The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Video Part 2

Warner Bros has posted their second video to promote their upcoming game The Lord of the Rings: War of the North. The first video can be found here. The video continues the theme of using the game actor, makers and attractive entertainment talent to talk about the franchise and why the game is worth getting.

The Hobbit World Premiere Location Announced

Today Peter Jackson held a press conference at the Bag End building on the Hobbiton set in Waikato, New Zealand to announce that the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be held in Willington, NZ in late November 2012. The news isn't really surprising considering how important New Zealand is to the films.

The 11 minute press conference was held with NZ Prime Minister John Key as they discussed various topics. Both answered questions about labor changes that were made due to a small union actor boycott (less than 400 members) nearly derailed the film being made in the country. Jackson also talked about his support of the Memphis Three. Last, they confirmed that the Hobbiton set would remain a standing set open for tourists. Filming at the set is scheduled to be completed next week. The movies are currently filming, with location filming around New Zealand for the next five weeks before filming takes a Christmas holiday break to resume next January.

The full video of the press conference can be found here. More images of the Hobbiton set can be found here.

The Lord of the Rings: War in the North Video Part 1

Warner Bros has released the first of four videos to help promote their upcoming game The Lord of the Rings: War in the North. The videos have actors from the video game, crew from the game and attractive media talent that cover the video game industry talk up the movies and the game.

Stephen Fry Talks Tolkien with Peter Jackson

The Master of Laketown, Stephen Fry, sits down with Peter Jackson to talk about JRR Tolkien with The Hobbit director Peter Jackson at the Bag End set at the Hobbiton location. In the interview for Fry's "Planet Word" they discuss the language and writing style of Tolkien. If in the UK, can get the BBC stream here or on YouTube (also below). (via TheOneRing)

Lord of the Rings Concert Props

For those on the west coast lucky enough to be at the few locations hosting The Lord of the Rings concert will find an extra treat with major props from the movie on display. The props include the weapons used by most of the characters, armor, Hobbit feet and more. Hero Complex has a gallery of some of those props here.

Orlando Bloom and a New Legolas Costume?

While promoting his next film, The Three Musketeers, Orlando Bloom briefly commented on his role in The Hobbit films. The actor will be reprising the role of Legolas but it seems he will not have quite the same look as he does in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The character wasn't part of the original story so no telling how much screen time Bloom will have in the film.

It’s been ten years since Legolas has been onscreen. You’ve aged ten years, but you’re supposed to be playing Legolas younger. How’s that gonna work?
Bloom: Dude, magic. Good genes. I don’t know what to tell you, a bit of makeup. It’s crazy, the wig fits. It still fits. It’s the same wig, and it still fits. And the costume, it fit. The same costume fit. I’m not actually wearing—well I’m not gonna talk about it, I can’t tell you anything else.

You’re filming with the Red Epic’s on The Hobbit, which is 3D, and you filmed 3D on Three Musketeers. What’s your experience been like filming in 3D?
Bloom: [Musketeers] was shot in 3D as is [The Hobbit], as you said with the RED Epic’s. Those are small cameras, those RED Epic’s. I mean they’re doing steadicam, they’re doing over-the-shoulder, they’re doing everything with those cameras, and it’s 3D which is to me pretty phenomenal. My experience of it is that it’s the same, I mean it seems to be becoming the norm which is crazy in many regards, but I guess as time goes on things move on forward. The cameras are probably getting lighter and smaller, as they are with the RED Epic’s. But they’re doing remarkable things on The Hobbit with these cameras that I couldn’t have imagined, and [Musketeers] was shot with James Cameron’s cameras, the ARRI Alexa. There was a little bit more setup time and stuff I would say, but not massively so. The shoots are still the same sort of length and as an actor your experience is not any different, you’re still relating to other actors in the same way. I think as an audience member you get quality when it’s shot in 3D.

The Hobbit Toys Deal Signed

Warner Bros has announced today that they have chosen the toy company they are going to use for The Hobbit line of toys when the movies are released starting next Christmas 2012. The company, Bridge Direct, is a Boca Raton, Florida company that is expected to create an action figure line and kid friendly versions of the sword and ax props used in the film. The decision was based in part on the many of the executives and staff members came from companies that had produced the Lord of the Rings toys. Current toys from the company include Zhu Zhu Pets, Bobby Jacks, Busytown, and Justin Bieber dolls.

Evangeline Lilly Speaks Elvish

While at the premiere of her latest movie, Real Steel, the lovely Evangeline Lilly briefly spoke about her role in the Hobbit. She also offered up two Elvish words she is learning for the movie, suggesting her chraacter of Tauriel is involved in either capturing or helping release the company of Dwarves when they are captured by the Woodland Elves in the story. Below is the video from Access Hollywood.

Lego Tower of Orthanc

Once of the great things about The Hobbit filming in New Zealand is the beautiful and varied locations that give the films their epic look. The downside is it means Hobbit news is far and few between and Peter Jackson and co. are able to keep their movie secrets. In the meantime, for a brief fix, here is a fantastic Lego. Standing at seven feet tall, the Tower of Orthanc is made up of over 22,000 Legos as it depicts the battle between the Ents and Orcs. Click here to view the entire photo gallery of this awesome creation. (via Brothers Brick)