The Bridge Direct fresh off the success of their line of figures for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey are releasing some information regarding when we might see wave two. This wave will commence under The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug which hit store shelves October 15th. This wave will have the same style of figures that we saw in wave one but we will see characters we did not see as well as new characters. The Bridge Direct also announced they will once again have an exclusive figure at Comic-Con in July of this year.

Update: We just received some awesome pictures of a few of the upcoming items. So a gallery has been added to this post.

Per the info we know so far for Wave Two:

3.75” SCALE ACTION FIGURES

o    New assortment includes Radagast, Thranduil, Azog, Beorn and Gandalf

o    Each figure features 12 points of articulation and replicates the authentic facial features, clothing, weapons and accessories of the character in painstaking detail.

o    SRP $7.99 each

3.75” SCALE ACTION FIGURE BOX SETS - Three New Packs!

• Mirkwood Pack: Legolas, Tauriel, Thranduil, Fili and Kili
• Thorin Oakenshield Adventure Pack: Nori, Ori, Dori, Gloin and Thorin
• Bilbo Baggins Burglar Pack: Bifur, Bombur, Bofur, Oin and Exclusive 3.75″ Invisible Bilbo
• SRP $29.99 each

6” SCALE COLLECTOR FIGURES

• New assortment includes Radagast, Azog and Legolas
• Each collector figure features intricate details replicating the character’s facial features, clothing, weapons and accessories.
• SRP $14.99 each

So, what’s the grand prize? One Blu-ray™ Combo Pack with UltraViolet™* or HD Digital Download, Comic-Con 2012 Exclusive Bilbo, 1 Hero Pack, and 1 Beast pack. Consolation winners receive one of six Blu-ray™ Combo Pack with UltraViolet™* or HD Digital Download.

Enter the contest by following this link: The Bridge Direct The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Blu-Ray Contest

You can check out tons of images taken by the awesome folks at Figures.Com in their The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey gallery.

Some other very cool info coming out of Toy Fair about how this line may develop going forward:

1. The Bridge Direct wants to do a Smaug in 3.75 scale. This would of course be a large figure even in that scale, to be bigger than the Dwarves.
2. The Desolation of Smaug packaging will be different than The Unexpected Journey packaging. These figures will be out in the fall/winter of this year.
3. There will be a party of Thorin pack that will cost $80, allowing you to get all the Dwarves in one package.
4. There will be a Comic-Con 2013 figure.

‘The Bridge Direct:You must have some good connections – these are some of the figures we are previewing at New York Toy Fair next month – stay tuned for more details’

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Wishing all of you a safe and happy New Year! May the best of your 2012 be the worst of your 2013. Cheers All from grammaboodawg and Kelvarhin

Full review after the break.

Attention all hobbits, dwarves, elves, men, women, goblins, orcs, and so on, here is a review on the figures released for The Hobbit; An Unexpected Journey, via The Bridge Direct. They contain a high level of detail and the articulation is similar for almost every figure: ball joints at the neck, shoulders, elbows, legs, and knees, along with swivel waists, hips, and wrists. Please assume this is the case unless otherwise noted.

First, we’ll take a look at the Goblin King and Thorin Oakenshield. The Goblin King is massive and quite heavy even in comparison to the 6” figure line. However, this is appropriate as he is one of the larger goblins. Plus, he’s the king! Varying from most of the other figures in the 3.75” line, the Goblin King has hinge joints at the legs and chest as opposed to the hips. The Goblin King comes with a staff that appears to be made out of the bones of what was once an animal that resembled a ram. There is also a crown with a spoke in the center that fits fairly well onto the King’s head. The dress piece is not removable.

Thorin has the basic articulation described above. He comes with a cool Dwarven sword, the famous Orcrist, and his oak shield. There is a sheath for the Dwarven sword on Thorin’s waist. Orcrist has a fancy sheath that attaches to Thorin’s back via a pin and hole. This sword comes complete with Elvish markings. The oak shield also fits with pin and hole. However, it is rather loose. I would suggest leaving the rubber wrap on to hold it in place. The leader of the Company is even has some grey hairs, which I thought was a rather nice touch.

“Mr. Baggins, I could see that you enjoy food as much as we do!” The star of our journey, Bilbo Baggins, comes equipped a satchel, binoculars, Sting with Elvish markings, a sheath, hairy feet, and a protruding tummy. Rightfully so on the last item! The likeness of the figure, while not dead on, bears enough of a resemblance to Martin Freeman that it’s worth a buy. Gollum, so much younger, but more immobile? The former Smeagol has maintained his creepiness. Gollum has standard articulation at the neck, shoulders, legs, and stomach. The biggest issue with this figure is the lack of articulation, and a lack of accessories. I know he’s practically naked, but it would have been cool if Gollum had a ring, his boat, or even a small dagger.

Fimbul, the great hunter. This orc is one mean looking mamma jamma! He comes with a wild spear, mace, and a dagger that kind of looks like the one Shakru used in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. I give The Bridge Direct credit for that idea. Fimbul comes with a mangled cape that is removable. There are a few downsides to the hunter. For one, he has nowhere to store all of his weapons. I had him carry the dagger and mace while the Warg held on to the spear. That would be an interesting game of fetch! Remember, he’s a Warg rider. Yet, his skirt mail makes it very complex to get Fimbul on the Warg. You have to bend the rubber or cut it off to keep him on there. The Warg is fierce and if you work for the postal service, this is not the animal you want chasing you. There is articulation at the ankles, neck, stomach, tail, and the jaw opens and closes, which was a nice touch. Besides the fur being frayed, there are some blotches of blood on the coat. The coloring is perfect and I was very pleased with this beast.

The Grey Pilgrim rides again! Gandalf styles his usual attire and comes with his sword, staff, a sheath, and removable hat. His robe limits his movement, but why does a wizard need to do flips anyway? His face is a bit dirty, which adds to naturalization of the character. After reading the tale, we’d all be surprised if Gandalf made it out without a scratch. Bolg is a very interesting character. The son of Azog is ridiculously intimidating. Some of his armor is made from the bones of fallen enemies. I don’t even want to imagine what this fellow would use for a tie! The armor at the shoulders does limit his movement, but it’s not too bad. The detail on the face is pretty accurate. His beard appears as though it was the color of fire itself. This reminds me of an eye that we are all very familiar with… He rocks a HUGE mace and 2 swords that resemble scimitars. These items seem very fitting. Though, like Fimbul, this goblin has nowhere to store his weapons. That may be the biggest issue with any of these figures is storage space

Orlando Bloom is back as our Elf of the Wood. His robe limits his Elf-like abilities, but he still looks pretty cool. He comes with a bow with Elvish markings, and daggers with Elvish markings that all fit nicely into the quiver on his back thanks to the pin and hole. However, the arrows are all bunched together and cannot be separated. The bow does lack string which could be an issue shooting arrows. Tauriel has the same robe limitations. Like Legolas, her bow and daggers have Elvish markings. However, her quiver has no room for her daggers. Where are these blades of fury supposed to go while she’s shooting the evil forces down? Her hair also covers the quiver a bit. Finally, it is difficult to get her to stand while holding her weapons. We all know how annoying that can be. So a little work is required to get that to work

“Fili and Kili, at your service!” The youngest Dwarven members of Thorin and Company are ready for adventure! Fili comes with a nice Dwarven hammer, twin blades that look like machetes, and a sheath on his back that holds the blades nicely. He has the handles of knives sticking out of his forearm armor. Yes, those are just handles. The blades do not come out. He also has throwing axes laced into his boots. They look great, but they are apparently just for show which knocked down my rating of the figure a bit. Kili comes with a quiver that holds his bow, arrows, and sword on his back. Like Fili, he has a knife attached to his quiver that is just for show. The sleeves of his coat make it difficult to get his elbows to bend so there may be some fidgeting with them in order to achieve this. His boots are dirty, which does give the figure some additional character. Both of these figures suffer from the shirt mail getting in the way of their leg mobility.

Balin, nice beard! The Lord of Moria comes with a mace and short sword. I say short only because it is smaller than everyone else’s. Unfortunately, this figure also has a tough time finding where to put all of his weapons. The detail is amazing and he totally rocks the pointy shoes! Dwalin, the bruiser, comes equipped with a full arsenal! He has a TREMENDOUS battle hammer, his 2 axes (Grasper and Keeper), sheaths on his back to hold both axes, and a knife and sheath that stand their ground via pin and hole. Unlike Kili and Fili, this knife actually comes out. Anyway, the detail on this figure might be the best in the group. He has cuts along his forearms. No doubt, these were from epic battles. He also has the tattoos on his head. I believe this may be an up and coming trend of fans. His boots are a tad faded and he even has armor on his hands to resemble the character in the film. In my opinion, Dwalin is a must have in the 3.75” line. I hope The Bridge Direct will  eventually  make a 6” likeness as well.

Speaking of 6” figures, I also want to review the 6” version of Thorin Oakenshield. He has articulation includes all of the basic spots along with the ankles. The detail on this figure is immaculate! From the random strands of grey hair, to the fur coat, and all the way down to the mud covered boots, this Thorin does Richard Armitage proud.  He comes with the same accessories as the 3.75” Thorin. The enlarged pieces are more in depth. The legs are slightly restricted by the shirt mail. The oak shield is less of a pain to keep on the toy and has more of a real feeling than the 3.75” Thorin. The other 6” figures are similar to their 3.75” figures the same as Thorin with improved likenesses, accessories, and great paint. As of right now the 6” range consist of Thorin, Gandalf, Bilbo, Legolas, and Tauriel.

Elessar: One of the none action figures that The Bridge Direct is making for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is Bilbo’s trusty sword Sting. This mini-sword for kids to play with and have their own adventures isn’t just for kids. I can’t deny that I have also enjoyed playing with my own sword and one of my puppies have enjoyed joining me on my own adventures. Sting has the same detail that you would see in a metal replica only in plastic. It also has a button that when you push will turn the sword blue allowing you to know if Orcs are near. When swinging Sting you also get some awesome sword sounds. Sting isn’t the only item you get when you purchase this as you also get your own One Ring.

Overall, The Hobbit figures from The Bridge Direct have their ups and downs, but I feel that they are a good collection to have for any fan of Middle-earth.

Not listed in Bridge Direct’s recent release list, but included in Vivid’s list for release in Europe, is also a  ‘Yazneg’ goblin figure, but for now there’s no Azog.  Of course we’ve also seen Grinnah and Fimbul the Hunter with his warg; but those fellas seem to be Misty Mountain goblins, connected to the Goblin King, whereas Bolg and Yazneg are connected to the earlier Goblin Wars (with Bolg being the son of Azog, and Yazneg a character created for the movies).  So what does this tell us about what we can expect to see in the first film of these goblins and their battles with the dwarves?  Do these toy releases mean we won’t have to wait until the second (or even third) movie to learn more about the Goblin Wars?  Why don’t you join us in our message board forums to speculate?

Thanks to our friends at Tolkiendrim.com for the heads up on these European toy releases – see the full list over at their website.

Each week, TORn poster DanielLB collects links to the hottest subjects on The Hobbit Discussion Board.  If you don’t have time to search through that fast-moving and action-packed Board, just check out DanielLB’s Want Hobbit Movie News? Hobbit Headlines of the Week!

The TORn Discussion Boards celebrated World Hobbit Day with a fun collection of games, fanfic, and much more.  Even after the day was over, the party continued.  Check the list of activities here.

Here is one more tidbit that has The Hobbit Board buzzing with the latest poster shot of the entire Company: Gandalf, Bilbo and a baker’s dozen of Dwarves.  Here’s a peek.

We’ll share more topics next week and hope you can join in on the conversation!  Don’t forget, TheOneRing.net’s Message Boards have over 8,200 registered Tolkien fans, just like you.  Let your voice be heard!

Read the official press release from The Bridge Direct (after the break):

The Hobbit Trilogy Inspired Master Toy line from The Bridge Direct

Journeys to Retailers Nationwide on October 1

 The Bridge Direct Unveils Action Figures and Role Play Toys Inspired by The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Creating Excitement for the Film’s December 14 Release

 Boca Raton, FL (September 28, 2012) – Almost a year after Warner Bros. Consumer Products announced that The Bridge Direct was named co-master toy partner for the upcoming The Hobbit Trilogy, the much-anticipated product line has finally made the journey to retail shelves. Beginning on Monday October 1, fans will be able to take home the authentic collection of toys, including 3.75” figures, 6” figures, collector packs and role play accessories, that are inspired by The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first film in the trilogy, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM).

“The Bridge Direct has done a spectacular job of capturing the richly imagined world of Middle-earth in their new toy collection,” said Brad Globe, President, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. “The product line will hit retailer shelves just in time to add to the excitement around the highly anticipated release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”

“Our team has been working feverishly to create a collection of products that will exceed the fans’ expectations,” said Jay Foreman, President and CEO of The Bridge.  “It is an honor to work on an epic franchise, and crafting the most authentically detailed products possible was a task we did not take lightly.”

Bringing The Hobbit to life for fans of all ages, the toy collection includes:

3.75” Action Figures – Available in Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Thorin Oakenshield, Grinnah the Goblin and Legolas Greenleaf, these 3.75″ scale action figures contain up to 12 points of articulation and replicate the authentic facial features, clothing, weapons and accessories of the character in painstaking detail. (For Ages 4+, SRP $7.99 each)

 3.75”Action Figure 2-Packs – These pairings of 3.75″ scale action figures are available in four styles: Bilbo and Gollum, Balin and Dwalin, Kili and Fili, and Legolas Greenleaf and Tauriel, with both Balin and Tauriel being EXCLUSIVE to the 2-Packs at this scale in this series.  (For Ages 4+, SRP $14.99 each)

 3.75” Figure Deluxe 2-Pack – Gandalf and Bolg prepare for battle with this set of 3.75″ scale action figures pairing a key hero with a key villain. (For Ages 4+, SRP $17.99)

 3.75” Action Figure Box Set – Join Bilbo, Thorin, Kili, Fili and Dwalin, with this special box set for the avid collector. The set includes 3-5 weapons/accessories for each figure for posing and battling action. (For Ages 4+, SRP $29.99)

 3.75” Beast Pack – Every good villain needs a beast to ride into battle, and this 3.75″ scale action figure beast pack has them both with Fimbul the Hunter and his Warg! Featuring authentic detail, these figures are sure to become collector’s items. (For Ages 4+, SRP $19.99)

3.75” Figure Battle Pack – One of the biggest and baddest creatures faces off with a key hero in this 3.75″ scale action figure battle pack featuring the Goblin King and Thorin Oakenshield. Each figure replicates the facial features, clothing, weapons and accessories of the character in authentic detail. (For Ages 4+, SRP $29.99)

6” Collector Figures – Available in Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Thorin Oakenshield, Legolas Greenleaf and Tauriel, these 6″ scale collector figures feature intricate details based on the characters. Each with up to 12 points of articulation and authentic details replicating the character’s facial features, clothing, weapons and accessories, these figures are sure to become coveted pieces of movie memorabilia. (For Ages 4+, SRP $14.99 each)

Bilbo’s Sword, Sting – Featuring motion-activated battle sounds and a glowing light, this deluxe role-play sword will give young fans the complete character experience. (For Ages 4+, SRP $19.99)

6” Dwarven Battle Axe – This role-play axe replicates in authentic detail the battle axe carried by Gloin the Dwarf. Now fans can re-enact key battle scenes at home. (For Ages 4+, SRP $12.99)

Several of the items are currently available for pre-sale orders at major online retailers, and the entire collection will be available in both mass and specialty retail chains nationwide come Monday, October 1.  Members of the media will be able to preview The Hobbit inspired toy line today at the annual Time to Play Holiday Showcase in New York City.

About The Hobbit Trilogy:

A production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is the first of three films from filmmaker Peter Jackson, the Academy Award-winning director of “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy.  The screenplay for “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro.  Jackson is also producing the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh.  The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers.

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” and the second and third films of the trilogy are productions of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures, with New Line managing production.  Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM.

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” will be released on December 14, 2012, with the second film, “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,” releasing December 13, 2013, and the third film, “The Hobbit: There and Back Again,” slated for July 18, 2014. www.thehobbit.com

© Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.  All rights reserved.  THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and the names of the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, Inc.

About The Bridge Direct, Inc.

The Bridge Direct, Inc. is a global children’s consumer products company that provides strategic support and resources to licensors, retailers and distributors. The Bridge’s services include product development, manufacturing, line planning, branding, marketing and sales support. Product lines from The Bridge include: Annoying Orange plush, figures and games; Inkoos™ draw, wash and redo activity plush; Justin Bieber dolls and toys; Looney Tunes plush, figures, playsets and role play toys; Shoulder Buddies^® wearable figures; The Hobbit figures and role play toys; and Waverly and The Magic Seashells dolls and playsets. To find out more about The Bridge, please visit www.thebridgedirect.com or follow the company on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/TheBridgeDirect.