Hobbit Movie News and Rumors | TheOneRing.net™ » Locations Sets

SD calendar reveals a new image of Beorn? In human form?

Demosthenes — Sat, 10 Aug 2013 00:17:18 +0000

The back cover of a 2014 Hobbit calendar from SD Toys reveals something interesting — what we believe is a new image of the shapeshifter Beorn, as played by Mikael Persbrandt. Excitingly, we believe it also finally answers a long-standing question about a series of spy images (and video) from Ringer Glow that we revealed way back in November 2011. This might be some heavy spoilers for some, so consider yourself pre-emptively warned!

But first, the image from SD Toys!

Say hello to Beorn!

Well, apparently the image IS real because Warner Bros. has asked us to remove it. Sorry about that, folks. If you were lucky and got in fast, you have seen Beorn in human form. If you weren’t, you might still be able to find it if you dig around the internet a bit.

In the meantime, here’s our detailed description:

Beorn is standing in what appears to be a field, in front of a large wooden chopping block made from the stump of a tree. Hewn logs, presumably intended as firewood, lie in a pile beside him. Beorn himself seems tall and very muscular – very solidly built in the torso, with very broad shoulders and thick biceps. His right upper-arm/shoulder may feature a large dark, tattoo. Or it may be grime. It’s too hard to be certain at this resolution. In fact, his entire torso appears to have dark striations. Could his entire body be tattoed? Is it some natural effect of being a skinchanger?

We view him from behind and to the right, so it’s mostly an image of his back but we do get to see his face and hair in profile. His nose is long and patrician, but the dark mane of hair is the real talking point. Swept backwards, it’s like a cross between a spiky mohawk and a mullet. You could almost imagine David Bowie rocking this look in the late ’70s and early ’80s. He wears brown trousers that have the same look and fit as the concept art we’ve seen from the production blogs. It is belted at the waist, but Beorn is shirtless.

The background is of a green, flat valley with a lake or small body of water off to the left beyond some low bushes. The valley sides rise steadily in the distance in the manner that’s often see throughout the South Island of New Zealand and particularly in the Glenorchy/Paradise area. Beorn appears to keep goats.

What do people think? Well, so far some readers are more than a bit bemused. One says: “Looks like some beauty and the beast guy”. Another: “he looks like some sort of punk rock/redneck hybrid. I half expect him to drop the axe and pick up an electric banjo.”. What do you reckon? Did you catch a glimpse? Let us know your thoughts below!

That’s no orc or goblin

Let me tell you: that’s no orc or goblin. Even if you did see one in such a rustic pastoral scene, would goats hang round near such a creature? No, not likely. I also think we can agree that it’s very different look to the Beorn of the graphic novel (thank-you to Ringer Ross for that link!).

The hair: is it a mohawk or a mullet? Or some peculiar combination of both? There do seem to be similarities with the hue of Bear!Beorn’s pelt as seen below in the original “Scroll” image that was released about 12 months ago. And is that a tattoo or some marking on Persbrandt’s right upper-arm/shoulder, just above the bicep?

It also might be worth making some comparisons to what many long believed (and now looks to pretty much confirmed) original concept art/sculpt for Beorn that was in one of the early production vlogs. The trousers seem almost the same, and both model and actor have around the same bulk. I reckon it’s a match.

The Company will meet Beorn early in the second film.

A concrete link with the old Paradise set?

The other interesting thing about this calendar picture derives from the background. When Ringer Glow provided those superb location spy shots, they also included several of the surrounding countryside.

But in particular, I’m thinking of the one directly below — which reveals a similar slope to the nearby mountains and the presence of water. Certainly we’ve seen snippets of both the interior and exterior of Beorn’s house in stills, the trailer and production blog scenes, but for mine this pretty much nails it — this is the Beorn set and there will be a gate in a thorn wall just like in the book.

After a while they came to a belt of tall and very ancient oaks, and beyond these to a high thorn-hedge through which you could neither see nor scramble.
“You had better wait here,” said the wizard to the dwarves; “and when I call or whistle begin to come after me — you will see the way I go-but only in pairs, mind, about five minutes between each pair of you. Bombur is fattest and will do for two, he had better come alone and last. Come on Mr. Baggins! There is a gate somewhere round this way.” And with that he went off along the hedge taking the frightened hobbit with him. The Hobbit

Live Webcast TORn TUESDAY With End Of Filming News & More

Cliff Quickbeam Broadway — Tue, 30 Jul 2013 23:58:54 +0000

Everyone gather round for our weekly live webcast TORnTUESDAY! We have some great footage from our livestream at San Diego Comic-Con and above all we have coverage of the final days of shooting THE HOBBIT films down in New Zealand. They just completed all their photography a couple of days ago.

We will have lots of mischief today — so please bring your questions and comments to the chat!

We launch TORn TUESDAY every week at 5:00PM Pacific: brought to you by host Clifford “Quickbeam” Broadway and producer Justin “I Make Damn Good Shirts” Sewell — Our innovative live show includes worldwide fans who join us on the Live Event page with a built-in IRC chat (affectionately known as Barliman’s Chat room). Be part of the fun and mischief every week as we broadcast *live* from Meltdown Comics in the heart of Hollywood, U.S.A.!

And yes our YouTube channel will have this archived later. You can find us on www.youtube.com/the1nering

————————————————-

Follow Cliff Broadway: @quickbeam2000

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theoneringnet

Today We Speak of Happier Things on TORn TUESDAY Live Webcast!

Cliff Quickbeam Broadway — Wed, 17 Jul 2013 00:00:54 +0000

Today join us and Kili and Fili (THE HAPPY HOBBITS girls) for our weekly webcast TORn TUESDAY, as we are on the eve of San Diego Comic-Con! We have so much to talk about to raise your spirits, even with the ironically titled THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG!

We are going to have a lot to discuss before our presentation! Bring your questions and comments to the chat!

We launch TORn TUESDAY every week at 5:00PM Pacific: brought to you by host Clifford “Quickbeam” Broadway and producer Justin “I’ll Read It Someday” Sewell — Our innovative live show includes worldwide fans who join us on the Live Event page with a built-in IRC chat (affectionately known as Barliman’s Chat room). Be part of the fun and mischief every week as we broadcast *live* from Meltdown Comics in the heart of Hollywood, U.S.A.!

And yes our YouTube channel will have this archived later. You can find us on www.youtube.com/the1nering

————————————————-

Follow Cliff Broadway: @quickbeam2000

Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/theoneringnet

‘Hobbit’ production says goodbye to Bilbo (Martin Freeman,) Bard (Luke Evans)

MrCere — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 22:30:34 +0000

Martin Freeman waves goodbye on his last day as Bilbo Baggins.

Peter Jackson has shared on his Facebook page that Martin Freeman has finished his last shot as the film’s titular character Bilbo Baggins. The filming segment currently underway is a 10-week period that was always scheduled for pickups (shots that fill in the cracks once a rough edit of the film is assembled) and scenes for the massive Battle of Five Armies. Bilbo, as written in the book, has a relatively small part to play in the actual battle with his more significant role happening in the lead up to the massive conflict. (Knowing Peter Jackson, this will really be a spectacle!)

Jackson, who shares photos and videos on his Facebook page, captioned a photo of Bilbo waving goodbye:

“Tonight Martin Freeman finished his last shot as Bilbo Baggins. The end of an incredible two and a half years. I cannot imagine anyone else in this role – a character that Martin has nurtured and crafted with love and great skill.

We have said goodbye to our elves, humans, wizards and now the hobbit. We now enter our final 2 weeks of pick-ups, and it’s wall to wall dwarves. These pick-ups have been gruelling and intense, but I’m so happy with what we’ve been shooting. These next two movies are going to be pretty great!”

Martin Freeman as Bilbo with Benedict Cumberbatch.

Soon after, Jackson followed up that post with a somewhat historical shot of Freeman as Bilbo with Benedict Cumberbatch, famously his partner in their Sherlock Holmes television series. The two also figure prominently together in the next Hobbit film as Cumberbatch performs the massive dragon Smaug from his performance capture suit and has a key exchange with Bilbo. When behind-the-scenes content rolls out after the film, there may be more of them together on the Hobbit films but little has been seen so far. With the performance capture role, there could be precious little of the two actors together in New Zealand.

All reports and word from Jackson indicates there will not be pickup shooting next year but Jackson had a period of these after ever LOTR film and it is tempting to suggest there will be more next year. But with such a large principal cast, such an effort might be impossible because of scheduling.

Still in Wellington are the Company of Dwarves which could mean a heavy dose of battle scenes as audiences will want to follow each of them in battle. The book plotting calls for ferocious and deadly action.

Luke Evans, playing the enigmatic Bard the Bowman in “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” also tweeted that his last day on the film is over. Evans’ Tweet suggests he is off to work as Dracula after a summer where his “Fast & Furious 6″ did big business at the box office.

Graham McTavish also tweeted his farewells to Freeman.

Dwarvercise! New ‘Hobbit’ video blog arrives

MrCere — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 18:59:41 +0000

For those attending Comic-Con, Peter Jackson announced that he will not be sending actors or a sizzle reel to the giant popular culture show this year. However, TheOneRing.net does have a panel to talk about “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” on Thursday, July 18 at 5:30 to 6:30 in room 6A with a seating capacity of around 1,000. We will present our unofficial look at the film and we hope to spring a surprise guest or two at the affair as well. Be warned, there is always a line and never enough seats for TORn’s annual panel so plan ahead with many getting turned away every year. (We will also be selling shirts to keep our website alive financially at the Badali Jewelry booth and the Weta Workshop booth, come see us at both!)

For the rest of the world that doesn’t get to attend the San Diego even anyway, the team behind the scenes on the production presents a brand new production diary complete with what will surely be a new fitness fashion Dwarvercise! It also has some really good looks at the seldom seen storage facilities with the Art Department’s Ra Vincent, a glimpse of Evangeline Lily and Orlando Bloom riding a green creature and plenty of the crew getting the production back into the swing of pick up shooting, currently happening as you read.

The ten-minute diary is below. Enjoy!

Generator catches fire at Hobbit set

Demosthenes — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 08:49:44 +0000

Some breaking news via Stuff.co.nz. A huge cloud of smoke engulfed a Hobbit film set on the Miramar Peninsula when a generator caught fire.

Ed Scragg, who saw the fire from a Roseneath home on the other side of Evans Bay, said clouds of smoke engulfed a lighting tower on the set which has been built on land close to the old Mt Crawford Prison.

The lights went out and then came back on again, said Mr Scragg who said a number of fire trucks were seen racing to the scene.

The fire broke out just before nightfall at 5pm.

The fire service said they had to send several fire engines to the scene because it was not close to a water supply.

The fire engulfed a diesel fuel tank and generator and took about 20 minutes to put out.

”It definitely wasn’t theatrical smoke,” the fire service spokeswoman said.

The fire was at the scene of the gutted citadel film set.

It was understood to represent Dale, the town of men under Lonely Mountain, which gets scorched by Smaug the dragon and buildings on the set, built in a patch of bush, were made to look as though they had been gutted by fire.

Update: TVNZ offers a few more details. Most importantly, they report that no-one was injured in the blaze.

TVNZ says that the fire occurred on an old military track near the site of the old Mt Crawford prison. Four fire engines and a command vehicle responded, putting out the fire in the shipping-container-sized generator without any injuries.

TVNZ says the woodland area is understood to be being used for night filming.

Stuff.co.nz: Hobbit set fires up for new movie shoot

linuxelf — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 20:36:14 +0000

With The Hobbit back in production this month, a couple of new sets are up at Mt Crawford in Wellington for a 10 week stint of new and pickup shots:

Fairfax NZ news spoke to to Sir Peter Jackson’s spokesman, Matt Dravitzki, said the site on Miramar Peninsula was being prepared for a few days’ filming as part of 10 weeks of final-cut shooting for the last two installments of the trilogy.

“We’re back filming in Miramar for 10 weeks, here till early July. We will be filming on Mt Crawford for a few days.”

In-case you haven’t noticed, the writer of the article did accidentally type the second movie title as ‘The Demolition of Smaug.’ Mistakes happen! Follow the link for the full article and some new SPOILER imagery. [Click Here]

TORn Message Boards Weekly Roundup – June 3, 2013

Kelvarhin — Tue, 04 Jun 2013 01:51:15 +0000

Welcome to our collection of TORn’s hottest topics for the past week. If you’ve fallen behind on what’s happening on the Message Boards, here’s a great way to catch the highlights. Or if you’re new to TORn and want to enjoy some great conversations, just follow the links to some of our most popular discussions. Watch this space as every weekend we will spotlight the most popular buzz on TORn’s Message Boards. Everyone is welcome, so come on in and join in the fun!

This week on Main saw the return of stormcrow20s Caption Contest. Check out some of the crazy responses here.

In the Reading Room, Brethil is leading us in a discussion of “Law and Arda” by Douglas Kane. Come and share your views here.

Meanwhile in The Pollantir Sam90 would like to know if you believe in Ghosts? Come and vote and leave your thoughts here.

In Feedback, The Grey Elf was wondering if we should have an official De-lurk Day, to encourage more people to step out of the gloom of Lurkwood and into the Light of the Boards. See what everyone has to say here.

We’ll share more topics next week. We hope you’ll come and join in the conversations! Don’t forget, TheOneRing.net’s message boards have over 9,700 registered Tolkien fans, just like you. Let your voice be heard!

Join the Ranks of the Laketown Fire Department!

newsfrombree — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 12:24:38 +0000

Whether a candle falls over and lights the curtains on fire, or a Dragon with a grudge decides to wreck some havoc, the people of Laketown depend on the brave men and women of the Laketown Fire Department to save their homes and businesses. You can now be an honorary member of this elite team by owning your very own ‘Laketown Fire Department’ t-shirt! Made of 100% cotton and featuring the official seal, this shirt will make a great addition to your collection or an unforgettable gift for the Tolkien fan in your life. Place your pre-order today! [Order Today] [Emporium of Goods]

Hobbit tours build on a decade of successful adventure

Tehanu — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:25:20 +0000

Red Carpet’s Premiere Tour group dressed up for their Hobbiton visit

Red Carpet is steadily adding new locations into its tours in the light of the new Hobbit movie, says director Vic James.

“We’re pretty excited because since the Unexpected Journey came out, we’ve been able to add new sites and new people,” James says. “We visit landowners and check out new locations on a regular basis, as information and invitations come to hand.

“The Premiere Tour last November was the first to visit some of the new places and when the time is right for further landowners to allow visits, we will add them in.”

The north island leg of the tour includes, as before, Hobbiton and the central volcanic plateau that served as Mt Doom. A new feature are some rapids where the dwarves’ more hair-raising barrel-riding scenes were filmed.

The ‘top’ of the South Island is a beautiful addition to the tour, James says. Nelson, with its sunny bay ringed by mountains, is reached by a ferry cruise through the beautiful fjords of Marlborough Sounds. There’s a stop along the way at Pelorus Bridge, scene of Bilbo and the dwarves’ barrel-riding adventures.

Red Carpet’s LOTR tours always include visits to extras, artisans, actors and crew members for the films. Halfdan Hansen, son of the real-life Ringmaker for LOTR, has his studio in Nelson and has created a new version of the Ring, invisibly weighted with some denser metal so that it lies strangely heavy on the palm of the hand.

In Nelson there is also the option to take a two-and-a-half hour helicopter flight to Dimrill Dale and South of Rivendell. The flights have been a huge success with tour guests.

Olympus Rocks – a place to hide from the spies of Saruman

To accommodate the extra locations, tours are now 14 days duration. People can also choose to join the North Island 6 day or the South Island 10 day options. “It’s a long way to come to not see it all,” James says.

OIN and GLOIN Part 4 Dwarven History on TORn TUESDAY Live!

Cliff Quickbeam Broadway — Tue, 21 May 2013 23:48:48 +0000

Welcome to our weekly live webcast — known as TORn TUESDAY — a unique show format where you can come into the chat and participate live. We are now on the 4th part of our ongoing series of discussions on the History of the Dwarves who undertake the Quest of Erebor. Today we switch gears to discuss OIN and GLOIN (father of our Fellowship member Gimli) and learn about the great fate tying up these characters in the House of Durin’s Line! Bring your questions and join us LIVE for what will be a very illuminating discussion of dark Dwarven secrets! We have *JUST* confirmed that our actors playing these roles have been whisked away to the studios in Wellington, where Peter Jackson has commenced new shoots for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug!

Join us for TORn TUESDAY every week at 5:00PM Pacific: brought to you by host Clifford “Quickbeam” Broadway and producer Justin “I Haven’t Read The Books Yet” Sewell — as we discuss the unique characteristics of each Dwarf. We shall learn how they fit into the larger history of Tolkien’s legends — and what Peter Jackson & WETA did to help us distinguish these rough and tumble travelers from each other (using more than just colored hoods). Our innovative live show includes worldwide fans who join us on the Live Event page with a built-in IRC chat (affectionately known as Barliman’s Chat room). Be part of the fun and mischief every week as we broadcast *live* from Meltdown Comics in the heart of Hollywood, U.S.A.!

NEXT WEEK: Bifur, Bofur….. and Bombur, for real this time!

——————————————————————-

Follow Cliff ‘Quickbeam’ Broadway on Twitter: @quickbeam2000

Our Own Documentary RINGERS: Lord of the Fans Now on iTunes!

Cliff Quickbeam Broadway — Tue, 14 May 2013 21:29:16 +0000

In 2005 we premiered our very own documentary feature film RINGERS: Lord of the Fans at the Slamdance Film Festival in Park City, where it was quickly snapped up by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment for worldwide distribution on DVD and cable! It is finally available on iTunes after 7 years of hopeful waiting… you can also find it on Amazon Instant and on VUDU.

What a fun movie! Dominic Monaghan (Meriadoc Brandybuck) came on board to be our wonderful narrator! Actually this film is a time capsule of many decades of pop culture history — giving us the full story on how the world has embraced Tolkien’s masterpiece THE LORD OF THE RINGS over 50 years and more!

Winner of the Outstanding Achievement Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival, RINGERS was produced in association with TheOneRing.net — this remarkable little film was forged BY fans and FOR fans, just like our website, with the production/writing talent of Clifford “Quickbeam” Broadway (who hosts TORn TUESDAY every week), Jeff Marchelletta, and supercool director Carlene Cordova. It was executive produced by X-Men/Transformers guru Tom DeSanto.

With a wonderful rock-driven score and detailing all the outpouring of love bestowed on Tolkien over many generations, this film is a must-have for your digital collection! Get it on iTunes now for only $9.99!

From the original Sony Press Release:

“RINGERS is comprehensive, entertaining and informative pop culture history.”
– The Toronto Star

“…Will always be a salient part of ‘LORD OF THE RINGS’ history…
See it, absorb it, love it.” – FilmThreat

Winner of “Outstanding Achievement” Award at the
Newport Beach Film Festival

RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS

FASCINATING DOCUMENTARY CAPTURES THE HISTORY, INFLUENCE AND PHENOMENON THAT IS LORD OF THE RINGS

CULVER CITY, Calif. (September 12, 2005) – Sony invites you to return to the Shire with the release of the feature-length documentary RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS, direct to DVD. In association with the popular fan-site TheOneRing.net, Carlene Cordova produced, directed and wrote this award-winning film with executive producer Tom DeSanto(X-Men, X2: X-Men United and Transformers), which charts the incredible influence and ripple-effect that Lord of the Rings has had on worldwide pop culture over the past five decades. Whether you are a fan or first timer, critics agree, RINGERS, stands as the most comprehensive film documenting the ongoing impact of J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary achievement.

Dominic Monaghan (star of ABC’s Lost and the Academy Award^® winning Lord of the Rings trilogy) narrates the documentary as it looks behind the curtain between Lord of the Rings and how it inspired so many artists of different mediums. The film moves beyond “cult classic” and through different generations unearthing the way legendary rock musicians, filmmakers, professors, actors and authors all unite under the banner of ‘Ringer.’ Interviewees included in the film are Lord of the Rings trilogy filmmaker Peter Jackson as well as Elijah Wood, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin and David Carradine. Infused with a dynamic rock-driven score, irreverent cut-out animation (á la Terry Gilliam), and a centerpiece audience sing-a-long, RINGERS is a genre-busting documentary that shows how a single literary work continues to spark the minds and hearts of millions.

RINGERS continues the momentum of the motion picture trilogy Lord of the Rings, a winner of 17 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director for Peter Jackson, who made history as the first person to direct three major feature films simultaneously.

From the official synopsis:

Ringers: Lord of the Fans is a feature-length documentary that reveals the ongoing cultural phenomenon created by The Lord of the Rings. Very funny and often moving, Ringers shows the hidden power behind Tolkien’s books — and how after 50 years a single literary work continues to spark the minds and hearts of millions, across cultures and across time.

Shot with groundbreaking new digital technology in 24P, Ringers explores the real foundations of Middle-earth; a community of true fans who share a common bond. Moving beyond “cult classic” and over several different generations, the film unearths academics, musicians, authors, filmmakers, and a plethora of pop junkies — the people gathered under the banner of ‘Ringer.’ From the hippie counter-culture to the electronic age; from the Bakshi animated film to Jackson’s epic trilogy; this documentary brings together extensive footage from across the globe. With units in Los Angeles, San Diego, Atlanta, Salt Lake City, Bonn, Germany, Wellington, New Zealand, and Oxford, England, our cameras capture the most fascinating “Ringers” and Lord of the Rings events.

What began as the private amusement of a tweedy Oxford professor has now become a new mythology for the 21^st century. Ringers: Lord of the Fans shows how an adventure story published in 1954 has had dynamic ripple-effects through Western pop-culture. Ringers carefully pulls away the veil between Tolkien’s book and the creations of art, music, and community that have been inspired by it.

Check out the official trailer here: