Over the last few years one of the most in demand exclusives to get at San Diego Comic-Con has been the print sets our friend Jerry Vanderstelt has at his booth and I have no doubt that this year won’t be any different.
This years set is titled Winged Fury, and captures three of Jerry’s prints in a never before released size of 12×16. The three prints that make up this set are the Fell Beast, Smaug, and The Balrog. I personally have all 3 as individual prints and I cannot wait to add this set to my collection. They are exceptionally well done. This limited edition, 350 print run, at a price of $40, will not last past the end of SDCC on July 27th. Fans going to Comic-Con can pre-order theirs right now, if they’d like, and simply take their receipt to booth 1931 to pick it up. The online pre-order will be limited to only 150 copies, with the final 200 being sold exclusively at the show. Get yours now because you do not want to risk not getting it once the show starts.
Trailer for new fantasy film releasing this week from Stuart Brennan also stars Jennifer English from Baldurs Gate 3 in a “gritty wood elf adventure!”
WARLORD is a new fantastical adventure featuring elves and men and magic in an epic medieval setting. It is explained as:
“Determined to free her city from the clutches of evil forces, one woman seeks out an elven Warlord and his powerful allies for aid.”
Directed by Stuart Brennan (who also acts), the film stars Billy Boyd, Ryan Gage, Georgina Leonidas, Jennifer English, Aliona Baranova, Kerry Norton and Richard Goss. The film releases digitally May 16, 2025 on AppleTV and other on-demand VOD services.
The cast is stacked with fan favorites! Billy Boyd played Peregrin Took (Pippin) in The Lord of the Rings films, Ryan Gage was Alfrid in The Hobbit sequels, Jennifer English is the actress behind Shadowheart in Baldurs Gate 3 and Latenna in Elden Ring, Georgina Leonidas was in the original Harry Potter movies, and director Stuart Brennan is a BAFTA Cymru-winning British actor, playwright, producer and director who is a leading figure within indie cinema supporting high concept filmmaking and championing film festivals globally.
What’s more, Director Stuart Brennan joined Clifford Broadway on TORN Tuesday this week. Check out what he had to say below.
Press Release for a “Gritty Wood Elf Adventure”
The studio behind WARLORD sends over the following description of the movie, out this Friday on demand.
Helmed by award-winning writer-director Stuart Brennan (Kingslayer, Assassin’s Guild), Warlord promises a dark and immersive journey into a mystical forest realm where war, rebellion, and power struggles unfold in uncompromising fashion.
Starring an ensemble cast led by Billy Boyd (The Lord of the Rings), along with Ryan Gage, known for his role as Alfrid in the The Hobbit; Warlord delivers a fresh take on medieval fantasy. With cinematography by Doug Milsome BSC, ASC (Full Metal Jacket, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves), the film boasts a striking visual aesthetic reminiscent of classic epic filmmaking.
Set in a world rife with injustice, Warlord follows a peaceful Wood Elf leader forced to take up arms against an oppressive Sheriff and his mercenaries. As rebellion stirs, alliances are tested, and the elves’ true motives come into question, setting the stage for a thrilling battle for justice and survival.
Director Stuart Brennan shares his vision: “I grew up inspired by stories like Robin Hood, and I wanted to craft a film that explores timeless struggles—oppression, resistance, and the cost of war. Warlord is an intense, character-driven journey that I feel is timely and dealing with themes that are current real world issues. Having been a big fan of Warhammer growing up, Wood Elves were always my army of choice and so getting a chance to bring wood elves into my universe has been particularly special.”
A first-look at the poster of the film has been released today with exclusive images of Billy Boyd as The Sheriff and Ryan Gage as The Brute. Brennan was very excited about the casting; “I love Lord of the Rings, so working with Billy was very cool. He’s incredibly detail orientated and a very prepared actor. He arrived on set excited to be playing a dark and richly complex character. We’d had a few video calls to talk through the part and once he was in costume, on location it was genuinely one of the highlights of my career being able to capture him bringing this role to life. It’s very different from anything he’s done before.”
This was the third movie he had got to work with Gage; “Ryan is a superb actor, he’s also very prepared, very specific and creative with his choices. He was one of the first people I sent the script to and this character really jumped out at him. He’s a lot of fun in this movie, very dark, very wicked.”
TV show spinoff of their successful podcast begins airing on UK tv, while the boys post outtakes on Patreon.
Billy & Dom Eat the World is a new TV travel show where your favorite hobbit actors visit unique places around the world experiencing local cuisine. It started as a segment on their Friendship Onion podcast and now UK television viewers can catch their many adventures. Watch on Virgin UHD at 8:10pm Monday (tonight!)
Celebrity travel shows seem to be all the rage – Stanley Tucci is eating his way across Italy, and Eva Longoria is Searching Through Spain. This writer is somewhat surprised its taken so long for all these food-travel shows to spring up after the loss of Anthony Bourdain in 2018.
USA when?
No word yet on any networks in the USA picking up the global trotting foodie show. It feels weird in 2025 to have a region locked TV show!
Bonus Features on Patreon
In a new instagram post this morning, Billy & Dom announced that outtakes from the show that don’t make it to air will be posted at their new Patreon. The first preview has Ian Mckellen making some fun jokes with them. Patreon levels start at $7 per month and we know these guys will continue to entertain the fans there.
The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis, will herald a new phase of Middle-earth moviegoing.
Per Variety, Warner Bros Discovery has confirmed the release date of the next LOTR film for December 17, 2027. It seems the title “The Hunt for Gollum” is here to stay, after some early confusion over the same title of a fan-film released over 10 years ago. Filming expected to take place early next year in New Zealand.
Andy Serkis previously directed “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle” and “Venom: Let There Be Carnage” in addition to starring in the Planet of the Apes and Star Wars sequel movies.
Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are producing and “will be involved every step of the way.” Boyens earlier told Empire Magazine, “The Hunt for Gollum is quite an intense story that falls after the birthday party of Bilbo and before the Mines of Moria. It’s a specific chunk of incredible untold story, told through the perspective of this incredible creature.”
No word yet on any casting, but the old gang of actors have expressed public interest in returning to Middle-earth including Liv Tyler, Orlando Bloom, Ian Mckellen and Viggo Mortensen.
Our friends at Asmus Collectibles and Sideshow have teamed up for one of the best representations you’re going to find of the character Saruman the White. This 1:6 falls under Asmus Crown Series, which as you know means they’re going all out on the details and goodies.
As you can see in the picture and product page, this is a solid likeness to Sir Christopher Lee in his role of Saruman the White. This collectible doesn’t come up short on accessories either, with multiple hands, Saruman’s staff, Palantir, and a fantastic dual sided Orthanc base, allowing you to recreate two different scenes we saw Saruman in. Saruman comes in at a price tag of $395 and is expected to ship in the back half of 2025.
Saruman the White is a treacherous and powerful wizard who allies himself with Sauron in pursuit of the One Ring. From his chamber in the tower of Orthanc in Isengard, Saruman communes with the Dark Lord through a palantír, betraying old friends like Gandalf the Grey in his efforts to destroy the Fellowship of the Ring and enslave Middle-earth.
Inspired by the character’s appearance in The Lord of the Ringsfilm trilogy, the Saruman 1/6 Scale Figure by Asmus Collectible Toys evokes the commanding presence of this mighty wizard in exquisite detail.
The Saruman 1/6 Scale Figure captures his iconic, regal appearance as portrayed in the films with numerous points of articulation, intricately layered fabric costuming, and accessories for recreating his most notable scenes.
This striking figure sports a detailed portrait with synthetic hair for a realistic finish. It also features moveable eyes, allowing fans to adjust his keen gaze.
Accessories include four pairs of interchangeble hands, the palantír orb, and Saruman’s staff of power with its distinctive white orb set upon a black crown.
Collectors can enjoy a variety of display options with the double-sided Orthanc-inspired environment base, which includes a section of balustrade plus an independently displayable altar with a luminous feature that pairs with the translucent palantír orb for a sinister effect.
If, like myself, you’re a fan of the Classic Series of statues by our friends at Weta Workshop, then this latest release is sure to be something you’ll want to add to your collection.
The latest statue in this series available for pre-order is none other than Boromir himself. This amazing piece portrays Boromir in one of his most iconic moments in the films; when he finds the One Ring in the snow, and internally has to decide if he will give it back to Frodo. Like the other Classic Series statues this is an open edition, with a price tag of $399, and will be shipping to fans at the end of this year.
Over the last few years one of the most in demand exclusives to get at San Diego Comic-Con has been the print sets our friend Jerry Vanderstelt has at his booth and I have no doubt that this year won’t be any different.
