Del Toro Steps Down ... Jackson May Consider Directing By Eledhwen
May 31, 2010, 21:29 GMT
Guillermo del Toro stepped down as director of the two Hobbit films in a surprise move yesterday. Just last week he outlined that there were still ongoing negotiations and no green light for the films. Del Toro said of his decision: "In light of ongoing delays in the setting of a start date for filming 'The Hobbit,' I am faced with the hardest decision of my life. After nearly two years of living, breathing and designing a world as rich as Tolkien’s Middle Earth, I must, with great regret, take leave from helming these wonderful pictures." He says that he will remain an "ally" to the movie and will support a smooth transition to a new director. (Read more of his statement.)
Peter Jackson, speaking to the NZ Herald, said that he met with studio representatives to discuss finding a new director. He also wouldn't rule out directing the films himself in order to see them made. This may prove difficult for him as he has other projects in the works. Stay tuned ... Read the full article.
Still no Green Light for Hobbit Movie By Eledhwen
May 28, 2010, 17:51 GMT
Guillermo Del Toro was recently asked about a start date for The Hobbit and replied that although sets, wardrobes, and creatures have been designed, the movie still hasn't been greenlit. MGM has been up for sale since last year and it appears that until that situation is resolved, the movie remains in limbo despite the preparedness of Del Toro and Jackson. Read the full article here.
SIR Peter Jackson By Eledhwen
Apr 29, 2010, 16:43 GMT
Yesterday, a knighthood was formally conferred on Peter Jackson in a ceremony in Wellington, NZ. Jackson was knighted by the Governor General (Queen's representative in NZ and official head of state) of New Zealand, Sir Anand Satyanand. He was awarded the honour for his services to film. Read the full article here.
"Inspiring Middle-earth" - Art Exhibition at the Banbury Museum By Illuvatar
Apr 26, 2010, 14:58 GMT
A prelude exhibition by Ted Nasmith and other leading artists of J.R.R.Tolkien- 24th April – 19th June
Discover more about some of the real places behind the scenes described in Tolkien's books. The exhibition is a prelude to a 2011 exhibition, coinciding with the predicted release of the first of 'The Hobbit' films. The first of two exhibitions featuring artwork inspired by JRR Tolkien's middle-earth including a selection of original paintings from internationally acclaimed Tolkien artist Ted Nasmith, illustrator of the official 2010 Tolkien calendar. Further paintings and sketches by Ruth Lacon, Peter Pracownik and Jef Murray. The Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit were inspired by Tolkien's experiences in the shires of Worcestershire, Oxfordshire and Warwickshire. Discover more about some of the real places behind the scenes described in Tolkien's books. The exhibition is a prelude to a 2011 exhibition, coinciding with the predicted release of the first of 'The Hobbit' films.
For information about the Brandury Museum go here.
Hobbit Part 2 Script Handed In..... By Illuvatar
Apr 25, 2010, 18:18 GMT
Peter Jackson spoke to Inside Movies recently and tried to put a brake on some of the stories doing the rounds.
When asked about the rumored delay to the start of shooting he pointed out that as the Hobbit was still waiting for the official green light from the studio no official start date had been set so it couldn’t be delayed. PJ goes on to say that they have just handed in the second Hobbit script and are now in the process of working out a budget that fits with the studios targets and then they will be announcing a date for the start of shooting.
The Lord of the Rings to be released on Blue-ray!! By Illuvatar Dec 16, 2009, 03:38 GMT
On April 6th, The Lord of the Rings, the highest grossing adventure film franchise to ever be created, was born with the release of The Fellowship of the Ring, followed by The Two Towers and The Return of the King.The multi-billion dollar franchiseis expected to grow significantly as The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy brings together all three treasured films on Blu-ray Disc for the very first time, presented for home audiences the way they were meant to be seen.....more
Tolkien Birthday Toast! By Illuvatar
Dec 15, 2009, 04:35 GMT
At 9pm (local times) on January 3rd fans around the world are invited to raise a glass and toast J.R.R. Tolkien’s Birthday!!!
The toast is “The Professor”
The Tolkien Society has some webpages http://www.tolkiensociety.org/toast/2010 where fans across the globe can let other fans know where they’ll be celebrating if they’re hosting a party, or just what particular tipple they’ll be raising. Fans will be able to check the webpage and see who is celebrating where and if they wish to get in touch and join in.
Contest - John Howe's Lost Worlds!! By Illuvatar
Sep 24, 2009, 04:12 GMT
One of our favourite fan sites "The Council of Elrond" is holding a contest and they are giving away a free copy of John Howe's newest book: Lost World
To enter the contest just click this link: COE Contest
The Lord of the Rings Score Performed Live to Film - Oct 9 & 10 - with Special Events The Week Before! By Illuvatar Sep 24, 2009, 04:02 GMT
On October 9th and 10th, a once-in-a-lifetime experience comes to New York as Howard Shore’s Grammy® and Academy Award®-winning score for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring comes to life at the world-famous Radio City Music Hall for two performances only at 7:30PM both nights. Beneath an immense 60-foot screen, Mr. Shore’s complete original score will be performed live to Peter Jackson’s award-winning epic. A week-long series of events leading up the concert will also take place. ....more
Legal settlement clears way for The Hobbit!! By Illuvatar
Sep 9, 2009, 14:54 GMT
Good news regarding the making of The Hobbit!!
The Hollywood studio behind a film based on "The Hobbit" and trustees for author J.R.R. Tolkien's estate said on Tuesday they had settled a lawsuit that clears the way for what is expected to be a blockbuster movie based on the book.
Actor and Musician Billy Boyd tours with Band By Illuvatar Sep 9, 2009, 14:50 GMT
Actor and musician, Billy Boyd, who starred in The Lord of the Rings Trilogy as Peregrin “Pippin” Took and contributed to the soundtrack with his original song “Steward of Gondor”, will embark on a tour of the U.S. East Coast with his band Beecake October 6-11 in support of their new album “Soul Swimming.”
The tour will coincide with The Radio City Music Hall performance of Howard Shore’s Oscar®-winning score for The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring on October 9 and 10 at which Boyd will make an appearance.
Peter Jackson talks about The Hobbit at ComicCon!! By Illuvatar
Aug 1, 2009, 19:20 GMT
Hollywood.com caught up with Peter Jackson at the San Diego ComicCon and got futher details as to how things are going with The Hobbit.
Here's a snippet:
""I would say, give or take a little tailwind, we’re about three weeks from turning over the first script for the first Hobbit movie to the studio. The process that we’ve been through so far is we — and when I say ‘we,’ it’s the four of us: Guillermo, Philippa [Boyens], Fran [Walsh] and myself — wrote like an extensive treatment of the two films which we pitched to the studio on a long conference call, and that was like three or four months ago. That was good; that went well and they liked the idea ... About three months ago we started in earnest to write the screenplay, which we’re now about three weeks away from delivering the first film."
The 2009 Tolkien Society Seminar - Call for Papers and Announcement By Illuvatar
Jun 6, 2009, 20:13 GMT
“Journeys & Destinations”
Saturday, 27th June - Sir John Soane’s Museum, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
London
The seminar provides academics, students and independent scholars with a
venue for interdisciplinary dialogue. This year the theme is “Journeys and
Destinations” in Tolkien’s works. Participants are free to draw on any part of
Tolkien’s oeuvre, or to follow a thematic line within one text, or one text in
its variant forms (draft ms, published work, amended edition).
Format: Papers should be either 20 or 45 minutes long to fit into half-hour
or hour slots with time for questions or discussion. There may also be scope to
accommodate a number of short 10-minute presentations. It is intended that there
will be two morning sessions and one afternoon session. Please send the
title, a short summary/abstract and the intended length to Ian Collier, the
Education Secretary, as soon as possible. e-mail: edsec@tolkiensociety.org
Registration Costs:
Tolkien Society members: £20.00
Non-members: £23.00
The registration fee covers attendance at the seminar, and morning and
afternoon tea and coffee.
The closing date for registration is 13th June, however spaces are limited so
to secure your place please book early.
Meet Guillermo del Toro at the Weta Cave By Illuvatar
Jun 6, 2009, 19:58 GMT
Hollywood Director Guillermo del Toro will be launching his first novel, The Strain, with a book signing at the Weta Cave. The Strain is the first volume in a trilogy of books, co-written with thriller writer Chuck Hogan, about a vampiric virus that invades New York.
Guillermo is currently in New Zealand to direct The Hobbit , the prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy. He is one of the hottest directors in Hollywood, after directing an array of visionary movies such as The Devil's Backbone, the Oscar winning Pan's Labyrinth and the two Hellboy movies. He will be signing books and collectibles at this exclusive Weta Cave after-hours event.
When & Where
Wednesday 17th June | 6-8 PM The Weta Cave, Cnr Camperdown Rd/Weka St, Miramar, Wellington Other items we will have available for purchase are: Hellboy action figures Hellboy Animated statues Pan's Labyrinth DVDs We highly recommend you come as close to 6PM as possible as the time for the event as well as our stock of del Toro's work is strictly limited.
Please also note: renowned Tolkien illustrator Alan Lee is doing a Weta Cave book signing Saturday 20 June at 1-3 PM!
The Fellowship of the Ring at Radio City Music Hall By Illuvatar May 12, 2009, 02:52 GMT
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING SCORE PERFORMED LIVE TO PICTURE!!! 300 MUSICIANS RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL OCTOBER 9 & 10, 2009
EXTRAORDINARY LIVE MUSIC EVENT IN THE HEART OF NEW YORK CITY WITH ORCHESTRA AND VAST CHOIR PERFORMING LIVE TO THE FILM!
Tickets On-Sale NOW for This Two-Night Only Can’t-Miss Event!
New York, NY — Devoted fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic The Lord of the Rings have read the books, they’ve seen Peter Jackson’s Academy® Award-winning films, and now they will have a chance to experience composer Howard Shore’s Academy® and Grammy®-winning score to The Fellowship of the Ring live at Radio City Music Hall on Friday, October 9th and Saturday October 10th. For this extraordinary event, 300 musicians—a 75-piece orchestra and a 225-member choir—have been gathered to perform the complete score to 2001’s The Fellowship of the Ring live with the motion picture on a massive screen towering above the stage.
Christopher Tolkien on Sigurd and Gudrún By Eledhwen
May 7, 2009, 21:04 GMT
Christopher Tolkien hopes that the newly published Sigurd and Gudrún will show a different side of his father than most LOTR fans may know. In the article he says:
I dare say that a good many will be instantly put off by the very idea of 'long narrative poems in verse' and pursue it no further
However, he continues on to say that the form of the 500-stanza poem, modelled after the Elder Edda, "will lend them an 'unexpected impact'." Read the full article at The Guardian.
Looking for a Hobbit home? By Eledhwen
May 5, 2009, 15:43 GMT
Seems that there are some Hobbit homes in trouble in Bend, Oregon. The six-acre development is called The Shire - and yes, it's Tolkien-inspired. The property went into foreclosure but it may have found an investor; the deal has not yet been finalized. Sadly though, it seems that the Hobbit theme may not survive the deal. If you're interested have a look at the full article here.
