When vulture.com cornered Billy Connolly for an interview, they got an ear full about his role as Dain Ironfoot in the upcoming Hobbit movies. According to Connolly, he has yet to finish his battle scenes, so he’ll be returning to New Zealand next year. When asked if he’d ever read The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings, he replied: “I could never read Tolkien. I always found him unreadable,” though he did say the scripts are brilliant, Martin Freeman is brilliant and the 3-D is stunning. Maybe some audio books are in order? We’ll gladly send you a set, Billy, if you’re interested. Read more…
Category: Hobbit Cast News
Word has been seeping out for a few weeks of some of the toy characters (on display at Comic-Con) being revealed through various channels of the pipeline that gets movie tie-ins to market. Now, made by Bridge Direct, they are for sale on store shelves in at least some locations including the new Toys-R-Us in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Not only is it exciting to see new products (Tolkienites make great consumers!) but there are some clues about “The Hobbit: A Long Expected Journey,” and, our staff thinks, some false leads. But true or false, except for some glimpses in Peter Jackson’s production diaries, we have our first clear look of Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel. For those wishing to avoid spoilers, don’t look beyond the break!
The process of merchandise hitting the market and spoiling some aspects of movies is inevitable and fun for consumers but maybe less fun for filmmakers who may want to keep a lid on every possible detail. Lilly’s character, a creation of the screenwriting team, has been mildly controversial as a character not created by J.R.R. Tolkien who wrote the children’s novel the trilogy of movies is based on 75 years ago. Many message board users at TheOneRing.net have taken a wait-and-see stance. Continue reading “Hobbit toys hit store shelves, Tauriel revealed”
In this delightful, clip, from ITN.co.uk, Andy Serkis reads a short excerpt from “The Hobbit” in his iconic Gollum voice and also discusses the challenges of getting back into the character of Gollum for the upcoming Hobbit movies. Take a look!
USA Today has just debuted six new photos from The Hobbit. There’s a great one of The Unexpected Party, another of Thorin Oakenshield looking very “questy”, and one beautiful image of Gollum, but the real eye-opener is Sylevester McCoy’s Radagast the Brown. There’s just something about his eyes that’s extraordinary. You know what I mean when you go have a look! Thanks to Ringer Owain for the heads-up! Oh, and SPOILERS!
From the very brief accompanying article: “I’m not a huge fan of fantasy for fantasy’s sake,” Jackson says. “I like Tolkien’s work because of the language, the cultures he wrote about… they’re anchored in a very real historical mythology that he created.”
Warner Bros. has released a new site specializing in the tastes of Middle-earth. Featuring such categories as sweets & treats, main courses and breakfast foods, it also provides a way for users to submit recipes. Steven Hunter’s Bombur is featured as the face of Middle-earth culinary delights and his cookbook is a linked tab as well. That may even be a clue into the character but more than that, it is a sign that WB wants to have a little fun with its December tent-pole movie.
The official description says:
Recipes From Middle-earth
Fellow travelers, we welcome you to sample this collection of recipes for authentic Middle-earth cuisine cultivated by the Dwarf Company’s heartiest appetite. Give each dish a rating, and submit your own recipes for others to enjoy and appraise too!
If you missed the link above, the new site can be found at: http://apps.warnerbros.com/thehobbit/recipes/us/
Spanish website Milenio has an interview up with Cate Blanchett discussing, among other things, her return to the role of Galadriel in The Hobbit.
Thanks to our message board member HiddenSpring for sending along a translation of the relevant bit.
Milenio: It’s been 12 years since you played Galadriel. How did it feel going back to that character and that universe?
Cate Blanchett: I’m more mature as an actress; that’s what made me want to play her again. Peter called me and thought I might not accept the role. I told him “Are you kidding me? Of course I will!”
Galadriel is a special character to me, mythic and fascinating. It was as enjoyable to shoot as Lord of the Rings. When I wore the elf ears again, I had this wonderful feeling of dejá vú. I couldn’t stop laughing.
I was very young when I played Galadriel. I hope to have evolved, to be a better actress, person and mother. Professionally I think I’m much more flexible now, and easier to work with. I know Peter thinks so! (laughs) Come Christmas the audience will be able to decide for themselves.
A lively discussion has ensued on our message boards. Feel free to check it out.