As reported yesterday from Peter Jackson himself, Stephen Fry has been cast as The Master of Laketown. Here’s a video clip of the local coverage from TVNZ. [[TVNZ]][Video Link]
Month: May 2011
Sean Bean, a favorite of LOTR fans worldwide, is anchoring HBO’s fantasy series “A Game of Thrones.” Bean plays Eddard Stark in the adult-themed series, and last week he ran into a bit of difficulty. Fans have consistently given us feedback that they love these clips and HBO has sent along another pair for your viewing enjoyment. We don’t want to get too spoiler-heavy so we will let the clips mostly speak for themselves. It is worth noting that Conan Stevens, a 7-foot-tall stunt actor playing Gregor Clegane or The Mountain That Rides (poor horse!) in “A Game of Thrones,” was just announced as the giant Orc Azog yesterday He appears in neither clip.
In the second clip, another Stark, Eddard’s daughter Arya, speaks with her swordmaster:
Matamata is set for a makeover fit for a Hobbit before the cast and crew arrive for filming of the movies. Matamata Public Relations Association manager Sue Whiting says the organisation will be upgrading facilities to create a ‘Hobbit-like feel’ before the cast and crew arrive. Whiting told the Waikato Times she believed the Welcome to Hobbiton sign is the most photographed in the country, and sculptures of Lord of the Ring characters had drawn hundreds of people, so it is important to maintain them. “At the end of the day, it is all about bringing people to Matamata and creating a reason to visit,” she told the newspaper. More..
Dr Dimitra Fimi writes: Douglas A. Anderson, author of the celebrated Annotated Hobbit, will be joining the Discussion Board of UWIC’s Fantasy online course as a special guest. I am thrilled that my students will have the opportunity to debate key texts and ideas in Fantasy Literature with one of the world specialists in the genre. The course, entitled: Fantasy Literature: Tales Before and After Tolkien, starts on Monday 23rd May and there are still a few last places available! For more information click here.
Navigating around the Hollywood press-release protocol, Peter Jackson announced via Facebook that he has cast Stephen Fry as the Master of Laketown. From Jackson’s comments it sounds like he and Fry are still working on the “Dambusters” film. “In addition to his writing skills, he’s a terrific actor and will create a very memorable “Master” for us.”
He also announces, “The Master’s conniving civil servant, Alfrid will be played by Ryan Gage.” And, in the “biggest” casting announcement so far (or probably ever) Conan Stevens, a mountain of a man who plays “The Mountain that Rides,” in HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” series, will play an orc named Dennis Azog. He was of course the starter of the war between the goblins (orcs) and dwarves and lived in Moria. By casting Stevens, a giant stunt actor, it probably means we can absolutely count on background in the conflict between dwarves and orcs so that by the time the action at The Lonely Mountain comes, we will know and feel the long history of hatred between the races. (On a personal note, this enters into my wildest dreams territory!) You can read the whole of Jackson’s Facebook update right here. He also details the shooting schedule which is pretty insightful.
At least that’s what Ringer Jim decided when he built his new shed, and four and a half years later, that’s just what he’s got.
Jim said “I needed a place to put my lawn tractor and outdoor tools so I told my wife that I was going to build a shed. She said: “Fine.” Then I thought it would be pretty cool if the shed was built like a Hobbit house. When I told my wife I think she said: “You’re crazy. …”
Well crazy or not, we think it looks pretty good. So check out this unique and rather cool shed, here at Jim’s page where he shares his four and half year quest. While you’re there why not leave a message for Jim letting him know what you think and then head over to our message boards and tell us.