The wizards at Weta Workshop and Weta Digital created magic onscreen in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. To commemorate their astounding work in the films, they have created beautiful pieces of art that you can own (and even wear)! And if your next trip to New Zealand and the shop at Weta looks like it’s still a few years away, Weta has an online shop where fans cans purchase their Lord of the Rings merchandise.
I spoke to Magnus Hjert, Weta’s Website Marketing Manager and friend of Middle-earth Network, about some of their current pieces. He told me, “The LOTR environments have proven very popular. This is great and flattering for us as they are miniatures of the original miniatures we made for the movies.” These environments, like The Argonath, The Prancing Pony, Bag End, Rivendell, and Orthanc are often limited edition, so collectors need to keep a sharp eye on Weta’s website to be able to snatch one up quickly!
If you are thinking of Christmas presents for your favorite Tolkien fan, Weta has other beautiful re-creations of some our most beloved locations from the films.
One of my favorites is the art print called Disturber of the Peace that was painted by Ben Wootten, an artist and illustrator who created much of Weta’s Lord of the Rings concept art. It features the beautiful landscape of Hobbiton and our favorite wizard on his way to change the life of Bag End’s owner. Magnus said, “I really hope we can make more prints in the future.”
If the person on your shopping list (okay, maybe it’s you) really wants to be immersed in the world of Middle-earth, check out the hobbit ears. These wearable, latex replicas were drawn from the original molds that Frodo Baggins’ (Elijah Wood’s) and Samwise Gamgee’s (Sean Astin’s) ears were drawn from. They are hand-made at Weta Workshop by Makeup Supervisor Frances Hawker and her team. Magnus said, “The Hobbit Ears have proven a huge hit with the cosplay community.”
My favorite LOTR piece offered by Weta may have to be saved for a very special person on your list. The Éowyn and the Nazgûl sculpture is definitely a bit pricey, being available in both bronze and faux bronze, but is sure to be absolutely treasured by a Tolkien fan. It’s Magnus’ favorite, too. He said, “It doesn’t get more dramatic than that – a ‘David and Goliath’ scene that John has captured so perfectly.”
This sculpture is the second in Weta’s range of sculptures based on John Howe’s original artwork. In fact, the original painting of Éowyn and the Nazgûl was stolen in 1997 from the Médiathèque of Sedan in France, and it was never recovered. So if you have the means, I suggest you jump at the opportunity to own this rare and exquisite piece!
I tried to clandestinely get some information from Magnus about “The Hobbit” films and subsequent Hobbit-related collectibles from Weta, but of course, he couldn’t say anything. “All I can say is that we would love to make collectibles, as I’m sure you’ve guessed. Middle-earth is where we live both literally and figuratively and as long as there are fans of the movies, we want to make new collectibles.”
If you are thinking of buying items from Weta for the Christmas Holiday, be sure to check out their holiday Shipping Schedules. And you never know when Weta will come out with something else amazing. Magnus announced, “We still have a range of pieces, both environments and figures, in the pipeline. Watch this space.”
