What exactly is going on with the two-part adaptation of The Hobbit? The world seems to be holding its breath in anticipation, including us, but as the calendar turned to November, we turned to a trusted rock-solid inside source and found a dragon’s treasure of updates. Read the rest of this entry »

Sir Ian Mckellen is enjoying a relaxing holiday before throwing himself into filming The Hobbit – because it’s the first time he’s taken a break in his entire career. The veteran actor celebrated his 70th birthday in May and admits reaching the landmark age prompted him to slow down his hectic filming schedule and take some time to himself.

He says, “I’m in the middle of a holiday. I’m not working at the moment and it means I can do lovely things. It’s a change for me because, for the first 50 years of my life, I just worked and worked and worked and I didn’t feel happy unless I knew what the next job was going to be. And then I hit 70 this year and I thought, ‘Oh, I’m going to have a little bit of downtime for myself.’” More..

A few reports are coming in from Ringers who tuned into the UK’s Channel 4 Paul O’Grady Show. Sir Ian McKellen was a special guest today, and confirmed a few things: He has received ‘both’ scripts. Original LOTR cast members will be returning. He has signed the declaration that he will not talk to friends, family or even his agent about the script! He does not know who is cast as Bilbo, but believes he will be an English actor. Sounds like a great interview – hopefully it will be posted on the O’Grady site soon. Thanks to Ringers Simon and Paul for the heads up. [O'Grady Website]

Geoff Boucher writes: This week we’re taking a look at four major trilogies from this decade that are looking to add a fourth film despite substantial challenges — not least among those challenges the skepticism of moviegoers who may wonder if some of these Hollywood vehicles are running on empty.

The story so far: Director Peter Jackson’s majestic and magical interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic is arguably the gold standard now for fantasy-film franchises. The “Rings” trilogy piled up a staggering $2.92 billion in worldwide box office (plus more than $3 billion in DVD and others ancillary sales) and also pulled off a magic trick that has eluded the “Star Wars” or “Harry Potter” franchises — it cast a spell over voters in the marquee Oscar categories of best picture, best director and best adapted screenplay. More..

The Noldor Blog reports some big changes around Jackson’s Stone St Studios, with what looks like the beginnings of a huge new structure to replace one of the existing sheds. Read More

It’s great news that New Line and the Tolkien Estate have settled their lawsuit, but looking at the amount of work going on at the Hobbiton set in the past month, it seems as though the outcome was never in doubt. Here’s images from Holly, who saw this during her Red Carpet Tour through Hobbiton in August.

Hobbiton sprouts new hedgerows

New Row? Hobbiton seems to be growing

Working on Hobbiton's roads

As was predicted last week, the legal rumblings between the Tolkien Estate and New Line have come to an end and the path is now clear for ‘The Hobbit’ film(s). Here’s the official press release:

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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 »