about the future of 3D movies. He claims to have heard ‘Rumblings’ about New Line (Warner Bros.) releasing LOTR in 3D! Take a look (or rather listen) at her phone video (sent to my phone, downloaded, then uploaded to YouTube…gotta love the web).

The seminar will be held on Saturday 28th June 2008, at Parkstead House, Whitelands College, Roehampton University, London.

Tolkien SocietyOur friends from The Tolkien Society send along a call for papers and news about their latest seminar:

The theme for this year’s seminar is “Freedom, Fate and Choice in the Middle-earth writings of J. R. R. Tolkien”. Papers are sought on a wide range of topics related to this theme, including concepts such as free will and doom. The Middle-earth material ranges from The Silmarillion and The Children of Hurin through the twelve volumes of the History of Middle-earth and Tolkien’s Letters to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

For complete details and how to submit your paper, please visit the official Tolkien Society website. [Tolkien Society]

ianmckellen.jpgIt seems a given to LOTR fans, but maybe there are actually some people out there who still think Ian McKellen can be replaced as Gandalf in the upcoming ‘Hobbit’ films. As of last night, according this to this report from Ringer Philip, Ian McKellen has not been contacted to reprise his role as everyone’s favorite wizard. Check out Phil’s report and then feel free to make your voice heard in our message boards and other various venues. Continue reading “Of Course Ian McKellen would play Gandalf? Right? RIGHT?”

Viggo in Men’s VogueRinger Angela sends us this link to Men’s Vogue magazine, on which Viggo Mortensen graces the cover this month.

Viggo Mortensen can swing a broadsword as Aragorn or neatly fillet a Russian mobster. But off-screen, the Oscar contender is a life-giving force, playing big brother to a band of poets, painters, and searchers like him.

Read the full article at Men’s Vogue.com. [Mensvogue.com]