The Los Angeles Times caught up with Peter Jackson for a quick Q & A interview. He told Geoff Boucher about his choice for making two movies and Jackson was “surprised at how rich the world is, and how many interesting themes and characters there are to explore” and by “also using extensive parts of the appendixes, which were published at the end of “Return of the King.” This is not just “The Hobbit” – it’s “The Hobbit” set in a much greater context of events taking place throughout Middle-earth during this period

Peter Jackson also added: “. The material is so rich. In fact, only this last week or two, we’ve been talking to the studio about allowing us to shoot some additional material next year, to fully complete the story.”  Extended Edition anyone? here’s hoping:) [More]

Hours into Comic-Con, one rumour kept circulating around San Diego: that Peter Jackson would announce a third Hobbit film during Warner Brothers’ Saturday panel. However, studio spokespeople have told Variety that But Jackson isn’t getting ready to give audiences more “Hobbit.

There are “no planned or surprise announcements” involving a third film these spokespeople say. “The plan was always for two.”

According to Variety, Jackson wound up with more footage than expected during their 266-day shoot in New Zealand. Rather than making a third film feasible, would the best of this footage not be more likely to end up on an Extended Edition? Thanks to Quackingtroll for the heads-up!

[More]

HRH Queen Elizabeth II took the very special occasion of her birthday and Diamond Jubilee to make new appointments to The Order of New Zealand, the country’s highest honour. Among the list of distinguished men and women who have rendered invaluable services to New Zealand Queen Elizabeth appointed Sir Peter Jackson a Member of the Order of New Zealand. This accolade follows Jackson’s previous Order of Merit in 2002 and Knighthood in 2010.

Comedian and Oscar-winner Bret McKenzie was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, adding to his long list of achievements. American born Joe Letteri, director of the Academy Award-winning visual effects company Weta Digital, was also made an honorary ONZM for his service to film. They will be joining the likes of Richard Taylor and who was knighted in 2010.

Continue reading “Sir Peter Jackson, Joe Letteri, Bret McKenzie, get top honour”

TheOneRing.net is pleased to announce our very own Hobbit Movie app, available now in the Apple App Store and Google Marketplace! The app, created by our new staffer Fizzit, combines many of the great features you see on TheOneRing.net into one handy application, and accessible anywhere. Among the app highlights: Latest headlines from TORn; Our exclusive Today in Middle-earth Calendar; Complete Hobbit cast bios, Cast news; Barliman’s Chatroom; and more! We even included ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ trailer for quick reference. But the best feature may be the price…FREE! Stay tuned in the coming weeks for an exciting contest related to the app, and hope you enjoy it. [App Store] [Google Marketplace]

We are proud to announce fantasy-film legend DOUG JONES will be our special guest *live* today on TORn TUESDAY!  Doug is famously known as Guillermo del Toro’s right-hand-man and favorite character actor — with consummate physical skill that shines through tons of effects make-up, Doug has brought the most phantasmagorical creatures to life! His credits include Abe Sapien (HELLBOY), Pan and the terrifying Pale Man (PAN’S LABYRINTH), and Marvel’s Silver Surfer (FANTASTIC 4), among many others! Doug will share his amazing stories of working with del Toro (and his “almost-but-not-quite” moment with THE HOBBIT) and tell us about the newly released “Mime Very Own Book,” featuring his remarkable double-jointed work. Join the *live* chat today and present your questions to Doug! Today’s webcast launches at 5:00pm PDT — There’s a built-in Barliman’s chat room or come in via Skype in TheOneRing.net’s Stickam page. Check out our LIVE Event section right here every week! [LIVE Event Area] (See All Times)

Welcome to the first “Getting to know…” questions that need answering.  It’s based on the old Getting to know you threads that I used to post on the message boards here, so those familiar with them will know that the questions can be a little crazy and the answers even crazier.

This month we’re asking questions of our favourite Ent, and Host of TORn Tuesday, Quickbeam.

Once again, thank you for agreeing to take part in all of this Quickbeam.

Me: Remembering, of course, that your beautiful kitty passed on just before you left for “Where the Stars are Strange“. Do you have any cats or other pets?

Quickbeam: Ah yes, that was a blow. I remember very clearly how I wanted to just “close up shop” when my little feline friend died. The thought of pleasurable vacationing in New Zealand seemed out of bounds, but obviously I went. Perhaps that is a normal response for anyone who has taken guardianship of an animal… those are the bonds of love that are peculiarly the strongest. The idea then came to me of how I might be sharing my unique trip to Middle-earth with the spirit of my lost friend. Somehow it was therapeutic and indulgent at the same time.

Continue reading “Getting to know Quickbeam”

If you have a Tolkien/Middle-earth inspired poem you’d like to share, then send it to poetry@theonering.net. One poem per person may be submitted each month. Please make sure to proofread your work before sending it in. TheOneRing.net is not responsible for poems posting with spelling or grammatical errors.