Ian McKellen RapsFrom wharf.co.uk: He’s been seen in Shakespeare, The Simpsons and the Shire – but now Sir Ian McKellen is branching out into garage music. The venerable actor recorded a Shakespearean sonnet onto a beat created by members of the Limehouse Youth Club. He was invited to the Limehouse Causeway club to launch an open art competition in association with the Narrow Street Fete. He said: “What they did there was great. Shakespeare is all based on beat, rhythm and rhyme, and all those things that rappers deal with.”

Having completed a sell-out run as King Lear, he’s returning to the role of Gandalf in JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit, directed by Guillermo Del Toro. It is set to hit cinemas in 2010. He said: “People are always telling me how much they loved the films. “Fortunately Tolkien wrote another book and Gandalf is in it. I’m delighted.” Thanks to message board member diedye for finding the story. Read More

080708orcpf02Every wonder about the process behind those LOTR collectibles put out by Sideshow Collectibles? Well, check out the latest production blog entry from the Sideshow Development Team featuring the Moria Orc Premium Format Figure in the sculpting stage. For a gallery of images, jump on over to the SideshowCollectibles.com website. [Read More] [Production Blog]

Long Expected Party LogoGreetings, Hobbit friends! It is I, Eowyn, your roving reporter, coming to you with news concerning A Long Expected Party, being held in Shaker Village, Kentucky beginning on September 25th. Word has reached my ears that all of the rooms but seven have been rented at the Village, so if you have been thinking about coming, now is the time to act. As a bonus exclusive, a local photographer has snapped a shot of the much-rumored Bag End, being built by the organizers, to be proudly displayed during the event. Visit the Long Expected Party event site today for more information!

20011621-20011627-largeAccording to Dre Rivas of Film.com, we seem to have lost our passion after the Oscars were handed out for ROTK…

An Apology: The Ringers Fans of Tolkien and Jackson, you will notice LOTR is fairly low on this list. In fact, here you are, into my bear trap and at the bottom…You’re not far from my thoughts. I understand the LOTR fanbase is large and mighty. But where’s the passion people? This list is about what you have done for me lately. And you cats went into hiding after Return of the King took home its eight billion Oscars. Now it’s like you don’t even know me. Hell, even the Trekkies smoked you on this list. You sold out your soul for a gold stiff? No, no, this can’t be.

Well, we may be at the bottom of that list, but did you notice that, in the poll on left-hand side of the page, we’re in the majority? [Read Full Story]

cactus081208aRinger forum member Elf_Wannabe posted a great link to a very interesting Ent-like image originally published on the ‘Coast to Coast AM’ website. If you are not familiar with ‘Coast to Coast,’ it is that often spooky yet entertaining late night/early morning AM radio show where they talk about ghosts/UFOs, etc. The image of a Saguaro Cactus from Queen Valley, Arizona makes you wonder if Ents have cousins in the desert! Check out the full image at the ‘Coast to Coast’ website and then discuss it in our message board community! [Full Cactus Image]

Peter Lyon, the man responsible for translating John Howe’s visions into LOTR’s workable weapons props, says he is looking forward to working on the Hobbit.The comment came in a reply to a recent fan mail, where he said that, all going well, he was looking forward to “completing the circle” to that part of his life. Lyon did not say whether his involvement was confirmed, but his words do sound hopeful!
Thanks to Josh for the news.