If you are a fan of Lord of the Rings collectibles and fine art, you’ll want to jump over to SideshowCollectibles.com tonight. With the launch of their latest newsletter they have added Funko’s LOTR plush dolls, including Legolas, Gandalf, Frodo and a Moria Orc. Besides being insanely cute, they are also very affordable at only $9.99 a piece. Sideshow has also begun a relationship with renown LOTR artist Ted Nasmith to offer some of his masterpieces. The first two offerings are custom framed versions of ‘The Wrath of the Ents‘ and ‘Eowyn and the Nazgul.’ And if that wasn’t enough LOTR to whet your collecting whistle, they’ve also added the Hobbit themed Taverncraft ‘Smaug the Magnificent‘ mugs which we posted about earlier this week. Oh yea, they’ve also teased a new line of LOTR statues, starting out with everyone’s favorite Ranger!
Year: 2010
Nothing like seeing a mention of “The Hobbit” on Boing Boing, one of my favorite geek blogs! They published a link to a blog called “English Russia.”
Someone published scans of amazing woodblock illustrations from a Russian version of “The Hobbit.” The style is extremely distinctive and very stylized. The Gollum illustration is one of the coolest interpretations I’ve ever seen. Graphically it looks to be from the ’30’s – but perhaps some Tolkien scholar out there knows better? Continue reading “Scans and video of Soviet-era version of “The Hobbit” Unearthed”
From greendragon: 
Bruce Hopkins (Gamling) is looking for listeners across the globe! He currently hosts a talk show called The Overnighter with Bruce Hopkins on alternate Sundays from 1 to 6 a.m. New Zealand time, but folks in the USA can catch him Saturday mornings starting at 9 a.m. E.S.T. live. Go to http://www.radiolive.co.nz/ for an upcoming schedule of shows, stream the show live, and read Bruce’s blog.
Tune in if you can – and if you send Bruce a message he may even say hi to you on air!
Thank to Ringer Rick for sending in this link to this Lord of the Rings themed Strange Brew cartoon. [View]
Rumors have hit the interwebs today that there is an now an official greenlight for ‘The Hobbit’ which we have learned is not true and further have learned that that 3D is a bit unlikely at this point. A greenlight would mean that Warner Bros. either with MGM or despite MGM and its uncertain future, have approved a budget and put the movie-making machine in motion. We checked with our global spy network and our own Xoanon heard back from sources in New Zealand that this is not true. So fans, calm those heart palpitations. Update #1: Another rock-solid trusted source has checked in with duplicate info so if there were any doubts, obliterate them. No lights are green*.
On the side of good news, a completely different source (yes, a third) confirmed that word is out to those involved with the production to prepare for a potential November start date. So while there isn’t officially a ‘go’ on the pair of films to be directed by Guillermo del Toro and produced by Peter Jackson, the film industries in Hollywood and Wellington are still keeping that target in mind. That, as Kiwis can tell you, turns out to be just about the right time to shoot on Hobbiton. And, if it wasn’t clear already, the moment, yea, the instant we hear official word has been given, we will post it here. *Update #2: There is nothing definitive but a highly placed source also tells us today (thanks to the ‘green’ ruckus) that 3D looks less likely at this point. Reading between the lines, 3D would add to both budget and schedule and the parties involved don’t want to sacrifice story or shooting time just to have 3D flicks.
From ADC Publications: Renowned Tolkien Artist, Ted Nasmith, has just sent us three new images ready for our August 2010 Exhibition and we can now unveil these latest Original artwork’s and make them available to the public prior to our FREE ENTRY “Edge of the Wild” Middle-earth Art Exhibition in August. ( 13-16 Aug at The Redesdale Hall, Moreton-in-Marsh, Glos, UK) Continue reading “Ted Nasmith Art for Sale at ‘Edge of the Wild’”