I’m fairly obsessed with The Hobbit’s Benedict Cumberbatch, I have been since I first saw him take on the role of Sherlock Holmes in BBC’s ‘Sherlock’. This is why it’s great to hear that Benedict will be awarded for his talent at the upcoming Britannia awards.

Benedict whose credits include ‘The Fifth Estate’, ‘Star Trek: Into Darkness’ and ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’, as well as obviously ‘Sherlock’ and the upcoming ‘Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug’, where he’ll be playing the titular dragon antagonist Smaug, will be receiving the award for British Artist of the Year at the Britannia Awards in Beverley Hills.

The award itself is dedicated to paying tribute to the British artist who represents the best of UK talent, and looking at the year that Cumberbatch has had I’m hard pressed to think of someone more deserving. Previous winners of the prestigious award are Kate Winslet, Michael Sheen, Rachel Weisz, Helena Bonham Carter, Emily Blunt and Tilda Swinton, which as you can see is a fairly impressive selection of names to be joining. It’s also nice to get another male winner to go with the fantastic actresses that have been honoured.

Also winning at the Britannia awards are George Clooney, who will receive the Stanley Kubrick Britannia Award for Excellence in Film, Kathryn Bigelow, who will receive the John Schlesinger Britannia Award for Excellence in Directing and Sir Ben Kingsley will receive the Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award for Worldwide Contribution to Entertainment.

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Actor Orlando Bloom is currently making his Broadway debut (sans blonde wig, we assume) in a new production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.

This is the first time Romeo and Juliet has been staged on Broadway in 36 years — and we have THREE pairs of tickets to giveaway to lucky TORn readers!

Bloom’s co-star is two-time Tony Award® nominee Condola Rashad, and the production is directed by five-time Tony Award® nominee David Leveaux. The play will open on Broadway on Thursday, September 19, 2013 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre; preview performances have been running since Saturday, August 24, 2013.

How do you enter?

To enter to win one of these three pairs of tickets, all you have to do is follow @RomeoJulietBway on twitter, then send @theonering.net a TWEET!

Simply follow ‘@RomeoJulietBWay’, then tweet:

Please enter me to win tickets to R&J on Broadway! @RomeoJulietBway @theoneringnet #TORnRJ

Tweet us by MONDAY 16th Sept – don’t delay!  We’ll then pick three winners from all the tweets received, and we’ll be in touch with those lucky folks to let them know!

The winners will be able to choose tickets for a WEEKDAY performance of their choice (depending on availability) before Nov 1st of this year.  (Which means, if you’re planning on coming to New York ComicCon, you could go and see Romeo and Juliet on the Wednesday and then come to TORn’s party in the Big Apple on the Thursday – more on that soon!)

If you aren’t lucky enough to win, you can still buy tickets to see the lovely Orlando on stage!  All details of this production can be found here.

Don’t forget the #TORnRJ in your tweet!  Good luck!

Tweets about “#TORnRJ”

Gandalf & Saruman at SLCC 2013

SALT LAKE CITY — Once scheduled for a smaller venue in the suburbs, the first ever Salt Lake Comic Con filled Utah’s capital city’s largest convention venue and had it bursting at the seams Saturday. For a time the hundreds waiting outside were not allowed to enter except at a 1-out-1-in rate. Word on the dealer’s floor said it was because the fire marshal closed the space but that rumor was never confirmed.

Reports in the media called the event “record setting” for a first-year convention, and that is possibly true, but such stats aren’t readily available. In any case, it was a massive event with celebrities that included William Kircher (Bifur) and Manu Bennett (Azog) and other pop-culture icons like William Shatner and Adam West.

Azog at Weta booth, Salt Lake Comic Con 2013

TheOneRing.net was part of the fun as well, with staffer (and this writer) Larry D. Curtis (MrCere) attending with the show in his (my) hometown. the SLComic Con invited TORn to present a panel about Smaug and serve on other panels as well, with topics including Fantasy Films, all things Tolkien, Geek Culture and film school.

Bennett and Kircher were kind enough to drop by TheOneRing panel that also included author and TORn friend Paul Genesse. He helped moderate the panel and showed incredible enthusiasm for the material.

TheOneRing also managed a booth on the at time very crowded floor supported by incredible friends at Badali Jewelry and Weta Workshop making its first U.S. appearance outside of the San Diego Comic Con. TORn helped back in a small way to staff the Weta booth and send those with questions about where to purchase The One Ring to Badali’s very nearby booth. Artist David Powell was also kind enough to sign posters of his art for fans.

The Salt Palace Convention Center can be expanded and the SLCC will return next year. TheOneRing.net hopes to be part of the show. Thanks to Dan McBride and Blonde Ninja for their support of the TORn booth. Thanks also to the many financial supports at the event and to Salt Lake Comic Con for letting us be a part of the show. If you attended and would like TORn to return, you can use the contact info here to let them know.

If anybody has images of Bennett and Kircher attending the TORn panel, please send them in! We were busy having a panel and didn’t get any photos.

Martin Freeman’s age today*!

That’s right — today Martin is 42. We reckon that’s pretty awesome seeing as Martin played the role of Arthur Dent in the Hitch Hikers Guide To the Galaxy Movie. Happy birthday, Martin!

Martin is, of course, best known for his portrayal of Tim Canterbury in The Office, Dr. Watson in Sherlock, and our own Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit film trilogy.

Check out our little gallery of photos of Martin below, including a few from Sherlock and plenty from The Hobbit.

TheOneRing.net is always delighted to be out and about meeting fellow fans, so the biggest highlight of the con for us was chatting with everyone who stopped to say hi, either at our table in the Hyatt hotel or after the two panels we gave over the course of the weekend.  Thanks for coming over and sharing the Tolkien love with us!

Our two panels were on Saturday afternoon and Sunday lunchtime.  The first was The Hobbit: One book, three movies – a look at why this seemingly short story may (or may not) merit being made into three films.  On Sunday we explored The Desolation of Smaug, with much speculation on what we may see when the film hits the big screen later this year.  Both panels were very well attended, with folks lining up well in advance.  Staffers deej, greendragon and MrCere were the panelists.

TORn was also delighted to help out with the Tolkien Track’s two evening events, Friday’s An Evening at Bree and Saturday’s Middle-earth goes Retro 80s dance party!  greendragon planned the fun for Friday night, with TORn favourites Emerald Rose rocking the house, as ever, and inspiring everyone to dance the night away.  Attendees were very excited when William Kircher, Graham McTavish and Sylvester McCoy showed up to host the costume contest!  They were fabulous MCs, and the entries into the contest this year were just stunning.  Bravo to everyone who took part – the judges had a very hard time picking winners!  (Big thanks to Namadriel, Soinma, MrCere and Nicole Kircher for taking on judging duty!)  The party even included a marriage proposal, as ‘Smaug the Terrible’ knelt down and popped the question to ‘Azog the Defiler’ – both amazing costumes, and a very happy couple at the end of the night!

deej revealed why her TORn nickname has been deej for all these years, as she hosted and dj-ed the dance party on Saturday night.  It was just wonderful to see everyone getting into the spirit of things!  Many folks came in amazing ‘Middle-earth in the 1980s’ costumes, including one gal who was The Eye of Sauron - complete with ‘Venetian Blinder’ sunglass lens!  Elves, dwarves and men took to the dancefloor and strutted their stuff as Saturday turned into Sunday; eventually, soon after 1am, we had to shut the party down and everyone reluctantly headed out to seek their beds – or another party elsewhere!

What with running the table all day every day, partying in the evening, and appearing on a few panels in addition to our own two, TORn staffers were kept pretty busy throughout the weekend of DragonCon!  (MrCere was of course particularly busy, wearing his two hats of being both TORn staffer and Tolkien Track Director.)  The Roadtrip gents did an amazing job of live streaming from the event, so we could keep in touch with folks at home.  By Monday evening, everyone was exhausted – but exhilarated!  Many thanks again to all who stopped to say hello, and maybe to buy a shirt or a button, and show their support for the website.  We always love to meet you all, and it’s great to see familiar faces year after year!

TORn is in Salt Lake City just now, at Salt Lake ComicCon.  Next weekend we’ll be representing at Cincinnati Comic Expo; and then our next BIG event (and party!) will be in New York City, for NYComicCon, October 10-13.  Stay tuned for news of that – we hope to see you there!  Just need to catch up on some sleep in the meantime…

What Smaug might look like: A concept

By: Manuel Ferreira

I wanted to make an animation starring Smaug which harmonises between Peter Jackson’s films and my own imagination. But for that I needed references. Right now, we don’t have many, but the ones we have are enough for a concept – a concept that I wanted to share with you!

With The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug trailer, we got a clear picture of Smaug’s muzzle and eyes. In The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, we saw Smaug diving into Erebor’s treasure, and although we cannot see Smaug himself, we do see his horns covered in gold. Assuming that Smaug’s look won’t change between the films, we know that he has four horns in each side of his head and one spike in the middle. Joining the horns to the muzzle we saw in the trailer gives us an idea of what his entire head would be like. I drew them together but took some precautions: Smaug was diving so his horns got ‘’stretched’’ and blurry during the picture (after all, he was at movement) so I gave them a shape. For his neck, I simply followed the spikes assuming they’re in some sort of sequence.

For the side of his face, I did the same thing, only picturing the horns side on.

Another body part of Smaug that we clearly see is his tail. It’s visible when he breaks the gates of Erebor, and one feature that caught my attention was that the tail is forked.

There are almost no images of Smaug’s body, but we can (just) see the proportions of his wings, neck and tail with his head. Mixing that with elements of the common adaptations of Smaug with a realistic tone gives us a really cool dragon. As for the color, I personally think that he is a really dark red with purple/dark tone, and exposing the color of the trailer’s Smaug to daylight, my thoughts were confirmed. This is a concept of what we can expect for the next films, but I honestly hope that PJ’s Smaug, is way cooler than mine!

For my animation I added Benedict Cumberbatch’s voice to this Smaug. You can see it here:

About the Author

Hi, my name is Manuel Ferreira, I’m 13 years old and live in Portugal. I’m a recent Tolkien fan, and discovered Middle-Earth trough Peter Jackson last year. Since then, I’ve started to read J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, watched The Lord of the Rings trilogy and basically became a die-hard fan. Middle-Earth is currently my inspiration for my draws and videos.

There are some fabulous, exclusive pieces up for grabs – including some things which, usually, money can’t buy! Time is running out on some of our auctions too, so best check them out now. Here are just a couple that might tickle your fancy:

Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun Tolkien signed by Dwalin & Bifur

PICTURES OF AUTOGRAPHS ADDED

Autographed during 2013 DragonCon in Atlanta, GA by The Hobbit Dwarves Bifur (William Kircher) and Dwalin (Graham McTavish) in generous support of TORn’s Fundraiser. More pictures will be coming.

This is a brand new copy of a recent Tolkien publication, ‘The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun’, which was edited by Christopher Tolkien and published 2009. The hardback book is in excellent condition; there are some minor scuffs/creases to the paper sleeve, plus a slight sticky mark where it looks like a price label was removed off the back. Otherwise in perfect condition.

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Published: 2009
By JRR Tolkien; edited Christopher Tolkien
ISBN: 978-0-547-27342-6

The winner may have to endure a bit of a delay in this UNIQUE bag’s shipment as it is still at DragonCon with our TORn reps. They still have a long journey home after the Convention.

Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun Tolkien signed by Dwalin & Bifur Auction

Autographed Official DragonCon Contest 1 Cert. by Bifur, Dwalin, Radagast

Autographed by 2 Dwarves and a Wizard; William Kircher (Bifur), Graham McTavish (Dwalin) and Sylvester McCoy (Radagast the Brown). This is a NEW and OFFICIAL 2013 DragonCon “Costume Contest Comedy Category” Winner’s Certificate [First Prize!]. They generously signed this certificate in support of TORn’s Fundraiser. Picture discoloration is due to lighting. Certificate color is off white as seen in picture of contestants on stage.

DragonCon’s Costuming Contest is a fashion show that focuses on the craftsmanship of the costumes created by Con-goers from all over the world. Hundreds of costumes are seen in the hallways, panels, and other competitions throughout DragonCon, but little attention was paid to the efforts taken to make these wearable works of art. For this reason, in 2006 the contest was created to acknowledge those efforts and abilities as opposed to just presentation skills. Each year, a panel of prestigious and professional judges in the costuming business host and judge the contest. One of the most exciting things for contestants is to receive recognition and an award for their own work from these judges.

The winner of this auction may have to endure a bit of a delay of shipment as it is still at DragonCon with our TORn reps. They still have a long journey home after the Convention.

Autographed Official DragonCon Contest 1 Cert. by Bifur, Dwalin, Radagast Auction

There are some fabulous, exclusive pieces up for grabs – including some things which, usually, money can’t buy! Time is running out on some of our auctions too, so best check them out now. Here are just three that might tickle your fancy:

EXCLUSIVE Dwalin the Dwarf of The Hobbit Artwork by Jerry VanderStelt

This auction offers a stunning canvas print by prominent artist, Jerry VanderStelt. Best known not only for his works inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien, he also captures the worlds of Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and much more in the Fantasy/SciFi genre. Dwalin the Dwarf will be signed and personalized by Jerry VanderStelt and comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Mr.VanderStelt is also offering the winner of this Auction the choice of the frame-ready canvas or to have the canvas Gallery Wrapped. The two images displayed with this Auction shows the raw, canvas form and also how the Gallery Wrap option gives it a mounted, more dimensional look.

The canvas measures 18 x 24 inches, NOT counting the border that is designed to be Gallery Wrapped. Once it is Gallery Wrapped, the canvas will measure 18 x 24 inches. Please allow 2-3 weeks for completion. The work uses the finest materials available of archival inks as well as Breathing Color’s exclusive “Lyve” canvas and “Timeless” protective finish.

Your prize will also be shipped to you directly from the VanderStelt Studio, which is a site you must visit to see his stunning work up close. Jerry VanderStelt’s life-like detail and style of artwork gives each of his subjects a rich depth and beauty that’s impossible to describe.

Dwalin Artwork by Jerry VanderStelt Auction

Exclusive ‘The Nazgul’ Medallion No.1 – Prototype LotR Sideshow

This is one-of-a-kind master prototype of The Nazgûl Medallion by Sideshow used for their final creation. Highly collectible, this is genuinely a Lord of the Rings’ film treasure. Approximate weight 4 lbs; approximately 6″ in circumference.

A signed letter of authentication by a Sideshow representative is available.

Nazgul Medallion Auction

Autographed Official DragonCon Contest 2 Cert. by Bifur, Dwalin, Radagast

Autographed by 2 Dwarves and a Wizard; William Kircher (Bifur), Graham McTavish (Dwalin) and Sylvester McCoy (Radagast the Brown). This is a NEW and OFFICIAL 2013 DragonCon “Costume Contest Comedy Category” Runner Up Winner’s Certificate. They generously signed this certificate in support of TORn’s Fundraiser. Picture discoloration is due to lighting. Certificate color is off white as seen in picture of contestants on stage.

DragonCon’s Costuming Contest is a fashion show that focuses on the craftsmanship of the costumes created by Con-goers from all over the world. Hundreds of costumes are seen in the hallways, panels, and other competitions throughout DragonCon, but little attention was paid to the efforts taken to make these wearable works of art. For this reason, in 2006 the contest was created to acknowledge those efforts and abilities as opposed to just presentation skills. Each year, a panel of prestigious and professional judges in the costuming business host and judge the contest. One of the most exciting things for contestants is to receive recognition and an award for their own work from these judges.

The winner of this auction may have to endure a bit of a delay of shipment as it is still at DragonCon with ourTORn reps. They still have a long journey home after the Convention.

Autographed Official DragonCon Contest 2 Cert. by Bifur, Dwalin, Radagast Auction

There are some fabulous, exclusive pieces up for grabs – including some things which, usually, money can’t buy! Time is running out on some of our auctions too, so best check them out now. Here are just three that might tickle your fancy:

Elijah Wood PERSONALLY AUTOGRAPHED 8×10 photograph

In EXCELLENT condition, this is an 8 x 10 inch photograph personally signed by Elijah Wood for one of our TORn staffers at ORC 2004 (One Ring Celebration Convention). This is not a pre-stamped signature. It’s the real thing!

For several years, TheOneRing.net would host an ORC Convention in Pasadena, California. At each 3-day Convention, the Hobbits (Billy Boyd, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, and Dom Monaghan) would attend our festivities along with many of the LotR cast, artists, production crew, calligrapher Daniel Reeve (and more), as well as Tolkien artists, authors… you get the picture!

It was during the 2004 Convention that Elijah Wood autographed this photograph for our TORn staffer. There are no snapshots of this happy moment… just the fond memory of its recipient.

Elijah Wood Autographed Photo Auction

TORn’s ‘Road to DragonCon!’ Faux Mirkwood Orc Arrow

Since leaving Los Angeles, California last Monday, TORn’s most Worthy Warriors have taken to the Road on a Quest to DragonCon in Atlanta, Georgia. They will arrive at the mighty Con this Labor Day Weekend (August 30 – September 1). The journey has been fraught with danger, travelling through unknown lands, and braving endless cups of questionable coffee.

Now you can own a piece of the ‘Road to DragonCon’. During their trip while at 4-corners USA, they came upon what they have dubbed a ‘Mirkwood Orc Arrow’. Now, we all know that the chance of Orcs being found in Southwest America is pretty slim, but that makes this item all the more unique. Okay… it’s really not from Mirkwood, or Orcish, but what if it was!?”

Because this treasure is on the Road, the exact dimensions and materials of this weaponry are unknown for now… making it all the more mysterious. Let’s make a guess and say the arrow is 16-18 inches long with a wooden shaft and a green stone or plastic arrowhead. Admit it. You’re intrigued! Take a chance and defy reason… make a bid!

Watch for more captivating trinkets as our Rugged Road Warriors find plunder along the way there and back again. Own a piece of the ‘Road to DragonCon’.

And there’s more! Because our Travellers are not at home, there may be a delay of a week or so before your auction Fundraising item can be shipped to you. Thank you for your interest, understanding and bravery!

Faux Mirkwood Orc Arrow Auction

 Bilbo Baggins long-sleeve t-shirt Hobbit

Item is a high quality standard Size Large official New Line Productions long-sleeved T-shirt. New with tags –100% cotton – never worn, never washed (may shrink). It is a light tan color, and the image has been photo-silk screened (it is not a transfer).  Measurements: Across Chest 21.5 inches, Sleeve Length (from sleeve seam at shoulder to wrist) is 23.5 inches, Overall Length (from shoulder to hem) is 31 inches.”

Bilbo Baggins Long-sleeve T-shirt Auction

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Justin took the crystal slab, streaming the knowledge of Middle-Earth to those who wanted it most, while Doug and Ryan fled into the dark, cold, gaming cave. Where they played Cryptozoic’s table-play The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with all manner of persons. Jovial were the games when people learned the power of working as a team, as one unit, and the company never faltered once.

While the young dwarves looked after the horses, the streaming Company were making their way to panels moderated by Mr. Cere on the Tolkien track. Drunken hobbit songs brought in a rowdy audience. More tales from Middle-earth with Graham McTavish (Dwalin) and William Kircher (Bifur).

The Company reconvened as a complete group once more to dine, then set out in search of a party, and find a party they did. All the cracks in time and space had opened for one night at the annual masquerade, and a host of beings from every plane poured into the lobbies of the four hotels. Spilling into the halls ,and rooms of conference, splashing the air with the sounds of their fevered happiness. It was a gathering of which the likes have never been seen, or may never be seen again.

All good things must conclude , so check out tomorrow’s installment of “Cryptozoic’s Lost Tales” when the company once again hits the road. They’ve completed the “There”, now it is time for the “Back Again” in Cryptozoic’s Road to Dragon Con!

Doug Brochu.

There are some fabulous, exclusive pieces up for grabs – including some things which, usually, money can’t buy! Time is running out on some of our auctions too, so best check them out now. Here are just three that might tickle your fancy:

EXCLUSIVE 3-piece set of Lord of the Rings Art by Jerry VanderStelt

This auction offers a beautiful 3-piece set of The Lord of the Rings Collector Edition Lithographs by prominent artist, Jerry VanderStelt. Best known not only for his works inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien, he also captures the worlds of Indiana Jones, Star Wars, and much more in the Fantasy/SciFi genre.

Each Lithograph of the 3-piece set has a unique Remarque or sketch drawn on the bottom left corner, signed separately from the normal signature and a certification of authenticity.

The collage of iconic images, moments from The Lord of the Rings includes:

Set 1: The Fellowship of the Ring
Set 2: The Two Towers
Set 3: The Return of the King

These Lithographs are printed on a Heidelberg press using 200 line screen for superior reproduction quality, as well as utilizing “100 year” archival inks, and an aqueous coating for a protective finish. Each litho is made with heavy 100 pound paper and measure at 24 x 30 inches each. If you purchase the 3-piece set through BUY IT NOW, Mr. Vanderstelt has offered to personalize each Lithograph. Your prize will also be shipped to you directly from the Vanderstelt Studio, which is a site you must visit to see his stunning work up close. Jerry VanderStelt’s life-like detail and style of artwork gives each of his subjects a rich depth and beauty that’s impossible to describe.

Lord of the Rings Art Auction

TORn Collector’s Ed. Hobbit Magazine signed by Dwalin, Bifur and more

This copy has found itself travelling to DragonCon 2013 where it has been signed by two of The Hobbit’s Dwarves — Dwalin; Graham McTavish and Bifur; William Kircher — for TORn’s Fundraiser! It also has two of the articles signed by their authors. A collaborative effort between Topix Media Lab and your friends here at TheOneRing.net, this tribute to The Hobbit covers everything you need to know about The Hobbit movies from a fan perspective.

Side-bars and feature articles, contributed by our own volunteer staff, include interviews, a feature on book vs. the movie, articles on games and collectibles, a Middle-earth timeline, and much more! The high-quality, glossy paper used for this magazine is also packed with colorful pictures of cast and crew members, locations, collectibles, gorgeous fan art and a few exclusives! One thing that makes this truly a collector’s edition is that there are only two ads in the entire 82-page magazine.

Signed Hobbit Magazine Auction

Paperback The Hobbit signed by Graham McTavish and William Kircher

This is a NEW paperback copy of The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien with a movie tie-in picture from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey film released in December, 2012.  This copy has travelled to DragonCon 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia and has found itself autographed by 2 Dwarves (William Kircher and Graham McTavish) for TORn’s Fundraiser Auction.

Signed copy of The Hobbit Book Auction

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