The Lord of the Rings

Andy Serkis Talks RISE OF THE APES, THE HOBBIT, Directing 2nd Unit, 3D, and More at SBIFF

by Christina Radish    Posted: February 5th, 2012 at 8:36 am

Although he is an accomplished stage and screen actor in his own right, Andy Serkis has become the go-to guy for motion capture performance. He was remarkable as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and as the title character in King Kong, but it was his work as the intelligent chimp Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes that earned him a Virtuoso Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF). Collider was there to cover and attend the event, and we’ve compiled the highlights of what the actor had to say, both on the press line and during the Q&A.

While there, Andy Serkis talked about how performance capture technology is just another form of acting, finding his inner ape to play Caesar and why that character is different from Kong, what it was like to revisit the character of Gollum for The Hobbit films, so many years later, how great it is to work on the live-action set this time, and the experience of working with all of the actors who are new to Middle Earth while also directing Second Unit. Check out what he had to say after the jump.

LEGO LORD OF THE RINGS Character Images and Gollum Poster

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 30th, 2012 at 2:29 pm

We’ve been covering the LEGO Lord of the Rings set unveiling with a great deal of anticipation here over the past few months, and today the full set has finally be revealed. They’re (as expected) super cool, and not only do we get all the major characters from the Fellowship, but LEGO is also releasing Uruk-hai, Ringwraith, Moria Orc, and Mordor Orc characters. But that’s not all! My favorite character of the lineup is definitely the uber-creepy Gollum, for whom we also have a LEGO character poster. All in all, it’s a pretty good day for fans of LEGO and The Lord of the Rings. Hit the jump to check out the images and Gollum poster.

Legolas Poster for LEGO LORD OF THE RINGS

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 19th, 2012 at 11:17 am

The upcoming LEGO sets for The Lord of the Rings are turning many of us into kids again. We previously brought you the poster for LEGO Aragorn, and today we’re happy to bring you the first poster for LEGO Legolas. Set against an appropriately ethereal background, LEGO Legolas sports a super cool sword, a nifty bow and arrow, and standard issue LEGO elf ears.

Hit the jump to behold the LEGO-fied Orlando Bloom as well as the other previous LEGO Lord of the Rings images that have been released thus far. The Lord of the Rings LEGO sets are expected to begin rolling out this June.

Aragorn Poster for LEGO LORD OF THE RINGS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: January 10th, 2012 at 9:30 am

We’re all pretty excited about the upcoming LEGO sets based on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.  LEGO is now starting up their marking push for the sets, which will begin to roll out this summer.  Today, LEGO has released a poster featuring LEGO Aragorn in his The Return of the King poster pose.  That’s right, kids: Viggo Mortensen in LEGO form.  That’s happening.  Let us rejoice.

Hit the jump to check out the poster.  Look for more LEGO Lord of the Rings images in the weeks ahead.

First Look at the Upcoming LEGO Sets for THE LORD OF THE RINGS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 20th, 2011 at 9:15 am

Last week, we reported that LEGO had added The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to its list of licensed properties and the sets would be start being released in summer 2012.  Preliminary images from those sets have now leaked online and they reveal some of the locations and events that will be LEGOized.  Naturally, there are the smaller sets that focus more on events (“Gandalf Arrives”, “Shelob Attacks”) but the larger ones are based on locations (“The Battle of Helm’s Deep”, “The Mines of Moria”).  There’s no word on how many pieces each set contains, but we can see how the hobbits will be shorter than the humans (the hobbits have no knees).  While the age recommendations go up to 14-years-old, it’s only a recommendation.  They can’t stop me from buying and building these.

Hit the jump to check out the images.  [Update: Lego asked us to take down the images.  Sorry if you missed them.]

One Minifig to Rule Them All: THE LORD OF THE RINGS and THE HOBBIT LEGO Coming Summer 2012

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 16th, 2011 at 8:52 am

LEGO has picked up the rights to some of the biggest movie properties around including Star Wars, Spider-Man, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Batman.  Now they have another big title (technically two titles) on the way: The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.  I can only begin to dream of the massive, time-consuming glory these sets will offer.  It will probably cost well over $100 for the set, but I want to spend an entire day building Helm’s Deep (I can’t confirm they’re going to offer it, but I’d be shocked it they didn’t).  But think of the possibilities: The Shire. Rivendell. Mirkwood. Rohan. Minas freaking Tirith.

Hit the jump for the press release and sound off in the comments about what you can’t wait to build.  The release of the LEGO sets is timed to coincide with the build up to the first part of Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit adaptation, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which opens December 14, 2012.  Part two, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, opens December 13, 2013.

Blu-ray Deals: LORD OF THE RINGS Extended, STAR TREK, JURASSIC PARK Trilogy, More

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: November 21st, 2011 at 8:21 am

With Black Friday later this week, Amazon has started their annual holiday sales a bit early.  All week they’ve got great deals on a wide assortment of DVDs and Blu-rays, but they’ve also got a number of other selections that aren’t on their main page.  For today’s other deals, Amazon’s got:

• The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy Blu-ray $49.99 (which is 58% off)
• Jurassic Park Ultimate Trilogy Blu-ray $29.99 (63% off)
• Star Trek: Original Motion Picture Collection (Star Trek I, II, III, IV, V, VI + The Captain’s Summit Bonus Disc) Blu-ray $39.99 (60% off).
• X-Men: First Class (+Digital Copy) Blu-ray $9.99 (75% off)
• Rio (Blu-ray/ DVD Combo + Digital Copy) $11.99 (70% off)
• 127 Hours Blu-ray $10.99 (73% off)
• Despicable Me (Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Digital Copy) $10.99 (73% off)

Since these aren’t Gold Box deals, I’ve got no idea when the sale will end so don’t wait too long.  Hit the jump for the list of extras on the box sets and remember you get free shipping if you spend over $25.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE MOTION PICTURE TRILOGY: EXTENDED EDITION Blu-ray Review

by Andre Dellamorte    Posted: June 20th, 2011 at 10:36 pm

It’s finally here. For those who’ve held out hope for the extended editions of Lord of the Rings series on Blu-ray, Warner Brothers has now put out a fifteen-disc set of the franchise, with each film getting a new mastering. Peter Jackson’s triumphant version of the J.R.R. Tolkien books won big at the Oscars (seventeen awards in total, including best picture for Return of the King) and the box office, and did so for a reason: it’s great. Watching them again, the films still feel perfect, and though there may be some bad jokes, and perfectionists may wish that more of the books made it on screen (or were added to the extended cuts), the sheer scale that Jackson gets to by the final chapter is one of the great achievements of cinema. Yes, the guy who directed Bad Taste had the right stuff. One wonders if he’ll ever be as good again.  Our review of  The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy Extended Edition on Blu-ray follows after the jump.

Confirmed: Orlando Bloom Will Reprise His Role as Legolas for THE HOBBIT

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 27th, 2011 at 10:23 am

Back in December, we reported that Orlando Bloom might reprise his role as Elven sharpshooter Legolas for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit.  Today on his official Facebook page, Jackson confirmed that he had Legolas bow:

Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas. I’m excited to announce today that we’ll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older—and he doesn’t! I guess that’s why he makes such a wonderful elf.

Bloom is the latest Lord of the Rings cast member to join The Hobbit.  While Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Elrond (Hugo Weaving), and Gollum (Andy Serkis) actually appear in J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel, Jackson has apparently made room for Legolas, Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), old Bilbo (Ian Holm), and Frodo (Elijah Wood).  Hit the jump for the synopsis of the novel.  The two-part 3D film is set for December 2012 and December 2013.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: EXTENDED EDITIONS Coming to Theaters This June

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 26th, 2011 at 9:06 am

As a way to build awareness for the upcoming Blu-ray release for the Lord of the Rings: Extended Editions, Warner Bros. will be theatrically releasing the extended editions in to AMC Theaters this June.  TheOneRing reports that The Fellowship of the Ring: Extended Edition will open June 14th, The Two Towers: Extended Edition will open June 21st, and The Return of the King: Extended Edition will hit on June 28th, the same day that Blu-ray trilogy of the extended editions hits stores.  Now the real question is whether or not these films will feature intermissions or if the hardcore LOTR fans will happily sit through a four-hour feature.  I’m betting on the latter.

Hit the jump for a list of special features included on the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: Limited Extended Edition Blu-ray.  The 15-disc set has an SRP of $119.98.

Forbes Releases List of 15 Wealthiest Fictional Characters

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 6th, 2011 at 5:36 pm

If you get tired of seeing the same names over and over again on Forbes’ annual list of the wealthiest people in the world, well you just might be in luck. The business magazine has compiled a comprehensive 2011 list of the 15 wealthiest fictional characters, complete with bios and the net worth for each character. Topping the list, naturally, is Scrooge McDuck with $44.1 billion after taking into account his massive gold fortune.

The list also includes Tony Stark, Bruce Wayne, Mr. Monopoly, Jeffrey Lewbowski, Smaug (yes, that Smaug), and of course, C. Montgomery Burns. The 15 characters are worth a combined $131.6 billion, with an average wealth of $9.7 billion. Hit the jump for the details and bios on some of the characters that made the list.

LORD OF THE RINGS: LIMITED EXTENDED EDITION Blu-ray on Sale June 28th

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 21st, 2011 at 10:02 am

Warner Bros. has sent out a press release announcing the release date and special features for the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy.  For starters, only Fellowship of the Ring is getting a restoration, and while the regular-edition Blu-ray release proved that it needed one, it’s weak sauce that Warner Bros. isn’t bothering with cleaning up The Two Towers and Return of the King.  As for the special features, the majority are DVD-only and are being ported straight from the already-released extended editions.  The only new features are behind-the-scenes documentaries from director Costa Botes.  So essentially if you buy the Blu-ray extended editions, you’re getting 15 discs, but if you bought the original extended edition DVDs, you already own two-fifths of this “new” set.  And what’s the price tag on this bad boy? $119.98 SRP.

Hit the jump to check out the list of special features.  The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy hits stores on June 28th. Click here to pre-order it.

Production Officially Begins on Peter Jackson’s THE HOBBIT; Plus Two New Images and the Official Synopsis

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: March 20th, 2011 at 9:30 pm

Though the two-film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Hobbit has been fraught with delays and difficulties, Warner Bros. has announced that production has finally started.  There were concerns that The Hobbit would leave New Zealand due to a labor strike, but the 3D movies will indeed be shot consecutively against the familiar backdrops from The Lord of the Rings.  As a prequel to the award-winning trilogy, The Hobbit takes place in Middle-earth 60 years prior to Frodo receiving The Ring. Instead, the two-part adaptation will follow Frodo’s Uncle Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he is swept up in a quest of his own.

Hit the jump for the full press release, synopsis and two production images.

THE LORD OF THE RINGS: LIMITED EXTENDED EDITION Blu-Ray Now Available for Pre-Order

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: March 7th, 2011 at 8:55 am

When The Lord of the Rings was released on Blu-ray last year, many fans were upset that only the theatrical versions were hitting Blu-ray and not the extended editions.  I didn’t have a problem with the release since I love the theatrical versions and wanted to see them in high definition (unfortunately, the transfers were only mediocre and Peter Jackson said he wasn’t involved with the Blu-ray).

But now those unhappy fans can be sated as Warner Bros. has announced The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy (Limited Extended Edition + Digital Copy) on Blu-ray.  Like the theatrical Blu-ray, the Limited Extended Edition will come with digital copies.  Also like the theatrical Blu-ray, it looks like all of the special features have been ported over from the DVD with no new additions.  There’s no word if Peter Jackson oversaw this transfer, but seeing as he’s been busy with The Hobbit, I doubt it.  Click here to pre-order The Lord of the Rings: Limited Extended Edition , which is due out in 2011 or 2012 according to Amazon (most likely late this year).  Hit the jump for a full list of the special features.

Set Construction Images from THE HOBBIT

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: February 20th, 2011 at 2:00 pm

In case you need reassurance that The Hobbit movie is actually, for realsies, finally happening, some images have hit the web showing the construction of one of the sets down in New Zealand. Peter Jackson’s adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkein novel that preceded The Lord of the Rings is set to start filming on March 21^st. Much of the cast has already assembled on the island, as evidence by the cast photo that was released last week. Hit the jump to check out the set photos.

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