“The Hobbit” Titles and Release Dates Announced

from The Hobbit Blog:

New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures and MGM have announced the titles and release dates for filmmaker Peter Jackson’s two-film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit. The first film, titled The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, will be released on December 14, 2012. The second film, titled The Hobbit: There and Back Again, is slated for release the following year, on December 13, 2013.

Both films are set in Middle-earth 60 years before Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The adventure of The Hobbit follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug.

Under Jackson’s direction, both movies are being shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming is taking place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.

Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, the character he played in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Martin Freeman, who just won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the BBC series Sherlock, takes on the central role of Bilbo Baggins. Also reprising their roles from The Lord of the Rings movies are: Cate Blanchett as Galadriel; Orlando Bloom as Legolas; Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo; Christopher Lee as Saruman; Hugo Weaving as Elrond; Elijah Wood as Frodo; and Andy Serkis as Gollum. The ensemble cast also includes (in alphabetical order) Richard Armitage, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O’Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas, and Aidan Turner.

The screenplays for The Hobbit films are by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson. Jackson is also producing the films, together with Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham. The executive producers are Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner, with Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer.

The Hobbit films are productions of New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television licensing being handled by MGM.

J!NX: None Shall Pass

from J!NX:

Black Knight Bridge Security Premium Tee
Do you have a small, meaningless bridge in dire need of securing? Black Knight Bridge Security provides the finest bridge security in all of Camelot. Black Knight operators are rigorously trained in all forms of martial combat, including punting, biting, and taunting, and they will fight on despite grievous flesh wounds. Since 932 AD, none have passed! (Well, one stuffy guy and his horse-man, but they ran away, so they don’t count.)

New Titles Coming Soon from “RiffTrax”: “The Crater Lake Monster” and “The Devil’s Hand”

from RiffTrax:

Are you a giant, cheaply-made monster looking for a nice place to terrorize? Your search is over: Crater Lake is the spot for you! Get your limp rubbery body down here, you’ll be feasting on mustachioed creeps quicker than you can say “AaaUUurgghh, I’m a monster!!” This small, sleepy community has everything you’re looking for. A sheriff who will refuse to believe in you until it’s too late. Uptight scientists that DO believe in you, for the sheriff to ignore. A pair of drunken hicks to provide aimless, misguided comic relief, and also be ignored by the sheriff. All this, and random unlikable tourists for you to snack on along the way! Just avoid choking to death on all the hideous 1970s facial hair, and you’ll have the time of your life.

Mike, Kevin, and Bill became the laughingstock of the scientific community for their fervent belief in The Crater Lake Monster. But they’ll show them, yes, soon they’ll show them all!!

Coming May 25th: The Crater Lake Monster!

There are some things in life that you’ll do without a second thought. Lend a friend a quarter. Help an elderly woman across the street. And if you’re like the lead character in The Devil’s Hand, join a satanic cult to sacrifice your fellow humans in the name of The Great Devil God Gamba.

Yes, when he encounters the owner of a mysterious doll shop, Rick Turner turns his back on his friends and family to embrace a life of voodoo in the name of the author of all lies. But to his credit, there wasn’t anything good on TV that night.

Once signing up for the cult, Rick is drawn into a sinister web of chanting and plodding drumbeats that make Meg White look like John Bonham. Will voodoo executions follow? They will! Will the victims relish the sweet embrace of death as a way to escape the incessant drumming? Probably! Should you immediately download this RiffTrax? The Great Devil God Gamba* commands** it!

*Mike, Kevin & Bill
**Humbly requests***
***OK, tearful begging

Coming June 1st: The Devil’s Hand!

Factory Entertainment: SDCC Exclusive “Green Hornet” Diecast!

from Factory Entertainment:

Factory Entertainment is delighted to reveal the first of its exclusives for this year’s San Diego Comic-Con July 21-24th 2011.

Stop by the Factory Entertainment booth (#3751) to pick up this numbered limited edition of just 1000 pieces, while supplies last!

1:50 Scale high quality die cast model of The Black Beauty featuring a ‘Camouflage’ white paint scheme, as seen in the final scenes of Columbia Pictures’ movie The Green Hornet.

“But I cannot make it to Comic-Con” we hear you cry… fear not! A limited quantity will be made available to order online via our website soon! (For shipment after the convention strictly while stocks last). Stay tuned for further updates.

“Blackstar Warrior” Trailer

from Outsider Features / Indent Studios:

Our 30th anniversary tribute to The Empire Strikes Back. Created for under $4,000, this not-for-profit fake trailer was made to celebrate 30 years of the best Star Wars film ever made. Many thanks to everyone who volunteered to create this labor of love, especially the men and women of the 501st Legion, Cloud City Garrison.

Directed by Matthew Haley, written by David Walker, produced by Tim Whitcomb, shot by Ryan E. Walters, starring Leonard Roberts of HEROES fame as “Lando”, Star Wars cosplay star Jimmy Siokos as “Han Solo” and Leverage guest star Ire Wardlaw as “Lava Moonblaster”. Music by Fall On Your Sword, edited by Dan Didsbury, finished by Pablo colorist Darren Griffiths. DARTH VADER voice (and trailer voiceover) superbly provided by DR. SMOOV.

“Star Wars” Disney Weekends Are Almost Here!

from StarWars.com:

Star Wars Weekends 2011 will be a Tour de “Force” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, celebrating the grand opening of the new Star Tours attraction as the Walt Disney World Resort theme park welcomes Jedi, Sith, Ewoks, Wookiees, galactic bounty hunters and stormtroopers once again for the park’s annual celebration of all-things-Star Wars.

The fun takes place every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from May 20-June 12, 2011.

Once again, Jedi Mickey and Princess Leia Minnie will be joined by some of the brightest stars from the saga. Celebrity Hosts for the event this year are James Arnold Taylor (voice of Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars: The Clone Wars) and Ashley Eckstein (voice of Ahsoka Tano in Star Wars: The Clone Wars). Ashley will host “Clone Wars: Behind the Force,” a closer look inside the popular animated TV series. James will present another event-first: he will star in a one-man show that showcases some of the many voices he has performed throughout his career, including those from The Clone Wars.

Star Wars Weekends will also will feature celebrities from the live-action feature films and voice artists from The Clone Wars. Here is the schedule as it stands. Please note this list and these dates are subject to change.

Weekend I (May 20th-22nd): Opening weekend will kick off the month-long event in grand fashion, as fan favorite Anthony Daniels, who brought C-3PO to life and is the only actor to appear in every theatrical chapter of the Star Wars saga, will make a golden return to the event. Daniel Logan, who played young Boba Fett in Episode II and The Clone Wars animated series will attend. Dave Filoni, the talented artist and supervising director of The Clone Wars, also will be a special celebrity guest for Weekend I.

Weekend II (May 27th-29th): Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) returns, joined by Bruce Spence (Tion Medon from Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith) and Dee Bradley Baker, the voice of Captain Rex and all the clones in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

Weekend III (June 3rd-5th): Ray Park (Darth Maul from Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace), Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett from Star Wars: Episodes V and VI and Captain Colton from Star Wars: Episode III) and Matt Lanter (Anakin Skywalker from The Clone Wars).

Weekend IV (June 10th-12th): Ray Park returns, joined by Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca from Star Wars: Episodes III, IV, V and VI) and Tom Kane, the voice of Yoda and Admiral Yularen from Star Wars: The Clone Wars.

And while the stars shine, a galaxy-full of events, shows, parades and activities also take place throughout the park during the month.

An event highlight for many is meeting the Star Wars characters, and this year is no exception. More than 60 Star Wars characters will be roaming the theme park, posing for pictures and signing autographs.

From the special “welcome” Guests receive at the turnstile areas from the stormtroopers and Star Wars trivia contests to Jedi Training Academy and the spectacular Hyperspace Hoopla, Star Wars Weekends 2011 will have more fun than you can shake a gaffi stick at. And of course, throughout the event Star Wars Weekends Guests will have the chance to take a ride aboard Star Tours — The Adventures Continue, when the attraction launches in 3-D on May 20.

Can’t get enough Star Tours and Star Wars Weekends news? Be sure to keep checking the Disney Parks Blogs for more updates, and if you’re on Facebook, be sure to like Star Tours — another source of breaking news, exclusive announcements, and online fun!

Engage – Tor.com’s “Star Trek: The Next Generation” Rewatch Begins!

from Tor.com:

Join Star Trek novelist Keith DeCandido as he rewatches The Next Generation every Monday and Thursday! He has already embarked with “Encounter at Farpoint” and “The Naked Now.” Don’t miss this chance to reminisce about all your favorite Star Trek episodes!

The Star Trek Movie Marathon ended last week, so there’s still time to say goodbye to the original Enterprise crew. Star Trek author A.C. Crispin remembers being enchanted by The Undiscovered Country and how it led to the books she would eventually write. We also give a vote of confidence for Generations, asking the important question: was it worth it?

“Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology” Exhibition: Join the Adventure Today!

from X3 Productions:

Don’t Wait in Line
Buy Your Tickets Online!

Indiana Jones landed in Montréal! Indeed, the Montréal Science Centre presents the world premiere of the Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology exhibition, from April 28 to September 18, 2011. The exhibition will then embark on a tour of museums in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. The exhibition uses the Indiana Jones film series as both a starting point and a backdrop for an exciting and educational introduction to the real science of field archaeology.

Showcasing items from four different collections, Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology is far more than a static display of movie props. The entire experience is enhanced with the handheld interactive video companion that informs visitors about what they see with audio, text and video, and it gives all a chance to create their own “quest” through the exhibition. An interactive treasure hunt lets children, young and old, experience the science of archaeology while having fun.

Made possible by Lucasfilm Ltd., presented by the National Geographic Society and produced by Montreal’s X3 Productions, the exhibition is aimed at kids of all ages, Indy fans, history buffs and budding adventurers and explorers.

CONTEST!
Join the adventure on a special Indiana Jones evening June 15 at the Science Center!
Win a pair of tickets to the exhibition and attend a lecture on archaeology in the company of Fredrik Hiebert, Archaeologist and Associate Professor at the National Geographic Society and scientific advisor to the exhibition.

To participate click here.
Winners will be drawn on June 6th!
Contest rules are available at the main office of X3 Productions:
400, Maisonneuve Blvd West, 9th floor, Montréal (Québec), H3A 1L4

Exhibitions Inc. is not a sponsor of this Sweepstakes.
All Sweepstakes winners must release Exhibitions Inc. and its subsidiary, affiliated or related entities and divisions and their respective officers, employees, directors, shareholders, successors, licensees, agents or assigns.

montrealsciencecentre.com
indianajonestheexhibition.com
Montreal Science Centre Box Office
2, De la Commune Street West

“Star Wars: The Complete Saga” on Blu-ray

"Star Wars: The Complete Saga" on Blu-ray

from Lucasfilm:

Bring home the adventure and share Star Wars with your whole family — when Star Wars: The Complete Saga comes to Blu-ray Disc from Lucasfilm Ltd. and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment! To be released beginning on September 12 internationally and on September 16 in North America, the nine-disc collection brings the wonder of the entire Saga direct to your living room, where you can revisit all of your favorite Star Wars moments — in gorgeous high definition and with pristine, 6.1 DTS Surround Sound. Dive deeper into the universe with an unprecedented 40+ hours of special features, highlighted by never-before-seen content sourced from the Lucasfilm archives.

The comprehensive collection also features numerous deleted, extended and alternate scenes, new documentaries and a cross-section of the countless Star Wars spoofs that have appeared in pop culture over the past three decades. Marking the first time ever that the full Saga is available in one complete collection, Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray also features a coveted peek into the making of the Saga with vintage documentaries, audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes moments, interviews, prop and costume turnarounds, retrospectives and more.

Episodes I-III and IV-VI will also be available as distinct Blu-ray Trilogy collections.

Fans will get an exclusive first look at some of the collection’s extensive special features at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con International — which marks Lucasfilm’s 35th anniversary as a Comic-Con presence. In 1976, the fledgling film company was looking for innovative, grass-roots ways to promote its underdog release, a film no one expected to succeed — a space opera known (at the time) only as Star Wars. One of the first film companies to reach out directly to core audiences by way of fan conventions, Lucasfilm will return to the venue to showcase the full evolution of the epic story with a special first look at Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray.

Special Features:
Star Wars: The Complete Saga on Blu-ray is presented in widescreen with 6.1 DTS Surround Sound. Special features include:

Disc One — Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
o Audio Commentary with George Lucas, Rick McCallum, Ben Burtt, Rob Coleman, John Knoll, Dennis Muren and Scott Squires
o Audio Commentary from Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew

Disc Two — Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
o Audio Commentary with George Lucas, Rick McCallum, Ben Burtt, Rob Coleman, Pablo Helman, John Knoll and Ben Snow
o Audio Commentary from Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew

Disc Three — Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
o Audio Commentary with George Lucas, Rick McCallum, Rob Coleman, John Knoll and Roger Guyett
o Audio Commentary from Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew

Disc Four — Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
o Audio Commentary with George Lucas, Carrie Fisher, Ben Burtt and Dennis Muren
o Audio Commentary from Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew

Disc Five — Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
o Audio Commentary with George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, Carrie Fisher, Ben Burtt and Dennis Muren
o Audio Commentary from Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew

Disc Six — Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
o Audio Commentary with George Lucas, Carrie Fisher, Ben Burtt and Dennis Muren
o Audio Commentary from Archival Interviews with Cast and Crew

Disc Seven — New! Star Wars Archives: Episodes I-III
o Including: deleted, extended and alternate scenes; prop, maquette and costume turnarounds; concept art; supplementary interviews with cast and crew; a flythrough of the Lucasfilm Archives and more

Disc Eight — New! Star Wars Archives: Episodes IV-VI
o Including: deleted, extended and alternate scenes; prop, maquette and costume turnarounds; matte paintings and concept art; supplementary interviews with cast and crew; and more

Disc Nine — The Star Wars Documentaries
o New! Star Warriors (2007, Color, Apx. 84 Minutes) — Some Star Wars fans want to collect action figures… these fans want to be action figures! A tribute to the 501st Legion, a global organization of Star Wars costume enthusiasts, this insightful documentary shows how the super-fan club promotes interest in the films through charity and volunteer work at fundraisers and high-profile special events around the world.
o New! A Conversation with the Masters: The Empire Strikes Back 30 Years Later (2010, Color, Apx. 25 Minutes) — George Lucas, Irvin Kershner, Lawrence Kasdan and John Williams look back on the making of The Empire Strikes Back in this in-depth retrospective from Lucasfilm created to help commemorate the 30th anniversary of the movie. The masters discuss and reminisce about one of the most beloved films of all time.
o New! Star Wars Spoofs (2011, Color, Apx. 91 Minutes) — The farce is strong with this one! Enjoy a hilarious collection of Star Wars spoofs and parodies that have been created over the years, including outrageous clips from Family Guy, The Simpsons, How I Met Your Mother and more — and don’t miss “Weird Al” Yankovic’s one-of-a-kind music video tribute to The Phantom Menace!
The Making of Star Wars (1977, Color, Apx. 49 Minutes) — Learn the incredible behind-the-scenes story of how the original Star Wars movie was brought to the big screen in this fascinating documentary hosted by C-3PO and R2-D2. Includes interviews with George Lucas and appearances by Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher.
The Empire Strikes Back: SPFX (1980, Color, Apx. 48 Minutes) — Learn the secrets of making movies in a galaxy far, far away. Hosted by Mark Hamill, this revealing documentary offers behind-the-scenes glimpses into the amazing special effects that transformed George Lucas’ vision for Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back into reality!
Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi (1983, Color, Apx. 48 Minutes) — Go behind the scenes — and into the costumes — as production footage from Return of the Jedi is interspersed with vintage monster movie clips in this in-depth exploration of the painstaking techniques utilized by George Lucas to create the classic creatures and characters seen in the film. Hosted and narrated by Carrie Fisher and Billy Dee Williams.
Anatomy of a Dewback (1997, Color, Apx. 26 Minutes) — See how some of the special effects in Star Wars became even more special two decades later! George Lucas explains and demonstrates how his team transformed the original dewback creatures from immovable rubber puppets (in the original 1977 release) to seemingly living, breathing creatures for the Star Wars 1997 Special Edition update.
Star Wars Tech (2007, Color, Apx. 46 Minutes) — Exploring the technical aspects of Star Wars vehicles, weapons and gadgetry, Star Wars Tech consults leading scientists in the fields of physics, prosthetics, lasers, engineering and astronomy to examine the plausibility of Star Wars technology based on science as we know it today.

About Star Wars:
The May 25, 1977 theatrical debut of Star Wars — on a scant 32 screens across America — was destined to change the face of cinema forever. An instant classic and an unparalleled box office success, the rousing “space opera” was equal parts fairy tale, western, 1930s serial and special effects extravaganza, with roots in mythologies from cultures around the world. From the mind of visionary writer/director George Lucas, the epic space fantasy introduced the mystical Force into the cultural vocabulary, as well as iconic characters such as evil Darth Vader, idealistic Luke Skywalker, feisty Princess Leia, lovable scoundrel Han Solo and wise Obi-Wan Kenobi. Since its 1977 debut, Star Wars has continued to grow, its lush narrative expanding from modest beginnings into an epic, six-film Saga chronicling the fall and redemption of The Chosen One, Anakin Skywalker.

TIE Fighter Pilot MIMOBOT Now Available

from Mimoco:

NEW! Star Wars MIMOBOT! The limited-edition TIE Fighter character joins fellow Star Wars MIMOBOT USB character flash drives in honor of the unofficial May 4th Star Wars holiday! Shop Now!

Video Premiere: TIE Fighter Pilot Premiere! Watch our latest animation — Join the Empire with MIMOBOT — Recruitment video now!

STUFF WE LIKE! Android Mini Collectible Series 02! Shop Now!

Lee Pace Joins Cast of “The Hobbit”

from Collider.com:

Director Peter Jackson announced two new additions to the cast of The Hobbit. Lee Pace (Pushing Daises) is set to star as the Elven King Thranduil. In The Lord of the Rings mythology, Thranduil is the father of Legolas and plays a supporting role in The Hobbit. Additionally, Kiwi actor Dean O’Gorman will be playing Fili, a dwarf and one of the twelve companions of Bilbo. Posting the news on his Facebook page, here’s what Jackson had to say about the casting of Pace:

“Casting these Tolkien stories is very difficult, especially the Elven characters, and Lee has always been our first choice for Thranduil. He’s going to be great. We loved his performance in a movie called The Fall a few years ago, and have been hoping to work with him since. When we were first discussing who would be right for Thranduil, Lee came into mind almost immediately.”

Read the full article here and check out the IMDB page to see the rest of the cast!