Here’s some new, unpublished images from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey courtesy of Cinemarcado! The new photos reveal scenes with Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf The Grey and a photo of a very youthful-looking (and slightly creepy) Frodo Baggins. Some of TORn’s chatters suggest that the images may not have been colour-graded yet.
Category: Ian McKellen
“Also,” went on Gandalf, “I forgot to mention that with the map went a key, a small and curious key. Here it is!” he said, and handed to Thorin a key with a long barrel and intricate wards, made of silver. “Keep it safe!”
The next item to debut from The Noble Collection is the Map and Key of Thorin Oakenshield. As is quite clear by the name, this intricately detailed collectible features two of the most important props from the films, second only to The One Ring itself. As you can see by the images, Thorin’s Map and Key of Erebor are set against a black plaque, making it easy to mount on your office/home wall. The SRP for this amazing setup is only $79 and will be on The Noble Collection website early next week, with shipping starting in early December. [The Noble Collection] (Check out higher res images below!)
Warner Bros. has revealed another great scroll-like Hobbit poster on their site. Similar to the movie poster revealed recently, the newest poster concentrates mainly on the dwarves, with a little Bilbo and Gandalf thrown in. This helps further establish personalities and, with this particular scroll, names for each of the dwarves, helping fans familiarize themselves with all thirteen prior to seeing the movie. Do you have a favorite already? More than one? Let us know: Barliman’s chat; Hobbit Movie Discussion; TORn facebook, TORn Twitter. Read more…
Rubbermonkey, an online audiovisual superstore and film production company based in Wellington, is currently auctioning a film clapperboard signed by the Hobbit crew to raise money for four local charities — the SPCA, SAFE, NICU, and Ronald McDonald House.
The IKAN clapperboard wasn’t used on the Hobbit, but has been signed by members of the Hobbit cast, including Martin Freeman and Ian McKellan.
The auction is running now on Trade Me, and closes on Monday September 10 at 3:51pm. (Some of you might also be interested in the twin charity auction of a filmclapper signed by the All Blacks.)
London2012’s Paralympics got started last night with an opening ceremony which included Professor Stephen Hawking, Queen Elizabeth II and Gandalf himself – only this time in the role of Prospero. The Tempest has been a running theme for London2012 – the bell housed in the Olympic Stadium and rung in July’s opening ceremony is inscribed with a line from Shakespeare’s play, ‘Be not afeard, the isle is full of noises,’ and in the Olympic closing ceremony actor Timothy Spall (as Winston Churchill!) gave the speech from which that line is taken. Continuing the theme, Sir Ian appeared in a stunning blue and golden robe, holding one of Prospero’s books, and bid actress Nicola Miles-Wildin, in the role of Miranda, to ‘shine your light on the beautiful diversity of humanity.’
Diverstiy was appropriately and wonderfully represented in this ceremony, with 141 disabled performers taking part, including 27 wheelchair users – 6 of whom were flown into the stadium in golden chairs! Sir Ian was quoted in British press as saying, ‘I’m the least sporty person I know, but thrilled to have a small part to play in the Paralympic opening ceremony in praise of endeavour and enlightenment.’
You can read a description of the ceremony and Sir Ian’s role here, and can see some highlights here.
Have you snagged your copy yet? One of our very favorite magazines and supporter of our Road to DragonCon Adventure, EMPIRE Magazine, has published their ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ edition and it is quite impressive! This special edition of the magazine features a detailing of their set visit in New Zealand, with a special focus on Gollum and Bilbo’s ‘Riddles in the Dark’ sequence. For those of you who can’t pick up a copy of the magazine locally, check out the iPad edition. The US iPad edition of EMPIRE is available in iTunes store, and it is a complete steal for only $20/yr, $1.99/mo or $4.99 an issue. EMPIRE is one of the best entertainment magazines out there and have always treated Tolkien fans to some amazing content. Make sure to pick up your copy! [iPad Editon] [iTunes] [EMPIRE Online]