One of the standout exclusives from Dark Horse Direct at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 is a clever twist on one of the most beloved heroes in Tolkien’s legendarium. The Invisible Bilbo Baggins vinyl figure, inspired by the classic 1977 animated The Hobbit, takes the previously released Bilbo figure and transforms him into the moment every fan remembers—after slipping on the One Ring. Cast in clear vinyl to recreate Bilbo’s invisibility, this exclusive beautifully captures one of the film’s most iconic scenes while paying tribute to the animated classic that introduced countless fans to Middle-earth.
For many Tolkien fans, the journey into Middle-earth didn’t begin with blockbuster films or even the pages of The Hobbit—it began with the unforgettable 1977 animated The Hobbit movie. That beloved Rankin/Bass classic introduced an entire generation to Bilbo Baggins, Gollum, and the incredible world created by Professor J.R.R. Tolkien. Now, nearly fifty years later, Dark Horse Direct is giving fans a wonderful way to celebrate those memories, with brand-new vinyl figures of Bilbo Baggins and Gollum in their iconic animated appearances. For those who first fell in love with Middle-earth through this film, it’s incredibly exciting finally to have collectibles that pay tribute to such an important part of Tolkien fandom history.
Film festival that launched The Lord of the Rings movies fetes Jackson with a special award of recognition.
Elijah Wood was on hand in France this week to present Peter Jackson with the prestigious Palme d’Or from the Cannes film festival, 25 years after the world-altering preview of LOTR films debuted there.
“Warner Bros. was being sold… The media was talking about the gamble was going to fail. So the first film, ‘Fellowship of the Ring,’ was going to come out in December 2001 and so we just finished shooting in December 2000… Bob Shaye decides that he wants to have 20 minutes of our film screen here in Cannes because he wants to change the press’ stories that were going out … Bob Shaye rolled the dice, and so we quickly changed 20 minutes of film, really fast, and we brought that 20 minutes here in 2001 in May, and we did some press in that castle up on the hill and had a party there, and Bob’s great gamble really changed the perception of the film. And for me obviously, it was a life-changing thing. So by the time the film came out there was an anticipation that there wouldn’t have been if not for Cannes.”
In a separate 1-on-1 conversation with Jackson, he talks broadly about many topics. Many press people were seated at the back of the auditorium filming with phones, so quality is a bit wonky.
On The Hunt for Gollum movie
Peter Jackson explains at #Cannes why he is not directing "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum':
"The film is about Gollum's psychological and addiction. I thought Andy knows this guy better than anybody. So I actually I didn't think much of me [directing the new movie.… pic.twitter.com/eNbmQuQ54d
“The film is about Gollum’s psychological and addiction. I thought Andy knows this guy better than anybody. So I actually I didn’t think much of me [directing the new movie. I thought the most exciting version of this movie is if Andy Serkis makes it.”
“I don’t dislike it at all. I mean, to me, it’s just a special effect.” Further, he talks about how Andy Serkis playing Gollum may not win any acting awards because of all the discourse around AI. “It’s not an AI-generated performance, it’s a human-generated performance, so it’s sort of unfair that he wouldn’t get it.”
Variety as more complete write up of Peter Jackson’s comments on A.I. including a fair perspective of likeness rights. “If you’re doing an AI duplicate of somebody, like Indiana Jones or anyone else, as long as you’ve licensed the rights off the person who you’re showing, I don’t see the issue. It’s when people’s likenesses get stolen and usurped.”
Separately, while attending Cannes, actress Cate Blanchett has announced a non-profit consortium called RSL Media to create a legal framework in managing the AI likeness rights of all actors. There is also another EU group trying to do the same called HPF Human Providence in Film.
Peter Jackson got permission from Christopher Lee’s estate to use old outtakes for the recent War of the Rohirrim, and his Weta Digital worked with Ian Holm’s estate to bring his ALIEN character back using CGI models from The Hobbit movies.
On The Adventures of TinTin sequel
Peter Jackson reveals at #Cannes that he is working on a new "Adventures of Tintin" movie.
He's currently writing the script and plans to direct the movie himself. He was working on the screenplay while attending the festival. pic.twitter.com/mZx805loib
Jackson talks about disappointing Steven Spielberg by not making a movie for 15 years. But he’s writing now as we speak with intent to direct. The first TinTin is a fully animated film and is regarded as a modern classic. The sequel is one of the most long-anticipated movies in the industry.
Upcoming movie to take fans on an unexpected journey through time in telling the story of Sméagol.
A new Spy Report collaboration with Knight Edge Media brings what looks like a leaked, possibly official, synopsis for the upcoming feature film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. While we cannot absolutely verify if it’s a “final” version, the story points hinted at align with previous rumors, leaks, casting auditions, and even things Ian Mckellen has said.
TheOneRing.net reached out to WB for comment or confirmation, but they had nothing to share at this time; nor had anyone in New Zealand.
Film Synopsis
Here is the full text as sent to us via spy report. Reminder, you can drop us inside info (or casual info!) to spymaster ~at~ theonering.net
Before the Fellowship, one creature’s obsession holds the key to Middle-earth’s survival — or its demise. In The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, we meet young Smeagol — an outsider drawn to trinkets and mischief — long before The One Ring consumed him and began his tragic descent into the tortured, deceitful creature Gollum. With the ring lost and carried away by Bilbo Baggins, Gollum finds himself compelled to leave his cave in search of it.
Gandalf the Grey calls upon Aragorn, still known as the ranger Strider, to track the elusive creature whose knowledge of the whereabouts of the ring could tip the balance toward the Dark Lord Sauron. Set in the shadowed time between Bilbo’s birthday disappearance and the Fellowship’s formation, this perilous journey through Middle-earth’s darkest corners reveals untold truths, tests the resolve of its future king, and explores the fractured soul and backstory of Gollum, one of Tolkien’s most enigmatic characters.
Directed by original cast member Andy Serkis, produced by Peter Jackson, and written & produced by Fran Walsh and Phillipa Boyens — the creative team behind the Oscar-winning trilogy — this live-action movie bridges the beloved films with new characters, returning heroes, and a deeply engaging origin story that resets the stage for, and changes everything you know about the legendary Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Deconstructing Marketing Language
There’s a lot to unpack here, so staffers Greendragon and Quickbeam spent the second hour of TORN Tuesday analyzing every word. Watch below or on Youtube.
The most apparently surprising part of the synopsis – a confirmation we will be seeing young Sméagol. Is director Andy Serkis inspired by Young Sheldon, or young Anakin from The Phantom Menace, or even the merchandising hit “Baby Yoda” Grogu?
Another interesting thing is the calling out of Aragorn by name, which implies huge boots to fill for some new actor as they recast the role without Viggo Mortensen. Also of note is the inclusion of Fran Walsh, part of the Oscar-winning trifecta accompanying Peter Jackson and Philippa Boyens. They start filming in New Zealand in July for a December 2027 release.
We will have more analysis in the coming days, but what do you think? Join the live daily chat on Discord.
This was a week of special magnificence of LOTR news!
Lord of the Rings returns to cinemas
WB and Fathom Events kick of the #LOTR25 year of celebration by bringing the Extended Editions back to theaters starting today. Over the next couple weeks you have the opportunity to watch any of the Extended Editions on the big screen. Not limited to USA only, we have reports of many countries getting the cinema treatment too! Check your local theater listing or start at Fathom Events website.
The "Lord of the Rings" trilogy has generated $5 million in box office presales ahead of its theatrical rerelease, with approximately 407,000 tickets sold so far.https://t.co/IKDIER8eirpic.twitter.com/aQxxO1SIRK
AMC theaters will have a special Middle-earth Map popcorn tin, and Regal Cinemas have a ring themed 25th anniversay tin. Other cinema chains may have either, so check with your local theater.
Aragorn to be recast
With new LOTR films on the way from Philippa Boyens and team, it was inevitable that some conversations around recasting characters would occur. It seems that time has come as reports surfaced of auditions currently happening in London and Wellington to cast a younger Aragorn actor, said to be around Joe Keery’s age.
In Search of… Young Smeagol
Also being cast for the new “Hunt for Gollum” film directed by Andy Serkis is a young Smeagol and Deagol. Reports from Knight Edge Media are they are looking for children around 10 years old that can pass for Stoors, which Smeagol and Deagol were.
Mithril Cut, or the Extended EXTENDED Edition
EMPIRE magazine LOTR 25 tribute issue is out (Apple News+ Link) and biographer Ian Nathan got Peter Jackson to admit the long-rumored Mithril Cut of LOTR is dead and doesn’t exist. Although, just a paragraph later, PJ mentions a more definitive documentary that we first reported 10 years ago which WB needs to fund for completion. Word from insiders say that WB marketing are closely watching the fan reaction to the Mithril Cut news, so it may be a good idea to express yourself on social media!
Look for the EMPIRE LOTR 25 issue on Newsstands or places like Barnes & Noble.
Elijah Wood is coming to YOUR house for the Superbowl
Skittles candies have a contest running right now to send Elijah Wood to your house for the big game. Details here.
Another Tolkien Scholar sails west
This week we lost another cherished family member of the Legendarium. Author Walter S. Judd worked with his son on The Flora of Middle-earth, a defining text on the plant life of Tolkien’s world. Get a copy at Amazon or your local bookstore.
Very sad to hear that Walter S. Judd, co-author of "Flora of Middle-earth" has passed away. RIP. pic.twitter.com/YuU79DuZFV
One of the standout exclusives from Dark Horse Direct at San Diego Comic-Con 2026 is a clever twist on one of the most beloved heroes in Tolkien’s legendarium. The Invisible Bilbo Baggins vinyl figure, inspired by the classic 1977 animated The Hobbit, takes the previously released Bilbo figure and transforms him into the moment every fan remembers—after slipping on the One Ring. Cast in clear vinyl to recreate Bilbo’s invisibility, this exclusive beautifully captures one of the film’s most iconic scenes while paying tribute to the animated classic that introduced countless fans to Middle-earth.
