For the past four years we have covered the releases of The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica, a series by James A. Owen, in which Tolkien and fellow Inklings C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams are the Caretakers of the Atlas of the Imaginary Lands. October 19 marks the release of Book 5 in the series: The Dragon’s Apprentice.

The Caretakers must fight against their most fearsome enemy ever and attempt to restore Time. They must journey through a forgotten Door from the destroyed Keep of Time in order to seek out the Dragon’s Apprentice. If they fail, it will mean the end of both of the worlds. But success will carry its own price–a price that may be too high even for the Caretakers to bear.

James A. Owen is the author of hit series The Chronicles of the Imaginarium Geographica. He was Guest of Honor at Myth Con 2009. Here, There be Dragons, Book 1 in the series, is being prepared for the big screen by producers Rick Porras and Mark Ordesky, who worked in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings.

Delayed Peter Jackson movie The Hobbit has shown signs of life with a preliminary casting call in Wellington.

The movie has been held up by the sale of the MGM studio, which owns half of the production.

Budding film stars of all shapes and sizes arrived from around the country.

A preliminary casting call is great news for Wellington’s film industry, but it wasn’t the happiest of days for some Hobbit hopefuls.

[Full story]

Empire Magazine asked their readers to vote on their favorite movie trilogies and Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lord of the Rings’ has taken the top spot. LOTR beat out other film trios such as the original Star Wars films (2), Back to the Future  (3), Toy Story (4) and The Godfather (5). Not that we are biased or anything, but we believe the results came out as they should! Check out the full list over at Empire Online. Thanks to Ringer Mikstan for sending us the link. [33 Greatest Movie Trilogies] [LOTR Top Spot]

For anyone who is addicted to ‘tower defense’ type games on their iPhone, you will be getting an amazing Christmas present this year. The folks from Glu Mobile are releasing an officially licensed The Lord of the Rings game app for the iPhone titled ‘The Lord of the Rings: Middle-earth Defense’.

The Lord of the Rings: Middle-earth Defense – Relive the major battles from the epic movie trilogy as you take command of Frodo, Aragorn and many other classic characters in a strategic tower defense game.

Gizmodo has posted a video of the gameplay featuring ‘story mode’ with Aragorn and Legolas are battling some ringwraiths and wargs (or at least it looks that way from the video). This is the first time we are seeing the gameplay, and it is expected to be available in December for download. Jump over to Gizmodo to check out the gameplay. Thanks to TORn Staffer Jincey for the heads up! [Gizmodo] [Glu Press Release]

Clever plot twist, or mere coincidence (with a very decided nod and wink to The Professor)? Either way, a September 22 birthday is shared by two of our favorite Hobbits: Bilbo and Frodo Baggins. In true Hobbit fashion, we are throwing a party of special magnificence on our  Main discussion board. Games, puzzles, poems and other fun activities abound, so be sure and  stop by throughout the day and help celebrate!

There and Back AgainTo celebrate the addition of ‘There and Back Again – The Map of Tolkien’s The Hobbit’ by Brian Sibley to the Official Tolkien Online Bookstore, TheOneRing.net and HarperCollinsPublishers are teaming up to give you a chance to win a copy! This enchanting little clothbound hardback is an essential companion for any reader journeying through The Hobbit. Featuring an entertaining text and detailed gazetteer by acclaimed Tolkien author Brian Sibley, this gift edition also contains a removable fold-out poster-map of Wilderland by John Howe. We’ll choose (3) three winners on September 30th 2010 and post them right here on TheOneRing.net

The entry form is after the break. Thanks to Harper Collins for making this giveaway possible! And don’t forget to pick up your copies today at a local store or through your favorite online source. [Harper Collins UK]

The giveaway is now over! Winners are posted here.