Earlier, Tolkien linguist David Salo joined us in TORn's Hall of Fire for an extended question and answer session. If you missed it, we've just posted up the log for you to enjoy. Thanks to everyone who came along and submitted a question! [More]

Folks from The Cinema Store send along the sad news that Christopher Lee has had to cancel his visit to their store on Wednesday, December 15th.

Darren writes: I thought that you may like to know that on 18th December 2004 QVC UK will have a two hour third anniversary Lord of the Rings Collectors Show. This show will feature over 30 products with many bieng exclusive to QVC UK with over 15 products that are brand new collectable product. These shows will coincide with the release of the DVD Extended Version release and some product will be based on characters highlighted in this release. The shows hours are 9pm - 11pm.

Josh Mandel from "Ringers" writes: We are trying to find out who the fan artist is who created this ringwraith drawing. This image was found at the Rolozo Tolkien website. I already contacted the webmaster, but he does not have any current information for the artist. We really want to keep it in the film. Unfortunately, the website that has this image only lists the artist as "Scott K". There is no last name. Furthermore, the email address that is listed is no longer active. Is there any way to post on TORN and ask who it is that created this drawing so that we can give them the opportunity to join the ranks of other fan artists that we are featuring in "Ringers?"

Do you know who made this image? Click here!

The cast of the amateur show had gathered for their photograph to be taken for the local newspaper. Minus one cast member. Billy Boyd opted not to show up. In his neighbourhood, aspiring to be an actor wasn't exactly the done thing. "It was tough growing up in a housing scheme in Glasgow, I couldn't tell anyone I wanted to be an actor. It was all very cloak and dagger." [More]

Eldarwen writes: We tried this last year and didn't succeed so we should try again this year! I encourage all Canadian Lord of the Rings fans to nominate Howard Shore for a place on Canada's Walk of Fame! [More]

oqwarrior writes: Here is a little something to whet your appetite in anticipation of the ROTK Extended Edition DVD release. These menu shots are from the first disc of the set. I have also included scans of all four discs (2 movie discs, 2 appendices discs) as well as scans of some of the packaging. [More]

The movies of Cameron Duncan, the promising young Auckland film-maker who died of cancer last year, will be seen by millions worldwide thanks to Peter Jackson's final DVD chapter in his Lord of the Rings trilogy. The 17-year-old's autobiographical short films DFK6498 and Strikezone are included as extras on the new extended-version DVD of the third film of the trilogy, The Return of the King Extended, released yesterday. [More]

When Dominic Monaghan was a kid, he lived and breathed Star Wars. "I would watch Star Wars and Empire Strikes Back over and over again," says the actor who's most widely known as Merry, one of the heroic Hobbits in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. "I knew the first 45 minutes to an hour of Star Wars word for word. I just obsessed over the film." [More]

World-renowned artist Alan Lee, acclaimed LOTR illustrator and Academy Award-winning conceptual designer for the film trilogy, will discuss his long involvement in creating the visual world that accompanies the books and films based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Lee's visual presentation will include a slide show and a display of a dozen original illustrations. Today, (December 11th) Alan will be at 'Book Soup' in West Hollywood, CA. For the full list of his stops, click here! [More]

Sean Astin is preparing for his second tour of the US to promote his book 'There and Back Again : An Actor's Tale'. Today (December 11th) he will at 'Book Passage' in San Francisco, CA. Follow the link for more dates and locations! [More]

Ringer Spy Roheryn sends along the latest issue of Entertainment Weekly with a short review the ROTK:EE DVD. [More]

Celebriel writes: The first fans arrived at A Clean Well-Lighted Place for Books at 11am Friday morning for Sean Austin’s 7 pm appearance. They came from all over the Bay Area and from at least as far as Seattle. [More]

Another Sideshow/Weta Newsletter, another series of big news for you collector's out there! First up is that there are less than 50 Gothmog on Warg statues to sell before they are official sold out. Secondly, if you are purchasing the ROTK EE DVD Collector's Gift Set you will have the opportunity to purchase the companion environment of Minas Morgul on Tuesday, Dec 14th. At that same time, and only available to Minas Morgul customers, you will be able to opt into receiving a FREE (except for shipping) 1/4 scale replica of the Crown of King Elessar! Follow these links for all the details. [Gothmog] [Minas Morgul] [Elessar Crown]

Inspired silliness is a rare commodity. Happily, you'll find a bumper crop in "Fellowship!" at El Portal. "Fellowship!" is a musical parody of "The Fellowship of the Ring." Those who haven't seen Peter Jackson's film trilogy, based on Tolkien's classic fantasy, may be left high and dry by many references. However, those with even a glancing familiarity will find much to amuse in this ripely ridiculous musical, written by Kelly Holden and Joel McCrary, who also directs. Allen Simpson, the show's keyboardist, composed the sprightly music. Lyrics are by "everybody." [More]

Ringer Spy Onikini sends along these images from Billy Boyds DVD signing event at the Virgin Megastore in the UK. [More]

The psychedelic teaser trailer for 'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory' was released yesterday. Chirstopher Lee plays Wonka's father in the film, he can be spotted for a few seconds. Take a look at our screen grab from the teaser. [Image] [Official Site]

The latest Cate Blanchett film 'The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou' opens today in very limited release. Click on the following link for theatres and showtimes. The film opens in wide release on Christmas Day. [More]

Sean Astin is preparing for his second tour of the US to promote his book 'There and Back Again : An Actor's Tale'. Today (December 10th) he will at 'A Clean Well Lighted Place for Books' in San Francisco, CA. Follow the link for more dates and locations! [More]

World-renowned artist Alan Lee, acclaimed LOTR illustrator and Academy Award-winning conceptual designer for the film trilogy, will discuss his long involvement in creating the visual world that accompanies the books and films based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Lee's visual presentation will include a slide show and a display of a dozen original illustrations. Today, (December 10th) Alan will be at 'Park Branch Library' (1833 Page Street) in San Francisco, CA. For the full list of his stops, click here! [More]

From Creation Entertainment: Thanks to the partying *ONE RING CELEBRATION* attendees our two host hotels (The Pasadena Sheraton and The Pasadena Hilton) are now sold out. We have, however, opened up two new blocks of rooms for people coming at two convenient hotels: THE PASADENA INN (for budget minded attendees) and THE PASADENA WESTIN (for those looking for a more deluxe situation). For details on reserving rooms at these two properties, please visit The City of Pasadena Housing Site.

Visit the One Ring Celebration website here!

Meanwhile fans looking to connect with others attending ORC can visit the Yahoo! Group ORCinCA. [More]

Susan sends along the latest issue of TV Guide featuring this article on the ROTK DVD. [More]

The fans of Ursula Le Guin who read this page will be interested to know that the Sci Fi Channel's series of "The Wizard of Earthsea" is starting next Monday 13th. If you can get your mind off the EE ROTK for long enough, that is....[More] Me,I'm a huge fan and I'm just dying of impatience here...no idea when Earthsea will show up on NZ screens, if ever.

Philippa from Virgin Megastores UK writes: Actor Billy Boyd (Pippin) will be making a Public Apperance at the new Virgin Megastores in Birmingham (Pavillions Mall). Billy will be joining us at midnight (9-10th of December) for the UK official release of the extended Return of the King Boxset. The store will be specially opening so fans can be the first to get their hands on the extended addition and be able to meet Billy Boyd while getting their copy signed! [Map]

Sean Astin is preparing for his second tour of the US to promote his book 'There and Back Again : An Actor's Tale'. Today (December 9th) he will at 'Powell's' in Portland, OR. Follow the link for more dates and locations! [More]

World-renowned artist Alan Lee, acclaimed LOTR illustrator and Academy Award-winning conceptual designer for the film trilogy, will discuss his long involvement in creating the visual world that accompanies the books and films based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Lee's visual presentation will include a slide show and a display of a dozen original illustrations. Today, (December 9th) Alan will be at the University Bookstore in Seattle, WA. For the full list of his stops, click here! [More]

If you're even casually interested in the languages Tolkien created, you'll want to join us this weekend in Hall of Fire on December 11 at 5.30pm EST when we'll be joined by Tolkien language expert David Salo for a moderated question and answer session.

David was the primary language consultant for Peter Jackson's adaptation of Lord of the Rings. David wrote Elvish dialogue, and created Dwarvish inscriptions for Moria, as well as the inscriptions for Aragorn's sword - Anduril - and Frodo's sword - Sting. [More]

Farmer Barley Jones writes: They are running a poll over at M&C about the recent Grammy Award nominations for Best Score Soundtrack Album. You can vote for The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King here. [More]

The Sixth Annual Family Television Awards was held on December 1 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills and recognized honorees in seven categories for their contributions to outstanding family entertainment. The show will be televised on The WB Network on Thursday, December 9 from 9 - 10 p.m. EST. Lori Loughlin of The WB hit series "Summerland" is the host. Edition" (ABC). Dominic Monaghan's show 'Lost' was named "Best New Series". [More]

At the other end of the world the half moon rises on its back over a series of bays crusted with beaches and harbors that make up the city. The pink people speak English, the skyscrapers could be anywhere, but August comes at the end of winter, strange flowers rise from the road dividers, abalone is a staple, kangaroos are vermin, sheep are prized, and up north, as Cate Blanchett will tell you, people lick the backs of cane toads to get high. The money is called dollars, and the bills are made with plastic (local joke: "Clean and wipe and use again"). It's a no-nonsense place, where the haughty are shot down for "big-noting themselves," but the suburbs have camp names—La Perouse, Beverly Hills, Balmain, Sans Souci. [More]

Emma writes: It was wonderful to be back at the North Michigan Avenue Borders, where we were once again treated like welcome guests by the wonderful Mark and Molly, who's been so kind to us at the Sean Astin signing. They remembered most of us, and their familiarity with us, and ours with them, made the whole event run very smoothly and pleasantly for all concerned. [More]

ScottyJoy writes: I just got home from attending the Lord of the Rings Symphony in Baltimore. It was a wonderful evening. Howard Shore's friend John Maurceri conducted the Baltimore Symphony with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society (100 voices), Maryland State Boychoir (32 voices), two female soloists (Susan Egan and Tammy Tyburczy), and the boy soprano who was uncredited in the program notes. [More]

Today is Dominic Monaghan's birthday! Dominic was born on December 8th, 1976 in Berlin, Germany. That makes him 28 years old today! Happy Birthday Dominic!

Sean Astin is preparing for his second tour of the US to promote his book 'There and Back Again : An Actor's Tale'. Today (December 8th) he will at 'Seattle Town Hall' (1119 8th Avenue) in Seattle, WA. Follow the link for more dates and locations! [More]

World-renowned artist Alan Lee, acclaimed LOTR illustrator and Academy Award-winning conceptual designer for the film trilogy, will discuss his long involvement in creating the visual world that accompanies the books and films based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Lee's visual presentation will include a slide show and a display of a dozen original illustrations. Today, (December 8th) Alan will be at 'Borders' in Salt Lake City, UT. For the full list of his stops, click here! [More]

We've been sneaking behind the scenes of the next LOTR film -- Ringers: Lord of the Fans -- a feature documentary that promises to tell the whole story of 50 years of Tolkien's influence on Wester pop culture.

Word has leaked that a big-name star from the LOTR Trilogy has signed on to be the celebrity narrator (we suspect it's one of the four hobbits). Other rumors indicate Ringers will have a fantastic world premiere at a BIG film festival in late January 2005! [Ringers Official Site]

Folks from The Cinema Store write: Christopher Lee is coming in to do a signing of the new Lord of the Rings DVDs on Wednesday, December 15th from 4-7 pm. Our address is 4C Orion House, Upper St Martin's Lane, London. Our telephone number is 020 7379 7838. Mr. Lee will only be signing merchandise that has been purchased in our store.

UPDATE: This event has been cancelled.

If you have Tolkien inspired art work to share and sell, we welcome you to entry the ORC Art Gallery! Both professional and amateur artwork will be sold and displayed in the Art Gallery during convention hours on Friday and Saturday with a live auction on Sunday. Art awards for the Amateur artists will be given out during the Awards ceremony Saturday evening. If you are an artist interested in learning more, check out oneringcelebration.com

Also, don't forget The One Ring Awards! It's time to open the nominations for the One Ring Awards, to be held at The One Ring Celebration in Pasadena, CA on January 15, 2005. Half the awards will be for events held at the convention, such as the Art Show, Fan Film Festival and the Costume contest. The other half will be voted on by you, the best LOTR fans on the net. [More]

Dominic Monaghan is a guest on a repeat of an October 29th episode of 'The Late Late Show'. Be sure to catch it on CBS at 12:35AM.

The coolio folks from the Forbidden Planet Megastore write: Following his hugely successful tour in the US, Alan Lee has kindly added an extra signing event to his hefty schedule so that UK fans have a chance to meet him before Christmas! Alan will be signing copies of The Art of the Lord of the Rings by Gary Russell, a collection of some of the best sketches, paintings and studies by the artists that contributed to the films, including previously unseen material. We have just heard that Gary Russell, the author of this fantastic new book will also be able to attend! The event takes place on Monday 13th December from 5-6pm at the Forbidden Planet megastore at 179, Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2. For further info or to reserve a signed copy, please call 0207 420 3666. Hope to see you there!

Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson is New Zealand's second most powerful person according to an inaugural power list that includes athletes and entertainers alongside politicians and businessmen. Jackson earned the ranking in the New Zealand Listener magazine's 2004 Power List for Return of the King's 11-Oscar sweep of this year's Academy Awards and the Rings film trilogy's impact on the country's culture and economy. [More]

Ringer Spy Celebriel sends word of The Digital Bits' review of the Extended Edition DVD of ROTK by editor Bill Hunt. Beyond discussing the 50 minutes of new footage, Hunt's review analyzes in mouthwatering detail the video and audio quality of the DVD production as well as its physical details. The 263 minute film spans two DVDs, allowing the film to "truly shine, both visually and sonically." Hunt also has a great analysis of how Gandalf/Wtich King scene is intercut with the arrival of the Rohirrim. !!!SPOILERS!!! [More]

The Grammy Nominations were announced today and Howard Shore has been nominated for Best Score Soundtrack for a Motion Picture and with Annie Lennox for Best Original Song from a Motion Picture! Shore is nominated alongside; Thomas Newman 'Angels In America', Danny Elfman 'Big Fish', Jon Brion 'Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind', John Williams 'Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban'.

Meanwhile Lennox is competing against; Counting Crows, "Accidentally In Love" (from Shrek 2); -M-, "Belleville Rendez-Vous" (from The Triplets Of Belleville); Alison Krauss, "The Scarlet Tide" (from Cold Mountain); Alison Krauss, " You Will Be My Ain True Love" (from Cold Mountain)

OCLC Research has compiled a list of the top 1000 titles owned by member libraries—the intellectual works that have been judged to be worth owning by the "purchase vote" of libraries around the globe. Coming in at number 10 is The Lord of the Rings, with 37,461 library holdings. If you look at the nine titles before it, you'll see that LOTR is in pretty good company. [More]

Well, here it is, the first December in four years without a Lord of the Rings movie to look forward to in theaters. Of all the happy, Hollywood endings we've seen over the years, the story of this movie is probably the best. It could have been such an abject disaster. Look at some recent novel adaptations that turned into train wrecks -- Dreamcatcher, Timeline, Treasure Island -- just to name a few. !!!SPOILERS!!! [More]

Yes, New Line Cinema is going all out with the impending release of The Return of the King Extended Edition DVD, clips are popping up on every site even remotely related to LOTR. And with almost an hour of new footage, and about 600 hours (or thereabouts) of behind-the-scenes documentaries, they can afford to spread the wealth. [More]

HobbitLoveR*M-e & Harry send along these photos from Sean Astin's booksigning session in Bloomington. Take a look at the little Astin in the background! [More]

AnneMarie writes: I attended the presentation/booksigning of Mr. Alan Lee at the Free Library Of Philadelphia yesterday and would like to share these images with you all. Unfortunately, they did not allow photography in the auditorium during the presentation, so I only got these of Alan signing books. [More]

NitaNee writes: I just got back from the UK Premiere of National Treasure in Leicester Square in London. Sean Bean arrived and signed many autographs. He was very kind and gracious and worked his way down the entire line of people. I just thought I'd send you the photos I took of him. [More]

Starmaid writes: This is the interview the San Jose Mercury News printed with Sean Astin. 'After a grinding three years filming a trilogy of movies in New Zealand and riding the success of one of the biggest fantasy epics in history, what's an ex-hobbit to do? Write a memoir, of course.' (subscription needed). [More]

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Christopher Lee says he does not own a computer or a mobile phone. But that hasn't prevented the veteran British actor from starring in some of the most successful and accomplished marriages of narrative and computer-generated artistry that ever entertained an audience. [More]

The 'Lord of the Rings' star took part in a religious ceremony on Saturday at the Soka Gakkai International Buddhist centre in Britain to mark his commitment to the faith. The heartthrob star - who played Legolas in the Oscar-winning movie trilogy - was joined by 60 other devotees for the hour-long service where he was presented with his Gohonzon - a Sanskrit prayer scroll - by religious leader Ricky Baynes, which symbolised his entry into the movement. [More]

You still have a chance to be on the silver screen in a movie about the Old West. Dreamworks and TNT will start shooting a three-part series called "Into The West" around Santa Fe next month. Hundreds of people lined up Sunday at a casting call in Albuquerque. The extras could share scenes with stars Sean Astin, Keri Russell and Beau Bridges. [More]

TheOneRing.net has another Exclusive clip from the ROTK:EE behind-the-scenes DVD! Here we see the frantic pace the sound designers and effects crew were working while trying to finish the film in time. We also get a very interesting insight into Peter Jackson's thought process on how he would make his towers fall and not remind people of that horrific day in September of 2001. Take a look at the sounds they used for the fall of Barad-dur! (QuickTime Needed) [High Res 9.2MB (BT)] [Low Res 4.0MB (BT)]

From TheHutt: The Return of the King (SEE) has achieved a new record in preorder sales, according to the German amazon.de. Since the beginning of the preorder period in the end of September there have been 80000 preorders placed for the SEE and the Collector's Gift Set on Amazon.de. In fact, the German giftset has been sold out at amazon.de two weeks before release due on December 10th. The previous preorder record holder of Amazon.de was "The Two Towers SEE" with 60000 pre-sold copies. [More]

World-renowned artist Alan Lee, acclaimed LOTR illustrator and Academy Award-winning conceptual designer for the film trilogy, will discuss his long involvement in creating the visual world that accompanies the books and films based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Lee's visual presentation will include a slide show and a display of a dozen original illustrations. Today, (December 6th) Alan will be at 'Olsson's Arlington-Courthouse' in Arlington, VA. For the full list of his stops, click here! [More]

Kerewyn writes: Melbournians – and visitors – tickets are on sale now to see David Wenham portray Cyrano de Bergerac on stage early next year. From the MTC website: "We needed …. a man of opposites, the soldier poet, dangerous and sensitive, nimble in mind as well as body, which narrows the field drastically, pretty much down to David Wenham". [More]

The December 3rd edition of the UK Daily Mail had this article about King Kong. [More]

Ringer Spy mafgrl writes: Here is my first batch of photos from last night in Westwood. Sean Astin gave a cute shout out to TORN saying "He should probably name some part of his house after TORN" and someone suggested "The One Ring Wing" which I thought was cute! [More]

Return of the King: Extended Edition Images

As promised, here are a slew of images from The Return of the King Extended Edition, some new, some not so new. Enjoy!!!!SPOILERS!!! [More]

Tons of people have been sending in links from various sites around the net with images and links to ROTK:EE goodies, we have a few of ourselves we will be posting this week. One of these emails however caught my eye, it contained an MP3 of what appears to be Arwen's Song from ROTK. I'm not 100% sure on it, but it makes a great listen anyway! [More]

Lord of the Rings is the nation's favourite book, according to a poll of Australian readers. JRR Tolkien's epic tale of Middle Earth and its inhabitants was voted number one after the ABC launched the hunt for Australia's favourite book three months ago. The book, made into a blockbuster film series by Peter Jackson, tells the story of how a small band of Hobbits defeat the forces of evil. [More]

Telcontar Live in or near by Chicago, Illinois? Come see Return of the King on the big screen! Chicago Fellowship is hosting a DVD party. Complete with a costume contest, charity raffle and a chance to toast JRR Tolkien [not to mention see the extended vversion of RotK], it promises to be a night to remember! [More]

Even if you don't live nearby, you can still take part; play our charity raffle! Support Chicago Fellowship's charity arm, Pippin's Apples, for a chance to win some great LOTR prizes! [More]

World-renowned artist Alan Lee, acclaimed LOTR illustrator and Academy Award-winning conceptual designer for the film trilogy, will discuss his long involvement in creating the visual world that accompanies the books and films based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Lee's visual presentation will include a slide show and a display of a dozen original illustrations. Today, (December 5th) Alan will be at Philadelphia Free Library in Philadelphia, PA. For the full list of his stops, click here! [More]

JG writes: I was reading the Japanese Official Site and they announced that the Special Extended Edition will be open at the movie theaters on Feb. 26. This special deal is only for Japan. [More]