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News from Bree
spymaster@theonering.net
Jul 27 2010, 3:08am
Post #1 of 10
(1887 views)
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Comic-Con wrap up and notebook
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 It almost seems that the San Diego Comic-Con becomes the center of the entertainment Universe for a few days. Maybe it does. We were there presenting a panel, meeting fellow fans, conducting trivia, grooming sources, hanging out and watching the celebration of popular arts. Despite pen stabbings, incredible (or impossible) lines and vexing shuttle buses, it remains an incredible experience.
TORn was among the very first panels to kick the week off and it helped produce a torrent of film industry folks and fans who wanted to touch base on 'The Hobbit' films.
So here is a rundown from the TORn perspective of what went on.
Guillermo del Toro is going to scare us. He is doing a remake of an important film from his childhood: "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark." And he is producing and perhaps directing Disney's Haunted Mansion. He also thinks Peter Jackson should direct 'The Hobbit'.
Oh and in a non-press conversation he, without being asked, explained that there weren't working conflicts on 'The Hobbit' that forced him to leave. It was just that he had to get on with his directing life including a lot of contractual obligations. (He is even more down-to-earth and friendly and intelligent than you hope he is).
Liv Tyler is back to geek and independent roots with the film "Super" where she appears with Rainn Wilson and Ellen Page and Nathan Fillion and director James Gunn. As luck would have it, the panel is on YouTube but, it comes with an adult word warning. She is as sweet and beautiful (and sensitive) as ever. The film looks pretty great and unlike everything else, it didn't feel studio pushed. (If you watch the video, I tried bacon flavored sunflower seeds at Comic-Con btw.)
We have reported on our own panel enough, but there are a couple of interesting points to make:
* The 400+ seats were filled to absolute capacity including taking chairs from the presenter's table for the audience. Hobbit hunger remains ravenous despite frustrations
* The audience included studio executives
Mourning for the loss of Guillermo del Toro is ongoing
* In an informal public opinion poll, fans rejected 3D unanimously
Michael Pellerin's revelation/explanation about yet-unreleased material for LOTR extras tickled the audience's imaginations. To Warner's home entertainment: We want it now!
Comic-Con notebook:
* After our panel we heard from studio folks and others in the entertainment industry and they all tried to convince us or were generally optimistic about 'The Hobbit' eventually happening.
* Two different sources said the September 14 MGM deadline would be the last extension.
* We spoke with Richard Taylor about many things for a few minutes. He is a great interview. It is a shocker, an absolute stunner, that Comic-Con doesn't have him in Hall H showing a Weta showcase reel and speaking about design on films like "Avatar," "King Kong," "District 9," and uh, well, "Lord of the Rings," to name just a few along with make-up demonstrations on audience members and . TORn volunteers to moderate such a panel and would settle for Ballroom 20!
* One year ago Peter Jackson screened, for the geek press (including TORn) "District 9" by director Neil Blomkamp. One year later it is a beloved part science fiction film and popular culture. Lets hope Weta and Blomkamp get to return to South Africa. Designer Greg Broadmore signed a lot of books at the Weta booth.
* Del Toro has another project to announce in about a week, perhaps 10 days. Stay tuned.
* Jackson was gone from the U.S., (after spending time in Los Angeles about a week ago doing casting stuff for 'The Hobbit) reportedly eating curry with Brad Pitt. The TORn Indian food correspondent in New Zealand, who eats at the place named in news articles about once a week, found it highly unlikely that the mega-star was eating in a place that is about equal to an U.S. strip mall eatery.
*Thursday also saw the launch of the TORn Digital Scavenger Hunt. Participants were asked to capture digital images, the first to accomplish it getting a prize package from Weta and TheOneRing.net. The search included the following:
* Convention-goer dressed as a Lord of the Rings or Hobbit character.
* Historical figure costume
* Any costume crossed with a zombie
* Two superhero tats
* There is a booth with Dirk Benedict appearing often, a photo of superhero from there
* Altered stormtrooper costume, NOT ELVIS
* Comic-Con bag worn as clothing
* 20 sided dice
* Booth selling The One Ring (replicas obviously and not Weta booth)
* Person with TheOneRing.net shirt who is not TORn staff
* Sign or shirt about Twilight not promoting Twilight
* LOTR or Hobbit item for sale
* Any combination of three protest or hug signs
* Line for a panel 20 people or longer
* 4 photos of non-human teeth
* Brains
* Female with a gun
* 1970 coin
* Homemade lunch
* Non-California team jersey
* A boat
It took about six hours, but a wonderful fan from Canada with her mom's support, completed the competition and took home a bundle of prizes. It was FUN! Perhaps we will do a similar contest at DragonCon?
* TORn sold three styles of shirts at CCon: A Sauron shirt designed by Weta's Daniel Falconer, a red "Talk nerdy to me" shirt and a women's black babydoll "I kissed a geek and I liked it," shirt. After many requests, we may offer them online for a short time.
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Kangi Ska
Half-elven
Jul 27 2010, 11:18pm
Post #2 of 10
(906 views)
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I am glad to hear that it was not problems with the working conditions that forced him out of the project.
Kangi Ska
Make the Hobbit Happen Now!
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Frodosfriend
Rivendell
Jul 27 2010, 11:21pm
Post #3 of 10
(916 views)
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So everything pretty much hangs on this Sept 14 date? The day Halo Reach comes out? Hopefully it shall be a good day for me : )
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Patty
Immortal
Jul 27 2010, 11:28pm
Post #4 of 10
(895 views)
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I'm thinking there will be a big annoncement on September 22nd!
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***it'll probably only be that it's Bilbo and Frodo's birthday.***
Permanent address: Into the West
Must. Have. The Precious! Give us the Blu-ray Ultimate Box Set!
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Patty
Immortal
Jul 27 2010, 11:30pm
Post #5 of 10
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Mr. Cere, you rock soooo much!
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I really hope Warner Bros. will give us the box set soon--all of it, and none of this waiting till the Hobbit.
Permanent address: Into the West
Must. Have. The Precious! Give us the Blu-ray Ultimate Box Set!
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Analeewyn
Lorien
Jul 27 2010, 11:55pm
Post #6 of 10
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Oh, I love the Digital Scavenger Hunt!
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I could see my son and I running around Comic-Con trying to get all the items whether we were winning or not. I bet it was a lot of geeky fun! 
Quote
After many requests, we may offer [the shirts] online for a short time.
Will be on the lookout!
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Elven
Valinor
Jul 28 2010, 1:19am
Post #7 of 10
(890 views)
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It sounds as if it was so fantastic ...
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Thankyou for the round-up.
I hope it has generated a lot of support for the Hobbit/s movies to go ahead, and helped realize there are so many fans out there who want to see these movies nmade and progress.
Its all hopefull.
Cheers and many thanks.
Now get some sleep you guys! 
Elven
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SirDennisC
Half-elven
Jul 28 2010, 5:14am
Post #8 of 10
(891 views)
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From a post by Elven:
MrCere to Deej:
"Good, she's gone! Time to Party! Now back to the real secret Hobbity news. Mwahahaha!"
They put on their pointy elf ears and dance.
Indeed...
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Doriath
Rivendell
Aug 2 2010, 7:24am
Post #10 of 10
(854 views)
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This just dosen't seem to be happening
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Aren't we kinda getting into the "too late" zone for the Hobbit? Wish they'd just put us out of our misery and admit it ain't gonna happen
The Trees will have their revenge!
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