AUCKLAND — It was a great idea to have world-wide winners converge in New Zealand to watch “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” with Peter Jackson. Great concept right? Everybody is pleased and excited that fans get such a great experience.
There are also some unintended and great side effects. This unique gathering is also one of the greatest gatherings of Middle-earth fans anywhere, ever. Imagine 150 people from around the globe converging on Middle-earth and all of them deeply emotionally attached to cinematic Middle-earth, many of them also lovers of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. Imagine the flights and the logistics to get people from Mexico and Finland and Ohio and London and Salt Lake City and lots of other even harder-to-get-here places, all together this morning in Auckland. Arriving on the 8 a.m. flight was a pretty amazing mental exercise.
I feel like the American contingent was among the last to arrive, fitting since we sleep on the flight and more or less show up ready to go. Others traveled for 30 or 40 hours with multiple flights and layovers to make it here. It all feels pretty amazing.
TheOneRing is here with, just a guess, but perhaps 30 journalists world wide. That definitely includes the Hollywood Reporter since I met and chatted with their rep this morning. A breakfast started 45 minutes ago, but I wanted to post right away and tell the world, in the immortal words of Penny Lane, IT’S ALL HAPPENING!
TORn is no stranger to Auckland since its where our own Quickbeam, Cliff Broadway, and I (MrCere) spent a week with Air New Zealand filming the very first Middle-earth safety video. In fact, the place just isn’t the same without him! (You can see the video and the behind-the-scenes video about the video in our old post here. While the newest one, in use on our aircraft, is right here.)
Speaking of Air New Zealand, they sure know how to make a flight great. I will sound like a corporate puppet, but they offer better in-flight entertainment, treat customers better and simply provide a better experience than anybody in the business.
It’s worth noting that my very reliable phone bit the dust at the Los Angeles Airport and a some quick cab rides provided me a new phone – that happens to not have a functioning camera out of the box. What are the odds? This makes Twitter much less effective, but we shall see. When I was here for the world premiere of the first Hobbit movie the motherboard on my laptop went out, so I believe its a plot from Mordor to stop me sharing the fan experience with fans. We shall prevail!
Anyway, I feel pretty confident TheOneRing.net just filed the first story from the event and we will continue to share as much as possible. The good news, there will be LOTS of photos of amazing New Zealand. Stay tuned!
Sir Ian McKellen starts this video introduction to announce the World Premiere date for the final chapter of Peter Jackson’s cinematic Middle-earth films. We now know for sure that the cast and crew from all six films will be walking through Leicester Square on December 1, 2014 in London. Sir Ian was joined by Richard Armitage, Luke Evans, Orlando Bloom and Bilbo Baggins himself, Martin Freeman. Check out the video below for more details and start making your plans accordingly. There is mention of a contest, so good luck to anyone who chooses to enter.
As one contest ends, and on the heels of all the news for the third Hobbit movie, we have another contest for all of you. This time we’re teaming up with our friends at HarperCollins Publishers to give away The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Chronicles: Art & Design by Weta Workshop. We’re not just giving away one of these books but 15 of them to fans located all around the world. The contest starts today Sunday September, 21st and will run through the Halloween October 31st, 2014 at midnight PST. These books will be shipped to all the winners on December 17th of this year when the book hits the streets. Make sure when you enter you include ALL of the required information. We will need your full name, email address, phone number, and of course your shipping address.
Enter for a chance to win The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Chronicles: Art & Design.
The results are in and we’re pleased to announce the lucky Ringer who was selected as the winner of the Gandalf the Grey Premium Format from our friends at Sideshow Collectibles. The fan who will be having this amazing piece arrive at their door from Sideshow is Janice I from the US. Thanks again to all of you who entered and a huge thank you to Sideshow Collectibles for teaming up with us to give away this amazing collectible.
Looks like we finally have a trailer for the Extended Edition of Desolation of Smaug, and yes, Thrain is in it. We no longer have to wonder what ever happened to that shadowy figure in Dol Guldur. This version Extends the original Theatrical Release by 25 minutes, plenty of time to see more details, get more action, and learn more about some of the characters. You will finally get to see all additional 25 minutes on November 4, but for now just this preview. The Trailer is on Yahoo Movies and after viewing, you can enter to win a prize, so double happiness to be had.
Without further ado, here is the Trailer.
The Hobbit: DOS EE trailer
We’re pleased to team up with our friends at Sideshow Collectibles to give away one of their finest pieces ever. This piece has long been sold out so this contest is a great chance to win one of the best representations of Gandalf the Grey to be put on the market. The giveaway starts today September 1st and will run through September 15th at midnight Pacific Standard Time. Having seen this item in person I highly suggest not passing on a chance to enter and win this fantastic Middle-earth collectible.
Enter to win Gandalf the Grey here: Gandalf Giveaway
