Elijah Wood has confirmed that the first trailer for The Hobbit will debut in front of The Adventures of Tintin in the US. The Happy Feet Two star, who will reprise his role as Frodo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings prequels, admitted that he hasn’t yet seen the teaser footage.

“I have not seen it. I have spoken to people about the trailer, I have a sense of what’s going to be in it, he told Digital Spy. “I think it’s going to be in front of Tintin when it’s released in the States.” The Adventures of Tintin, which is produced by The Hobbit’s Peter Jackson, will open in US cinemas on December 21. More..

Beware, thar be Spoilers ahead, read at your own Peril!

Welcome back to Middle Earth! One more report from Denize Bluffs (aka Mangaotaki Rocks) before we move on to the next (and pretty awesome, I might add) location.

This day was fairly unique as far as location shooting goes. Typically you go out in the wild to get big establishing shots, which is why a whole lot of the footage I’ve seen so far involves running. With the quickly changing light, fast moving clouds, uncooperative weather getting anything but quick bits is often difficult and will make even the most adventurous director long for the controlled confines of a studio.

More. . . Continue reading “AICN Hobbit set report #5”

Elijah Wood was on The Graham Norton Show to promote ‘Happy Feet 2’ when the discussion turned to Oscar. Much to our surprise and enjoyment, Wood mentioned TORN’s Oscar Parties, and even mentions us on TV! Catch the clip above, and thanks Elwood! (We’re cool now, so we can call him Elwood).

Frodo, the Argonath! Long have I desired to look upon the kings of old. My kin.
– Aragorn to Frodo while sailing down the Anduin February 25th, 3019 TA

As we approach the Christmas Holiday the truly awesome folks at Weta have given fans a chance to get items that they may have missed. One of the items was the Argonath environment, which came back as part of their first Christmas Special last week. This was great for someone like me who had missed it before and was  kicking myself for not ordering it.

The Argonath, which portray Isildur and Elendil, relatives of Aragorn,  marked and guarded the northern boundary of Gondor. This was inform strangers they could not come south of the Argonath without permission. As the power of Gondor declined these imposing figures could no longer be enforced. As the Fellowship came upon the Argonath, Frodo would notice that Strider no longer was sitting beside him, but instead it was Aragorn, son of Arathorn, a King who was returning from exile.

Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – Weta Workshop ‘The Argonath’ Review”

Sir Peter Jackson has saved Wellington’s Bats Theatre from eviction, buying the theatre company’s building for $1.1 million. The non-profit, charitable company that runs the 84-seat theatre had a month left to move out of its home of 22 years, come up with funds to buy the building or close, after its long-term landlord decided to sell. The theatre has fostered such talents as Bret McKenzie, Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Robyn Malcolm and Tim Balme. More..