New computerized casts of abnormally small Homo sapiens brains are reigniting the debate over the skeletal remains nicknamed "The Hobbit." Ever since the 18,000-year-old remains of the three-foot-tall adult female hominid were unearthed in 2003 on the remote Indonesian island of Flores, scientists have argued whether the specimen was a human with an abnormally small head or represents a new species in the human family tree. The diminutive creature had a brain approximately one-third the size of modern adult humans. [More]

A ton of interesting new films are out on DVD this week. Take an early look on our 'DVD Tuesday' feature...every Monday! Check out some classic TV goodies like 'Dallas - S6', 'I Dream of Jeannie - S3' & 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit - S3'. The big release of the week is 'Open Season'. Personally I'm interested in 'Benny Hill Complete and Unadulterated' & 'Sayonara Jupiter'! Check out the whole list here! [More]

From the LA Times: In a move that would have ramifications for several major multi-nationals, and millions of fans, "Spider-Man" maestro Sam Raimi has been telling associates, as well as his corporate masters at Sony, that he is thinking of directing "The Hobbit," the prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien's masterwork, "The Lord of the Rings." At least two top-level insiders – who declined to be named -- have heard the words out of the director's mouth. [More]

Be sure to check out our weekly Sideshow Collectibles update! Each week we provide an update on your favorite Sideshow goodies, from busts to premium figures and more! Take a look! [More]

Sideshow has posted a rather humorous review of their Legolas 12-inch Figure. The photo review by Hylton Mayne accurately showcases the durability and poseablity of the figure - among other things! hah. Be warned, the review is essentialy PG-13. [Full Details]

The latest edition of the Sideshow newsletter announced a new format of LOTR collectibles: "Next week, you'll get your first glimpse at the newest LOTR collectible series; The Lord of the Rings Diorama line. Many of the designs for these dioramas have been drawn from the most dynamic and dramatic confrontations in the films, although not all will be so conflict-oriented. The size and scale will vary, as well as the complexity and price, but many will be in approximately 1:9 scale, not unlike the Sideshow/Marvel 'VS' line of dioramas." [Full Details]

From IMDB: Elijah Wood was shocked when he was attacked by Jared Leto at an awards show recently, because The Lord Of The Rings star said he didn't like Leto's band. The 26-year-old star was attending the MTVU Woodie Awards in November when Leto, who is the lead singer of cult act 30 Seconds To Mars, approached his table. Leto came over, whispered in Wood's ear and walked away, but then turned around, grabbed him by the throat and called him a "f**king a**hole." Wood tells Jane magazine, "He was basically upset at the fact that I said I didn't like his band. He said that initially and walked away. I guess he thought I was laughing at him, but I was more shell-shocked and telling people around me, 'Whoa, I just got told off by Jared Leto for not liking his band.' And that's when he came back and grabbed me." He adds, "I told Jared it wasn't personal. He acted like I'd been disrespecting him or speaking about his family. Things like that don't usually happen to me. I'm very non-confrontational. The whole thing was kind of ridiculous."

NEW YORK, Jan 25 (Reuters Life!) - From Middle-earth, the creatures of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" will rise into a new digital world in April with the launch of an online game which has raised the hackles of among some die-hard fans. Game publishers Turbine Inc. and Midway Games Inc. will on Thursday unveil details of the highly-anticipated massively multiplayer online game, "The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar" with a launch date of April 24. The game's creators are assuring fans of Tolkien's epic fantasy adventure that the game recreates the vast world of Middle-earth with dedication to the books and players able to create thousands of virtual characters. [More]

Archaeologists who found the remains of human "Hobbits" have permission to restart excavations at the cave where the specimens were found. Indonesian officials have blocked access to the cave since 2005, following a dispute over the bones. But Professor Richard "Bert" Roberts, a member of the team that found the specimens, told BBC News the political hurdles had now been overcome. [More]

Theatre fans can look forward to an exciting and challenging mix of classical, experimental and original theatre in the spring and summer season and also some major stars. Sir Ian McKellen comes to Stratford as part of an ensemble performing King Lear and Chekhov's The Seagull, under the direction of the acclaimed Trevor Nunn. The two have a long relationship having worked together on Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth and Othello, among others. McKellen, who has most recently appeared on the big screen in the Da Vinci Code and as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings, will take the roles of Lear and Sorin; the latter being taken on a shared basis. Appearing as Goneril and Arkadina is Frances Barber. [More]

In 1955, shortly after “The Lord of the Rings” was published, J. R. R. Tolkien began to worry his creation had become a “vast game” for some readers. This was not good, he wrote, even “for me, who find that kind of thing only too fatally attractive.” Now, Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” and the imaginary setting he painstakingly built, Middle-earth, has become that “vast game.” Tomorrow in Las Vegas, Turbine Inc. of Westwood, Mass., is to announce an April 24 release date for The Lord of the Rings Online: Shadows of Angmar, the year’s most anticipated massively multiplayer online game, or M.M.O. A digital Middle-earth will open its gates to thousands of virtual characters embarking on quests, plumbing subterranean realms and slaughtering plenty of goblins and trolls. [More]

Jerry Vanderstelt writes: I am a commercial artist, and I recently secured a license through New Line to produce LOTR lithographs based on the movie trilogy. I am hoping to create some buzz before my release and get a link about this news from your site to mine. I have done several official LOTR projects for New Line, as well as their licensors. Please check out my website for more info. [More]

The nominees for the 79th annual Academy Awards were announced this morning in LA. Cate Blanchett has received a nomination for Performance by an actress in a supporting role for her work on “Notes on a Scandal”. Congratulations Cate!

We just received word that Billy Boyd and his band, Beecake, will be at ORC performing! Billy will be part of a Saturday morning charity brunch, and appearing on stage as a guest, and then he and his band will do a concert at an as yet to be determined location. [ORC 2007]

As the plans for The One Ring Celebration, the official convention for THE LORD OF THE RINGS fans set for March 9-11, 2007 in Burbank, California, heats up with the big announcement of headliner guests BILLY BOYD, DAVID WENHAM and ANDY SERKIS, today we are happy to announce the on-sale of all the different ticket packages, priced so ALL who want to come can afford to do so!

Of course we have our top of the line WIZARD CIRCLE SEATING, which is the absolute best way to attend the weekend. Then there is now on sale ELVEN PACKAGES for those that want reserved seating for the daytime conventions.... THE DWARF PACKAGES which offer non-reserved seating for the weekend and price out at less than $30 a day... and finally we offer single day reserved seating and single day general admission.

Please note that while our former location The Pasadena Center is being renovated, the Burbank Airport Marriott (our new home) is more intimate so we ask that you reserve your tickets early to avoid a sell-out! [More]

Our second Peter S. Beagle story comes to us from ShelaghC, she writes: Peter will be a guest at Capricon XXVII this year and he has offered some time from his schedule during the convention to spend an evening with fans for a casual dinner on Saturday February 10th, with the possibility of a gathering afterwards. If you're interested in joining the group - and can commit to attending - please send me an e-mail by Monday, February 5th.

Chris Meadows writes: I am delighted to announce that on Wednesday, January 24th at 12 noon Eastern/9 a.m. Pacific., I will be conducting a live call-in talk radio interview with Hugo-winning fantasy author Peter S. Beagle on my book-related talk show, The Biblio File (http://terrania.us/biblio/). The topic of the interview will be Beagle's career, including The Last Unicorn novel and movie, the Lord of the Rings animated movie, the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Sarek," and more. After I finish my prepared questions, Beagle will take questions from the audience. [More]

Orlando Bloom is slated to be a guest on 'Late Night with Conan O'Brien' tonight (January 23rd) on NBC. Watch this space for the clip! 'Late Night' airs on NBC at 12:35AM.