headWETA Digital has released a brand new two and a half minute video exclusively to the The Hollywood Reporter detailing the creation of the dragon Smaug. Thanks to Ringers Makaw, Brandon, Will P., and Jesse for notifying us about the video!

The Hollywood Reporter also spoke to Smaug VFX artist David Clayton (who is nominated for an Academy Award for his work on the film) about the process of translating actor Benedict Cumberbatch’s motion capture performance into the fire-breathing creature you see on the screen in The Desolation of Smaug. Continue reading “Bringing Smaug to Life: New Making-of video from Weta Digital”

Joe LetteriIf you’re a die hard fan of Peter Jackson’s Middle-earth adaptations, chances are you probably know the name Joe Letteri. Winner of four Academy Awards, Mr. Letteri has been an instrumental part of bringing the magical world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books to life through the art of visual effects.

Now Mr. Letteri has once again been nominated for his work – this time for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. The Los Angeles Times’ Cristy Lytal took some time to ask him some questions ahead of the Oscar ceremony – which will be held on March 2nd. Naturally, the interview focused mostly on the creation of the film’s visual centerpiece – Smaug. Continue reading “Oscar winning visual effects artist Joe Letteri speaks with the L.A. Times”

DofS box set2Read about it here at TORn before this information is available anywhere else! Thanks to Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, we can now bring you all the official information about when you will be able to take home The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.  These are the release dates worldwide:

Continue reading “EXCLUSIVE – The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Home Video release”

hobbit-SmaugBookfrontcoverlrg2As we told you a while back, our friends from Weta Workshop have another amazing book detailing The Hobbit Trilogy up for pre-order. Now, we get to see what the cover of the book will look like, which is a great shot of Smaug and Bilbo having their conversation inside Erebor. This book will go behind the scenes to show us the work that went into briging to life the best dragon fans have ever seen on the big screen Smaug the Terrible. Smaug: Unleashing the Dragon is packed with exclusive images and amazing insights by the talented artists at Weta Digital. You can pre-order Smaug: Unleashing the Dragon right now from Weta’s website for $19.99 with it shipping in April of this year.

The-Hobbit-GollumThat mischievous little sneaker known as Gollum (or Smeagol, depending on his mood) has another notch in his belt (er, loincloth). Even 10+ years after making a splash in Hollywood, he just can’t stop picking up awards.

Yesterday, the 41st Annual Annie Awards were held. The Annies celebrate achievement in film and television animation. The award for ‘Character Animation in a Live Action Production’ was given to Jeff Capogreco, Jedrzej Wojtowicz, Kevin Estey, Alessandro Bonora and Gino Acevedo for their work on Gollum in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Continue reading “‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ wins Annie Award”

fotr steelbook Warner Home Video is set to release the Blu-ray extended edition of Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in steelbook format for the first time in the UK.

The region-free five-disc blu-ray steelbook will hit the market on March 24. Pre-order here.

From the press release:

One of the most magical, intensely spectacular epic adventures in motion picture history comes alive when this extended edition explodes onto Blu-ray Disc with unsurpassed high definition picture and sound. Now fans can see and hear the extended version of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring at home the way it was meant to be seen. Based on the length of the extended edition feature film and in order to present the film in the highest possible picture quality, the film is presented on two Blu-ray Discs. Continue reading “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring coming soon in five-disc blu-ray steelbook format”