On July 5th we here at TORn exclusively announced that The Bridge Direct would have an exclusive at Comic-Con for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with their “Invisible” Bilbo Baggins figure. Well, today we are pleased to help the folks at The Bridge Direct announce and show off the details of their entire line of collectibles from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The three figures we’re pleased to show off are Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf The Grey, and of course Thorin Oakenshield. These figures will range in scale from 3.75″ figures, 6″ figures, 2-Packs, Battle Packs, and Deluxe figures. Fans will also be able to buy replica deluxe sword ($14.99) and a replica deluxe axe ($19.99) both of which will help fans recrate battle scenes from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. These collectibles will go on sale online in September of this year and will be found in stores a month later in October.

Read Below for the full release from The Bridge Direct on their upcoming line:

Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – The Bridge Direct’s ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ Line-up!”

In December last year, I declared the first trailer a study in character.

Introducing and differentiating thirteen different dwarves to a wider audience most likely unfamiliar with the Hobbit and its ultra-beardy cast was critical for Peter Jackson. So Jackson used an entire trailer for the task.

But, because that trailer was so light on plot, we’ve been wondering ever since what degree of fidelity the story will possess and exactly how it might unfold.

The EW storybook addresses this at a single stroke. EW isn’t calling it a storybook, but that’s what Jackson has created. A gorgeously illustrated storybook that guides us through the key points of The Hobbit.

Read on for a spoiler-filled scene-by-scene review of The Hobbit — storytime with Peter Jackson! Continue reading “Storytime with Peter Jackson reassures and puzzles!”

Our friends at Badali Jewelry are giving our readers a rare sneak peek at one of the first items in their newly licensed “The Hobbit” line of jewelry: Thror’s Key!

“It is easy to forget the the events of The Hobbit were hinged on a very simple object, a secret key that would open a secret door.  This was Thrór’s Key.  Thorin’s Dwarven party desired to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from Smaug, The Dragon, more then anything.  The answer to the dwarves quest was a map, door and key created in secret by Thorin’s grandfather, Thrór.  Gandalf presents Thorin with this secret key when the party joins together at Bilbo Baggins home. “Here it is!” he said, and handed to Thorin a key with a long barrel and intricate wards, made of silver. “Keep it safe!”

Engraved on the barrel of the key is the same phrase written in Dwarvish runes that are found on Thrór’s map: “Five Feet High The Door, And Three May Walk Abreast.” The key will be available in 2 different sizes, a 1 7/8″ Sterling Silver Necklace and a 2 7/8″ White Bronze Necklace or Key Chain. Note that this product is not yet available on their website. A limited inventory will be available at Comic-Con, with online sales to follow.

Just when it seems the many Hobbit-related events at Comic-Con couldn’t get any better, Warner Brothers has added a Hobbit cast signing event! The signing will occur at the WB booth on Saturday from 11:15am to 12:00pm, with Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, and Andy Serkis listed as participating. You’ll then want to run (not walk) to the line to get into Hall H by 2:30 for the WB panel, to include a presentation on The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with Peter Jackson and numerous cast on hand.

From our friends at the Tolkien Society: The Tolkien Society is pleased to announce that this year’s Oxonmoot will take place on 21st-23rd September at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. This year will be The Tolkien Society’s 38th Oxonmoot and will include fellowship, talks and panels, friendly discussion, a quiz, an art exhibition and a party with a raft of creative opportunities! This year’s Oxonmoot is particularly special as The Tolkien Society will be holding a celebration in honour of the 75th anniversary of the publication of The HobbitThe Hobbit was first published on the 21st September 1937 and has become one of the world’s most popular books: it has been translated into over 50 languages and estimates put sales of The Hobbit at over 100 million worldwide.

Continue reading “Announcing Oxonmoot 2012, Celebrating 75 years of Tolkien’s The Hobbit”

No matter how grateful he is for the support, Bill Bailey thinks the online petition to get him a part in The Hobbit might have worked against him. Back in 2007, fans started campaigning to get the comedian and actor a role in Sir Peter Jackson’s movie, eventually gaining almost 1500 signatures. When he was last in New Zealand in 2010, Bailey even auditioned for a role. But sadly, it came to nothing and the man who once called his stand-up tour “Part Troll” will not be appearing in Jackson’s latest epic. Bailey isn’t bitter. “You hand the director a load of signatures, it would probably wind him up eventually,” Bailey says, laughing, on the phone from his home in London. “‘Oh God, I just want a resume. I don’t want all of these signatures, cluttering up the desk’. But I think I’m going to try to write a musical based on The Hobbit. That’s the way to go.” Who knows if he’s serious? Read More…