As we march closer to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug more and more products will be announced. Today, our friends at Weta Workshop announced three new products all tied to the character Tauriel. Fans can now pre-order Tauriel’s Bow & Arrow, Tauriel’s Pendant, and the fabulous looking 1:6 statue of Tauriel.
The Bow & Arrow of Tauriel is an awesome looking prop replica of the weapon you will see her carry during the rest of the trilogy. Fans can get this right now for only $350 with an edition size of just 1,000 pieces worldwide. If you order this early you can get in on the partial shipment that is due to arrive in early November.
We all like to keep some things secret (and keep them safe); movie studios are no different. As we get closer to the release of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, Warner Bros. are finally lifting embargos and allowing interviews and content to be posted, which reveal spoilers, and drop hints, about what we can expect when the next film hits the big screen in December.
Our own staffer MrCere spent three months on set last year; stay tuned for some exclusive reports from him, coming soon. Meanwhile, here are several interviews on which the press embargo has just lifted, covering a two-day set visit for members of the press early last year.
Please note, there are movie spoilers to be found within. You have been warned!
I can’t recall if this has been previously revealed, but this official synopsis — more complete than the short version currently on The Hobbit website — actually has some really interesting implications if you have a read through and examine who’s listed and (more importantly), who’s not.
As folks observed after the debut of the second Desolation of Smaug trailer, Guillermo del Toro is back in the credits for his work on the screenplay. There’s a co-producer nod for the late Eileen Moran as well. Highlight the space below to read the key omissions, and some fairly hefty spoiler analysis of what those omissions could mean for the movie.
As we continue our 2013 Pledge Drive – Light the Beacons – you may be wondering if we are receiving any corporate support.The answer is a decisive ‘Yes!’ Over the years, we’ve been privileged to establish amazing relationships with some very reputable and worthwhile corporate entities. Those entities are now popping up to lend their support to TheOneRing.net with a financial commitment.
So without further delay, we’d like to announce our first corporate donation is from Badali Jewelry – the amazing proprietors of quality hand-crafted jewelry-art, and unique and original custom jewelry. While we know them for their amazing line-up of officially licensed Tolkien related items, they also feature other great properties like have an amazing offering of other categories. From the wonderfully witty Geek Tags, to their Zodiac offerings.
We need to be clear – Badali has contributed financially to our drive. They are simply supporting TheOneRing.net, just like you have with your pledges. So please take a moment to visit their online store at BadaliJewelry.com and make a purchase. Support those businesses that are sharing in the goodwill of our community and helping keep TheOneRing.net online and thriving for years to come.
As an added incentive, and in celebration of Bilbo and Frodo’s combined birthday, Badali has sent us a 15% off coupon for their entire site. Simply use code BILBO at checkout. It will be good until September 30th.
TheOneRing.net would like to formally thank Badali Jewelry for their continued support of TheOneRing.net!
Johnny Fraser-Allen. Photo: FAIRFAX NZ. Johnny Frazer Allen is a rising star in Tolkien fandom and the art world. He won a lot of hearts at San Diego Comic-con with his generosity and authentic fan enthusiasm, providing insight into the design of Radagast while signing with author/actress Evangeline Lilly. TheOneRing.net even covered his Gloaming exhibition earlier this year.
Johnny has a standing invite to appear on TORn Tuesdays to further chat with fans, when he’s able to break free from his many obligations!
Here, mainstream magazine Stuff now profiles Frazer-Allen’s rising career.
There is a fairytale-like feeling to the story of 28-year-old Johnny Fraser-Allen. A chance encounter with Weta Workshop’s Sir Richard Taylor at the airport, and the pivotal decision to miss a flight home so he could talk to him, landed Fraser-Allen his dream job at Weta at the age of 19. Nearly a decade on, he has put working for the creative company on hold to focus on his latest adventure – writing and illustrating children’s books, and gearing up for his second exhibition.
Landing his dream job at Weta took a touch of fate for Fraser-Allen. He had flown from Christchurch to Wellington, hoping to show Taylor his final high school design portfolio at a photography exhibition by Lord of The Rings star Viggo Mortensen, but Taylor was a no-show.
Despondently waiting for his flight home, he spotted Taylor at the airport. “I had the choice of missing my flight or talking to him, so I missed my flight.”
The meeting was a turning point.
“Richard took a lot of time with me, gave me a lot of advice, then he gave me his card and told me to bring my portfolio up in person.”
When Fraser-Allen got home, he scrapped his portfolio and started again, based on the Oscar winner’s advice.
When Taylor eventually looked at his portfolio, he said Fraser-Allen’s skills weren’t good enough for the design room, but he employed him based on his enthusiasm.
Evangeline Lilly has begun an ongoing series of twitter chats with fans about Tauriel. Here are some of her interesting responses to today’s #TaurielTrivia. TORn Staffers Justin and Demosthenes add their observations to her answers to fans’ questions.
As we march closer to The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug more and more products will be announced. Today, our friends at Weta Workshop announced three new products all tied to the character Tauriel. Fans can now pre-order Tauriel’s Bow & Arrow, Tauriel’s Pendant, and the fabulous looking 1:6 statue of Tauriel.
I can’t recall if this has been previously revealed, but this official synopsis — more complete than the short version currently on The Hobbit website — actually has some really interesting implications if you have a read through and examine who’s listed and (more importantly), who’s not. 
Evangeline Lilly has begun an ongoing series of