HBO is airing a fantasy series in two weeks staring LOTR alumn Sean Bean. Just as in 2000, when New Line Cinema put high-quality fantasy in the cinema, viewed then as an expensive risk, the subscription channel is adapting a fantasy novel, George R.R. Martin’s “A Game of Thrones,” for television. Bean, Boromir in Tolkien’s “Fellowship of the Ring,” is front and center here as the series’ most recognizable face playing Eddard Stark, one of the powerful players in a land full of political intrigue. Sunday night HBO started the two-week countdown before the shows airs each Sunday for 10 weeks. You can watch a 14-minute preview now but younger and sensitive viewers should be warned, there are graphic depictions of dead bodies, a beheading and the stuff of nightmares if you follow this link. (TORn recently ran a story comparing the LOTR films and the television series.)
Category: LotR Movies
Welcome to our collection of TORn’s hottest topics for the past week. If you’ve fallen behind on what’s happening on the Message Boards, here’s a great way to catch the highlights. Or if you’re new to TORn and want to enjoy some great conversations, just follow the links to some of our most popular discussions. Watch this space as every weekend we will spotlight the most popular buzz on TORn’s Message Boards. Everyone is welcome, so come on in and join in the fun!
Continue reading “TORn Message Boards Weekly Roundup – April 3, 2011”
This was TheOneRing.net’s 2011 April Fools Joke. This is a completely fabricated story.
Wellington, NZ, April 1, 2011—Production is underway in Wellington, New Zealand, on “The Hobbit,” filmmaker Peter Jackson’s two film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s widely read masterpiece.
Set in Middle-earth, “The Hobbit” takes place 60 years before Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar-winning “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”
Joining the all-star cast is actor Stuart Townsend as the grim and heroric Bard. Bard is a skilled archer from the town of Dale, who finds himself holding the fate of his people on the string of his bow. Stuart is no stranger to Middle-earth as he was originally cast as Aragorn in the Oscar-winning “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy but left the production for personal reasons. “This is a great chance for Stuart to return to Middle-earth and bring his immeasurable talents to the production,” said casting director Thomas Williams.
Saiorse Ronan also joins the cast in the role of Itaril, a quick and lithe Silvan elf who is dedicated to protecting the Elf King of Mirkwood. Ms. Ronan was previously directed by Peter Jackson in 2009’s critically acclaimed ‘The Lovely Bones.’
“The Hobbit” cast already includes Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins) and Ian McKellen (Gandalf). The Dwarves are played by Richard Armitage (Thorin Oakenshield), Ken Stott (Balin), Graham McTavish (Dwalin), William Kircher (Bifur) James Nesbitt (Bofur), Stephen Hunter (Bombur), Rob Kazinsky (Fili), Aidan Turner (Kili), Peter Hambleton (Gloin), John Callen (Oin), Jed Brophy (Nori), Mark Hadlow (Dori) and Adam Brown (Ori). Reprising their roles from “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy are Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Andy Serkis as Gollum and Elijah Wood as Frodo. Further announcements are expected.
“The Hobbit” films are co-produced by New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television licensing being handled by MGM. The two films are planned for release in late 2012 and 2013, respectively.
ABOUT NEW LINE CINEMA:
New Line Cinema continues to be one of the most successful independent film companies. For more than 40 years, its mission has been to produce innovative, popular, profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line produced the Oscar®-winning “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which is a landmark in the history of film franchises. New Line Cinema is a division of Warner Bros.
ABOUT PETER JACKSON/WINGNUT FILMS:
Peter Jackson is one of the world’s most successful filmmakers. His monumental achievement co-writing, co-producing and directing The Lord of the Rings trilogy (with fellow Academy Award winners and frequent collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens) earned a total of 30 Academy Award nominations and 17 Academy Awards. Jackson and Walsh received their first Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for their acclaimed film Heavenly Creatures. Jackson, through his New Zealand-based Wingnut Films banner, also was responsible for the globally successful 2005 remake of King Kong which earned over $500 million worldwide and 3 Academy Awards. Jackson most recently directed the Academy Award nominated The Lovely Bones; an adaptation of the acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, which to date has earned nearly $100 million worldwide; and produced the global sensation, District 9, which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. He is also developing a trilogy of films with Steven Spielberg based on Tintin, the world renowned comic book series by Herge. In 2010 he received a Knighthood for his services to film.
ABOUT METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER STUDIOS INC.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in domestic and international TV channels reaching over 130 countries. For more information, visit www.mgm.com. What is the date again?
linuxelf sends this along: John Rhys-Davies will be attending the up and coming, Armageddon Expo, Wellington, April 9th & 10th 2011! He will be signing autographs at Celebrity Signing Area at 2pm to 5pm both days. Guests are subject to change, please check the event web site for updates. Continue reading “John Rhys-Davies at Armageddon Expo”
shortlist.com has an interview with Orlando Bloom where they ask him about The Hobbit, check out the pertinent info below and read the whole interview here!
You’re rumoured to be returning as Legolas in The Hobbit. Can you tell us anything about the project?
I wish I could. I would be honoured if I was asked to do it, and I would run to work with Peter Jackson again. I adore him and I’m so excited at the prospect of it. But at this stage, it’s not something I can confirm. Continue reading “Orlando Bloom Talks ‘Hobbit’”
According to an article in the DailyRecord.co.uk today, actor Billy Boyd (Pippin) is planning a trip back to New Zealand this year to visit The Hobbit set during production. Billy, Elijah Wood (Frodo), and Dominic Monaghan (Merry) want to catch up with old friends and, for Billy and Dom, try to land even the smallest of cameos in the background. As Billy says in the article:
“Most of the guys have been back for a little trip or something but I have not managed it.
“I have been talking to Dom and Elijah and we are all going to go back this year. We will all go together, like a reunion trip. We want to go and see the sets.
“And while we’re there, there must be something for us. They must need a hobbit in the background somewhere. I can even put the big feet on myself!”
The article goes on to discuss Billy’s upcoming projects, music career and more. (Psst – Billy, if you feel like sharing some pics from your visit, send them along! We’d love to share your reunion experience!) [Read on]