Prime Video dropped a new lifestyle promo video chronicling a day in the life of a Lord of the Rings fan, in anticipation of Rings of Power.

Watch the video then ask yourself, does this confirm Ents are in the show? Also was that NIRNAETH ARNOEDIAD, the epic battle with elves & men & dragons?

Nerd of the Rings did an immediate deep-dive into this general TV ad to find many easter eggs including John Howe books, John Howe artwork, and several other callbacks to things that have come before. This may also hint at a theatrical release!

Seen in context of the marketing of Rings of Power, this unheralded video comes 4 months after the Superbowl teaser and 2 weeks after the big Harfoot reveal in EMPIRE magazine, yet still doesn’t reveal ANYTHING about the show. It is a great level-set and reminder of what it’s like being a fan, with many recalling the first time they ever read LOTR after watching this video.

The greatest gift this show can provide is bringing even more people into the books of JRR Tolkien. This Amazon ad aims in that direction.

Join the lively discussion about this video in our Discord channel: https://discord.gg/theonering

The-Hobbit-The-Desolation-of-Smaug-FX-046 SciFiNow spoke to Daniel Falconer, Weta Workshop designer and author of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug: Unleashing the Dragon (order it here if you haven’t already) about the process of creating what he describes as “the grand-daddy” of fantasy dragons.

He also reveals what Benedict Cumberbatch brought to the role, and why he feels Peter Jackson understands exactly what is required from a fantasy epic.

Don’t forget to click the link to read the entire interview.

Continue reading “Daniel Falconer: Smaug is the grand-daddy of dragons”

Smaug, The Hobbit Lauren Davis from SF webzine io9 explores why, “in a media landscape overstuffed with dragons, do we still care so much about Smaug?”.

This was first published last month, and I missed it at the time, but it’s a very worthwhile read that delves into (among other things) the literary origins of Tolkien’s dragons — the story of Fafnir, and, of course, Beowulf. Follow the link at the bottom to read the complete article.


Why Smaug still matters

“A dragon is no idle fancy,” J.R.R. Tolkien wrote in his lecture “Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics.” Whatever may be his origins, in fact or invention, the dragon in legend is a potent creation of men’s imagination, richer in significance than his barrow is in gold.”

Continue reading “Why Smaug still matters”

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Bilbo and Smaug A new day, a new TV spot for The Desolation of Smaug. This one features some previously unseen footage of Bilbo making his way down into the depths of Erebor towards the lair of Smaug. Appropriately, Warner Bros. have titled it Dragon.

Movie spoilers, of course!

Thanks to Ringers Xpayne, Sander and Huan for the heads-up. Continue reading “The Desolation of Smaug TV Spot #9 “Dragon” is here!”