Ethan Gilsdorf writes: I attended the recent 3rd Conference on Middle-earth (in Westford, Massachusetts) where I listened to talks on blond elf imagery and debates on how to adapt The Hobbit into one movie or two movies (and the wisdom of that latter endeavor).

I also wandered over to a vendor table manned by an older gentleman named Ed Meskys, who has been involved in science fiction and fantasy fandom since the early days. The former president of the Tolkien Society of America (1967-1972), Meskys had been cleaning out his garage, he told me, and wanted his old treasures might see the light of day again. Most of the stuff — magazines and old book jackets — was a buck or two each.

Among the ephemera were some yellowed, dusty, wonderful, terrible, Lord of the Rings stickers. It was the end of the day, and Meskys gave me his last sheets of stickers for free. Continue reading “Tolkien hippie stickers resurface”

As announced on Peter Jackson’s Facebook page, Orlando Bloom is reprising his role as Legolas “Greenleaf” in The Hobbit. Below are some video clips of the local coverage.


 

[TV3] [PrimeNews]

Sir Ian McKellen is his co-worker, and he spends his days covered in prosthetics – but it is all in a day’s work for Mark Hadlow.

Meeting the celebrity cast of the film was an ”oh my god” moment, Mr Hadlow said.

However, ”it’s not really any different” acting with celebrities once the camera is rolling.

He said acting opposite Sir Ian was a ”fantastic” experience.

”He is a huge world-renowned talent and you’re in a scene with him – it’s flipping fantastic.”

Mr Hadlow said he wakes up at 4am each day and spends ”a couple” of hours having make up and prosthetics applied, to transform him into a dwarf, before he begins filming his scenes.

[Full Article]

With Benedict Cumberbatch unofficially joining the cast of The Hobbit, early reports suggests he will be the voice for Smaug.

Early reports suggest Cumberbatch will voice the dragon character Smaug but the actor refused to specify his role, insisting, “I can’t say at the moment, thank you very much.”

A red-faced Freeman later told reporters, “I knew I was a sort of a big mouth but I didn’t realize to what extent I was a big mouth, and I’ve just ruined everything. I might not actually go back to a job – they might have just sacked (fired) me.”

[Full Report]