Australian Ringers will be excited to learn that a giant SF/Anime convention that's kicking off at the RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane next weekend will have a distinct LoTR theme to it. Pop-culture convention Supanova is making its first venture into Queensland, and LoTR fans will enjoy the chance to meet Bruce Hopkins (Gamling) and Gino Acevedo, (award-winning senior prosthetics expert from WETA who helped give Lord of the Rings’ characters their super-real look). [More]

Orlando Bloom in GQ

Fionn writes: There is an excellent, intelligent article in the latest (UK) issue of GQ magazine about Orlando Bloom (Legolas). It is the GQ Men of the Year edition. Orlando was voted by their readership for their Actor of the Year award. It is such a pleasant change to some of the fluff that gets written about him. Thanks to Ringer Spy serenagreenleaf for the scans! [More]

Haradrim Archer

Bryan sends along these great ROTK action figure images from Toy Biz, included in this package are Gandalf, Aragorn, Pippin, a cool as heck Haradrim Archer (above), an Uruk-hai Bowman, and a hateful looking Legolas complete with shield-surfboard thingy (someone shoot me). Take a look! [More]

Take a look at our complete Scrapbook listing for Toy Biz, over 300 images!

BilboFett has sent us a few interesting tidbits in the past. This one comes from someone who knows someone who knows someone who.... well you get the picture. Who knows if it's true, but if it is...oh boy! September 19th can not come soon enough! !!!SPOILERS!!! [More]

Dom's Mom sends in this Scan from a cookie bag sold in the US. This bag features Frodo, Sam and Saruman on the front. Very odd product placement indeed. [More]

(Xoanon has visions of Lord of the Rings....the flamethrower)

Marea did a bit more digging on the folks that made those amazing Nazgul costumes (send one my way!). Take a look at these Orc masks and helms...cool stuff! [More]

Andrew S writes: Just wanted to let Ringers know about this; Dr. Graeme Anthony, sculptor and designer for Royal Selangor's Lord Of The Rings collection, will be at Dragonspace on Friday, October 31, 2003 between 12:00pm and 4:00pm. Collectors and fans will be able to purchase the exclusive limited edition King Elessar goblet authenticated by the artist, only at one of these ten special events held in Canada. [More]

Katherine from dourif.net sends along her report and images from Dragon*Con held recently in Atlanta, take a look! [More]

Take a look at TORN's Dragon*Con 2003 Coverage!

Xoanon here with some rather cool news for folks living in and around Montreal. Folks from Sithclan and I are working on getting special screenings of THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING: EXTENDED EDITION, THE TWO TOWERS: EXTENDED EDITION & THE RETURN OF THE KING on the silver screen! [More]

Each week I scour Ebay looking for the hot Tolkien items up for sale. I post the most interesting here for you to bid on! [More] [Shop]

Here's another chance to catch your favorite LOTR stars on the small screen this week! [More]

Marea writes: This comes under the heading of 'people who have nothing better to do with their time'. These are SERIOUS Nazgul costumes...with a bit of tongue in cheek fun. [More]

LoTRchild writes: Come and join the District of Dark Whispers for their 2nd annual Baggins Birthday Party, held at the Prancing Pony-like Bilbo Baggins Cafe in lovely old town Alexandria!! [More]

Jamal writes: I was watching the weekend edition of Access Hollywood and the #1 upcoming film was ROTK. They even showed some great footage (which I believe is on the DVD) from the film too, as well as brief clips of the actors talking about it.

Miradan writes: The sunday New York Times had two LOTR related items in its preview of fall movies, an interview with Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) here.

There is also a nice discussion of Peter Jackson and the way his epics stand above the rest. [More]

Xoanon here, registration is required at NYtimes.com, but is well worth it for these two articles!

Kiwi Ringers, want to book a group to see ROTK at the newly-restored Embassy in Wellington? The Lions Club is taking bookings for charity screenings to be held there from midnight of 18th December onwards. [More]

Sir Ian at the Toronto International Film Fest

Ian McKellen at the Toronto International Film Fest

TORONTO (Reuters) - Despite decades as a stage and screen legend, Sir Ian McKellen (news) still felt he had dues to pay while spending last summer in British Columbia filming Hollywood blockbuster "X2" so he took a role in a small independent Canadian production. [Article] [Images]

Mark writes: TTT will be shown today and tomorrow (September 6th & 7th) at the Arlington Cinema 'N' Drafthouse, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Virginia (outside of Washington D.C.). Showtime is at 1:20 PM.

Chris sends along this scan from the latest issue of The Costco Connection, it features an article on Gollum and Andy Serkis. [More]

Never got around to reading that hot best seller? Two hours at the movies, and you're off the hook. At least 20 movies based on books head into movie theaters this fall and winter, starting today. Novels and non-fiction are irresistible to filmmakers for respectable-enough reasons. In fact, respectability is a big reason in itself. There's no quicker way to acquire prestige than adapting a well- reviewed book. Why you'll see more movies by the book this fall. [More]

HBJ sends along this picture of the 'Creating Gollum' DVD and box! Take a look at this! [More]

Ringer Spy Cadiliniel of Gondor sends in these great scans of a few pages from SFX Magazine's October issue. The magazine interviews Tolkien scholar and author Jane Johnson, who was present on set during the making of the films. Inside are details on the "original Witch King," a "moving moment" between Eowyn and Eomer, the nose-wrinkling revolting-ness of Shelob and much more! VERY SPOILERISH! [More] [SFX Website]

You probably remember this 7-Up can with Aragorn plastered all over the side. Apparently 7-Up and Liquidloot.com are running a huge LoTR competition offering both collectibles and a trip to NZ as prizes. Ringer Spy jedi guenhwyvar sent in this scan from Entrtainment Weekly with a few details. [More]

Ringer Mark writes that the Two Towers will be showing today (Saturday) and Sunday at the Arlington Cinema 'N' Draft, 2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington, Virginia (outside of Washington D.C.) The show time is 1:20pm.

Courtesy of Ringer Spy Christine we have these amazing high-resolution publicity stills from the Two Towers Special Extended Edition. Some of the scenes are very similar to the series of screencaps we posted just a couple of weeks ago, but the quality of these is just breakthtaking. Many many spoilers! [More] !!!Major Spoilers!!!

The gurus at DVDanswers have some great screengrabs from the TTT:Extended Edition DVD Menus. These beautiful menus were filmed specifically for the DVD and are really sweet eye-candy. Take a look! [DVDanswers] [More]

Ringer Spy Pamela comes through again with this picture of Legolas from 'The Return of the King'. Seems the elf is looking hesitantly at something...wonder what it could be?! !Small Spoiler! [More]

Peter writes: I just received a review copy of a CD by jazz pianist Geoffrey Keezer which features an extended piano improvisation based on “Gollum’s Theme.” Keezer is an accomplished mainstream player, who has recorded with top players ranging from Art Blakey to Christian McBride. According to www.Allmusic.com, this is the first time “Gollum’s Song” has been given an interpretation other than that of the soundtrack recording. The MaxJazz CD, “Falling Up” is scheduled for release on September 23, 2003. [Pre-Order]

Miami Mofo sends along this scan from the Miami Herald Weekend section. Seems the mainstream press is gearing up for ROTK fever! [More]

Fiona writes: I happened to see part of the BBC children's news programme "Newsround" last night. They are running a competition for one lucky youngster to visit the LOTR exhibition in London before it opens and do a report on it for the show. Entries can be made online here. [More]

Nicola writes: The 10th annual Hobbiton Party takes place this weekend in San Daniele del Friuli, Udine (Friuli Venezia Giulia Region). All Italian Tolkien fans will have fun, there will be seminars, workshops...and Gandalf fireworks! For more information go to this link. [More]

Mary Ann writes: Verlyn Flieger, author of two books on Tolkien (Splintered Light, and A Question of Time) and a professor of English at the University of Maryland College Park will be giving a lecture series on Tolkien with the Smithsonian Resident Associates program in Washington, DC starting November 2003. I've been lucky enough to hear Dr. Flieger lecture about Tolkien and she's amazing! [More]

Tomorrow (September 6th), two bands will rock Bascom Hill in Madison, WI beginning at 8PM. There will then be a screening of "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" at 10PM. All events are free!

Feanor, the mightiest of the children of Illuvatar. Blessed with unequalled talent, but also marred by a spirit that burned too hotly. Feanor created the greatest works of elven craftsmanship, but he also caused the greatest tragedies of the elves. [More]

samwise the fat writes in to remind us: Billy Boyd (Pippin) is going to be on a British TV programme tonight (Friday 5th) called 'You Call the Shots' at 5pm. Check your local listings.

Aussie fans of Cate Blanchett should catch Famous Faces this Saturday Spetember 6 on ABC at 9:30pm. This 45 minute interview-profile by American producer Michael Kurcfeld explores Blanchett's rise to fame, and her passion for interesting characters and roles that are enthralling rather than big money earners.

This is some news that I've been anxiously waiting on, and will be of great interest to other Australian Ringers. Ringer Spy Lavenda writes that Australian pay tv channel Showtime announced on their Popcorn movie news segment Roadshow Films to release Special Extended Editions of Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings and Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers in theatres around the country. First screenings will happen occur on December 11 and the last showings will be on December 24, two days before RoTK (finally) releases in Australia.

Hoom, hoom! Sideshow/Weta Collectibles just released their Treebeard Bust for pre-order! This magnificant piece was first shown at Comic-Con 2003 and wowed everyone who laid eyes upon it. Sideshow/Weta have also sent us some very nice, hi-res images of this piece to post in our scrapbook. Take a look at what is the largest polystone bust to be produced by Sideshow/Weta Collectibles to date! [Pre-Order] [View Gallery]

Evan Onstot writes: I am co-anchor for the weekday 6&10pm news for NewsChannel 6 in Billings, Montana. (The ABC affiliate) I've been an avid fan of the LOTR books and movies for a long time, and your site has just been terrific. It's so great, that everybody that I work with in the newsroom knows about TORN, and many check the site regularly. [More]

Richard Taylor with 'Oscar'

Wellington's double-Oscar winning special effects whiz Richard Taylor will receive an honorary Doctor of Literature degree from Victoria University. Mr Taylor is the co-founder of Weta Workshop and Weta Digital, one of the most successful special effects studios in the world which produced the award-winning effects for The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Victoria University vice-chancellor Stuart McCutcheon said Mr Taylor had overcome many hurdles to become an internationally recognised leader in design and was a worthy recipient of an honorary doctorate.

White Lady Eowyn, from the TORN message boards writes: I wanted to let everyone know what a wonderfully nice man that Brad Dourif is! I had the wonderful pleasure of seeing Mr. Dourif at two panels; not just his Lord of the Rings panel, but also the one from the XFiles guest stars. [More]

Take a look at a section by section breakdown of 'The Two Towers: Extended Edition' DVD. Due out in stores on November 18th. [More]

We've seen Aragorn on his horse in battle before, but this un-doctored image has so much more 'power' to it than those ROTK promo pics. Take a look at this shot of Aragorn in battle, with the mountains behind him! [More]

SA writes: Publisher's Lunch reports that Sean Astin has a deal to write a memoir of the filming of LotR.

The Publisher's Lunch website does not have anything about Sean's memoirs, however it does sound interesting! Remember all the little people Sean! Well..

Hector D scared me today with this: Today i've found about a comic book about Tolkien and The Inklings called Heaven's War: 1938: As the world moves toward global war, a secret angelic battle is waged in the heavenly realms to determine mankind's fate. The infamous Aleister Crowley plans to manipulate those angelic struggles and thus shape the world according to his will. Only "The Inklings" -- fantasy authors J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, and Charles Williams -- oppose him. [More]

PennyQ writes: The Royal Mint are now advertising the New Zealand LOTR coin set – this scan was from today’s paper. [More]

Gold & Slilversmith Halfdan Hansen writes: You may remember back in April posting a news item about the auction by Sotheby’s of one of the unique prototype rings that my father Jens Hansen had created during the One Ring design process. That ring actually sold for $5750USD - and my brother & I have been persuaded to release one more of prototypes to auction. [more]

Only a week left to enter the 2003 Caption Contest! Thanks to Action Figure Xpress, ShopAFX.com we have a slew of the increasingly popular PlayAlongToys' 'Armies of Middle-earth' figures to award to our lucky winners. The contest is simple, just make a caption for the image and send it to us in an email. Don't delay, enter today! [More]

Today DarkHorizons.com is reporting that a trailer for The Return of the King might get a September 26th internet debut. This seems to fit in with other rumors we have heard over the past few months, so keep you eyes open!

Jonathan writes: From October, fans here in the UK will be able to collect scale, hand-painted lead models of the main characters from the movies. The first in the series is Gandalf the White and will be accompanied by a comprehensive booklet...and all for an introductory price of £2.99; thereafter the price is set at £6.99 every fortnight. If you place a subscription, collectors will receive an exclusive Ringwraith on steed PLUS a display base. [More]

ShawnF emailed us with the following bit from Yahoo! Movies: "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" starring Elijah Wood and Sean Astin, earned a record $22.89 million during its first five days on rental store shelves, according to estimates from Video Store magazine research. [More]

With the release of The Two Towers on DVD, many US residents might have noticed an 'Adventure Card' offer in their DVD cases. This card gives fans special access to a discounts, promotions and other neat stuff at the LOTRAdventure.com website. [More]

Diane writes: Brock University, in St. Catharines, Ontario is having a Lord of the Rings outdoor movie night on Thursday night (September 4th) as one of it's Orientation Week activities! It's free and it's possible that they're showing both movies. They've got posters up all over campus, telling people to bring lawnchairs, or a blanket, and their favourite munchies!

ATLANTA - For perhaps 361 days a year, give-or-take, the people who attended Dragon Con 2003 live life a lot like everybody else. But for four days those passionate about fantasy, sci-fi or related genres enter what might be the closest thing to an alternate reality there is.

Among Tolkienites, the internet has already shrunk the fan community, but there is simply no replacement for a friendly hug or handshake and a shared laugh between those who feel strongly about a book that is on the eve of its 50th anniversary. So, during your perusal of TORn's Dragon Con 2003 coverage, remember that perhaps the best moments are those that aren't news, that cannot be reported upon, and which will never make a headline or a photo. DCon is about being part of a sometimes strange but almost always entertaining and friendly community. [DragonCon]

[Gallery I] [Gallery II] [Gallery III]

Anthony writes: The Actors' Studio Drama School will be featuring some of the cast of LOTR as part of their Studio Seminars on September 29. The Inside the Actors Studio event will be televised, but if anyone would like to be there, they'll have to enroll in the class. It's an 8 session class which will included the LOTR cast, Barbara Streisand, Hugh Jackman, & Russell Crowe. The catch: You must enroll for the whole semester. With the fees, it comes to $377 & the class number is TDRM 5005 Section B. The classes will be held at the Tischman Theater, 66 W 12th St New York, NY & the phone number is (212) 229-5690. [More]

In content and promotional impact, "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy is a multifaceted machine. Last August "The Fellowship of the Ring," the first of Peter Jackson's three films, was released on DVD with a fair-size list of extras. In November a much-extended special edition appeared with 30 more minutes woven into a movie that already ran 178 minutes, and with many more extras to examine every aspect. [More]

The Treasury is delighted to announce that John Rhys-Davies, the actor who portrays Gimli the Dwarf in the immensely popular Lord of the Rings trilogy of films, will attend the Island's Minters, Pobjoy Mint Ltd, Kingswood, Surrey on Wednesday 3rd September to launch a spectacular series of coins which show many of the main characters from the films including the character he plays himself. John Rhys-Davies is a resident of the Island and as such it is most fitting that he should strike the first coin. [More] [Order the Isle of Man coins]

Ringer Spy Vincent Smalls is has his ear to the ground at Anvil Studios in England. He knows all...he sees all...and hears all...well kinda..check this small but exciting report! Return Of The King is in its fifth and penultimate week of audio work at Anvil Studios. Peter Jackson is reportedly very pleased with its progress. Apparently Jackson has been on site for presummably the whole period, and he was seen with Viggo Mortensen a week or two ago wandering into Anvil. Work should be completed on the final print of the film by 12th September!

More to come!

Ingrid writes: Here is an update on GQ Men of the year awards. Orlando Bloom (Legolas) won Best Actor award at the annual awards show last night. [More]

Anthony writes: I thought you might like to know that BBC3 will be hosting 'Battle of the Books' this Thursday (September 4th). It will be LOTR versus 'Treasure Island', check listings for time. [More]

Yummy Nazgul taste sensations! Check out this article featuring Pauline Nunns and her unique skill with confection products....yummy. [More]

Cindy G writes: The August/September 2003 issue of "One" magazine, (a European magazine, available also in Canada!), and they included a ROTK poster! The Aragorn poster! Also, a 2 pages article about ROTK with pics, but no new pics... They also have an interview with Orlando Bloom, and a Pirates Of The Caribbean poster, featuring Orlando Bloom!

Anyone with scans, send them along!

Lilcritter writes: I just got this catalog from Entertainment Earth, and it has a page of LOTR stuff to buy. Most of it is familiar. [More]

John from Sev.com.au writes: Hi, John here for my monthly LOTR caption contest. This week's cartoon previews a scene from Return of the King where Gandalf confronts a Ringwraith riding a fell beast. The reader gets to write a punchline for Gandalf or the Ringwraith. The entries are rated by readers with the funniest punchline voted on in a week's time. The contest ends Wed 10 September so come check it out here!

It could not be easier to get into, but will the toys and merchandise you buy now be worth a fortune in future? BBC News Online explains the world of collectables in the latest in its series of fun investments. Everyone's owned one, and all but the forward-thinking few have thrown them out. [More]

Today marks the 30th anniversary of the death of JRR Tolkien, author of The Lord of the Rings. [Tolkien's Life]

Take a look at a new crop of images from last weekend's DRAGON*CON 2003. [More]

Be sure to look at all the TORN coverage from the con in our special DRAGON*CON section! [DragonCon]

To view all the images we have from the con, follow this link! [More]

Ian McKellen (Gandalf) and Marton Csokas (Celeborn) have both signed on to a new film based on the book 'The Asylum'. [More]

Catherine Hanly, Editor for Empire Online, writes: Empire magazine has a preview on The Return of the King in the October issue of the magazine and we've got the choicest comments from Peter Jackson and the team here. [More]

Ingrid sends this in (via thesun.co.uk): Tonight sees the showbiz party of the year. The GQ Men Of The Year awards, at London's Royal Opera House, has a top line-up of celebs, including HEIDI KLUM, KELLY BROOK, ORLANDO BLOOM, RACHEL STEVENS, SHANE RICHIE, and JESSIE WALLACE. Sun film critic JOHNNY VAUGHAN hosts the bash.

White Lady Eowyn writes: Here is a report for you, as I promised MrCere, about the Second Annual DragonCon parade! Saturday morning dawned in Atlanta with bright and beautiful skies. But it was also unbelievably hot for so early in the day. [More]

Rafael writes: Games Workshop has released a new set of miniatures for it's game based on The Lord of The Rings including some major characters such as Elladan and Elrohir, Glorfindel II (on horseback and on foot) and Balin and it's troops. [More]

Matt sends along these great images from Toybiz forthcoming ROTK action figure line. Take a look! Cave Troll in armour! Aragorn in full battle mode! [More]

Ringer Spy Kungloosh sends along these great pics from Dragon*Con 2003, which took place this weekend in Atlanta: For a first timer to this convention, I sure realized I have been missing a lot!!! Upon arrival I had to find the TORN booth... [More]

I am not able to confirm this report, allegedly from a source at the NZ Embassy, but here goes: Hello to everyone who has requested info on ticket sales for Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and Thank You for your patience. Thanks to Ringer Katie for this one. [More]

Oslow Ringers line up overnight for RotK charity viewing ticket sales! Check out the article & great pics at Oslopuls.no here. Thanks to Ringer Sharon for the scoop and translation: [More]

Ringer Cuivienor drops this line: Hello! I just saw in the stores in France that the September issue of Ciné Live magazine had ROTK on its cover, with the play on words "Le Roi est Mort(ensen), vive le Roi!". Because in French "mort" means dead... Its English counterpart must be, "The king is dead, long live the king!" The magazine has a few pages on ROTK, and from what I've seen no new photos nor spoilers in the text, only what we already know!

...no offense to Tacoma, WA! We've heard much speculation that RotK will be an Academy Award generating monster, and now The Tacoma News Tribune chimes in. Thanks to Ringer Marina for this one.[More]

It's the last day of DragonCon over in Atlanta, Georgia, and The One Cam is still delivering live pictures from the TORn booth and convention floor. Check out the news from staffer MrCere and continually refreshed images of congoers here: [More]