Oscar-winning Kiwi screenwriter Philippa Boyens has revealed that she introduced The Lovely Bones to Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, but she did not believe the novel could be turned into a film. It was only after Walsh and Jackson had read the book and both believed it could be a film that Boyens, who co-wrote The Lord of the Rings and King Kong with the couple, changed her mind. Boyens discussed details about The Lovely Bones and The Hobbit, the script for which she is also co-writing, at a writers talk at Te Papa yesterday just hours before she was to watch a final cut of the film, to be released in December. More..
Month: August 2009
Jay writes: My name is Jay and I’m a designer and managing partner of a marketing agency in Newcastle in the North of England. I’ve been a Tolkien fan since my teens and have been collecting his books since college. These illustrations are a personal love and hobby and have never been seen before either in print or on the net. The concept for the style came from Tolkien himself. My understanding is he tried to convince people that The Hobbit was originally a translated manuscript such as Beowulf. More..
TK writes: I wanted to let the TORN community know that Sean Astin will be speaking tomorrow night at the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. More..
Happy Birthday Billy Boyd! Billy Boyd (born 28 August 1968) is a Scottish actor and musician most widely known for playing the characters Peregrin “Pippin” Took in the film adaptations of The Lord of the Rings and Barrett Bonden in Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World.
The interwebs have been astir with rumors and sources claiming that “The Hobbit” is being planned as a 3D movie experience. An unscientific but fun poll showed conclusively that almost 75 percent of TORn poll takers didn’t like the idea. Then, the same pot was stirred again with more “sources” backing the original information and a flurry of e-mails landed in our inbox (Spymaster@TheOneRing.net if you have a hot tip!) beating the same drum. Not wanting to disrupt the creative process going on around a pair of films based on “The Hobbit,” we nevertheless asked Guillermo del Toro just what exactly, if anything, was up with 3D Hobbit movies. Since he is the director of the films in question (you know, the guy who picks the director of photography, the cameras and formats and all that movie stuff) we thought he might know.
Turns out he did and he told us, “I can safely say that, as of this moment, there are absolutely NO conversations about doing the HOBBIT films in 3D.”
Put that baby to bed and turn off the light.
Our friends from Tolkien Society have written to remind everybody that Oxonmoot is on the horizon and bookings close next Friday. Here is all the details
Oxonmoot 2009
25th – 27th September, Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
Last Week to Register!
Bookings Close 4th September!
Oxonmoot is the special event of the Tolkien Society year held on a weekend close to Bilbo & Frodo’s birthdays. There is a range of activities such as academic talks & papers, workshops, new, second-hand and rare book dealers, an art show (with professional and amateur works), plus a quiet area where you can drink tea, fill up the corners and chat with old or new friends. Of course there is also a party including a masquerade (costume is optional) and entertainments. It is a great time for making new friends in the Society. On Sunday there is a wreath laying and short act of remembrance, Enyalië, at Tolkien’s grave. Continue reading “Oxonmoot on the horizon”