TheOneRing.net:@JohnSant87@TwoPaddocks There is a tiny chance of a tiny TORn cameo in the deep background of Laketown. Is it a cameo if nobody knows you?
TheOneRing.net:RT @adamrensch: lightning in Greece is different. Greece lightning is systematic. It's automatic. It's HYDROMATIC. IT'S BURNING UP THE QUARTER MILE, GO GREE
Publishers Houghton Mifflin Harcourt are running a competition where they’re giving away a nice little Hobbit and Lord of the Ring swag. It’s only open to US citizens and residents (which excludes me, too!) but the prizes are pretty nice. Competition closes very soon, so best enter now!
DragonCon is nearly here, and here’s some news of a great giveaway which will be happening at TORn’s booth at the convention.
Those of you who have kids, take note! In addition to some big stars from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, DragonCon this year will also feature the little star authors of Nimpentoad, a children’s fantasy book. The furry bright-eyed little Nimpentoad is tired of being picked on by the bigger and meaner creatures of the ancient shadowy Grunwald Forest. He convinces his fellow Niblings to make the perilous journey to a castle where they hope to find refuge. Along the way, they are confronted by ravenous goblins, trolls, rhinotaurs, and other perils. But with teamwork and Nimpentoad’s leadership, the Niblings outwit these menaces.
Author Elizabeth M Stephen‘s new book focuses on Aragorn the hero-king of The Lord of the Rings, although he is one of the pivotal figures of Tolkien’s mythology, a detailed examination of this popular character has been a notable omission from the spectrum of existing study. The book is published by ADC books.
Hobbit to Hero: The Making of Tolkien’s King, is a uniquely detailed study of the character “Aragorn” unraveling his evolution from hobbit ranger to Numenorean King and exploring how this unexpected transformation enabled Tolkien to fulfill some of the profound functions of his wider mythology.
Thanks to ringerspy Liz for the heads up. For details on the official book launch and for pre-ordering read more here.
This month, J.W. reviews The Atlas of Middle-earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad. Meanwhile, he tackles the tough questions (“Why three Hobbit films?” “Why was Beorn in a Lord of the Rings commercial?”) in his mailbag section below.
J.W. Braun’s Mailbag:
OK I have to ask: Lord of the Rings, over 1000 pages, three films. The Hobbit, 300 pages, three films. What’s up with that?! – James
We all listened to and read Peter Jackson’s words from Comic-Con about three possible “Hobbit,” movies carefully. But we didn’t listen to all the words and we missed a few things.
He told us. He told us — he did.
He said exactly what he meant, he said it plainly and the media and fans (and me) tried to figure out what he meant when he told us in plainness. Monday, Jackson dropped an atomic bomb of news and fandom reacted accordingly.
“The Hobbit,” adapted for the screen from the 300-page, 75-year-old book by J.R.R. Tolkien changed from from two movies to three in the blink of a Facebook post.
AMBITION
More on the words we ignored in a minute. We need to figure out when these films break, what it means for fans and websites and studios and cinema and the director, but lets not rush past the size and scope of this news. Lets not walk around Paris admiring all the cafes and churches without also pausing and noticing the big tower in the center of town.
We witnessed, the last few weeks since Comic-Con, something monumental, unprecedented, unparalleled and a little bit crazy. Jackson (and when we say “Jackson” we always mean the director and Walsh, Boyens and a team of others supporting their vision) is in unchartered territory here. (more…)
In the era of digital books, music, and movies – everything seems possible. It seems the imagination is no longer a limiting factor. Bluewater Productions has published a limited-edition graphic novel biography covering the life and impact of J.R.R. Tolkien: “ORBIT: JRR TOLKIEN True Lord of the Rings” Originally released in May and sold exclusively through comic book shops, its now for sale on iTunes.
Authors Michael Lent and Brian McCarthy researched Tolkien’s life in great detail “We’re definitely fans,” artist Luis Chichón said “But we wanted to make sure readers get full measure of the man. That beyond his work in fantasy he was a fragile World War I veteran, well-respected philologist and university professor…all of which played a part in his creation of Middle Earth.”
For lovers and collectors of movie tie-in books, Houghton Mifflin is releasing a slew of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey tie-in books for adults and kids over the coming months. Veteran collectors will note the involvement of Jude Fisher and Brian Sibley.
However, the first of these is a movie tie-in edition of The Hobbit published by Mariner books that will debut on September 18. If the prints of the “movie” versions of the Lord of the Rings are a good guide (and we are pretty sure they are), the text will remain the same, with the cover an iconic image taken from the film.
Houghton Mifflin sent a full list list to reviews.libraryjournal.com of the of books will hit bookstores on November 6.
The highly anticipated San Diego Comic-Con will feature appearances from many of the major stars of the upcoming Hobbit movies. Fans of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit who have kids, take note! In addition to the big stars of The Hobbit, San Diego Comic-Con will also feature the little stars of Nimpentoad, a children’s fantasy book (www.nimpentoad.com).
The furry bright-eyed little Nimpentoad is tired of being picked on by the bigger and meaner creatures of the ancient shadowy Grunwald Forest. He convinces his fellow Niblings to make the perilous journey to a castle where they hope to find refuge. Along the way, they are confronted by ravenous goblins, trolls, rhinotaurs and other perils. But with teamwork and Nimpentoad’s leadership, the Niblings outwit these menaces. (more…)
Total Film has released their annual “Future 100″ issue. As well as people, the list covers projects and trends in film to watch for the next 18 months. Last year ‘The Hobbit’ production itself made it into the top 10. This year several of ‘The Hobbit’ cast made it into the top 30: Aidan Turner, Evangeline Lily, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Luke Evans and Benedict Cumberbatch, respectively. None of this is surprising given the standard Peter Jackson has set for his productions, and all of it makes December seem so far away.
Note: This report was put together by new recruit Frenz, we hope a frequent contributor to TheOneRing.
This month, J.W. Braun reports from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando Florida to tell you how you can win a free Harry Potter board game. He also reviews The Sorcerer’s Companion: A Guide to the Magical World of Harry Potter and, in the mailbag section below the video, answers your questions.
J.W. Braun’s Mailbag
It seems strange that Sauron could show Denethor Frodo trapped at the Tower of Cirith Ungol but he could not get the Ring. When Frodo was captured at Cirith Ungol, why didn’t Sauron just send a Nazgul to the tower right away? It seems like he didn’t care about Frodo/Sam until too late. – Kathryn
Note: This comes from our newest contributor Momosanla. Look for more great stuff from her soon.
If you’re looking for a good book to read on your summer holidays – fire up those digital readers because you’re in luck. The finalists for the 2012 Mythopoeic Awards were announced on Tuesday, May 22. Past award winners have included the Harry Potter series, Orson Scott Card for “Seventh Son” and Neil Gaiman for “Anansi Boys”. With a track record like that, you’re sure to find a quality read amongst the nominees.
The Mythopeoic Society, founded by Glen GoodKnight in October of 1967, is a group dedicated to the discussion of and the study of the literary genre of mythopoeia: authors who create an entirely “new and transformative” mythology or “incorporate and transform existing mythological material.” Specifically the society focuses on the works of Inklings members J.R.R Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams. Each year, since 1971, they have honored outstanding examples in both adult and children’s fiction and non-fiction studies. (more…)
Publishers Houghton Mifflin Harcourt are running a competition where they’re giving away a nice little Hobbit and Lord of the Ring swag. It’s only open to US citizens and residents (which excludes me, too!) but the prizes are pretty nice. Competition closes very soon, so best enter now!
and, in the mailbag section below the video, answers your questions.