Warner Bros. has not confirmed ‘The Hobbit’ panel at Comic-Con, but perhaps the vagaries of Twitter have. Several independent tweeters who attended Ian McKellen’s benefit show last night in Wellington have said Lee Pace stated Martin Freeman and Richard Armitage would be at Comic-Con in July. We cannot confirm the reports, but we believe them and expect both key “Hobbit” actors to be in San Diego. We also volunteer to act as popular-culture coaches as the place will be mad for them.
And while WB has officially said it hasn’t officially said a ‘The Hobbit’ panel will be part of the three-hour block the studio has reserved on Saturday in the 6,500 seat Hall H, but it is widely believed ‘The Hobbit,’ will play a big part of it. The hall, the biggest the convention center has to offer, has required waiting in long lines at least the last three years and now even camping out for a space is not unheard of. Over 125,000 people attend the show each year. (Video of the fundraiser after the break)
Earlier rumors place Freeman and Armaitage at the show but according to the Twitterverse, actor Lee Pace says that are going.
Ian McKellen’s one-man show is to raise funds for the benefit of Christchurch’s earthquake-damaged Isaac Theatre Royal is in Wellington this weekend for its final few shows. He has performed at several locations around New Zealand during his time on “The Hobbit.” The Christchurch theater was damaged by an earthquake that devastated the region. McKellen brought many of the cast on stage in last night’s performance, as shown in the video below.
TheOneRing.net also is on the schedule for an unofficial ‘Hobbit’ panel at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, Thursday at 10 a.m. in room 6DE which seats 1,000 people and is also expected to be at 100% capacity. TORn representatives will also be at two locations on the dealer’s floor. Staff will be joining the Weta Workshop booth, part of the Gentle Giant footprint at the event (with lots of “Hobbit” product close by) and with Badali Jewelry, makers of the licenses book versions of The One Ring. Shirts will be available at both locations.
Now, here is some video to enjoy:
