We last saw him being chewed up by a Warg, but John Leigh is about to take on the role of NZ author Ronald Hugh Morrieson in the stage show Horseplay. The interview includes this snippet about a chat he had with Christopher Lee on the set of The Two Towers:

“I said, ‘I used to watch all your films’. And he said, ‘Oh yes. And who are you playing?’ I said, ‘I’m playing Hama, he’s a Rohan …’ And he said, ‘I’m sorry to have to tell you that your character dies.’ And I said, ‘A lot of my characters seem to die.’ He said, ‘That happens to me, too – but what can you do?’ and swept away.”

Read the full story from the NZ Herald. [Full Story]

Sean Bean in armour with beard? Check. Carrying a sword? Check. Helping lead companions into certain danger? Check. This reporter couldn’t help but feel a bit like I was watching some kind of Boromir side-adventure when viewing the latest trailer for ‘Black Death.’ Check it out at the official website. You are warned however…this one looks like it’s gonna be violent! [Official Website]

Founder’s Day fun continues tomorrow with the 6th Annual LoTR Extended Edition Trilogy Marathon! (phew, that’s a long title!)

Join us Saturday, May 1, beginning at 9 a.m. EDT. in TORn’s chatroom “Barliman’s” as people from around the world will put their DVDs into their player and sit down at their computers with one common goal: to gather virtually with other fans to watch all three Lord of the Ring extended editions straight through. Geeky? Yes. Fun? Absolutely. Marathon FAQ.

But that’s not all! Also on Saturday Barliman’s will be holding a special Hobbit discussion between viewings of “The Two Towers” and “Return of the King.” (approx. 5:30 p.m.)

Speculation and anticipation are mounting among Lord of the Rings fans as news about the Hobbit continues to dribble out. With scripts for the two films drafted, but the project still awaiting the studio greenlight, TORn’s Hall of Fire returns to host a discussion asking “what next?” Come along, and bring your own rumours for discussion! Read more

So please join us on the TORn IRC server this Saturday for two very special events! Questions? Send them to barlimans@theonering.net .

From VermontHobbit: The Flynn Theatre in Burlington, Vermont, USA is hosting a production of The Hobbit: Montreal’s Theatre Sans Fil recreates the fantastic tale of Bilbo Baggins. The story is told through giant Bunraku puppetry with black light, lasers, magical effects galore, and even a 25-foot long dragon. More..

From ADC Publications Ltd.: “Inspiring Middle-earth” A prelude exhibition by Ted Nasmith and other leading artists of J.R.R.Tolkien. 24th April – 19th June 2010 Free entry. Discover more about some of the real places behind the scenes described in Tolkien’s books. The exhibition is a prelude to a 2011 exhibition, coinciding with the predicted release of the first of ‘The Hobbit’ films. Continue reading ““Inspiring Middle-earth” Tolkien Themed Exhibit in the UK”