Calgary tshirtLast night was indeed a night of special magnificence here in Calgary! Calgary EXPO threw the event ‘Middle-earth EXPOsed’ – and what an extraordinary event it was. Sir Richard Taylor turned one lucky fan into an orc, applying his make-up on stage whilst the rest of the event took place. Host Mark Ferguson (Gil-galad) led conversations with actors Billy Boyd, Sean Astin, Craig Parker, Jed Brophy, Sadwyn Brophy (Eldarion), Dean O’Gorman, Mark Hadlow and Manu Bennett; special video messages came from Sir Peter Jackson and Richard Armitage; swordmaster Steven McMichael appeared on stage to fight with the gathered cast; songs were sung, hilarious improv acted out, and the audience were treated to two and a half hours of entertainment and laughter.

The fun continues in Calgary today and tomorrow! Don’t forget to stop by booth 2007 to say hi to the folks from TheOneRing.net, or to buy one of our con exclusive shirts. Staffer deej hosts a panel today in the Boyce Theatre, at 11.45, with Billy Boyd and Sean Astin; greendragon hosts panels on Sunday at 12noon and 2pm, with Sean Astin and later with the Hobbit cast members.  Hope to see you there!

Calgary tshirtRecovered from HobbitCon and/or WonderCon yet? Ready to do it all again? We’re about to get the party started here in Calgary, where the Calgary EXPO takes place this weekend!

The exhibition floor is open Thursday 4-8pm, Friday 12noon-8pm, Saturday 10am-7pm, and Sunday 10am-5pm. TheOneRing.net will be at Booth 2007 (which is in Halls DE); we’re just a few booths down from our good friends at WETA, who will be at Booth 2000. Come by and play trivia, meet some TORn staff, buy a tshirt or a button, and support the website! Our EXCLUSIVE shirt for this convention is ‘Keep Calm and Read Tolkien’. Movie titles may be changing all around us, but Tolkien remains constant, and a refuge from the storm of Real Life!

Continue reading “Calgary EXPO starts today!”

M-e EXPOMiddle-earth is coming to Canada this Spring, April 24-27, and staff from TheOneRing.net will be there to join in the fun! Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo will be taking place at the BMO Center in Calgary’s Stampede Park; you can find out full details at their website.

There are several guests from both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings movies who will be attending, and of particular interest to Middle-earth fans is a very special event which will be held on the evening of April 25th: ‘Middle-earth EXPOsed’.  From the organiser’s press release:

Continue reading “Richard Taylor, Craig Parker, Dean O’Gorman, Billy Boyd and more at Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo”

Sean Astin at RingCon 2012 Born on February 25, 1971, Sean Astin turned 43 yesterday!

Astin — actor, director, voice artist and producer — is, of course, best known to Tolkien fans as Sam Gamgee in Peter Jackson’s adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, but has also made his mark in a career spanning more than 70 films roles, including The Goonies, Toy Soldiers, 50 First Dates and as the indomitable, never-say-die working class hero of Rudy. Continue reading “Happy birthday to Sean Astin!”

Last August, TORn Staffer Justin posted a list of cast members who tweet.  In the spirit of festive greetings, we thought we’d reshare – and update – that list.

Continue reading “Want to wish Happy Holidays to your favourite cast members? Here’s who’s on Twitter…”

LOS ANGELES — TheOneRing.net covered all kinds of events this week surrounding the World Premiere of “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.” None was more exciting than the film’s red (black) carpet experience where the stars can greet fans and walk the press line to talk about the film.

Many clips end up on news and entertainment websites but we bring you an edited version with our own Happy Hobbits behind the microphones and in front of the stars including Martin Freeman, Evangeline Lilly, Luke Evans, William Kircher, Dean O’Gorman, Aidan Turner, Philippa Boyens, Manu Bennett, Ryan Gage, Sean Astin, Ed Sheeran and the already-famous pinch from Benedict Cumberbatch.