If you’d like to help the New Zealand Government’s Christchurch Earthquake Appeal, what better way than to bid on a signed copy of ‘The Hobbit!’ This copy of The Hobbit has been signed by the many actors playing the dwarves in the films, as well as everyone’s favorite wizard, Sir Ian McKellen. Ian even included a beautiful Gandalf sketch. Just imagine the value of this item after two successful ‘Hobbit‘ films are released in theaters. Place your bids today as the auction ends June 2nd 2011. And if you can’t compete in the bidding process, don’t forget to help with the relief efforts by donating. [Bid Today!] [Donate]
Sideshow Collectibles has posted a teaser video of their upcoming Boromir statue. Based on the small tidbit we see in the video, it looks like this statue will recreate the scene of Boromir in Osgiliath. This is the latest piece to join the new statue line-up that already includes Gandalf, Aragorn as Strider, Gimli and Legolas. [Video]
Just down the board from this post is a report originating from a New Zealand television station about Benedict Cumberbatch joining ‘The Hobbit’ cast. The non-by-lined article (from the TV station, not the one here) suggests from “early reports” that Cuberbatch might be in line to voice the dragon Smaug. We don’t know if “early reports” means the writer asked somebody at a desk nearby who was left to be cast, but this seems, at best, suspicious. That isn’t to say that the reporter doesn’t have some good information, but if they do they sure don’t sound confident about it. It wasn’t even written with the journalism phrase “unnamed sources” or “a source close to the production” but rather went with something that seems to actually mean, “I might be making this up and using the name Smaug will get a lot of attention.” The author, besides not having a name, cites no source and doesn’t link to any of the “early reports” referenced.
A far more likely choice and a character that Cumberbatch looks something like: Bard the Bowman. He possesses a bit of menace and is taller and robust, much that a way the leader of men might be. He might be believable as an excellent archer as well. The actor has had a good year, playing with Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins) in the BBC’s “Sherlock,” and also landing a spot in Steven Spielberg’s “War Horse,” a World War I drama. So, he might make an excellent Bard but, this is also speculation so until we hear from director Peter Jackson on Facebook or hear from WB in an official press release, don’t believe everything you read on the internet. Meanwhile, be sure to check out our page of “Hobbit” characters right here.
With Benedict Cumberbatch unofficially joining the cast of The Hobbit, early reports suggests he will be the voice for Smaug.
Early reports suggest Cumberbatch will voice the dragon character Smaug but the actor refused to specify his role, insisting, “I can’t say at the moment, thank you very much.”
A red-faced Freeman later told reporters, “I knew I was a sort of a big mouth but I didn’t realize to what extent I was a big mouth, and I’ve just ruined everything. I might not actually go back to a job – they might have just sacked (fired) me.”
One man remained in hospital for observation and was expected to be released in the next few hours, while the other had returned to work, The Hobbit unit publicist Ceris Price said:
The incident happened in one of the workshops when “a couple of the guys” were drilling a statue, Ms Price said earlier today. The pair were left with “mild burns but nothing serious” and were taken to hospital as a precaution, she said.
“One of them had some burnt nostril hairs and, apparently if that’s the case, there is always the risk of inhalation so they get checked out.”
She said calling the incident an explosion was a “slight overstatement” and no fire was caused by the incident.
Our own MrCere is catching the world up on what Hobbit happenings at Movies.com. Here is his first post.
Larry D. Curtis, as part of the team at TheOneRing.net, has been comprehensively covering the works and adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien for more than a decade, making the not-for-profit site the leading source about The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings for fans and film makers world wide. Curtis represents the site at conventions and events around the US including the San Diego Comic-Con. You can read his The Hobbit Countdown here at Movies.com every other Monday beginning June 6th.
Every studio, every business even, wants to maximize profits. But in the world of creative entertainment, finances can come before creativity or excellent story telling. As a consequence, sequels, born in the offices of finance rather than the halls of creativity, sometimes stretch characters or plots beyond the ideal. Perhaps worse, prequels are born to add length to franchise catalogs that have run their course, often demanding creative compromises simply to meet business desires. More..
With Benedict Cumberbatch unofficially joining the cast of The Hobbit, early reports suggests he will be the voice for Smaug.