Or you can always join our community in our chatroom<\/a> or on the messageboards<\/a>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n In one of the many wonderful editorials by our volunteer staff, Ringer Captain Salt looks into the significance of an expanded film character played by Benedict Cumberbatch.<\/p>\n Somewhat amazingly, we first posted this in late 2013. It’s popularity is testimony to the enduring and ongoing interest in the subject!<\/p>\n The Dol Guldur storyline was only a minor portion of the first Hobbit film. Yet it set in motion things which will expand into a major story thread in The Desolation of Smaug after Gandalf leaves the company early on to deal with \u201csome pressing business away south\u201d.<\/p>\n Just how will the Necromancer story play out in the second film? It appears this depends on how many of the other story lines are tied into that which most serves as a direct prequel to The Lord of the Rings.<\/i>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Look back at our full report<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In the end, Into the Fire<\/i> wasn’t the title WB settled on, but its registration was the first hint of some large changes afooot with the final Middle-earth film. <\/p>\n A little bird came knocking today, and whispered some intriguing \u2014 and slightly baffling \u2014 news into our ears. Ringer Spy The Knocking Thrush, who is a reliable source, dropped us a line to let us know that New Line have registered a new title: The Hobbit: Into the Fire. But for what?<\/i>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Look back at our full report<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The quest to own the precious! Folks were keen to hear the DVD and Bl-ray info and global release dates for both Theatrical<\/a> and Extended Editions<\/a>!<\/p>\n Read about it here at TORn before this information is available anywhere else!<\/p>\n 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.<\/i>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Look back at our full report<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n There was much waiting, including a strange period when everyone seemed absolutely convinced that Enya was getting called in to perform the closing song.<\/p>\n However, we finally got some firm movement on the soundtrack for The Battle of the Five armies at the beginning of Septemper plus a neat cover art exclusive.<\/p>\n Our good friends at WaterTower Music have informed us that the score for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies has commenced recording in New Zealand. As with the previous Middle-earth films, the music for the final film has been composed by Howard Shore.<\/i>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Look back at our full report<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Number 3. Saruman: \u201cLeave Sauron to me\u201d.<\/b> Look back at our full report<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Our rolling updates thread provided readers all the information as we learned it live from Hall H in July as the teaser trailer was first screened to a horde of expectant fans at SDCC. <\/p>\n Update #18<\/p>\n \u201cGo tell the master of Laketown that THE HOBBIT panel is about to begin,\u201d Colbert whispers to the boy, who runs off. He jokingly referred to the new film as THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE FOR SIX MOVIES.<\/p>\n Update #19<\/p>\n Empire: Colbert, by the way, is a MASSIVE Tolkien fan. He\u2019s the perfect choice to host this panel. He\u2019s talking about his love for both trilogies.<\/p>\n Evangeline Lilly: #TopSecret #Spoiler but I\u2019m just entering Hall H for @TheHobbitMovie #TBOTFA panel! See you on the other side!#SDCC14<\/p>\n Comingsoon.net: THey\u2019re about to show a deleted sequence, featuring another Laketown spy, played by Peter Jackson.<\/p>\n Update #20<\/p>\n Jason Nathanson @ABCNewsJason 2m I\u2019m standing next to Benedict Cumberbatch and Evangeline Lily right now, who are watching Stephen Colbert talk lovingly about Tolkien Look back at our full report<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n At the very end of his time on set, TORn staffer MrCere had the opportunity to chat in-depth and one-on-one with Bilbo Baggin’s surrogate father. <\/p>\n Peter Jackson is a busy guy. Particularly when he is shooting, there is a lot to do in a day and a lot of people that need to understand his vision in order to do their jobs well; he is the hub of the great spinning wheel.<\/p>\n He is the director, a writer and a producer \u2014 each a big job on its own. Many films have one of each of those, or several of some, all working together. But Jackson was all of them at once and combining titles didn\u2019t mean there was less work to be done. Just because he was reviewing shots didn\u2019t mean the script didn\u2019t need his touch or that the art department didn\u2019t need his input as a director or the next day\u2019s schedule didn\u2019t need approval. Others were partners on all of these fronts but they also required Jackson.<\/i>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Look back at our full report<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n In June, TORn staffer Demosthenes began to compile an\u00a0everything-we-know post trying to assemble aklk the then-known facts about The Hobbit: the Battle of the Five Aremies in one location. It was eventually superseded by the flood of information that came out during Comic-con, but we know some of the scenes mentioned will definitely make it into the Extended Edition of BOTFA! It’s also interesting to look back on what was right, and what was off the mark.<\/p>\n Ringer Vinicius Vyller provides the photo below of Gandalf sitting inside Radagast\u2019s bunnysled. The scene appears to be the ruin of Dale, going by the pattern of the flagstones (see here for similar patterns) and the leaf litter. It does seem to suggest that Radagast will travel to Dale?<\/i>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Look back at our full report<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n We break open the amazing hardcover book and readers flocked to the contents so fast that both Warner Bros. and Harper Collins deployed the lawyers. Despite big plugs and links encouraging folks to order the two books on Amazon, we had to take all the images down. Probably the most censored post of the year!<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a while (or at least it feels like it) since we\u2019ve all had a truly good spy story with some juicy details or photos that Warner Bros. hasn\u2019t trickle-released to the public.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve been chafing at the bit for more, \u4e2d\u571f\u7ea2\u76ae\u4e66 (The Red Book of Middle-earth, a Tolkien fan site from China) has just leaked 27 images from two forthcoming movie tie-in books: Jude Fisher\u2019s The Battle of the Five Armies Visual Companion and Brian Sibley\u2019s The Battle of the Five Armies Official Movie Guide. Be warned: there are movie spoilers as well as discussion\/analysis below.<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Look back at our full report<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n A couple of days after the main trailer debuted, our weekly internet relay chat group for all things Middle-earth, Hall of Fire, did a three-hour-long breakdown of the key scenes. <\/p>\n [Demosthenes] you gave a promise. yes. Look back at our full report<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The fellowship is strong, the company unbroken. Fans love to see films with other fans. <\/p>\n Members of the Los Angeles Tolkien Forever groupLot of folks gathered for Marathon Monday screenings of the Hobbit Trilogy today, but there are still a ton of Line Party events happening tomorrow (or later, in some locations). So find your Fellowship, because an epic journey is always better in good company.<\/i>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Look back at our full report<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This unprecedented studio effort to connect with fans was everything Ringers wanted. TORn staffer MrCere followed the adventure for our readers.<\/p>\n The winners of last month\u2019s Hobbit Fan Contest that got to go to New Zealand and watch an in-progress cut of \u201cThe Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,\u201d and experience the beautiful scenes of the north and south islands and the hospitality of Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand, won their spots by producing short films.<\/p>\n As reports from the experience suggest, there was a great bonding of the 75 winners and their guests during the week-long tour of Middle-earth. These bonds are on display in a \u201cthank you\u201d video that the group organized to give to Peter Jackson and all the many folks who helped make the trip amazing. There is even a nod to TheOneRing.net which honestly touches us. Look back at our full report<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n 16:00 \u2013 After Beorn shifts from bear to man, the scene cuts him entering the house and Bilbo seeing him. It\u2019s morning, and we see a quick shot of wood being chopped. Bilbo wakes up, sees the bees, then joins the dwarves standing near the front door. They are arguing about how to get away from Beorn without being seen.<\/p>\n Nori: I say we should leg it and slip out the back way!<\/p>\n Dwalin: I\u2019m not running from anyone, beast or no.<\/p>\n Gandalf tells them there is no point in arguing, as they will be unable to make it to Mirkwood without Beorn\u2019s help. Gandalf decides to go outside and speak with Beorn. He brings Bilbo with him.<\/p>\n Gandalf: This will require some delicate handling; we must tread carefully. The last person to have startled him was torn to shreds. Look back at our full report<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n It\u2019s been a long journey since our very first TORn staff frame-by-frame trailer analysis \u2014 all the way back in 2001 when The Fellowship of the Ring was about to debut on the silver screen. Now it\u2019s the very last one \u2014 the frame-by-frame for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a lot of fun for us all, and we hope you\u2019ve enjoyed the reading as much as we\u2019ve enjoyed the analysing and speculating.<\/p>\n Image 17: Thranduil and Bard surrounded by the Elven army<\/p>\n J.W. Braun:<\/b> The Elves are so prepared for battle they even have a coat-rack.<\/p>\n grammaboodawg:<\/b> There\u2019s the mighty Elk\u2026 Thranduil\u2019s ride. Bard is at even status with Thranduil as the Elves approach Erebor.<\/p>\n Garfeimao:<\/b> It\u2019s fascinating watching the Elves part for the arrival of Thranduil on the War Moose. Not sure how they do it, their backs are turned, but they peel off one by one on both sides. Actually, they are doing similar to Bard on his horse.<\/p>\n greendragon:<\/b> I don\u2019t think anyone told the moose that you should never look directly into camera during filming… Also, every armoured elf in this picture seems to have the same face; Attack of the Clones?!<\/p>\n Elessar:<\/b> You can\u2019t cause this much trouble and not expect folks to be upset.<\/p>\n MrCere:<\/b> I will leave it to others to gush about the elk, I know they will, but I sure do love seeing legions of elves standing together in uniform armor. Now, if Legolas has taught us anything, it is that these superheroes of Middle-earth should be made to stand together in formation where they can easily be mowed down, but these armies make one think that something about Legolas and Thranduil and Tauriel makes them the Avengers while everybody else in Elf-land is much less gifted. This isn\u2019t a complaint at all, but they are just not like everybody else.<\/p>\n Aragorn the Elfstone:<\/b> Lots of identical twins in that Elven Army of yours, Thranduil.<\/p>\n Ainu Laire: <\/b> I\u2019ll be honest- I was hoping we had seen the last of that moose. I am not terribly pleased to see it again. I think it looks ridiculous. This may be made up only if he uses it as a war-steed and it gets orcs caught in its antlers. Possibly.<\/p>\n Quickbeam:<\/b> Total geekgasm here watching that immense WARMOOSE make its way through the ranks without seeming to squish any Elven troops along the way\u2026 Impressively light on his hooves, eh?<\/p>\n Demosthenes:<\/b> The Hobbit: Warmoose versus Warpig is totally on. Soundtrack brought to you by Black Sabbath. Very excited for this. Probably will be the highlight of the film apart from purist-trolling Galadalf shipper shenannigans at Dol Guldur.<\/p>\n Sarumann:<\/b> It\u2019s hard to see a giant moose as an intimidating steed, but Thranduil somehow pulls it off.No. 14: Analysing the role of The Necromancer<\/h3>\n
![\"BotFA](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/BotFA-Trailer-Sauron-300x252.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNo. 13: The final Hobbit film is being renamed?<\/h3>\n
![\"THE](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/THE-HOBBIT-FAKE-TABA-TITLE-300x117.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNo. 12: A TIE! The Desolation of Smaug Theatrical and<\/i> Extended Edition release<\/h3>\n
![\"DoSEEDVD\"](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/DoSEEDVD-235x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNo. 11: Recording begins on The Battle of the Five Armies soundtrack<\/h3>\n
![\"BOFA](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/09\/BOFA-Standard-OST-Cover-Art-300x300.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNo. 10: The 12 defining moments from the Five Armies trailer<\/h3>\n
![\"vlcsnap-2014-11-07-05h46m53s225\"](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/vlcsnap-2014-11-07-05h46m53s225-300x168.png\")
After what seemed an interminable wait, the full trailer finally came out on November 6. Our staff quickly picked out 12 twelve key moments that really knocked our socks off!<\/p>\n
\nDemosthenes: Galadriel and Gandalf lie injured on the ground next to Elrond as Saruman walks off. Lee is amazing. Does this preface a showdown that is also the beginning of the fall of Saruman?
\nAragorntheElfstone: \u201cLeave Sauron to ME.\u201d *fist pump*. Lee has ONE shot in the whole thing, and he steals it. \ud83d\ude00
\nGarfeimao: When Saruman says \u201cleave Sauron to me, Galadriel is on the ground hugging Elrond\u2019s leg.
\nCalisuri: wow \u2014 and the flash of Sauron shows his figure.
\ndeej: I\u2019m wondering if we\u2019ll see the beginning of Saruman\u2019s allegiance with Sauron?
\n<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\nNo. 9: San Diego Comic-con rolling updates from the Hall H presentation<\/h3>\n
![\"SDCC](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/Btezye4CYAEvHBf-300x191.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\nNo. 8: TheOneRing.net’s exclusive PETER JACKSON interview<\/h3>\n
![\"Peter](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/HBT3-PR-LA-0944-300x200.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNo. 7: The Hobbit 3 fact sheet<\/h3>\n
![\"gandalf-bunnysled\"](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/gandalf-bunnysled-300x223.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNo. 6: Pictures from the Official Movie Guide and Visual Companion<\/h3>\n
![\"removed-at-request\"](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/09\/removed-at-request-300x219.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNo. 5: Chatlog of #TheHallofFire breaking down the Five Armies main trailer<\/h3>\n
![\"Barliman's](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/10\/barli_logo4_sm.jpg\"){kind=logo}
<\/a><\/p>\n
\n[jenniearcheo] What promise? To the Lakemen?
\n[gundabad] the orcs dont march on the mountain for gold but rather because sauron doesnt want the dwarves to re-establish their kingdom. hes fearful that without the help of smaug the dwarves will become a mighty force once more\u2019 thats from movie guide as well
\n[Demosthenes]: What is going on here? what\u2019s the purpose? What\u2019s driving it?
\n[smaugth3drag0n] This goes to the new scene in DOS EE at Laketown.
\n[elentari3018] promise to the dwarves.
\n[elentari3018] promise of gold?
\n[Celedreor] I think it\u2019s about Thorin not honouring his promise to Lake-town
\n[smaugth3drag0n] Bilbo vouches for Thorin in front of the Master
\n[Barry_barrowwight] Thorin promised much to laketown
\n<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\nNo. 4: Five Armies line parties!<\/h3>\n
![\"DOS](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/DOS-party-line-300x225.jpg\")
![\"DOS](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/DOS-line-party-300x225.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nNo. 3: Our #HobbitFanContest entry page<\/h3>\n
![\"_MG_1022_small\"](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/MG_1022_small1-300x151.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\nNo. 2: Scene guide to The Desolation of Smaug Extended Edition<\/h3>\n
![\"DesolationOfSmaugEECover\"](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/DesolationOfSmaugEECover-209x300.jpg\")
\nAs we did last year, TOR.n compiled detailed descriptions and screencaps from the 25 minutes of extended footage in The Desolation of Smaug. Big props to staffer deej for the massive effort.<\/p>\n
\n<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\nNo. 1: TORn’s final frame-by-frame analysis of the final Five Armies trailer<\/h3>\n
![\"BotFATrailer17\"](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/BotFATrailer17-300x168.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
![\"one](\"http:\/\/www-images.theonering.org\/torwp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/one-last-party-logo-150x150.jpg\"){kind=logo}
We’re hosting a Party of Special Magnificence next February — a toast to all SIX movies, both LOTR trilogy and The Hobbit. We’ve hit almost 50% of our funding goal and there’s 20 days to go. Even if you can’t make it to Hollywood, there are still ways to help out if you’re keen, and some neat perks you can pick up too! <\/p>\n