JR writes: I went to my brother’s graduation on April 6th in the Auckland Town Hall and the guest speaker was Matt Aitken (Digital Models Supervisor at WETA Digital). [More]

Orlando Bloom on the cover of Premiere Magazine

Ringer Spy djdeathskiss sends along the May 2004 issue of Premiere Magazine that features Orlando Bloom on the cover. It also has an article about his upcoming movie 'Troy'. [More]

Ringer Spy Ravyneyez sends along these scans from the April issue of GQ Magazine. It features Viggo Mortensen on the cover and had an in-depth article on him. [More]

Laurelin writes: The Topps 'ROTK Collectors' Update Edition' is now available for pre-sale at Potomac Distribution. They always seem to have the best prices for boxes or cases. It looks like there will be an all-new 72-card base set, 10 costume cards, and three autographs: Peter Jackson, Mark Ordesky and Sala Baker. [More]

AELFWINE writes: I found information about the Howard Shore discussion panel: A conversation with Academy Award®-winning Lord of the Rings composer Howard Shore about setting Middle Earth to a sweeping score worthy of all its epic battles, touching moments and thrilling victories. Moderated by Film Score Monthly writer Doug Adams. [More]

Pip Of Tuckborough writes: I thought you might like this article that has a snippit of Billy in it. It is at sundayherald.com and is about halfway down the page. Here is what it has to say about him. [More]

It could almost be a scene from Peter Jackson's The Return of the King. Two decapitated winged creatures called Fell Beasts and their evil Nazgul masters lie silently in an isolated field. Only this time, it is right next to Wellington's main rubbish dump. The 20-metre-long beast and smaller five-metre one are the same two nasties that had been perched atop the Embassy and Reading cinemas from November last year for the world premiere of The Return of the King. But more than a week ago they were removed. [More]

Thanks to Ringer Charmed Sister for the tip on this New York Times article: Peter Jackson, who made "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, is entering the rarefied club of Hollywood movie directors who are expected to earn as much money — or even more — from helping create video games as from making movies... [More]

Our friend Debbie Ridpath Ohi has posted the final strips of her comic strip saga, Waiting for Frodo: [More]

Several Ringers have written in to tell us about Sean Astin serving as co-Grand Master at this year's Shenandoa Apple Blossom Festival. [More]

Katrin writes: The Embassy in Wellington has special Easter screenings of the Theatrical versions of FOTR (April 10) & TTT (April 11). I called the Embassy and these two are the only screenings of both FotR and TTT as an Easter Special. Good News is that there are still many good seats left!

vintageyear writes: On Wednesday there was a link to the TV Guide Online interview with Billy Boyd: Lord of the Rings star Billy Boyd exchanged his hobbit feet for sea legs when he climbed aboard Peter Weir's high-seas epic, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, which arrives on DVD April 20. [More]

Nerwen writes: John Howe has just posted a new entry at his site and says "London was great, the extended version of the Return of the King is spectacular, and don't count on me to spill any of it before the DVD comes out." [More]

Elmer writes: Thought you might be interested to know that Howard Shore will be speaking about his score to Return of the King on May 8 as part of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York. The discussion will be moderated by Doug Adams, the author of the upcoming book on Shore's Rings scores.

Will 'The Hobbit' make for a good movie? What will a movie based on J.R.R. Tolkiens 1937 publication be like? Will it be a childrens movie? Do you think the story will translate as well to the movie medium as 'The Lord of the Rings' did? Join us in #thehalloffire this easter weekend to discuss the cinematic possibilities of 'The Hobbit'.[More]

Weta Workshop, the New Zealand-based special effects company that gained global fame for its work on the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, has chosen the Toronto-based Nelvana animation house to collaborate on the new animated series Jane and the Dragon. Thanks to Hobbitangel for the story. [More]

From Ringer Giuseppe: On April 8th, a cinema in Riposto (Italy) has been showing the whole Trilogy, which makes it the first LOTR Marathon in Sicily (to my knowledge), and the only one on the flanks of the largest active volcano in Europe, Mt. Etna! [Mt. Etna Cam](Of course it's a bit dark in Italy at this posting...)

Mentioned in passing: The ABQ Correspondent looks at the way DVD technology has changed our expectations of movies, citing the LOTR films as a case where we've come to know far more about the behind-the-scenes team than we would have in the past, making Richard Taylor and Barrie Osborne's faces familiar to us. [More] Fun website, intelligent people should enjoy.

Cake with Gandalf on Shadowfax, Beacon & Pippin

Pastry Chef Kirsti Hanna created this almost completely edible cake. She writes: "The biggest challenge with this cake was the beacon. I used squares of cake to make the box, then had lots of fun icing around the sides and shaping it. Then I cut out the center. Everything, except the candles and the two figures, is edible. Even the rocks (chocolate with a candy coating) and the big rocks/hills in back (air-brushed angel-food cake)." Wow! [See Larger Photo]

Hobbit_guy writes: Millikin University is offering a class on J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. The class, known as "Lord of the Rings: Myth and Culture" will study Tolkien's work and the sources and legends that influenced it in a historical setting. Taught by Professor Erick Parker, this class promises to be a most enjoyable addition to my schedule - if I can get into it! There're only 30 seats available, and more than half are already taken. [More]

From Comicbookresources.com: "Yahoo's Upcoming Movies has some casting news on the Robert Rodriguez-helmed adaptation .... Also listed without character credits [is] [... yadda ...] Elijah Wood. Early shooting with Hartnett and Shelton is already underway." [More] [Yahoo Movies Sin City Page]

From Digitalproducer.com: "Jackson talks about making the trilogy, working with DP Andrew Lesnie, and some of the groundbreaking effects in the final film in the trilogy, The Return of the King." [More]

From Canada.com: "Hobbits, wizards and orcs are helping draw so many tourists to New Zealand that travellers are about to vanquish dairy farmers as New Zealand's No. 1 export earners." [More]

Mithfiniel wrote that she's found another yet another comic reference to LotR, in the strip Sylvia. [More]

Amy writes: I found another Ring parody in a comic strip. The strip, Monty, has had a LOTR-inspired storyline running for a few days now, with yesterday's comparing Gollum to a well-known figure. The comic can be read here: [More]

Ringer Spy PippinSparrow sent in this cartoon scanned from Finnish magazine Suosikki. An explanation for non-Finns appears below the scrapbook image. [More]

Liz writes: Hello! I saw in the your news that there's a Tolkien class at Drew University, and I was inspired to let you know that there's a similar class at Michigan State University. I'm in it right now, it's called "Myth and Tolkien"... It's been a very enjoyable class ... and one of the best days was actually yesterday when Mr. Douglas A. Anderson (author of "The Annotated Hobbit" and "Tales Before Tolkien") visited us and gave a wonderful lecture about all the different versions of illustration seen in different editions of The Hobbit. [More]

The LET THE HOBBIT HAPPEN campaign website (thehobbitfilm.com) has posted its first listing of partner websites. Over 60 sites have responded to the call to see Peter Jackson lead the charge into Middle-earth again! Have a website? Join the effort and let's get this film made! [More]

Raven writes: Sala Baker will be at Trek Expo in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 18-20. He will be there all three days of the convention. [More]

Barry writes: I saw the posting about the Dukes cinema in Lancaster. Cardiff can beat that! Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff's premier alternative arts venue, is showing the trilogy at 11am, 3pm and 7pm on Saturday 10th April for an incredible Ł6. [More]

As most of you know, the DVD market has grown by leaps and bounds as collectors get more rabid and regular folks realize that they're collectors when they're forced to buy new shelves for the living room to accommodate their burgeoning DVD library. By accident: that's the perfect way to become a collector, isn't it? [More]

Lord of the Rings star Billy Boyd exchanged his hobbit feet for sea legs when he climbed aboard Peter Weir's high-seas epic, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, which arrives on DVD April 20. While the Scottish actor wasn't initially enamored of the ocean, by the time filming ended, he discovered that a sailor's life might just be for him. [More]

Enedumiel writes: Thought you might like to know that the University of Georgia is having a costume contest this friday, along with a 10:30 showing of ROTK. I believe it's the Tate Centre theatre.

Julie writes: Drew University's summer classes include one called "Tolkien's Works" to be held Tuesday and Thursday nights from June 15th to July 22nd. Drew is located in Madison, NJ.

Ciné-Céssaire (Polytechnique Montreal movie association) is presenting Return of the King this Thursday (April 8th) at 6pm and 9:30 pm. The tickets are $ 2 for Polytechnique Students and $ 3 for general admission. [More]

Jedimark writes: The Dukes cinema in Lancaster, UK are showing The Lord of the Rings trilogy (they are calling it the Lordathon) on Saturday May 1st. Tickets are only Ł10. [More]

The movie trilogy, "The Lord of the Rings," attracted people from all over the country to Braden Auditorium Sunday. The three movies were shown in consecutive order beginning at noon and continuing well beyond 11 p.m. Fifteen-year-old Sam Peliska and his 13-year-old brother Taylor Peliska dragged their parents all the way from Ann Arbor, Mich. to see the event. [More]

Brannon J writes: I was at my local Toys-R-Us, (picking up my nifty Ringwriath Gift Pack!!) I reserved my copy of ROTK. They are advertising a free promotional Frodo action figure, which looked pretty cool. You'll have to show up early, however, because The clerk told me that they were limited to 20,000 nation-wide. I know where I'll be bright and early on the 25th of May!!! [Pre-Order Yours on Amazon.com Today!]

Bret McKenzie is a very busy man. As well as being a ubiquitous presence in the Wellington music scene, Bret is well known to theatregoers and has recently found international fame for his brief but memorable appearance in The Lord of the Rings. Bret is now releasing his debut solo album ‘PROTOTYPE’ under the name THE VIDEO KID. [More]

Today’s hottest stars from film, television, music and sports will attempt to outpace and out-maneuver each other to the checkered flag in the 28th annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race. LOTR's very own Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin), rumored to be the most aggressive in this year's line-up, will lead the pack in the April 17th race in Long Beach, CA. [More]

Sideshow/Weta Collectibles have posted a turnaround of their 'Golden Hall' environment. [More]

Ringer Spy Baylor writes: I attended Professor Tom Shippey's April 1 lecture in Holland, Michigan,"From Page to Screen: Problems Tolkien left for Jackson" and have written a ridiculously detailed report about it. It's up on my LiveJournal, here!

West Auckland is set to transform into the fantasy world of Narnia after the makers of Walt Disney's "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" arrived in New Zealand. The film's director Andrew Adamson, the brains behind Shrek and the upcoming Shrek 2, and about 40 crew were welcomed onto Hoani Waititi marae in West Auckland Tuesday morning. [More]

Rommy of Rohan writes: Can you please let Sydney Ringers know that Howard Shore will be conducting his LOTR symphony at the Sydney Opera House in June. People wanting tickets can get them online at, otherwise ring the Opera house booking office. There will only be three concerts, on 17, 18th and 19th June, so book now if you don't want to miss out! [sydneyoperahouse.com]

Pierre Hombrebueno writes: The Italian Online Movie Awards, voted by Italian Web critics, Web Masters and movie fans, followed by thousand of cinephiles from all around the world, are proud to present the Nominees for this year's awards. The Italian Online Movie Awards congratulates Peter Jackson's Lord Of The Rings: The Return of the king, for 13 Nominations!

By now you've seen the first of the series of "book cards" depicting characters from The Lord of the Rings novels – but not appearing in the films – being created for The Lord of the Rings TCG. Tom Bombadil, Goldberry, Glorfindel, and Radagast will debut this spring as preview cards in the Countdown Collection and as diffraction foils in the Reflections set; more book cards will appear in other Lord of the Rings TCG products and promotions beginning in mid-2004. [More]

It's one of the most successful movie franchises of all time, scooping 11 Oscars and launching the careers of its largely unknown cast. And Lord Of The Rings star Billy Boyd - who plays brave Pippin in the blockbusting trilogy and also stars in Master And Commander: The Far Side Of The World - says his life has changed dramatically since playing the hairy hobbit. [More]

Cahal Milmo writes: The Battle of Hastings never took place and Adolf Hitler is a fictional character. Robin Hood really existed, Harold Wilson saved Britain during the Second World War and Conan the Barbarian is a bona fide figure from early Nordic history. [More]

Fresh of his UK book tour Andy Serkis will be on 'The Sharon Osbourne Show' tomorrow (April 7th). [Sharon.com]

djdeathskiss writes: Here is an interview with Orlando Bloom from a British womens mag called Company. [More]

Ringer Spy Saga writes: I was out flying and found this article in SAS Scanorama airlines magazine, March issue. Just wanted to share it! [More]

Sarah B sends along this sample of her amazing work, a Tolkien Calligraphy Project: I would like to inform you of a project I am working on. I am currently creating a copy of the Lord of the Rings trilogy using illuminated Celtic calligraphy. The material I am using is 11X17 neutral parchment and will be approximately 2500 pages. [More]

Hira writes: Just to inform you in Singapore there will be a presentation about the visual effects in LOTR. This talk is only for Singapore Polytechnic students and staff. The speaker is from WETA, New Zealand and a graduate of Singapore Polytechnic. Cost per ticket is SDG $10.00. [More]

marie writes: At the juno awards yesterday 'Sam Roberts' won 3 awards, Roberts admitted he would have a hard time topping the album. "The second album suddenly feels as heavy as the ring on poor Frodo's shoulders," he said. [More]

THE casting of Cate Blanchett in a Sydney Theatre Company production in July was enough to sell out the eight-week season before it even started. This week ticket-holders have even more reason to look forward to their outing: Hugo Weaving has been cast to star opposite her. The two stars of the blockbuster Lord of the Rings trilogy will play the lead roles in Henrik Ibsen's work Hedda Gabler. [More]

The company that holds the British rights to J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings has topped the list of 100 private companies showing the fastest-growing profits in the U.K., according to a survey by the London Sunday Times. The newspaper's "Profit Track" reported that The Entertainment Group, which receives a piece of the action from LOTR box-office receipts and home video sales and rentals in the U.K. has seen profits soar 197 percent a year since 2000. [More]

Ithron Angol writes: I just thought you might like to post that Billy Boyd will be a "Guest of Honor" at the upcoming Origins game expo in Columbus, Ohio. The expo is June 24-28. As far as I know, he will be signing autographs and speaking about his filming experiences on Sunday the 28th. [More]

The Phoenix Symphony’s “Lord of the Rings Symphony” concert, scheduled for May 26 at Symphony Hall, set new records for the orchestra in its first day of ticket sales yesterday. The concert presentation of Howard Shore’s music from the Oscar-winning films sold almost $13,000 in tickets via the web on Sunday, the first day of sales. [More]

Now that the Joke is over, its time to get serious. The only way we are going to reach our goal of having a live-action version of 'The Hobbit' from Peter Jackson and his team, is by keeping after the studios who own the rights: New Line Cinema and MGM/UA. Our first wave of letter writing and postcards are directed at just these people. The addresses, several cards and letters to download and further instructions can be found over at TheHobbitFilm.com! [More]

Ringer Spy Isembard Took writes: Hi there, thought you guys might be interested in an article from The Washington Post. There's a feature article in the Travel section on New Zealand which talks quite a bit about LOTR links, called "The Best Place On Any Earth". [More]

John Rhys-Davies, who played Gimli in Peter Jackson's "Lord of Rings" saga, has been tapped to co-star in NBC's drama pilot "Revelations," which centers on a group's efforts to forestall the apocalypse. [More] Kudos to Jess for the link!

Dozens of Ringers emailed us with directions to a list of the ten best movie monsters (according to film experts). The 1933 King Kong came in first while Shelob can be found on the sixth spot! [More]

Peter Jackson has poured cold water on remarks made by Peter Hillary, son of mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary, that the film director is planning a movie about his father's famous ascent of Mount Everest. [More]

Ringer Spy Andrea sent in a scan from the promotional poster for Return of the King, urging people to go see it in cinema's again. The poster is all over buses in the UK and was featured in the latest issue of Empire Magazine. Check it out here!

People in and around London who want to get the chance to see Howard Shore in concert are in luck! Tickets for a new concert on September 22nd (a coincidence?) in the Royal Albert Hall go on sale today! [More]