A few people have written in about a cool even happening at select Future Shop stores in BC, Alberta and Ontario, take a look! (and some Future Shop suits better be reading this, BRING IT TO MONTREAL!!!) [More]

Last week we posted this story on the delayed release of the Annotated Hobbit, well now word has come on high from famed Tolkien author Douglas A Anderson on all the details about the book and the delay! [More]

LegolasArcher sends along a great story and some pics from a neat little bookstore in Berkeley, CA 'The Other Change of Hobbit', check it out! [More]

Tracy writes: HI! Here are some lil updates of Lord of the Rings press coverage from the UK! [More]

Mike sends us this info from www.comics2film.com. Internet rumors that Viggo Mortensen has been cast as the lead role in the Madman movie are false. [More]

Lothmeleth writes: Hey! I work at Blockbuster and as I was putting away videos and I suddenly heard Enya's "May it be"! I made my way over to the hanging video screen that shows a constant string of promos about upcoming video's and such and an add for the LORD OF THE RINGS video was playing! Unfortunately I could only get a small glimpse of it because my boss was looking at me so I had to go back to sorting videos...Just thought I'd let you know!

lilcritter writes: There is a special edition of Cinescape magazine for August, 2002, called Sequel Mania. It has a 2-page write-up about TTT and ROTK. It has a few comments from Peter Jackson, Orlando Bloom (Legolas), and others.

The folks at Real Groovy New Zealand dropped us a line to tell us about their Midnight DVD release event they have planned! [More]

Richard writes: UK Ringers rejoice! BBFC have passed the extended FOTR uncut with the same PG certificate as the theatrical version and with a running time of just over 218m. This is more than the quoted 30 minutes of extra footage - but this may be due to the PAL format. [More]

We reported earlier this week that hundreds of computer servers are being built in Christchurch by Insite Technology to meet the demand of WETA's post-production needs. Well Stuff have some more information on this huge purchase. [More]

Christine has sent in yet another report on Viggo Mortensen's poetry reading and book signing in New York two weeks ago. If you have about twenty minutes to spare check it out...because that's how long you'll take to read it. [More]

FilmFour.com have created a section on their site dedicated to the next installment in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, and features interviews with PJ himself and Sir Ian McKellen as anticipation builds towards December 18th. Some light reading for a Sunday morning. [More]

>Might be old news for some, but check out 'Sponge Bob Squarepants' on Nickelodeon to hear John Rhys-Davis (Gimli) provide the voice for the super evil villian 'Manray.' Check the following link for a complete list of Sponge Bob Episodes. [More]

Many pieces of modern day fantasy are clearly influenced by the literature of J.R.R Tolkien, a man who played a prominent part in bringing the genre to the fore. Similarly, Tolkien was influenced by Norse mythology and its many forms of poetry and literature. However, the Hall of Fire staff invite you to join us this weekend as we debate whether Tolkien was influenced by Catholicism. [More]

Smithroz and AndrewTheHobbit both wrote in to say that Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring has passed The Lion King to reach number 9 in the all-time United States Domestic Gross. Next up? That Harry Potter kid, $5m ahead of FotR. [More]

It looks like some Europeans have had their wishes come true as The Fellowship of the Ring DVD became available to rent in the Netherlands yesterday, a full two weeks before the worldwide release in August. Dutch Ringers can check out our Dutch affiliate TheFellowship.nl for further information on the release. [More] [Buy]

Matt sends in another story from the realm of nature-imitates-art. This time it's something called the "Iluvatar Tree." [More]

It’s long past midsummer’s eve, and coming on that time of year when the U.S. goes pop culture Convention Carazy. This year TheOneRing.net will have an official presence at two of the largest, Comic-Con and Dragon Con. Not only will we present the kick-off Tolkien programming event at Comic-Con, but we’ll be shoulder-to-shoulder in our booth with other major LotR exhibitors at the Tolkien Pavillion. If you thought Comic-Con 2000 and Comic-Con 2001 were cool, pack your bags and meet us in San Diego! [More]

Irascian writes: Attached is a scan of the DVD review of FOTR from the August issue of British SFX magazine. They give it 5 out of 5 for the movie and 5 out of 5 for the 158 minutes of extra’s, but have a whinge about the marketing that forces fans to buy this set and the November set. [More]

Catherine writes: The fans who opted NOT to attend the Poetry Reading at Housing Works on Crosby Street in Soho NY on Friday night (7/12) missed a very special treat, and a glimpse of a side of Viggo that is rarely seen. [More]

The folks at the Official LOTR Fanclub have some cool news for next months upcoming Comic-Con, Dominic Monaghan (Merry) will be there! [More]

Wellington played host to the Australasian premiere of the first film in Tolkien's trilogy The Lord of the Rings - The Fellowship of the Ring. [More]

Dwarf Sidious sends us this great report from MacWorld, WETA had a special presentation featuring LOTR! [More]

From NZCity: Filmmaker Peter Jackson is estimated to be worth $40 million. The NBR says after securing the $600 million to produce the epic "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Jackson is also building up an impressive property portfolio. [More]

Every year, the British Tolkien Society holds a big Tolkien celebration at Sarehole Mill, the old mill in the village where Tolkien lived as a child and which inspired him when he wrote of Hobbiton with its mill and miller. This year's Sarehole event was really well-attended, not surprisingly. [More]

We're finding that not every tourist with time to kill in New Zealand wants to visit boiling mudpools and glow-worm caves. "A trip to Hobbiton? Hmmm,that sounds interesting...." is the response even outside of the diehard fancore. [More]

Long-dead, luckily. Check out this story in Yahoo news about the fossilised pterosaur with the 15-foot wingspan and the strange dragon-like crest on its head. [More] Thanks to Matt O. for the story.

Brian writes: I was looking at the Emmy nominations and noticed:

Outstanding Costumes For A Variety Or Music Program
Saturday Night Live . Host: Ian McKellen . NBC. Broadway Video Inc., in association with SNL Studios
Tom Broecker, Costume Designer
Eric Justian, Assistant Costume Designer

Take a look at our coverage from his appearance, with tonns of screencaps here [More]

To see the complete list of Emmy nominees, click here [More]

Claire writes: I was watching Coming Attractions on E! today wondering if they were going to say something about TTT and they did! They showed the trailer for it. I doubt this will be shown again unless they show reruns tonight or something. It's the last trailer they show.

'Organisers of Britain's premier movie awards have had to shift its date again to stay a step ahead of the Oscars. Instead of the tail end of February - as it will be next year - it will switch to even earlier in the month with a February 8 date in 2004' - the ceremony which will feature Return of the King amongst it's nominations. [More]

sethdove sends us all manner of news from Greece, take a look at the screencaps from the National Geographic DVD he got for free! [More]

4 days ago we posted this story about PJ appearing at Whitcoulls on Lambton Quay in Wellywood for a DVD signing event in August, while the event is sill scheduled to go, PJ will NOT be there to sign DVD's. We apologize if anyone had high hopes to meet the almighty-bearded-one.

From: RHS Website Cheshire's Tatton Park provides a picturesque setting for the most recently established RHS Flower Show. Floral elegance is showcased in a relaxed and friendly environment, making it the perfect day out for everyone. Innovative Show and Back to Back gardens, the RHS Britain in Bloom National Flower Bed Competition, themed floral displays, talks and demonstrations, plus many opportunities to purchase, will offer you plenty of inspiration to take home with you. [More] [Hobbit Hole]

Miami Mofo writes: Just had a nice chuckle while watching the British Open. Peter Allis, while commenting on how many pros tee off with irons these days said: "I remember back in the mists of time when The Lord of the Rings was real, when the pros hit wooded headed clubs off the tee." I wonder if he knows that ole Bullroarer Took invented the game.

Ecuamerican writes: FilmForce says that our very own Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) has been rumored to be talking with Ron Howard for Disney's adaptation of "The Alamo". Viggo is said to be rumored for playing the "land-pirate" Jim Bowie, known for the Bowie knives. From elven knives to hunting knives, check out the article above (Ron Howard, meanwhile, has been rumored to have left the project). [More]

This is only an example, as you know Xoanon cannot enter the contest, he works for TORN and would obviously win!...NOT

Hurry up or your chance to enter the Lord of the Rings Look-a-Like contest will be gone! The contest submissions need to be received by the 22nd. Don't miss out on this great (and easy) opportunity to win unique (and expensive!) prizes. [More]

A very odd story from the Captial Times, seems that our very own Figwit is auctioning off his friendship...I've no idea about this, go crazy girls... [More]

Kristen writes: Well, for once, working at wal-mart has a plus side. I was able to get one of each pin today. There are 12 total; I scanned them and included them as attachments. [More]

Phillip sends along this slightly older article from Lancaster University featuring Andy Seris (Gollum), it may be old...but has some good insight on Serkis. [More]

Bert writes: FOTR has just passed "Rocky" for 62nd place on the all-time adjusted gross list, and stands within $93,176 of passing "The Lion King" for 9th place on the all-time unadjusted gross list.

Mor'loki Twilight writes: In the lastest issue of Biography magazine, there's a poll for best actor, best actress, and best movie. Lord of the Rings is nominated for best movie along with 19 others. The latest issue has Uma Thurman on the cover.

Photos from the new Billy Boyd (Pippin) film 'Sniper 470' have appeared online, take a look, Billy in space! [More]

Entmaiden sends us official word from Amazon.com on exactly just WHAT is going on regarding the release of 'The Annotated Hobbit' [More]

toycannon27 writes: I have a relative of mine that works at Wal Mart. Today she noticed they are giving out LOTR buttons promoting The Fellowship Of The Rings August 6 DVD and VHS releases. Here are a few pics of two of them Ive seen so far. Saruman and Arwen. [More]

Those three words would haunt me as a child, frodofan4's report may give some of you school-mongers the willies as well: I just got two new calendars at Barnes and Noble's today! One is a Student Planner dating from August 2002 though August 2003. And the other is a 2002-2003 17 Month Locker Calendar! Great items for back to School

For Australian TV watchers: the episode of The Osbournes with an appearance by Elijah Wood will be screening on Network Ten at 9:30pm on Monday, July 22. As usual, we encourage you to check your local TV guides!

News from Slashdot.org tells of a significant increase in computing hardware for the special effects company behind LOTR, WETA Digital. If the purchase is in fact as vast as they say, it is rumored WETA Digital will have the 'most powerful computer processing site in the Southern Hemisphere!' I would say that is only appropriate for those who are creating Sauron's minions. Thanks to Enigma and our very own Corvar for sending in the story. [More]

Christiane sends along this article from German magazine 'Space View', some great looking pics in this article, mind you the text is in german! [More]

Celeste writes: Last week I got a YM magazine at the airport that featured the '20 Hottest Guys'. Orlando Bloom (Legolas) was one of them, so I scanned the picture in. [More]

Lord of the Rings costume makers in search of ideas and help can now head to LOTR Costume. With more than 200 pages, it's an invaluable resource. "We don't sell costumes, we research 'em and help folks make them for themselves. All levels welcome. While most of the information is about "fabric" type costumes, we do have some info on the prop/armor side." [More]

Ringer fan Jordan sends us a link to a new picture of one of the characters in The Two Towers. Why so vague? Well, of course, it is a spoiler. [More]

If English speakers are wondering what the article says, here's a link to the translation we posted the other day. [More]

Apple.com is promoting their new Quicktime 6 with a nice little still from The Two Towers trailer. SPOILER WARNING [More]

AuntieNewLine is now advertising a LOTR:FOTR chess set on their web site. I picked up the chess set while in London a couple of weeks ago. So, here are some pictures of the pieces, and one of the board. The NewLine picture shows a great shot of the board, but I'm sending along pictures of all the pieces, front and back. [More]

Audric sends us some good (and bad) news regarding future releases of LOTR: FOTR & TTT action figures! Take a look! [More]

Royal Mail is to launch its first movie tie-up with a pounds 7m Christmas campaign based on one of this year's biggest Hollywood releases, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. [More]

Naushad Writes: I found an article of a tourist guide to New Zealand in context of FotR. You and fellow ringers may enjoy the read. [More]

Ryan writes: I typed up the interview with the producers of Lord of the Rings (Barrie M. Osborne and Mark Ordesky). It's from the August edition of DVD Now, an Aussie DVD magazine. They talk alot about the DVD and talk abit about TTT and ROTK. !!!Spoilers!!! [More]

Hutt River Girl sends us a clip about the Rivendell set (or what remains of it -Xo) in Upper Hutt, New Zealand. [More]

Missed all the news this weekend? Have no fear the weekend Round Up will get you up to speed in no time! [More]

Brad Dourif is to appear at Ring*Con2002 in Bonn, Germany in November. The US actor plays Grima Wormtongue in the second and third installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy and is also well known for his performances in many horror/sci-fi movies, including Dune, and appearances in TV-Series such as Star Trek: Voyager, Babylon 5, X Files and Millenium. [More]

Swedish newspaper, Aftonbladet, recently posted an article about Gandalf in the Two Towers. The article included some short interviews with both Ian McKellen and Peter Jackson. It´s in Swedish, but Al_Bino kindly provided the following translation. [More] You can read the original swedish text here. [More]

Spoiler warning for those who haven't read The Two Towers!