Ever ready to support a worthy cause, Sir Ian McKellen isn’t putting his feet up during his time off from Middle-earth. As busy as he surely is on The Hobbit movie set, the actor will be taking time during the weekends in May and June to perform a one man show around New Zealand, to raise money for the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch. Following last year’s terrible earthquakes, the theatre has been closed because of ‘structural issues’. Back in 2010 McKellen appeared in Waiting for Godot at the theatre, and he’s keen to see it restored and reopened. Full details and dates for his touring one man show can be found here and here; in the included video newsreel in the first link, McKellen hints that the one man show may include singing! Perhaps he’s been inspired by Viggo Mortensen’s recent recitals??
Thanks to the various TORn spies who contacted us about Sir Ian’s shows; if you are lucky enough to get to one of these performances, we’d love to hear about it!
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Now’s your chance! The latest casting call for extras has gone out for The Hobbit movies; they are looking for people based in the Wellington area, who are tall and of slender build. That can mean only one thing – more elves! Find details here – and be sure to let us know if you’re lucky enough to be cast!
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British actor Stephen Fry, who will appear as the Master of Laketown in the upcoming Hobbit movies (though perhaps only in the second one?? – just a guess…), has – according to the press – finished filming in New Zealand. He’s clearly sad to go, as reported here. (If you’re curious about Fry’s comments about broadband services, as mentioned in the article, you can read more here!)
What this means regarding what is ‘in the can’ and what is still to be shot can only be speculated. Are all Laketown scenes filmed? Have the technical wizards already started adding in a CGI Smaug? Might Fry be called back for pick-ups after the first movie has been released? Right now, the question I’m pondering is this: once he’s back in Britain, I wonder how soon the actor will find time to stop by the Hobbit pub in Southampton? Perhaps he’ll wait till cast mate Ian McKellen can join him, later in the summer….
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We have much to celebrate at TheOneRing.net as our intrepid reporter MrCere arrives today in the heart of New Zealand to visit THE HOBBIT set; and our show today will likewise cover some exciting territory! Come re-live the wild animation of the 70’s on our *live* webcast today (affectionately known as TORn TUESDAY!). We will explore the works of animation trailblazer RALPH BAKSHI and consider his contributions to “The Lord of the Rings” history. We look forward in time as well, anticipating the newest wizard of Middle-earth to arrive, and so sink our teeth into Quickbeam’s recent editorial “Where Exactly Art Thou, Radagast?” As always, you can join the *live* chat today and present your questions to show host Clifford Broadway (Quickbeam)! Today’s webcast launches at 5:00pm PDT — There’s a built-in Barliman’s chat room or come in via Skype in TheOneRing.net’s Stickam page. Check out our LIVE Event section right here every week! [LIVE Event Area] (See All Times)
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WETA master swordsmith Peter Lyon answers some commonly — and uncommonly — asked questions in this insightful Q&A session over on the WETA NZ website. Go check it out.
[Read full story]
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A Dominion Post photographer had a chance to snap some (mostly!) unobstructed pictures of the Laketown set the other day when the Stone Street Studios studio gates were left open as local firefighters responded to what seems to have been a false alarm at the set. Naturally, these photos may be spoilers for some!
[See the snaps]
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