The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey opened to an incredible $13 million from 3,100 midnight locations. That may not seem like much when compared to record-holder Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 ($43.5 million) or this Summer’sThe Dark Knight Rises ($27 million), but for a December release that’s a massive figure. In fact, it’s three times as much as Avatar made at midnight ($3.537 million), and also way up on I Am Legend‘s $1.7 million. I Am Legend is the current December opening weekend record-holder with $77.2 million, which The Hobbit is now guaranteed to pass by the end of the weekend. [Read More]

Kerry Shawcross and Chris Demarais, two members of Rooster Teeth Productions (creators of the acclaimed machinima series Red vs Blue, as well as Immersion, and Achievement Hunter), are attempting to “walk into Mordor”.

They’ve set themselves the task of trekking more than 120 miles across New Zealand from the filming location of Hobbiton in Matamata to that of Mount Doom on Mount Ngauruhoe. In just six days.

TheOneRing.net was delighted to debut the first episode of this new web series last week. Now, as the folks at Rooster Teeth and Blip prepare to unleash the second episode on the world later today, Kerry and Chris sit down with TheOneRing.net to chat about their “little” tramp across New Zealand’s North Island. Continue reading “Rooster Teeth pair talk about their “walk into Mordor””

While New Zealand and the U.K. are already enjoying theaters playing The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, North America is set to kick off events tonight. The 12:01 screenings are a way for fans to express their desire to see the film early, at the first possible moment of the film’s release on Friday, December 14.

TheOneRing.net, following a long tradition of getting fans together in real life, have set up Line Party events around the country. Companies like Badali Jewelry, with its commemorative Line Party Pins, ReadD 3D glasses, Guardians of Middle-earth video games, HMH book publishers and Denny’s have all made donations that have been sent to select lines around the nation.

Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, photographed by the line that gathered 24 hours early to get in line for “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”
A TORn contingent has set up base at the Grauman’s Chineese Theater in Hollywood. They started camping out at midnight Wednesday to be the first to enter the theater. Air New Zealand and 100.3 The Sound will be there with many giveaways including a chance to win a trip to middle earth itself, New Zealand! If you are at home instead of out, you can watch at http://www.theonering.net/live/.

TORn’s Line Party in Atlanta, Georgia received media attention today, led by our own staffer Deej, also known as Rebecca Perry. The Atlanta Journal Constitution features a story with Deej and many of the site’s friends and DragonCon’s Tolkienites. They even used photos from the subjects of the story to full effect.

Other notable lines are in Boston, scattered around California and appear in virtually every state and many countries around the world.

Meanwhile, the Salt Lake line party, led by this young writer here, is taking a low-key approach. For LOTR:Return of the King we privately purchased 1,400 tickets so this year is a quiet gathering to build momentum for the next two Hobbit films. However, we are throwing down the gauntlet and will turn next year’s event into a friendly rivalry. Just you try to out-do us in 2014!
You too can participate in Line Party events now and in the future. Check out our lines here and look for more and better in 2014. Also, we will print limited t-shirts to commemorate our fourth Line Party effort. Called the LP4 shirt, look for it soon! Thanks to all the Line Party leaders for your efforts and to fans: ENJOY!

With the public screenings now on in New Zealand and England and a day away in the U.S. and Canada, it seems a good time to continue to celebrate Hobbit Week and share some of the footage we gathered on the red carpet in Wellington, New Zealand. And this time instead of speaking to the media in general, they are speaking directly to you, the community that makes up TheOneRing.net. We have saved this footage for just the right time but here in the states it feels like ‘Hobbit Eve’ and there hasn’t been a lull in the media for weeks so it is now or never! Hope you enjoy some short visits and appearances by Adam Brown, Andy Serkis, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, James Cameron, John Callen, Mark Hadlow, Martin Freeman, Peter Hambleton, Richard Armitage, Stephen Hunter and William Kircher. Enjoy!

The day has arrived when you will at last have the opportunity to purchase tickets for The One Expected Party! [Purchase Tickets] If you want to celebrate the first of Peter Jackson’s Hobbit movies, this is where you need to be.  The only party in Hollywood on Oscar night 2013 to revel in Middle-earth, this exclusive event will be hosted just two blocks away from the Academy Award ceremony.  With all kinds of fun, festivity, food and frolics, and featuring an amazing live show which includes star Billy Boyd with his band Beecake, this upscale, lavish party will be the can’t-miss black-tie event of the year for Tolkien fans worldwide. We’re working hard to make it an absolutely unforgettable occasion, both for the celebrities who will join us there and for YOU. Snag your tickets today! [Purchase Tickets] We look forward to seeing you in Hollywood!

 

We just had to share this wonderfully naughty composition from Frog Island as part of the ‘Hobbit Week’ celebration. Titled ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Rap,’ this video will either have you busting out laughing or crying in offense. It will speak for itself, but please note, this is NOT for the feint of heart. It contains both adult themes and language. If you do not have a sense of humor for this type of parody, we suggest you DO NOT watch it. Fair enough warning? You may recognize Gandalf the Grey is performed by master McKellen impersonator Hunter Davis. Yup, that’s right, the very Hunter Davis who will be performing at ‘The One Expected Party‘ in February! Enjoy the clip! [YouTube]