On this episode of Hobbit in 5 John Howe reports that Smaug the Golden and Eowyn & the Nazgul are available again, Orlando Bloom considers being in the Hobbit, we have another fabulous contest to announce.
John Howe writes: Several months after being officially released, Smaug the Golden and Eowyn & the Nazgul are available again. The real thing (in real bronze with a hardwood base) is back as well: Smaug the Golden & Eowyn and the Nazgul.
Originally, we had hoped to offer one-piece hardwood bases with all the statues, but this proved impossible, so wood bases with a wood veneer seemed the next best thing. Unfortunately, the veneer peeled and bubbled, and Weta honorably stepped in, warned those who had pre-ordered, offered to refund or otherwise compensate, and has now re-issued the statues with individualized polystone bases. More..
Since production of The Hobbit began ramping up we have been getting emails from curious fashionistas about costume designer Ngila Dickson, will she be continuing stunning her work on The Hobbit? Our answer has always been ‘we’ll let you know as soon as we know!’. Well the answer now comes in the form of a ‘Reel Late with Kate’ interview. Moa hunter brings us the news: “Reel Late with Kate [TV3-NZ] last night included an interview with Ngila Dickson. At the end of the programme the presenter (Kate Rodger) said that Ngila Dickson would not be working on The Hobbit because of existing contractual obligations.”
Robert writes: Sophisticated Games in Cambridge UK has just decorated its company Smart Car with John Howe’s artwork from the Hobbit board game distributed by Fantasy Flight and Imagination Games. It looks very striking. Continue reading “Hobbit Board Game Smart Car Ad…Clever!”
Fans will recall that prior to Peter Jackson’s coming down with that nasty stomach ulcer earlier this month (the man’s doing fine now, bless him!), filming of The Hobbit was supposed to begin on 14th February 2011, with Ian McKellen’s first day of filming due yesterday, 21st February 2011.
So it only makes sense that with the films’ official start date now pushed to 21st March 2011, the Grey Wizard is EARLY! He consequently took the time today to make his first blog post ‘From the middle of Middle Earth‘ in a neat little section titled Notes from Imladris on his official website. Excerpts follow:
I hadn’t intended last Thursday to arrive in Wellington for The Hobbit filming, five weeks early. Yet, what’s new? Just a year ago I had expected to start shooting in July 2010, with Guillermo del Toro in charge… A year on, filming was to start at the end of February 2011. Then, Peter Jackson had his stomach operation. The insurance company has insisted on five weeks recuperation. Which is why, yet again, I’m here early. Waiting for Bilbo.
In related news, our friend Jack who lives down in New Zealand has updated his ‘Noldor Blog‘ with an interesting post. Between running into Sir Richard Taylor and Peter Lyon, he also ran into none other than Andy Serkis this last Saturday night at a diner in Wellington.
Looks like the place is abuzz with activity with The Hobbit shoot now less than a month away!