While these socks may not impart all of the robustness of the halfling feet on which they are based, they will certainly keep your feet warm as you trek through the corridors of your cozy underground house. If you choose, you can wear shoes over them, but you might get some strange looks if you’re shod in the shire. (Steve “Rifflo” Fitch)
When actor Martin Freeman needed some time alone with his partner Amanda while filming The Hobbit, Ian McKellen stepped in to babysit their two children. Freeman said, “When they came over to visit, they had the experience of being babysat by Gandalf. So they were read bedtime stories by Sir Ian McKellen, a man with one of the most beautiful voices in the English language. And that’s kind of cool.” (Evie Bowman)
Listen to an interview with Howard Shore, composer on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, courtesy of Classicfm. He explains that he has “the book continually there as a guide.” (Lily Milos)
Characters from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be part of an ad campaign for Windows Phone 8 in the UK, US, France, and Germany. No details are available yet, but hopefully the ads are well-conceived. I can’t imagine Bilbo would want to call the Sackville-Baggins to check that he turned the gas off. (Evie Bowman)
In honor of the upcoming release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Imgur user preservetheverve decided to have a movie marathon of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy…while walking a marathon! 26.2 miles in 9 hours and 18 minutes. (Lily Milos)
Businesses near the Emassy Theatre in Wellington, the site of The Hobbit World Premiere on Wednesday, are either benefiting from the excitement or feeling the fallout. While some restaurants are already booked solid for the day of the event, others are having to close early because of their entrances being blocked and outdoor seating being removed. (Lily Milos)
Crystal Cruises will be offering exclusive Middle-earth experiences based around the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings films. Guests will have the option of a Hobbiton village excursion and dinner at the Green Dragon Inn served by wait staff in fantasy garb. A second Lord of the Rings-themed Adventure is also offered that will allow guests to visit Mt. Potts Station and Lodge (aka Edoras) and New Zealand’s Southern Alps from Christchurch. (Lily Milos)
By now, you must have seen the amazing Hobbit decal that Weta created for Air New Zealand. But did you see this cool bandage livery they wrapped Life Flight’s air ambulance in? (Evie Bowman)
Neudorf Vineyards in Nelson, New Zealand was pleased to have one of its wines selected for the world premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in Wellington next Wednesday. The film’s stars will be joining an elite crowd; Neudorf’s “Maggie’s Block” Pinot Gris was chosen for Prince Charles’ recent visit to New Zealand for his 64th birthday. (Evie Bowman)
Veronica Megler, one of the authors of The Hobbit adventure video game from the 1980s, said “Only in the last five years have I realised what a hit it was. It makes you wonder how my life would have been different had I known that.” In an extensive story about the game, Megler discusses the fan emails and acknowledges, “Working on The Hobbit was a once-in-a-lifetime gift.” (Lily Milos)
Have you ever wondered what the Ringwraiths were up to during the rest of the Fellowship of the Ring? Join Johnny, Steve, Margaret, Rob and Dave as they deliberate how best to capture the one ring. (Steve “Rifflo” Fitch)
We weren’t very big fans of the dwarven 3D glasses for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey when they were announced, but if they float your boat, you can now buy a pair for your very own. Or, if you’re still anxious about 3D-induced headaches, you could have a pair of these 3D to 2D glasses on-hand, just in case. (Lily Milos)
Every week, our Middle-earth News reporters seek out Tolkien/Hobbit/LOTR goodness and tag their finds with their names. If you have something to contribute, feel free to submit it using the Got News Precious link in the sidebar.
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