Sean AstinBelleferret writes: You may want to report that (not unexpectedly) Sean Astin will be providing the voice of Samwise Gamgee for the backstory for the upcoming game, LOTR: Aragorn’s Quest. More..

Hollywood Director Guillermo del Toro will be launching his first novel, The Strain, with a book signing at the Weta Cave. The Strain is the first volume in a trilogy of books, co-written with thriller writer Chuck Hogan, about a vampiric virus that invades New York.

Guillermo is currently in New Zealand to direct The Hobbit , the prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He is one of the hottest directors in Hollywood, after directing an array of visionary movies such as The Devil’s Backbone, the Oscar winning Pan’s Labyrinth and the two Hellboy movies. He will be signing books and collectibles at this exclusive Weta Cave after-hours event.

Wednesday 17th June | 6-8 PM
The Weta Cave, Cnr Camperdown Rd/Weka St, Miramar, Wellington

Elrond - Hugo WeavingThanks to TORn message board member Theodred for digging up this great scoop! In the following BBC Radio 5 Simon Mayo interview, ‘Hobbit’ director Guillermo del Toro confirms that Hugo Weaving will be cast in the upcoming ‘Hobbit’ films. While he does not specifically say he is returning as Elrond, when speaking of Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen and Weaving he says, “…as the roles they originated in the trilogy.” I think we can make a good assumption that means Elrond! Take a moment to listen to the Simon Mayo broadcast over at BBC – the Hobbit casting talk is around the 02:10:55 point. Enjoy! [BBC Radio]

peter-jackson-2009The New York Times broke this story that one Peter Jackson will be a guest at the 2009 San Diego Comic-Con.The director of the “Lord of the RIngs” trilogy of films has been a regular at the convention but only via video and has even said on recorded messages shown at the four-day celebration of popular culture that someday he would like to attend. He introduced material like the King Kong vs. three T-Rex scene from “King Kong,” and also said his “hellos” to LOTR fans during the production of the films. He will officially be on hand at this year’s event to talk about “District 9,” which he is producing for director Neill Blomkamp but he also has several other irons in the fire, such as producing “The Hobbit,” with Guillermo del Toro in two parts and working on “Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn,” with Steven Spielberg and preparing for the release of his own “Lovely Bones,” adaptation of Alice Sebold’s novel. Continue reading “Who will be at SDCC 2009? Peter Jackson! (& TORn)”

On Tuesday, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge decided that a lawsuit filed by J.R.R. Tolkien’s heirs against New Line Cinema should be brought before a jury. In the suit, filed in February 2008, The Tolkien Trust claims New Line owes them at least $220 million of the profits collected from Peter Jackson’s film trilogy (a 1969 contract promises the author’s heirs 7.5 percent of gross receipts from films and other related products). The case will go to trial Oct. 19. ‘Lord of the Rings’ lawsuit: Judge sends case to jury