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 »

Nienna writes: Brad Dourif is going to awarded a lifetime achievement award according to this article. He certainly deserves it!

You can add Brad Dourif to the list of ‘LotR’ alumni who have expressed an interest in returning to Middle-earth.   Brad was at DragonCon a couple of weeks ago, and was asked if he would reprise his role as Grima Wormtongue in the second ‘Hobbit’ (or “bridge”) film should the writers find a way to include the character.  His response?  “Of course!”  Stay tuned to TheOneRing.net for more information!

Ruth let us in on a Canadian Convention next month called FanExpo Canada 2008. LOTR alums include Sean Astin and Brad Dourif. Other guests of note include WES CRAVEN, BUZZ ALDRIN, KATE MULGREW, EDWARD JAMES OLMOS, BRENT SPINER, MICHAEL ROSENBAUM, JAMIE BAMBER, KRISTY SWANSON, JEREMY BULLOCH, ALEX ROSS and HENRY WINKLER (what? Yeah I wrote that). [FanExpo Canada 2008]

Sideshow collectibles has posted a Backstage Pass video of the latest LOTR diorama, ‘Dark Counsel,’ featuring Grima Wormtongue and Theoden. To view the video follow the link below. Other Sideshow Collectible LOTR headlines: The Aragorn Premium Format figure page has been updated with production imagery (Image of the final piece as it will ship to customers); The Moria Orc Premium Format Figure exclusive is sold out, but you can get the regular edition here; The Sam and Frodo 12-inch figure exclusives are still instock and available for shipping. [Dark Counsel Video] [Aragorn Pics] [Moria Orc] [Sam and Frodo Figures]

Sideshow Collectibles has started taking pre-orders for the ‘Dark Counsel‘ diorama – featuring Brad Dourif as Grima Wormtongue and Bernard Hill as Theoden. They have also posted a 360° turnaround of the piece (see image). In other LOTR updates, Sideshow has posted their production photography for the Sam and Frodo 12-inch figures – if you haven’t picked up you figures yet, now is the time. The Samwise Gamgee and the Frodo Baggins Exclusive Editions (only available via Sideshow’s website and have an extra accessory) are on second chance and should sell out shortly. Also on second chance is the popular ‘Treachery of Saruman‘ diorama which is getting some great reviews. And last, if you are on the fence about any of these collectibles, check out the ‘Backstage Pass‘ features. They are neat little videos that explain the figure and showcase what makes Sideshow items worth owning. [Dark Counsel Diorama] [Frodo 12-inch Exclusive] [Samwise 12-inch Exclusive] [Hobbit Backstage Pass Video] [Treachery of Saruman Diorama] [Treachery of Saruman Backstage Pass Video]

Collectors can look forward to a pretty realistic looking diorama coming soon from Sideshow Collectibles titled “‘Dark Council’ – Theoden and Grima Wormtongue.” From the looks of the piece, the sculptors have perfectly captured the likeness of Brad Dourif as Grima and Bernard Hill as the possessed Theoden. If Sideshow follows their regular schedule, we can expect this item to pre-order next week around 6pm PT. And if you are a Cate Blanchett fan, check out the Sideshow/Weta Polystone Statue of Galadriel, now listed at 35% OFF. [Dark Council Diorama] [The Lady Galadriel Statue]

Good news for convention goers! LOTR veteran Brad Dourif (Grima Wormtongue) will be a guest of one of the best conventions in the country — Dragon*Con. Dragon*Con 2008 will be held Labor Day weekend (August 29 – September 1, 2008) in Atlanta, GA and it is a must see event for any fan. Along with Brad there is a whole Tolkien Track available to LOTR fans featuring scholars, panels, fun and games – even an ‘Evening at Bree’ event! If you are looking for a vacation this year, Atlanta is a great place to visit, and Dragon*Con is a great event to attend. [DragonCon Brad Bio] [Tolkien Track]

Brad Dourif’s run as the ‘Doc Cochran’ on HBO’s Deadwood has come to a disappointing end – as the ‘Wormtongue’ actor did not even apear in Sunday’s series finale. If you are like me, Deadwood was one of the highlights of TV for the past three years, but HBO has decided to cancel the series for suspect reasons. Lets hope Dourif’s character gets an appropriate storyline end when HBO shows two feature movies slated for next year. [Contact HBO]