DragonCon, one of the best fantasy and science fiction events in the world, concluded Monday in Atlanta, Georgia and while concluded, it will not be forgotten.

The convention, that gathers fans from the far reaches of the globe, is likely the last one before filming begins on Guillermo del Toro’s “The Hobbit,” and discussion and anticipation for the forthcoming pair of films adapting J.R.R. Tolkien’s book was a definite part of the landscape of the annual convention. Read the rest of this entry »

ATLANTA – Enthusiasm is building for the two-movie adaptation of “The Hobbit” and if you don’t mind me saying, it can be felt in the air and smelt in the water. One of the first attractions of the day (after Spock and Kirk of course) was TORn’s own trio of staffers Deej, Greendragon ad MrCere, dishing about all the recent developments on “The Hobbit.”

Using quotes from TORn’s own interviews, TORn’s message boards (Guillermo del Toro) and national media, the trio tried to get everybody up to date on the soon-to-be greenlit (we hope/think) film. Sending along greetings was Guillermo del Toro via video and three members of the Weta team that will be working on the film. Read the rest of this entry »

Friday is the official kick-off to the annual sci-fi and fantasy fest known as DragonCon in Atlanta and as it has for the last decade, TheOneRing.net will be there to celebrate everything Tolkien and bring you the goings-on to the best of our ability. We will have new Lake Town Archery Club shirts as well as the continuation of the themed shirts introduced at Comic-Con this year. TORn also has a panel about the very latest news on “The Hobbit,” on Friday morning and Sunday. As fast as news is changing, they may even be completely different.
The latest DCon news is Brad Dourif(television and film legend and of course Grima Wormtongue) has just been announced as a late addition-guest to the four-day convention. He will join Craig Parker and Peter Beagle as this year’s celebrities that add to a whole four-day track of Tolkien programming. Read the rest of this entry »

Poster artist Paul Vicenti has written in with news on fan film, “Hunt For Gollum” at DragonCon where TheOneRing.net will also be presenting a panel (twice) on the very latest news on “The Hobbit”.

He writes: ” ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ will have it’s East Coast (US) premier at the Dragoncon Film festival this coming labor day weekend. Currently at over 3 million views online, this is a chance to see it as it should be seen- BIG! It is slated to show during the 10 AM screening block on Sunday morning September 6th. Though the actual filmakers will not be there, I will be representing the film ( I was one of the poster artists – see attatched) and will be happy to meet with and discuss the film with any interested parties.

I am sure all LOTR fans attending Dragoncon would appreciate a bit of notice, so they can fit it into what promises to be a very busy weekend indeed! Read the rest of this entry »

Deej writes: Unfortunately, due to work commitments John Noble will not be attending DragonCon this year. However, the wonderful Craig Parker was just added to the guest list! He joins the impressive lineup of Tolkien scholars and artists already confirmed, as well as TORn’s own MrCere and his eagerly awaited panel on the upcoming ‘Hobbit’ film. More..

The 2009 DragonCon schedule promises to be interesting and fun and features John Noble, a list of speakers and even TheOneRing.net. The event takes place annually, this year September 4-7, in a series of hotels in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. You can read details about the convention here and all the details of the Tolkien programming right here. TORn is scheduled to present an unauthorized look at everything we know so far about the production of ‘The Hobbit’ films and then present for discussion many of the things still open for speculation just as official pre-production begins.

How does one begin when speaking of someone as dynamic as David Carradine? The man stood out as a powerful presence, known as an avid fan of J.R.R. Tolkien among his friends and fellow film artists. I am struck by his passing.

We originally met David among the crowds of Dragon*Con in Atlanta. I believe it was 2001, but the memory is not an exact science these days. The team of us were putting together a list of luminaries and Tolkien supporters that we thought would like to speak on camera for a project we had called RINGERS: Lord of the Fans, and we walked up to David just as any other engaged fan would come to an autograph table — slightly nervous yet pleased to have a handshake with a performer of such stature. Read the rest of this entry »

deej let us know that long time Guillermo del Toro collaborator Doug Jones has been added to the DragonCon guest list. Check out dragoncon.org for all the latest info.

During my association with TheOneRing.net I have often felt very fortunate to know great people and be in great places. Sometimes I have been lucky enough to have my camera along.

Out of that vast TORn photo library that includes digital images, and old scratched negitives, I put a few images together with some music from Arjan Kiel, (with thanks to fan film ‘Born of Hope,’) to pay tribute to the whole community of TheOneRing.net.

Click on the small triangle to play and to see the best fullscreen version, click on the box at the far right.

Larry Curtis did the honours from DragonCon for the installment of TORN’s bi-monthly radio show on ‘Fictional Frontiers with Sohaib’ – WNJC 1360 AM Philadelphia. Larry talks about the Hobbit Panels conducted by TORn, the fans, and the how he can now sleep at night knowing the Hobbit scripting has begun … and much more.
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