Archive for the ‘WETA Workshop’ Category
November 26, 2012 at 3:31 pm by elessar
“You shall be The Fellowship of the Ring.”
-Elrond to the Fellowship at the Council of Elrond
Of the many things at Comic-Con 2012 Weta had three items that fans like myself had been waiting years to finally see. That amazing scene of The Fellowship cresting the hill has been long called for by fans to be turned into a collectible. Well, in June of this year the long wait for something representing this was over. Weta Workshop announced a three part set capturing this long awaited moment and set one has arrived. On the heels of set two going up for order its time to review set one.
PACKAGING
Graphically the box for set one is similar to what we’ve seen before with past items from Weta. The Lord of the Rings logo appears once again on the front of the box with a great group shot of The Fellowship as they make their trek across Middle-earth. In the center of the box you have a great picture of the piece number one of this set. On one side of the box you get a great picture of set one while the other contains multiple great images of items that you can find on Weta’s website. The back of the box has one final image of set one a nice story about this piece and what it took to bring it to life.
SCULPTING
A team of Weta artists was tasked with finally bringing one of the most demanded pieces to our collections. Based on how the pieces looked at Comic-Con and how set one came out in production they did a great job. One of the biggest challenges in a piece this size is the likenesses. The team at Weta was successful in making sure that each character in set one, which contains Gandalf the Grey, Frodo, and Legolas bears close resemblance to the actors that played them. Detail-wise, this piece is as good as anything you will find. Hair detail on Gandalf, Legolas, and Frodo is there and you even get individual hairs, you get great detail in Sting’s hilt, Glamdring’s hilt, Gandalf’s staff (even has the G-rune), and the detail in Legolas alone is really very good when you look at the size of these statues. The clothing of each character is not without detail either as each outfit is done successfully so that their outfits look like cloth. Finally, the base is as good as anything with its great rock, grass, and even detail in the dirt.
PAINT
As hard as it would be to sculpt a piece of this size the biggest character is only 5.5 inches tall would be to make sure the paint works with the sculpts. Well, Weta did not miss anything with this piece and it really helps set this piece at the highest level a collector could want. Skin tone on the three characters is on par with a statue two or three times the size. Another possible issue with a statue of this size is how the little details can be covered and that does not happen with this statue. As I said the hair, details in things like Sting, Legolas outfit, etc are all enhanced by the paintwork on this statue. The base is even brought to life and feels real with the sculpt and paint working together. Simply put, it’s a fantastic piece and the paint/sculpt work hand-in-hand to create something special
Overall
Set one costs $199 via Weta’s web site as does set two, which is up for Pre-Order now. As I said at the start of this little review this is something I know many of us have been waiting years for so now is the time to jump on these items before they vanish. I know for me personally this is something I’ve dreamt of owning for years and to finally have it coming to the collection piece-by-piece is simply fantastic. In other words this a must have item I think for any fan of Middle-earth!
SPECIFICATIONS: The Fellowship Set 1 is an open edition and comes in at: 5.5″ x 7.5″ x 5.1″ (H x W x D)
14 cm x 19 cm x 13 cm
PHOTOS
Posted in Collectibles, Collectibles, Lord of the Rings, LotR Movies, Merchandise, Movie Fellowship of the Ring, Movie Return of the King, Movie The Two Towers, Shop, Weta Collectibles, WETA Workshop
November 22, 2012 at 12:30 am by greendragon
We received a message from Weta Workshop saying that Richard Taylor would like to set the record straight about who built the installation at the Embassy Theatre in Wellington. Everyone has been ooh-ing and aah-ing over the amazing Hobbit themed installations popping up all over the ‘Middle of Middle-earth’ – and Weta were concerned that 3Foot7 were not getting the kudos due to them. Here’s what they had to say:To all our friends and readers at TORn – Please note that although our local newspaper has kindly credited Weta Workshop as having built the Gandalf on the front of the Embassy, this is not in fact the case. It is very important to us as a company to not receive credit for others’ work and we therefore wish to confirm that the Gandalf is the work of friends and colleagues of ours from 3foot7’s art department. We congratulate them on the opportunity to do this prize commission.
Weta Workshop
Posted in Crew News, Hobbit Movie, Production, Richard Taylor, The Hobbit, WETA Workshop
November 16, 2012 at 8:17 am by elessar
| Source: Weta Workshop| No Comments »
In June of this year the folks at Weta Workshop answered a long-standing request from the fans of Middle-earth with the release of Set One of The Fellowship of the Ring three-part set. Well, on the heels of the debut of Set One (review of said set coming soon), Weta has announced Set Two.
As you know the first set contained Gandalf, Frodo, and Legolas all of whom look really fantastic. Set Two gives fans four more characters on our way to completing the Fellowship with Boromir, Gimli, Merry, and Pippin. Like Set One this set will cost $200 and will not be shipping until quarter two of next year. Start saving now!
[Pre-order]
Posted in Collectibles, Collectibles, ComicCon, Conventions, Lord of the Rings, LotR Movies, Merchandise, Movie Fellowship of the Ring, Movie Return of the King, Movie The Two Towers, Shop, Weta Collectibles, WETA Workshop
November 7, 2012 at 9:34 pm by elessar
Weta Workshop has released even more items for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The new items range from some awesome T-Shirts to a great replica of Thorin Oakenshield’s Dwarven Ring. Thorin’s Map obviously plays a big role in The Hobbit and now you can wear it with this fantastic looking Thorin’s Map T-Shirt.
Also, Weta has put up a really good looking t-shirt with the Red Dragon Logo of the and only Smaug. Barad-Dur: Fortress of Sauron will start shipping in the near future from Weta, and what better way to show your excitement for that item than to also buy the Barad-Dur t-shirt. The final t-shirt from Weta also has a matching pin celebrating The Hobbit’s world premiere on the 28th of this month.
All of these shirts come in at $30 and are well worth the purchase. If you’re in New Zeland or know someone there make sure you get the World Premiere Shirt and World Primiere Pin. Finally, fans can order a sterling silver version the Ring of Thorin Oakenshield which is set to ship in early December for a great price of $189.
Posted in Clothing, Clothing, Collectibles, Collectibles, Hobbit Movie, Merchandise, Other Merchandise, Shop, The Hobbit, Weta Collectibles, WETA Workshop
October 29, 2012 at 10:59 am by elessar
“I can avoid being seen if I wish; but to disappear entirely, that is a rare gift.”
-Strider to Frodo while at The Prancing Pony in Bree
Continuing the trend of fantastic mini-statues from The Lord of the Rings, the artists at Weta have created a great version of Strider. This is the third statue in a beautiful line, which includes Gandalf The Grey and Gollum. This version of Strider captures the character as we first meet him in Bree, sitting by himself, watching the comings and goings of those at The Prancing Pony.
PACKAGING
The graphics on the front of the box for Strider have the same elegant look we’ve come to know from the collectibles Weta has created for The Lord of the Rings. The Lord of the Rings logo appears in the upper left hand corner, while a screen capture of Strider from The Fellowship of the Ring is in the upper right hand corner. In the center of the box you have a great picture of the piece itself, with the name of the collectible under the screen capture of Strider. On one side of the box there is a further picture of Strider, while the other contains multiple images of items that you can find on Weta’s website. The back of the box has one final image of Strider, with a bit more information on the collectible and the sculptor.
SCULPTING
Sculptor Steven Saunders created the Gandalf in this line of statues, as well as the Gandalf from The Hobbit line of statues; so we’ve seen his skills in being able to deliver a great collectible. The likeness to Viggo Mortensen is really well done, especially for a small statue with a head that has to fit in a hood. The texture of the cloak in which Strider has concealed himself is astonishing, giving a real look of draped cloth. We also get a great little sculpted pipe, which we see Strider smoking as he surveys The Prancing Pony. The extraordinary detail of this statue is continued in the bench Strider is sitting on; the natural lines and markings of the wood are perfectly captured.
PAINT
The paintwork on Strider is as good as the sculpting. The greens of Strider’s outfit match exactly what we saw on screen in Bree. The skin tone once again shows that Weta can get it done when it comes to making skin look very natural. One would expect the eyes on this statue, being small, to be an issue - but the painters did a fantastic job capturing Viggo’s eyes. Strider’s beard has the proper, worn look you would expect on a guy who lives out in the wild!
Overall
Strider costs $75 retail via Weta’s website, which is a steal for something as superb as this collectible. So do yourself a favor and hop over to Weta’s site and place your order now for a fantastic Strider statue!
SPECIFICATIONS
Strider is an open edition. The specifications for Strider are as follows: 5.3″ x 4.3″ x 4.1″ (H x W x D)
13.5 cm x 11 cm x 10.5 cm
PHOTOS
Posted in Collectibles, Collectibles, LotR Movies, Merchandise, Movie Fellowship of the Ring, Movie Return of the King, Movie The Two Towers, Shop, Viggo Mortensen, Weta Collectibles, WETA Workshop
October 29, 2012 at 10:27 am by greendragon
It’s nearly November – the month of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey premiere is almost here. And news keeps coming out of Wellington of the preparation for the fun! This is the newest sculpture to pop up in the city – and these dwarves (and one hobbit!) are designed to be tough! Read all about it here.
Posted in Events, Hobbit Movie, Premieres, Production, The Hobbit, WETA Workshop
October 21, 2012 at 5:33 pm by elessar
“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.”
- J. R. R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
We got our first look at the young Bilbo Baggins statue at Comic-Con 2012. As was the case for Gandalf the Grey, and the non-exclusive version of Thorin Oakenshield, Bilbo Baggins went up for Pre-Order October 1st, 2012 and is an open edition which allows fans a solid chance at getting all three of these amazing statues.
Bilbo Baggins is a 50-year-old Hobbit, comfortable with living in Bag End and enjoying his daily life. On April 25th, 2941 of the Third Age, that would all change with a visit from the wizard, Gandalf the Grey. After an unexpected party, Bilbo was convinced to join Thorin and company on their adventure to Erebor, setting in motion events that would change his life, and the fortune of Middle-earth, forever.
PACKAGING
The graphics on the box for Bilbo are similar to those of the Gandalf statue, having a very Middle-earth-like look and feel to them. As with the Gandalf box, there’s a shot of the character, graphics for the title of the movie, Weta logo and the name of the character. The sides present a couple of different looks with one side showing great shots of Bilbo from different angles, and the other side showing some of the additional products that will be coming out for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The back of the box contains a great story on Bilbo and his importance to the events of The Hobbit. Unlike the Gandalf statue, you have to plug Bilbo into a base which is stored inside the box (the Thorin base was outside of the box).
SCULPTING
Brigitte Wuest is the sculptor of Bilbo, a name that fans of Middle-earth well know for her many amazing works like the Theoden Statue, Morgul Lord and Gandalf the White on Shadowfax. As with those statues, she nailed Martin Freeman’s look as a young Bilbo Baggins, which is to say fans will be getting an amazing likeness. The detailing of Bilbo’s outfit is really fantastic and the whole outfit gives off a very real vibe to it, looking like something worn by someone going through what Bilbo goes through. Two of the nicer small details with Bilbo are the embroidery work on Bilbo’s scarf and the hair on his feet. Another great thing is the detailing of Sting and Sting’s scabbard, both impeccably done. The pose of the statue is also awesome: we get to see Bilbo not just being the nice Hobbit we know he is, but we get to see him as the hero he becomes over the course of The Hobbit. From top to bottom this statue is a must have for any collector.
PAINT
The paintwork on Bilbo is simply fantastic. As with Gandalf, you have great, clean lines and the details are brought out even more so by the wonderful paint job. As good as the skin tones are on Gandalf and Thorin I think Weta really did a superb job with Bilbo, taking their work to another level. The paint work on the clothes look worn (obviously from a little later in his journey), but shows the proper wear of someone out on a long and perilous journey. I also love the paint work on Sting, and the scabbard with both items looking very much like their on screen counterparts with none of the sculpting details being lost in the paint job. I really can’t say enough good things about the paint job on this piece and just how impressed I was when I opened this amazing statue.
Overall
Bilbo retails for $200 on Weta’s website. As with Gandalf the Grey and Thorin, Weta was very successful in creating a fantastic statue capturing this little Hobbit as we will watch him grow on screen. I really just love everything about this statue from the little embroidery work on his scarf, wear of the clothes, likeness, paint work, detail, pose, etc. I love this statue more than I did when I saw it all those months ago at Comic-Con and having it in my collection brings a big smile to my face. There is nothing to not like about this statue and collectors are lucky that this statue is an open edition. Definitely two thumbs up!
SPECIFICATIONS
Bilbo is an open edition with a retail price of $200.
PHOTOS
Posted in Collectibles, Collectibles, ComicCon, Conventions, Hobbit Movie, Martin Freeman, Merchandise, Shop, Weta Collectibles, WETA Workshop
October 20, 2012 at 10:17 pm by elessar
“Bilbo Baggins. I’m looking for someone to share in an adventure.”
-Gandalf to Bilbo before a possible unexpected journey
One of the many statues Weta Workshop had at Comic-Con 2012 for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was Gandalf the Grey. On October 1st, 2012, fans around the world got the chance to order this amazing statue, as Gandalf was one of three statues that were in-stock that day. Thankfully, Gandalf is an open edition statue, allowing those of us who badly want this item a chance to add him to our collections.
On March 15th, 2941 at the Prancing Pony in Bree, Thorin Oakenshield met with Gandalf the Grey where a discussion took place about reclaiming Erebor. Gandalf was able to convince Thorin to make the journey to reclaim Erebor and help secure the North from potential future problems. Once again Gandalf would help play a pivotal role in helping make sure Middle-earth would not face certain dangers.
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Posted in Collectibles, Collectibles, Hobbit Movie, Ian McKellen, Merchandise, Shop, Weta Collectibles, WETA Workshop
October 13, 2012 at 5:24 pm by elessar
Last week, the artisans at Weta announced 19 amazing items for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, including the Key to Erebor, Thorin’s Map, Thorin Oakenshield statue, Gandalf The Grey statue, Bilbo Baggins statue, Art Prints, Map replicas, and much more. All of the items are up for Pre-Order now with several of them being in-stock ready to arrive to your collection. To celebrate the arrival of these great items, TheOneRing.net and Weta teamed up to give away two of them: Thorin’s Map and the Key to Erebor. Both contests were highly popular with entries hitting the 500 mark for each. It was obvious by all these emails that fans wanted to get one of these amazing collectibles shipped and on the way to their house. We’re happy to announce that the winner of Thorin’s Map is C. Bull of Australia and the winner of the Key to Erebor is B. Sprinkle of Virgina. Congratulations to you both!
Posted in Collectibles, Collectibles, Merchandise, Shop, Uncategorized, Weta Collectibles, WETA Workshop
October 2, 2012 at 8:14 pm by elessar
As part of our World Wide Celebration of Hobbit week we, and the folks at Weta Workshop, teamed up to give away one of their amazing Sunrise Upon Edoras Art Print (I just received mine and it is AWESOME). After nearly 500 entries we’re pleased to announce the winner…Congrats to S. Jones of Seattle, Washington. Weta will be sending this masterpiece directly to your door. Please don’t forget to support our contest sponsor Weta Workshop! [Weta Workshop]
Posted in Collectibles, Merchandise, Movie Fellowship of the Ring, Movie Return of the King, Movie The Two Towers, Shop, Weta Collectibles, WETA Workshop
September 30, 2012 at 10:42 pm by elessar
| Source: Weta Workshop| No Comments »
October madness has landed and Weta Workshop has unleashed the first wave of collectibles for The Hobbit: An Unexpectd Journey. Weta released 19 items today with several of them being in-stock so that collectors can start the path to a hoard of their own Dragon’s gold. A few of the things you can order right now are: Art Of The Hobbit (Special Edition) Bilbo Baggins statue, Gandalf The Grey statue (change out hat), Thorin Oakenshield statue, two versions of Thorin’s Map, The Hobbit Art Print, The Key To Erebor and more. Some of these items will go fast so make sure you jump on them now before they vanish! Full List of items released today and pictures after the break:
THEONERING.net CONTEST: Thanks to our great friends at Weta Workshop, we’ll be giving away two separate items to two lucky fans of Middle-Earth: The Key to Erebor and Thorin’s Map Parchment Art Print. Starting today through next Saturday, October 8th, we’ll be taking entries sent to Elessar@theonering.net with the subject line Key to Erebor Contest for the Key, and Thorin’s Map Contest if you would like to win the map. Please send separate emails for each contest. One entry per contest per person please. In the body of your email, please tell us your name, email contact and shipping information. The contest is open to fans of all ages worldwide. The winner will be chosen at random – one winner per item. Good luck!
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Posted in Collectibles, Collectibles, Headlines, Merchandise, Shop, Weta Collectibles, WETA Workshop
September 28, 2012 at 10:23 am by elessar
| Discuss |
October 1st marks a big day for fans awaiting collectibles of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. This day marks the day where companies can officially start selling products for the first of the films in this trilogy. Film Cells Ltd will at midnight start taking orders for their amazing film cell collectibles with stills from the first movie, and if you know about their The Lord of the Rings items you will want to make sure to get these. As you know figures from The Bridge Direct will start showing up in stores for fans to purchase on the spot. Finally, from the folks at Weta Workshop some of the amazing things we saw at Comic-Con will start showing up on their website. Just some of the things you might see from Weta on Monday include: Fine Art Collectible Sculptures, Authentic Prop Replicas, The Master Swordsmith’s Collection, Art Prints and Maps from the original artists, Jewelry, A series of books created by the artists at the heart of the film-making process, and much more. Is your bank balance ready??
Posted in Collectibles, Collectibles, Hobbit Movie, Merchandise, Shop, The Bridge Direct, The Hobbit, Weta Collectibles, WETA Workshop
Of the many things at Comic-Con 2012 Weta had three items that fans like myself had been waiting years to finally see. That amazing scene of The Fellowship cresting the hill has been long called for by fans to be turned into a collectible. Well, in June of this year the long wait for something representing this was over. Weta Workshop announced a three part set capturing this long awaited moment and set one has arrived. On the heels of set two going up for order its time to review set one.
A team of Weta artists was tasked with finally bringing one of the most demanded pieces to our collections. Based on how the pieces looked at Comic-Con and how set one came out in production they did a great job. One of the biggest challenges in a piece this size is the likenesses. The team at Weta was successful in making sure that each character in set one, which contains Gandalf the Grey, Frodo, and Legolas bears close resemblance to the actors that played them. Detail-wise, this piece is as good as anything you will find. Hair detail on Gandalf, Legolas, and Frodo is there and you even get individual hairs, you get great detail in Sting’s hilt, Glamdring’s hilt, Gandalf’s staff (even has the G-rune), and the detail in Legolas alone is really very good when you look at the size of these statues. The clothing of each character is not without detail either as each outfit is done successfully so that their outfits look like cloth. Finally, the base is as good as anything with its great rock, grass, and even detail in the dirt.
As hard as it would be to sculpt a piece of this size the biggest character is only 5.5 inches tall would be to make sure the paint works with the sculpts. Well, Weta did not miss anything with this piece and it really helps set this piece at the highest level a collector could want. Skin tone on the three characters is on par with a statue two or three times the size. Another possible issue with a statue of this size is how the little details can be covered and that does not happen with this statue. As I said the hair, details in things like Sting, Legolas outfit, etc are all enhanced by the paintwork on this statue. The base is even brought to life and feels real with the sculpt and paint working together. Simply put, it’s a fantastic piece and the paint/sculpt work hand-in-hand to create something special
