Steve Rose from guardian.co.uk writes: Since Lord of the Rings, the actor has avoided big-budget epics. But now he’s reprising his hobbit role and starring in a lavish Treasure Island adaptation. Is that the Ring? Around the ring finger of Elijah Wood’s right hand is a band of silver with strange lettering on it – probably Elvish. As a reward for his lead hobbiting services in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, director Peter Jackson reportedly gave Wood the original Ring. And he still wears it. Doesn’t he?
“No. This is Hebrew, ” he says, twirling the ring around his finger. “I know, it has a kind of a similar look to it.”
Oh.
“I do have the Ring, but it’s not inscribed, and it’s gold. But I don’t think it’s real gold – gold-plated. But, no, I don’t wear it. I keep it in a little box.” Not on a chain around his neck? “I carried it for a long time,” he says with mock solemnity. More..
LONG-lost letters written by Lord of the Rings author JRR Tolkien have been returned to their rightful owner and will get top notch protection. Former Oxford University student and professor, Tolkien was the guest of honour at the opening of Deddington Library in December 1956. He wrote one letter accepting librarian Miss Stanley-Smith’s invitation, including lunch, which he said: “was impossible for him to refuse”. And a second letter following the visit, on December 19, where he thanked the librarian for her kindness, but said he was “depressed by his performance” which was “wretched and inadequate” and he did not deserve a fee. In the letter, Tolkien also promised to give a volume of his next book to the library. More..
We have big news for fans of Jerry Vanderstelt and his works in Middle-Earth! Jerry is pleased to announce that he will be creating art pieces based on Peter Jackson’s adaptation of The Hobbit. Like his amazing art prints based on The Lord of the Rings these prints will be sure to capture what we all expect to be a couple of truly fantastic films. There is also news for those that collect his superb art work based on The Lord of the Rings, and here’s a hint to what is coming next: Durin’s Bane has been found. As soon as we get a good look at anything based on The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings we will let you know.
If you want to know more about Vanderstelt Studios and his work check out our interview with Jerry along with his site with all his art work.
The WizKids product brand, under various owners, has been publishing the ‘HeroClix’ series of collectible miniature boardgames for several years now; they are move-and-fight combat games played on maps with miniature pre-painted figures whose movement and combat statistics are recorded on a dial that clicks to (usually) lower values as the figure receives damage. The most popular and numerous HeroClix products have been based on Marvel and DC superhero franchises, though there have been other settings as well.
Their newest product is a Lord of the Rings game. There are (at present) two ways to buy: an ‘Epic Campaign’ starter set, which contains eight characters (Sauron, Witch-Kingm ‘Ringbearer’ (Frodo), ‘Esquire of Rohan’ (Merry)m ‘Guard of the Citadel’ (Pippin), Strider, Captain Lurtz, and Olog-Hai), as well as rules, six largish maps, ‘Horde’ tokens representing generic Orcs or warriors, dice, character cards, and other play aides; and the standard ‘booster’ style in which one of an initial set of 21 figures (with various degrees of rarity) and its associated character card is purchased sight unseen. You might get a common ‘Frodo’, or a rare Gandalf the Grey. There will undoubtedly be many expansions with additional figures and maps before long.
Steve Rose from guardian.co.uk writes: Since Lord of the Rings, the actor has avoided big-budget epics. But now he’s reprising his hobbit role and starring in a lavish Treasure Island adaptation. Is that the Ring? Around the ring finger of Elijah Wood’s right hand is a band of silver with strange lettering on it – probably Elvish. As a reward for his lead hobbiting services in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, director Peter Jackson reportedly gave Wood the original Ring. And he still wears it. Doesn’t he?
