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…)
Ringer HobbitSized tells us that Lego has released another short. Two Minute: Quest of the Fellowship is a summary of sorts of the four chapters that we’ve already seen.
You’ll find that the narrative is slightly different, and it concludes with a very brief Bilbo-Gollum teaser at the end for the sets that we know will accompany the forthcoming Hobbit movie. Looks like Riddles in the Dark will definitely be one of them.
A lot of people are very excited about the forthcoming Lego Lord of the Rings game.
We may have missed a couple of cool reveals about the game that emerged at E3 around the beginning of last month.
So here’s a re-cap, including an 18-minute on-stage demo that Nick Ricks gave at E3. It reveals a long in-game sequence from the Mines of Moria, including Balin’s tomb. You can also pre-order the game here.
Lego has just debuted its fourth and final animated short for the Lord of the Rings. The epic lego-y conclusion follows Sam, Frodo and Gollum deep into Mordor and all the way to the Cracks of Doom.
Watch for the giggle-worthy Ringwraith cameo. Thanks to Ringer Pieter for the heads-up!
Bootnote: Lots of people are asking about the Lego LoTR game. These shorts seem to be solely for the miniatures, but there also appears to be a game in the works. There is a pre-order page on Amazon with a release date of October 1 2012. If anyone knows more, drop us a line at Spymaster at theonering dot net.
This is artist Kevin Tong‘s interpretation of The Lord of the Rings as seen through the very familiar prism of everyone’s favorite mini-figurines — Lego.
It was “exclusively” for sale at Com-Con.
Not sure if it is still available. Anyone who does know, drop us a line!
Artist: Kevin Tong
Size: 24 x 36
Edition Size: 225
Price: $40
Lego has just debuted its third animated short for its Lord of the Rings game, this time with members of the Fellowship repelling the Uruk-hai hordes of Saruman at Helm’s Deep.
Thanks to ringer whatisabagginses for the heads-up!
As we reported earlier, today is The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit day at Comic-Con 2012 (aka #HobbitCon) and LEGO® was kind enough to send us this exclusive image of a brand new ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey‘ Playset! The set is called ‘An Unexpected Gathering’ and features Bag End with six mini-figures. As you can see in the image above, we have Bofur holding an axe, Bombur with a sausage and knife, Dwalin wielding a really large weapon and knife, Balin with chalice, Gandalf the Grey with walking staff, and Bilbo Baggins. As you can see the set is highly detailed with greenery, vegetables and much more. From the looks of the image we’ll have a nice inside component to play with as well. Stay tuned as we report more from Comic-Con 2012! [Live Coverage]
LEGO Systems Celebrates a New Theme Each Day at San Diego Comic-Con
-Surprises abound for fans as construction toy maker unveils new playsets, life-sized models, mystery builds, contests and one-of-a-kind giveaways in support of popular licensed properties-
SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON (July 11, 2012) – LEGO Systems, Inc., the world’s leading construction toy manufacturer, unveils its largest ever San Diego Comic-Con presence with a “theme of the day” calendar of events that celebrates its top licensed properties including LEGO® THE LORD OF THE RINGS™ and LEGO THE HOBBIT™, LEGO Super Heroes, LEGO Star Wars™ and LEGO NINJAGO. LEGO Systems welcomes show attendees with displays of life-size models, first-ever “reveals” of LEGO building sets and limited edition giveaways. In addition, attendees are invited to help “build” a section of its booth each day that features 7.5 feet tall mosaics of Comic Con favorites at booth #2829 of the San Diego Convention Center, July 12-15.
“Each year we’re overwhelmed by the excitement Comic-Con fans show toward the LEGO brand and the new playsets we introduce based on their favorite characters and storylines,” said Michael McNally, brand relations director, LEGO Systems, Inc. “As we celebrate our 80th anniversary this year, we’re pulling out all the stops in San Diego to show fans how the classic LEGO brick continues to build popularity among children and adults of all ages with a rotation of themes and activities for fans of all interests.”
LEGO fans can finally get a look at some of ‘The Hobbit’ mini-figures. The figures will hit store shelves on December 1. Expect additional figures, as well as film-themed sets and some secret activities at Comic-Con in San Diego.
Left to Right: Gandalf, Dwalin, Bombur, Bofur, Bilbo and Balin
There is just one week until Comic Con 2012 starts with Preview Night on Wednesday, July 11. But aside from the TORn panel and WB’s panel for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, you may be wondering what else there is for a Hobbit fan to do. The Official SDCC website has put up schedules for panels, autograph sessions, films and portfolio reviews (aspiring artists, please take note). So here is your handy, dandy TORn guide to all things Hobbit and Lord of the Rings related at comic con this year (after the break)
For LEGO developer, Traveller’s Tales, it’s all about the journey with their first venture into “LEGOfying” an Academy Award Best Picture winner. Executive Producer Nick Ricks shared at E3 that the team has been working closely with LEGO and WingNut Studios/New Line to recreate The Lord of the Rings experience as authentically as possible. Some in-game sequences are not completely made of LEGO with cinematic sequences added.
“There’s so much fantastically framed cinematography and brilliant camerawork. We can’t improve on that, so we just need to take it and put it into the game,” Ricks explained.
The usual LEGO voices for characters have also been replaced with theatrical ones such as Orlando Bloom for Legolas, and to streamline the journey, the game world has been created around Tolkien’s original maps where characters can move from Hobbiton to Mordor without jumping in and out of chapters.
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.
Ringer HobbitSized tells us that Lego has released another short. Two Minute: Quest of the Fellowship is a summary of sorts of the four chapters that we’ve already seen. 
A lot of people are very excited about the forthcoming Lego Lord of the Rings game.
This is artist 
LEGO Systems Celebrates a New Theme Each Day at San Diego Comic-Con 
