On this episode of Hobbit in 5, we talk about Peter Jackson’s newest Facebook note, share some viewer experiences, let you know of a Blu-Ray release party in LA, and give you a look at some new pictures from The Hobbit set! We also cover Saruman for our character study!

Thanks to our executive producer: Jonathan W. Platt

June 24th, 2011 – Episode 23 Visit our website (t-shirts in stock!)Rebekah has her own Facebook page now! Go check it out and “like” her!Go like theOneRing.net on Facebook as well!PJ’s Facebook pageLarry Curtis movies.com articleThe Lord of the Rings: War in the North Facebook page

John Farrell’s blog on Forbes has a delightful new video interview with Sir Christopher Lee, the first of a series planned over the next few weeks.  His initial interview included a discussion on new media and Lee’s early entrance into hosting a website with help from his son-in-law.

What caught my eye was an initial statement by Farrell on his blog.  He mentioned that Lee was “getting ready to reprise his role as Saruman in Peter Jackson’s two-part production of The Hobbit”.

While there is nothing on the video discussing The Hobbit nor is the statement itself a confirmation, the fact that Farrell recently spoke with Lee and chose this particular phrasing of words (without hedging) suggests this was part of their conversation and that Lee directly stated this.  It could be a case of an over-zealous Tolkien fan reading too much into that statement but TORN followers may want to scour any future videos for tidbits of information.  

Is this a backwards confirmation that Sir Christopher Lee will return as Saruman?   Talk about it on our message boards here!

In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit…

Wellington, NZ, March 21, 2011—Production has commenced in Wellington, New Zealand, on “The Hobbit,” filmmaker Peter Jackson’s two film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s widely read masterpiece.

“The Hobbit” is set in Middle-earth 60 years before Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar-winning “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”

The two films, with screenplays by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson, will be shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming will take place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.

“The Hobbit” follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers. Continue reading “PRODUCTION BEGINS IN NEW ZEALAND ON THE HOBBIT, PETER JACKSON’S TWO FILM EPIC ADAPTATION OF J.R.R. TOLKIEN’S TIMELESS CLASSIC”

On this episode of Hobbit in 5 The Dwarves and Bilbo make there first press appearance since arriving in New Zealand a month ago. Also Sir Christopher Lee receives a Bafta Award, location scouting, character studies and much much more!

Ok so maybe it ran a little long this week but there was a lot to cover!

Rebekah has her own Facebook page now! Go check it out and “like” her!

Veteran actor Sir Christopher Lee has received a Bafta Fellowship at the academy’s film awards. The event ended with a standing ovation for the distinguished thespian, who is famous for his roles as Dracula, and in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes, The Wicker Man and The Man with the Golden Gun. He accepted the Bafta Fellowship from director Tim Burton, who described the 88-year-old as an “electrifying screen presence”. More..