The following is a short essay from Ringer Squire. Do you agree? Disagree? Share your responses with our discuss or comment areas.
Headlined here yesterday, and discussed on the Main board just now is a link to an entertaining new interactive map of Middle-earth. It’s modeled on Google Earth, in that one can zoom out and see the whole subcontinent, or zoom in and see individual towns and towers close up. Of course it follows Tolkien’s own map, more or less exactly, but it has in fact been redrawn via computer by a new artist, Mr. Kris Kowal. And when you zoom in you see little bits that Tolkien could not or would not include in his original map, like icons representing the Argonath, the road to Isengard (see illustration below), and the ruined tower on Weathertop. Several place names have been added based on texts in Unfinished Tales, like the “Undeeps” of the middle Anduin, so the creators are clearly knowledgeable about their Tolkien geography.
Building on Tolkien’s map (left) and the story, Mr. Kowal’s map (right) shows the Road to Isengard.
I understand that it is a work in progress, so perhaps we may expect to see more of the details of the Shire in the future, based on the separate map that appears in Fellowship. But really, the power of zooming in, which is so much fun in Google Earth, is disappointing in this “Google Middle-earth”. There’s nothing to zoom in to for 99% of the world—and there never will be. Tolkien only drew on his map the specific places that were mentioned in his story; and for anyone to add anything else is, of course, just another form of fan-fiction.
This new map thus surprisingly reminds us just how poorly Tolkien detailed his physical world. The map, and several recent discussions we have had in the Reading Room about the distribution of hobbit-folk and the political organization of the Rangers, bring me back to an old question. Tolkien expressed his belief that one of the aesthetic virtues of The Lord of the Rings is that it contained hints of the earlier history of the world, but only hints. Continue reading “Why are there no ‘towers of a distant city’ on the map of Middle-earth?”
Take a look at The Brothers Grim and Grimy ‘The Hobbit in under 2 Minutes.’ It is a rather modern retelling of the classic tale in …wait for it… under two minutes! Enjoy!
Close on the heels of the news that Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum of Spyglass Entertainment had signed a non-binding letter of intent to take over the management of MGM, there’s news by Bloomberg hitting the interweb that points to more progress in that direction:
MGM creditors will be asked to approve a restructuring and pre-packaged bankruptcy plan for the studio within the next week or two, according to two people with knowledge of the situation.
Under the plan, MGM would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after obtaining creditor approval, with the goal of emerging from court protection by the end of the year, said one of the people, who asked not to be named because the details aren’t public.
Thanks to messageboard member Eruonen for the heads-up.
Ringer Kookie sends us this link to The Bolton News where Ian McKellen was promoting a new project, but also spoke briefly on The Hobbit films. Everyone’s favorite Gandalf confirms recent reports that the planned start of filming is January 2011.
FILMING on The Hobbit, the long-awaited prequel to The Lord of the Rings, should start in the new year, according to former Bolton School boy Sir Ian McKellen.
“The aim is to start filming in January,” he said.
Learn more about his new project through the following link. [Read More]
Hi all, Xoanon here, I’d like to introduce you to Adventure Lab, a video podcast from the folks at Galatia TV. Daniel McNicoll and his gang have worked long and hard to get this podcast off the ground, and I am proud to say TheOneRing.net is involved, and I am one of the producers! Be sure to check out Adventure Lab’s pilot episode which features an interview with FRINGE and LOTR star John Noble. There is also a HASBRO Star Wars Lightsaber contest and much much more! Continue reading “Aventure Lab Video Podcast: TORN & John Noble Interview!”
WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES THE LORD OF THE RINGS ONLINE™ WITH FREE-TO-PLAY MODEL
Turbine’s Award-winning Hit Online Game Goes Free-to-Play Today in North America
BURBANK, CA – September 10, 2010 – Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment announced today that Turbine’s The Lord of the Rings Online™ (LOTRO) is now free-to-play for players across North America. Launching today, players can now download LOTRO at www.lotro.com and join with millions of other adventurers as they explore the most complete and authentic recreation of Middle-earth ever created and participate in LOTRO’s award-winning story up to level 50 for free. Players can also choose to visit the new LOTRO Store to purchase expansions, quest packs, items, and account services a la carte, or join the VIP program that provides unlimited access to the game for one low monthly price.
This major update will also extend the game’s epic story and expand the world of Middle-earth with the new region of Enedwaith while continuing to deliver state-of-the-art graphics and gameplay, as well as a rich set of features that until now could only be found in premium subscription-based online games. Continue reading “LOTRO Goes F2P Today! Pics & Video Included!”
