Hobbiton Set (file) Tyellas writes: The potter who did extensive work for the Lord of the Rings films, Mirek Smíšek, is currently having a gallery show in Waikanae, about 1/2 hour north of Wellington. This show reviews 60 years of his exceptionally graceful work, and shows us why he was chosen as the potter for Peter Jackson’s Middle Earth. Smíšek’s studio, which he shares with his partner Pamela Annsouth, who produces her own gorgeous works, can be visited by appointment, as noted here. More..

Take a look at TheOneRing.net’s extensive collection of over 150 photos from 10 years of the Hobbiton set in our one of a kind LOTR Scrapbook!

Ho Jai writes: I just wanted to share some information I have had today from -snip- who works for an advertising agency exclusively for Warner Bros in the UK. I tried to pump him for any information he may be able to obtain about the Trilogy release on Blu Ray. From their website, it appears Warner Bros in the US are releasing the Blu Ray Trilogy in November (this we already knew -Xo).

As far as UK release, Entertainment Film Distributors are still under contract to release New Line movies on home video until 2010, so Warner Bros won’t be involved in the UK release therefore no exact inside news. But I have been reliably informed that it will be a Q4 release around a similar time though.