Observant Compa_Mighty has now written in with more fresh Hobbit news. Word reached our ears months ago that Sam Raimi would direct "The Hobbit," but everything seemed to be in flux. In the last 48 hours word has traveled fast that Peter Jackson and New Line were at least on speaking terms. IESB.net is reporting (no source named so tread with caution) that Jackson and Raimi may be on the project. Don't believe everything you read but this story makes a lot of sense. It also seems that Bob Shaye may have been hinting at this yesterday when he said, "I really respect and admire Peter and would love for him to be creatively involved in some way in 'The Hobbit.' " Notice he didn't say he would "direct" the film but did say "involved in some way". Anyway, stay tuned as more clues are uncovered.

The L.A. Times story that we reported on below is making the rounds in the world's press. Everybody is re-writing the story using the Robert Shaye quotes from New Line to generate their own story. Most of the news is just a rehash but there is a story from New Zealand that confirms with Jackson's camp that talks are happening. Read that little tidbit right here. Things are looking significantly better.

Mark, both observant and wise, writes in with a nugget about Ian McKellen in New Zealand and his comment on a possible Jackson "The Hobbit" movie. No news, but as Mark commented, "I'm just hoping this is more of "things are progressing behind the scenes but we can't talk about it" and that the apparent thaw in relations is continuing. Not a bad read on how things might be going, especially when combined with other similar signs. Read the full story here.

A keen eyed fellow that goes by Ned sent in a very interesting link from the L.A. Times about New Line and some possible fence mending with Peter Jackson. Jackson is obviously well into pre-production on his "Lovely Bones" project but after that, who knows? The story included this juicy tidbit: "Eager to move ahead with "The Hobbit," New Line has quietly been trying to mend fences with "Rings" filmmaker Peter Jackson, who has sued the company over his share of profits from the first "Rings" films. When asked if it was true that company insiders had been in talks with Jackson's reps, Shaye replied, "Yes, that's a fair statement. Notwithstanding our personal quarrels, I really respect and admire Peter and would love for him to be creatively involved in some way in 'The Hobbit.' " To read the whole interesting story go right here.

Dr. Spin has written us with a Middle-earth fan film that he would love to share with TORn readers. This film picks up the ME action 100 years after the destruction of the ring. To view the three-part film please go here. Enjoy!

Winners of this year's Mythopoeic Awards—which celebrate books of fantasy that best exemplify the spirit of the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and Charles Williams—were announced this weekend at Mythcon 38 in Berkeley, Calif. [More]

Sir Ian McKellen has returned to Wellington with plans to drop in on an old stomping ground - the hobbit hole at Bag End. The revered British actor, who played the wise wizard Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, is in New Zealand with the Royal Shakespeare Company to play the title role in King Lear. He intends to catch up with old friends while in Wellington, and Peter Jackson has invited him to stay at his home in Wairarapa. "He kept the set of Bag End, which was Frodo's house, and set it up for guests with running water, so I'm going to spend the night there," Sir Ian said yesterday. "It'll be the one the hobbits were in which made them look small, so it'll be big enough for humans." [More]

Peter Jackson in spandex MoCap goodness! [More]

Randy from www.darkchylde.com writes: Just wanted to give a heads up that the first filmic images have been captured of Darkchylde, based on the comic of the same name. I am intimately involved, as is 5 time Oscar Winner Richard Taylor (King Kong, Lord of the Rings) and Weta Workshop, and Dark Horse (Hellboy). [More]

Stephen Jewell writes: This week, the great Ian McKellen is back in New Zealand, acting in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s touring productions of King Lear and The Seagull. He tells STEPHEN JEWELL why he can’t have sex in Singapore or smoke in New Zealand and why “you can always rely on Shakespeare”. Just as the titular majesty goes missing in the third act of King Lear, Sir Ian McKellen is proving equally elusive. The original plan was to travel up to Stratford-upon-Avon to watch the final performance of King Lear at the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Courtyard Theatre and then meet McKellen and co-star Frances Barber the following day. [More]

Vanessa "Saffron" Price, Online Community Representative for The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar, writes: Don’t miss this chance to see your very own cloak design featured in The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar! [More]

The Bearded One himself, Peter Jackson, made a surprise cameo in the latest episode of the hit HBO show 'Entourage'. Much like UK's 'Extras' (where Sir Ian McKellen and Orlando Bloom spoofed themselves), 'Entourage' focuses on the entertainment industry. Peter most likely spoofed himself in the episode (I have yet to see it). If anyone catches it on YouTube, drop me a line!

Ronald let us in on PJ's cameo: Actually Peter played himself talking directly with Eric (Vince's personal business manager) about producing a movie with Vince based on some of Peter's gaming ventures. Pete was in a "Motion Capture" suit practicing swordplay with another fellow. Said specifically he was glad to be able to reach into Vince's camp without having to go through Ari Gold to do so.

hi all, Xoanon here. How excited was I today when I ripped open a package and out popped Kristin Thompson's 'The Frodo Franchise: The Lord of the Rings and Modern Hollywood'. It seems like years ago we spoke about this book, and now it is finally out there for the fans to read! Learn about the early days of 'TheOneRing.net' (and the LOTR internet zeitgeist), and all other manner of geeky goodness! [More]

Don't miss your chance to own the exclusive editions of Sideshow Collectible's Sam and Frodo 12-inch Figures (they are actually around 9"). The Frodo exclusive is his Weathertop sword and sheath, and Sam's exclusive is a piece of Lembas bread. These items are only available for purchase via SideshowCollectibles.com, and they are not expected to last through the day. Regular versions are usually posted after the exclusives sell out. [Frodo Baggins Figure] [Samwise Gamgee Figure]

Geths writes: Thought you might find this video link of Sam Raimi at comic-con alittle interesting. A Tiny mention about New Line and 'The Hobbit'. [More]

Stan writes: LOTR artist Daniel Reeve has a new font, "Shire Regular, as written by Frodo Baggins" available for purchase on his website danielreeve.co.nz.

Smeagirl Girllum also sends along word that Sean Astin has canceled his planned trip to Dragon*Con due to a scheduling conflict. [More]

Smeagirl Girllum writes: The NYC Mayor's Office of Film, Theatre and Broadcasting recently spoke to Jemaine Clement and Bret McKenzie, stars of HBO's new "Made in NY" show, Flight of the Conchords. The conversation is the MOFTB's first "Made in NY" podcast. [More]

Washington, Aug 3 (ANI): Michael Imperioli is all set to become a part of the star- laden cast of Peter Jackson's The Lovely Bones', a film adaptation of Alice Sebold's best-selling novel. The Emmy award winner will be seen with Susan Sarandon, Rachel Weisz and Ryan Gosling, reports the Hollywood Reporter. The film is the story of a girl, Susie Salmon, who is brutally raped and murdered. But after death, she continues to watch her family from heaven. [More]

Star actors in Academy Award-winning filmmaker James Cameron's latest film move to Wellington in October for their performances to be incorporated in fantasy worlds created by the Weta workshops.

Showbusiness newspaper Variety reported that Cameron had added two more cast members to the science fiction film Avatar, Stephen Lang and Michelle Rodriguez, who have joined Australian actor Sam Worthington, Zoe Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Wes Studi and CCH Pounder.

"In October, the company will move to Wellington close to Peter Jackson's Weta Digital, which is supervising the film's visual effects," Variety reported today. Thirty-one days of live-action photography will be carried out on Weta's soundstages. [More]

Last Monday Sir Ian McKellen was on the telly in his star turn in Extras. "I said to Peter Jackson, 'you do know I'm not really a wizard?"' he said, to Ricky Gervais' character. Now here he is in Melbourne where, the next night, I will watch his King Lear strip away the layers until he stands naked and tormented before us. His Lear got a standing ovation and he put his hand over his heart as he took his bow. Now, I do know he is not really a king but for 3 1/2 hours I believed he was. That's the confusing, wonderful magic of acting. His Lear, and in almost everything written about it this is mentioned with varying degrees of rude innuendo, gets his pants off. This seems to be some big deal, but it's not, he sighs, to him. [More]

With kind permission John Howe has allowed us to re-print his newsletter entries as they are released. Take a look at the latest edition!

BEWILDERED AND BEMUSED (Or the True Nature of Glamour): Today, the word "glamour" is more closely associated with '50's film starlets and glossy magazines than with its original meaning. Here is what the dictionaries say... [More]

Among the hoopla that defines Comic-Con 2007, Sideshow Collectibles announced three new LOTR Collectibles: The Sam and Frodo 12-inch figures and the Gandalf the White Premium Format Figure. The Sam and Frodo figures feature the newly developed 'hobbit' body allowing them to be displayed in scale with the other 12-inch figures. And of all the LOTR Collectibles we have seen to date, the portraits of Sean Astin and Elijah Wood are dead on! If you are interested in purchasing the exclusives of these items, you'll need to take part in the Priority Pre-Order this coming Monday. Follow the links for complete details! [Sam and Frodo Info] [Gandalf the White Info]