Staffer MrCere called it last Thursday when the first images of The Hobbit were released by EW.com. He said, in this industry, it is highly unusual for just one single media outlet to get photos. Expect a few similar, but slightly different publicity shots to make the rounds with other publications in the next few weeks. Well, here we are, a few days later, and EMPIRE magazine is sharing their new cover featuring Gandalf and Bilbo! Again, it looks like Bilbo is pouring over some ‘Terms’…which may be a revelation into a small, possibly humorous change in the opening sequence. More on that later! So check your local newsstands for the August 2011 edition of EMPIRE magazine and the June 24th issue of Entertainment Weekly to start your The Hobbit collection! Of course we will alert you when other publications are printed with The Hobbit imagery. And who knows, maybe we’ll even get a few pics! *wink* *wink* *hint* *hint* [Empire]

We are just days away! Get your costumes ready and join TheOneRing.net and fellow Ringers at Best Buy in Los Angeles on Monday, June 27th for the midnight launch and celebration of The Lord of the Rings The Motion Picture Trilogy Extended Edition on Blu-ray! The party starts officially at 12 noon on the 27th at Best Buy’s West side store at 11301 W. Pico. Blvd. [Best Buy Store Info/Map]

The first 150 guests in line at the store on Monday, June 27th at Noon will have the opportunity to get an autograph from cast members of the films. Costume Contest entrants will be judged by your friends here at TheOneRing.net and finalists personally selected by the four-time Academy Award(R)-winning Sir Richard Taylor, co-owner and lead creative at Weta Workshop.

Continue reading “Join us Monday, June 27th for the ‘Middle-earth Madness’ Launch Event!”

How great is it to see the first official pic from The Hobbit so soon?

We’ll all have to wait until Dec. 14, 2012, for the full fruits of director Peter Jackson’s labors on his two-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Hobbit. But, to tide us over, Jackson has shared the first images from his Lord of the Rings prequels with EW — and talked to us about how the fantasy epic is shaping up so far. (For the full story, pick up the issue of Entertainment Weekly on stands June 24.)

Jump over to EW.com and see the other image featuring Gandalf! [EW.com]

We’ve been teasing it for weeks, and we can finally announce it! TheOneRing.net is proud to be a part of a very special event happening in Los Angeles on June 27th. The event titled ‘Middle-earth Midnight Madness’ is a launch celebration for the release of The Lord of the Rings Extended Editions on Blu-Ray and will be held at Best Buy’s West Los Angeles location, 11301 W. Pico Blvd.. The event will feature cast member greetings, trivia, games, and loads of prizes. But the biggest prizes will be reserved for a special costume competition, where one lucky contestant will capture the Grand Prize of a VIP “Tour of Middle-earth” – an all-expense-paid trip to New Zealand (Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown), courtesy of Air New Zealand and Weta Workshop. Two Second Prize winners will receive an Official 10k Solid Gold version of The One Ring from Noble Collections! Yea, we told you it was going to big! Click ‘Continue Reading’ to read a summary of all the events and full details. TORn staffers, including everyone’s favorite emcee Quickbeam, will be on hand. Hope to see you there!

Continue reading “Middle-earth Madness in LA June 27th! Win a Trip to NZ!”

Peter Jackson has posted a new note on his Facebook page today that confirms the casting of Luke Evans as Bard, as well as Benedict Cumberbatch as the voice of Smaug. He has also announced two new cast members. Barry Humphries will be portraying a completely CGI Goblin King…and…wait for it…the biggest news is LOST star Evangeline Lilly will be Tauriel. PJ describes Tauriel as a Woodland Elf, ‘Her name means ‘daughter of Mirkwood’ and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing! (No, there is no romantic connection to Legolas.)‘ So there you have it, some huge news from PJ today. Jump on over to his Facebook account to read the full note. [Read on] What do you think? Share your thoughts in our forum and on facebook!

News is just hitting via Deadline.com that Luke Evans has been cast as Bard in the upcoming The Hobbit movies:

EXCLUSIVE TO DEADLINE.com: Luke Evans has bagged the role of Bard in The Hobbit, a last major part that Peter Jackson hadn’t cast in a production that’s underway in New Zealand. Bard the Grim is  a skilled archer, and the heir of King Girion of Dale. The king was killed by the talking dragon Smaug. The character plays a greater role in the second film, and is somewhat reminiscent of the action-hero exploits of Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn, I’m told.

What do you think of the choice? Does he have the ‘Bard’ look? Sound off! For the complete article, including a summary of his past work, jump on over to Deadline.com! [Read on] (Thanks to Ringer Jared for the heads up!)