New Hobbit 'Desolation of Smaug' production video!

Peter Jackson has shared a new Hobbit 'Desolation of Smaug' production video that shows great behind the scenes footage! Watch it!

The Hobbit 2 (The Desolation of Smaug) Poster Revealed

This morning Peter Jackson released the official poster for The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug. Release date: December 17. I have a feeling we are going to see a teaser trailer very soon (maybe with the release of Superman: Man of Steel ??)

The Hobbit Comic-Con Exclusive - Azog!

The Bridge Direct just announced the following (and I am more excited that words can express!) ... "Our 7" tall Orc Commander Azog comes in a numbered, limited edition of 2,600 pieces. Azog is depicted as he appears in the prologue scene from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. In the battle between the dwarves and an army of orcs to reclaim Moria, Azog holds the severed head of the dwarf King Thror up in victory. The figure comes with interchangeable hands - the right hand that holds Thror's head can be replaced with a hand capable of holding either his dagger or mace, and the left hand can be switched with the prosthetic spikes that replaced the hand he lost to Thorin's sword"

 

Hobbit Action Figures (Wave 2)

The Bridge Direct is planning a dynamite Wave 2 of Hobbit action figures and a San Diego Comic Con exclusive! While they haven't confirmed the SDCC Exclusive there is an online rumor it will by Smog the Dragon in scale with the 3 3/4" figures! Wave 2 is expected in October 2013 and will include:



3.75” SCALE ACTION FIGURES - (SRP $7.99 each)

New assortment includes Radagast, Thranduil, Azog, Beorn and Gandalf

Each figure features 12 points of articulation and replicates the authentic facial features, clothing, weapons and accessories of the character in painstaking detail.


3.75” SCALE ACTION FIGURE BOX SETS - (SRP $29.99 each)

Mirkwood Pack: Legolas, Tauriel, Thranduil, Fili and Kili

Thorin Oakenshield Adventure Pack (pictured below): Nori, Ori, Dori, Gloin and Thorin

Bilbo Baggins Burglar Pack (
 
 
pictured below): Bifur, Bombur, Bofur, Oin and Exclusive 3.75" Invisible Bilbo


6” SCALE COLLECTOR FIGURES - (SRP $14.99 each)

New assortment includes Radagast, Azog and Legolas

Each collector figure features intricate details replicating the character’s facial features, clothing, weapons and accessories.

Hobbit Exclusive Figures in UK and Australia!

Are you attempting to collect each and every Hobbit figure? If so, you better find friends in England and Australia! Check out these two exclusive figures: 6" Yazneg (UK Toys-R-Us exclusive) and 3 3/4" Invisible Bilbo (Australian exclusive). As of now, these will not be released in the United States, but that could change. No plans have been set according to early reports from The Bridge Direct.

Hobbit figures hit stores October 1st

The new Hobbit figures should be hitting store shelves in 2 days (October 1st)!! Here are the details:


* 3.75” Scale Action Figures – Available in Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Thorin Oakenshield, Grinnah the Goblin and Legolas Greenleaf, these 3.75" scale action figures contain up to 12 points of articulation and replicate the authentic facial features, clothing, weapons and accessories of the character in painstaking detail. (For Ages 4+, SRP $7.99 each)

* 3.75” Scale Action Figure 2-Packs – These pairings of 3.75" scale action figures are available in four styles: Bilbo and Gollum, Balin and Dwalin, Kili and Fili, and Legolas Greenleaf and Tauriel, with both Balin and Tauriel being EXCLUSIVE to the 2-Packs at this scale in this series. (For Ages 4+, SRP $14.99 each)

* 3.75” Scale Figure Deluxe 2-Pack – Gandalf and Bolg prepare for battle with this set of 3.75" scale action figures pairing a key hero with a key villain. (For Ages 4+, SRP $17.99)

* 3.75” Scale Action Figure Box Set – Join Bilbo, Thorin, Kili, Fili and Dwalin, with this special box set for the avid collector. The set includes 3-5 weapons/accessories for each figure for posing and battling action. (For Ages 4+, SRP $29.99)

* 3.75” Scale Beast Pack – Every good villain needs a beast to ride into battle, and this 3.75" scale action figure beast pack has them both with Fimbul the Hunter and his Warg! Featuring authentic detail, these figures are sure to become collector's items. (For Ages 4+, SRP $19.99)

* 3.75” Scale Figure Battle Pack – One of the biggest and baddest creatures faces off with a key hero in this 3.75" scale action figure battle pack featuring the Goblin King and Thorin Oakenshield. Each figure replicates the facial features, clothing, weapons and accessories of the character in authentic detail. (For Ages 4+, SRP $29.99)

* 6” Scale Collector Figures – Available in Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Grey, Thorin Oakenshield, Legolas Greenleaf and Tauriel, these 6" scale collector figures feature intricate details based on the characters. Each with up to 12 points of articulation and authentic details replicating the character’s facial features, clothing, weapons and accessories, these figures are sure to become coveted pieces of movie memorabilia. (For Ages 4+, SRP $14.99 each)

* Bilbo’s Sword, Sting – Featuring motion-activated battle sounds and a glowing light, this deluxe role-play sword will give young fans the complete character experience. (For Ages 4+, SRP $19.99)

* 6” Dwarven Battle Axe – This role-play axe replicates in authentic detail the battle axe carried by Gloin the Dwarf. Now fans can re-enact key battle scenes at home. (For Ages 4+, SRP $12.99)

DragonCon is Coming!

DragonCon is coming in a month (Aug 31-Sept 3). Check out the official website for all the events. There are some great Fan Tracks this year including Tolkien's Middle Earth track! What better way to celebration the Hobbit release this December! Here is the description:


"The Hobbit Movie is coming!  This year’s track will deal with gearing us up for this long awaited movie with The One Ring dot net leading the way.  Join us for an insider’s look at the Hobbit movies.  We will once again have our Tolkien/Lewis panel as well.  Don’t forget about our costuming panels and join our many scholars iin their presentations on the works of JRR Tolkien.  Friday night, we have “An Evening in Bree” with music by Emeral Rose.  Don’t forget about the costume competition during the intermission at this event.  Come show off your costume for all to see." 

SDCC 2012 Exclusive Hobbit stuff by WETA Workshop

I can't help but post more Hobbit news! WETA Workshop has announced 2 exclusives for San Diego Comic Con 2012: First up is the 1:6 scale Thorin Oakenshield statue (limited to 500 at SDCC and 200 released online). Great statue that includes an exclusive shield that will only be available at Comic-Con. There will also be an exclusive iconic print.

(update) Exclusive Hobbit Figure by The Bridge Direct

I reported a few days ago about the first Hobbit action figure (Exclusive Invisible Bilbo) which will only be available at San Diego Comic Con and will be limited and numbered in a sweet collector's box. Here are the first pictures! (Is it December yet? Can I get tickets for opening night of the movie yet?!)

SDCC 2012 Exclusive Invisible Bilbo Baggins

If you weren't excited (already) for San Diego Comic Con 2012, then you'd better be NOW! The Bridge Direct (the company that acquired the rights to make new toys and figures for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey) has announced an exclusive for SDCC. This Invisible Bilbo Baggins figure will be packaged in a limited edition box and features a detailed figure wearing the One Ring. I'm sure this will be the first of many Hobbit collectibles I'll be purchasing!

The Hobbit (production updated)

Visit Peter Jackson's Facebook page to see the new Hobbit movie update! Lots of goodies to salivate over and ponder before the movie's release this December 2012.

Hobbit Movie Update (#6)

In this 12 minute video you will see the most revealing look at the new Hobbit movie yet! Amazing scenes... costumes... info... and more... December 2012 can't come fast enough! Click here for the video! If you listen carefully, you will hear (possibly) clips from the new Hobbit Soundtrack at random places in the video!!

Lego LOTR sets debut

This week at the UK Toy Fair we were given the first images and details of the Lord of the Rings Lego sets!
Let's get the frustrating news out first: You’ll need to buy all 7 sets if you want to get the complete Fellowship and that's quite a  big chunk of change (set prices start at $11.99 all the way up to 99.99). The good news is that each set is amazing and worth every penny!!

9469 Gandalf Arrives - Includes Frodo and Gandalf with cart and fireworks.  A great set and a way to get the two most obvious characters. (price approx. $11.99)

9470 Shelob Attacks - Includes Gollum and Shelob (big spider) and Frodo with ring (which is a gold chromed ring, sized perfectly to fit on a minifig hand) and Samwise Gamgee.  (price approx. $19.99)

9471 Uruk-Hai Army - Comes with Eomer, Rohan soldier and 4 Urak-Hai and a small section of wall, siege machine and one horses, which features articulated back legs. It’s designed to be joined to the Helm’s Deep playset. (price approx. $29.99)

9472 Attack on Weathertop - Includes Frodo, Merry, Aragorn and two Ringwaiths on horseback.   There’s a small section of Weathertop, which includes a spiral staircase and ruins at the top. (price approx. $49.99)

9473 The Mines of Moria - Comes with a great selection of minifigs, such as Pippin, Gimli, Legolas, Boromir, a Cave Troll and two Moria Orcs. (price approx. $69.99)

9474 The Battle of Helm’s Deep - Includes 8 minifigs – Gimli, King Theoden, Haldir, Aragorn and 4 Urak-Hai warriors. Huge playset that has new "bricks" that resemble the walls of Helm's Deep. (price approx. $99.99)

9476 The Orc Forge - Includes 5 Orcs and various forge related stuff and has a light brick, which was a nice feature. (price approx. $39.99)

All sets will be released in August. Sets based on the new Hobbit movie will be released in the 4th quarter of 2012 (probably in time for Christmas!)

The Hobbit Trailer Debut

Warner Bros will return to Middle-earth on Tuesday, December 20th (tonight!), with the worldwide debut of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" announcement trailer at 7pm U.S. Pacific Time! Don't miss it! Follow the link to The Hobbit's Facebook

Ebay Item of the Day

Click here to see the Lord of the Rings Intelli-blox Ebay Auction

With the recent announcement that Lego will be releasing Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit construction sets, I thought it would be appropriate to take a trip down memory lane and highlight the LOTR Playmates Intelli-blox. Each set was well made and created great playability for LOTR fans. The sets are still reasonably priced but grow harder to find each year. I don't think very many of these were made and were probably short-printed after poor sales caused the line to be canceled. Five sets were made: "Buckleberry Ferry Escape" , "The Mines of Moria" , "Battle at Weathertop" , "Isengard Caverns" , "The Prancing Pony"

Lego and Lord of the Rings!!!

Yes! Yes! Yes! Lego will be releasing Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit themed sets in 2012! Here is the official announcement:

Consumer Products and The LEGO Group announced today (Dec 16, 2011) a partnership that awards the world’s leading construction toy brand exclusive rights to develop build-and-play construction sets based on THE LORD OF THE RINGS™ trilogy and the two films based on THE HOBBIT™. The multi-year licensing agreement grants access to the library of characters, settings, and stories for THE LORD OF THE RINGS property, as well as films The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again. LEGO® THE LORD OF THE RINGS construction sets are slated for a rolling global launch beginning in June 2012 in the The LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS collection will translate into LEGO form the epic locations, scenes and characters of Middle-earth as depicted in all three films, including The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

According to recent reports "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" is still scheduled to be released on December 14, 2012. The next 13 months can't come fast enough! Here are a few behind-the-scenes pictures of the creation of either a house... is it Radagast's homestead or perhaps another? Beorn?

LOTR: Orthanc Tower!

Before the great wizard was turned to the dark side, in the time when Gandalf sought council with Saruman - the head of his order - Isengard was lush and green and its gardens lent themselves well to a contemplative stroll.
This Orthanc is the inspiration for Weta's latest environment from The Lord of the Rings, revealed last week at San Diego Comic-Con and available for preview in the Weta online shop.
Weta has previously created an Orthanc collectible based on Isengard AFTER Saruman and his orc cohorts felled the trees and turned the once-pleasant sanctuary into an industry of war and destruction.
This new Orthanc at just under 17 inches towers above the old collectible, which has allowed for intricate detail in the tower as well as the surrounding gardens.

Lord of the Rings: The Prancing Pony & Bag End

Preorders are now being accepted for the Lord of the Rings "Environments" from WETA. This series of "environments" are a personal favorite! (I've already preordered!) These shouldn't last long and the detail is simply unmatched! Follow these links to see detailed pictures and ordering information! The Prancing Pony & Hobbiton (Bag End)