Could This Hobbit Character Possibly Entrance More Than Thorin? + Game of Thrones + NZ Dominion Post Article + Guy is Hot! Vid + RAndom Richard Armitage: Photos, Videos, Vocal Excerpts...

The character of which I speak, even tried to capture more attention in Entertainment Wkly

Time for some unvarnished truth about the only Tolkien character who might have the ability to draw more attention than Thorin in THE HOBBIT. It’s Gollum, the creature with even larger blue eyes and also an extremely riveting voice (albeit with a far different effect). I know, I know…those facts are harsh but true.

Therefore, close observation is necessary in order to determine whether Gollum can possibly continue to hold his trophy as the most captivating Tolkien character, once the first Hobbit movie is released. First, Gollum’s most serious contender in that category - then more pieces of evidence for consideration before the RA court…

                              
                              

Gollum impersonators:

              

Real thing follows…well,,,,you know what I mean…

Had ignored the LOTR films until the last couple mos, therefore this mtv award clip made me almost burst with laughter.  Have found Gollum to be the most imaginative and amusing character in the films (as well as in the novel of course.  Best to ignore the crude language - definitely was not Tolkien’s - you see, mtv respects nothing ;)

              

One more - LOTR bloopers - my fav is the Sean Bean character at cliff's edge...LOL

                                

GAME OF THRONES will premiere Apr 17, US and Apr 18, UK...
              

Hobbit mysteries to be revealed
TOM CARDY  - 21/02/2011 - NZ Dominion Post

The Hobbit starts shooting on March 21. The central character is tiny on screen, but the US$500 million two part film is a big deal, so expect Wellywood Confidential to focus a lot on The Hobbit right through to its expected release of part one next year.
...
Those cast in The Hobbit already are the lucky ones, but who else will we see trapsing through Mirkwood?
...
..If you want to be an elf..then you should turn up at Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre at 11 Hutchinson Rd, Newtown in Wellington on February 26 between 9.30am and noon and 1.30pm and 3pm.

Having pointy ears won't get you far. The important bit is height and being thin. Blokes have to be aged between 17 and 40 and 6ft (183cm) or taller. Ladies have to be aged 17-40 and at least 5ft 9 (175cm) or taller. It's for parts as Elven horse riders extras (how cool is that?) and elven extras.

There is also other casting going on behind the scenes and I've heard on good authority that several children, some as young at 19 months, have already been cast as hobbit extras. And while hobbit sizes means ages can get confusing, they are playing hobbit children and have even been fitted for their costumes and have giant furry hobbit feet!

So have you considered auditioning for an extra in The Hobbit? Are you planning to turn up on February 26? I'd love to hear from you before and after, furry feet or pointy ears.

Email Tom Cardy with any tips on what's going on in Wellywood or follow him @tomcardy
- The Dominion Post
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/opinion/blogs/wellywood-confidential/4682780/Hobbit-mysteries-to-be-revealed

Giving thanks for the following golden gems:

    Just can’t get enough of bccmee’s RA bits from THE HOBBIT press conference?

                             

                   Or Spikesbint’s lovely RA birthday tribute - N&S narration clip

                              

                                  Also the fever inducing SB viral by Seanographic…

                                

Here's an in-depth study by bccmee of the Danni character in Strike Back - probing her motivation for getting rather close to John Porter:) Heehee She must be convinced there's something deeper than the fact he's hotter than hades;)  It came to mind this evening because the elevator scene is the next quest in the RA pic scavenger hunt on twitter.  Wonder whether Danni will reappear in SB2?...


                

 There currently seems to be an on-going search for every possible photo of Richard with a beard; hence, handstands over these recently capped by RACentral or richardarmitagenet of RA in Macbeth(2001: second cap below)


    It's not Thorin, rather Aragorn in LOTR...how similar will The Hobbit's Thorin be to this...

During an interview, RA said he considered this N&S scene to be one of the most memorable..

We can't allow Thorin, Guy or Gollum to steal all the thunder from the original male, who rendered so many females all atwitter, and experiencing the overwhelming feeling expressed by...

Hobbit Holes in Progress + Latest Edition Hobbitin5 + NZ Photographer's Website - OMG! His Photos Have the Quality of Oil Paintings

Spooks7 dvd extra - RA in Moscow(by Britu21)

Busy, busy, busy -  hobbit holes under construction..Looks like the address is #1 -- must be Bilbo's cozy hacienda:)

http://www.movieweb.com/movie/the-hobbit/PG1c6541kOWf37

Sue suggests, in a comment below, that there appears to be a great deal of similarity between the Thorin and Guy characters

This photo reminds me of a scene in THE EAGLE when a thumbs down was given to the gladiator (meaning the Roman crowd's signal to kill) as they were gruesomely enjoying their fun and games 'friviolity'.  Someone in the blood-thirsty crowd convinced them to reverse their decision to one of 'thumbs-up'..hence today's thumbs up signal (something else originating with ancient Romans)
                                 

Photographer's Website:
Besides being a well-known NZ photographer, Ian Brodie is also the Media and Communications Manager with Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tours   http://www.ianbrodiephoto.net/

                                                 RA by palomairi1
                                

        Hobbitin5 gets into the weeds with the dwarves - many mentions of Thorin towards end...

                  

Review:THE EAGLE(starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell) + RA Mention in Fascinating New Hobbit Article + THE HOBBIT Not a Prequel + 2005 GOLDEN HOUR + RH Interviews: The Siege & Witchfinders

Interesting comments & artistic renderings of RA as Thorin from the onering.net website

Comment #1   >As for yesterday's Hobbit press conference, I was just thrilled to see Bilbo and all the dwarves together. The enthusiasm and the camaraderie was wonderful to see. Some look kinda dwarvish already!

I'm really geeked about Thorin, though. Richard Armitage looks very regal and stern, and when he was on screen, I just felt like I was looking at the King Under the Mountain.

I'm not as concerned about his age as some. First, he'll be in makeup and prosthetics. Then, Thorin isn't supposed to be an ancient dwarf anyway. He was very young when Smaug attacked the Lonely Mountain. I just finished reading "The Annals of the Kings and Rulers" from the appendices of ROTK, and I think I remember reading that he became king at age 95, upon the disappearance of his father. So while he's not "young," neither is he supposed to be elderly.<
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[Ricrar:   Next one is actually about Sean Bean as Boromir in LOTR with high hopes for RA to have an equally fine performance. IMO, RA’s acting is on the same skill level as SB's. I’ve enjoyed almost everything both actors have been part of]
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>Sean Bean - okay, I really liked him. I have often argued in the RR that Boromir was both good and actually highly intelligent - and it was great to see that in the movie. I hope Richard Armitage will do as good a job with Thorin.
I wrote once a fairly long post regarding what I loved about the way Boromir was portrayed, and I find that after two years I still agree with myself. So I give him a 5.<

                                         Artist Donato Giancola's rendition of Boromir..

Ravenry's heavily bearded vision of Thorin..

Coley's imaginative Thorin - makes one wonder if Richard's hair is currently very short in order to fit a skullcap over it? YIKES! Please NO! :)

During an interview RA was once asked how an actor prepares for scenes requiring smolder.  His reply were words to the effect "you gather as many loving thoughts and feelings possible towards your partner in the scene."  Some early pics caught a master craftsman honing his skills...

See link below to a very informative Hobbit article with an RA mention...

http://www.totalfilm.com/features/the-hobbit-everything-we-know/guillermo-del-toro-was-going-to-direct

Article stating THE HOBBIT is not a prequel...refers to *nerdgasms* hahaha

http://www.lfpress.com/comment/columnists/dan_brown/2011/02/16/17305156.html

Press Conference uploaded to youtube by bccmee...

RA interview: RH, The Siege

                              

                                                            The Witchfinders

                                 

Somehow the following 2005 interview managed to fly under my radar..perhaps it did yours as well...
Richard was asked what a 6'2" SAS operative(Ultimate Force) would be frightened by and he again mentioned water.  Quote: "..in my next role as Monet I'm going to have to dive into a river.  I think at that moment you're supposed to feel bad for him because he's trying to commit suicide!"  That scene must've either ended on the cutting room floor or was written out of the script before filming.  Was surprised to learn Monet had attempted suicide.

http://www.richardarmitageonline.com/articles/RadioTimes20051001.html
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REVIEW of THE EAGLE: Starring Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell..

Time for a trip back in history with a different actor...What?? you say..how can this be?? :)  It can be when another actor is starring in a film about a Roman Centurion who dares to travel beyond THE WALL...no not the wall of China;) nor Game of Thrones 700ft high wall of ice.  This time it's Hadrian's Wall, which at the time was considered to be the end of the civilized world.  Well, as civilized as the world was when all roads led to Rome.  The actors are Channing Tatum and Jamie Bell as the restless Roman soldier and his seething-with-anger Brigante slave.   The centurion is determined to restore his father's honor and his slave is equally as determined to be free.  It's an extremely exciting adventure into the unknown wilderness where face-painted, ferocious picts lie in wait around each of the thousands of glens.

THE EAGLE cinematography is spectacular...gorgeous misty mountained landscapes.  Found myself examining the authentic looking costumes--in particular the woolen garb worn during frosty windswept scenes of what was meant to represent the Scotland highlands (have yet to learn if the shooting locations were actually elsewhere).  Both actors gave excellent performances expressing passionate loyalty to their ethnic roots.  The movie is sprinkled with well placed battles, including the factual Roman military exercise of using their shields almost as early tank protection.  As Uhtred of LOTN uttered on nearly every page - "the shieldwall!"
A few photos and a very interesting interview with the film's director - Kevin Macdonald..

                   

Attended the movie with my two fav RL men - DH and son.  Whereas going to the film was my suggestion, was relieved that they both very much enjoyed it.   As we walked toward our cars together, I decided the time was right to take action - said "let's come back on July 22 to see CAPTAIN AMERICA."  Our son looked at his dad, then said "she's serious...OK - it's a date."  Plans made to see RA in 3D...check!!  Yay! ;)

                 

Past Post of the Day: Apr 15, 2010: Strike Back Premiere photos and links...
http://allthingsrarmitage.blogspot.com/2010/04/strike-back-premiere-photos-thank-you.html?showComment=1275062404826

Peter Johnson's Quote on RA as Thorin + Kiwi Peeder Jigson's Latest + Daily Mail Typecasting Article + Crooked Smile Poll + N&S 2004 Trailer + Donato Giancola + Press Conf Caps Courtesy of RACentral + Attention Class! Sit up Straight While Enjoying This Clever New RA Video:)

 

Lest anyone forget, here's Peter Jackson's comment upon announcing RA will play the Thorin role:

"Richard is one of the most exciting and dynamic actors working on screen today and we know he is going to make an amazing Thorin Oakenshield," Jackson added of Armitage. "We cannot wait to start this adventure with him and feel very lucky that one of the most beloved characters in Middle-Earth is in such good hands."

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/10/22/the-hobbit-martin-freeman-richard-armitage-bilbo-baggins/#more-44643

Might one of the reasons RA has so much sparkle in his eyes in the above photo be due to the fact that he's no doubt enjoying the beautiful NZ landscapes/seascapes - including ones like this typical sunset..

North & South trailer by Alenanok...

It's amazing what one can find on twitter.  One result for a hobbit search lead to a wonderful article about an oil painter who specializes in Tolkien works.  His name is Donato Giancola.  A quote of his and then a couple examples of his work, followed by a link to the website..

Donato writes. "The admirers of Tolkien know no mercy when it comes to deviations and inaccuracies, myself included! I know those books inside and out, but still found myself making a few mistakes. I now run my sketches past my friends as a double check to catch any errors. Luckily, Tolkien provided artists with large loopholes for illustrating his novels–there's very little physical description of either characters or places. His descriptions are generally emotional and, for that reason, resonate with the reader more than the offerings of other authors. This is what I love regarding the works; there's a strong emotional foundation upon which to build a very broad range of physical interpretations."

You can view more of Giancola's art at DonatoArts.com.

                  This article by George Beahm originally appeared at TheOneRing.net.

                                    Above is Boromir - Below: Aragorn sheltering Frodo

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English grammar class is about to begin--pay close attention--in case the clever instructor imposes a snap quiz afterwards;) Sit up straight, remove chewing gum, those passing notes during class will be kept for detention :) Enjoy the following unique valentine for RA...

Interesting article on typecasting in today's Daily Mail..

http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/229159/Does-Colin-Firth-ever-play-anyone-except-himself/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

                  

Can't allow Valentine's Day to slip by without a classic RA *hover, hover* at female lips...


                                  Another entry for the Robin Hood contest - by refgeek...

                                 

Lucas North, John Porter & Guy of Gisborne in one vid - The world with a ring around it..Bilbo take notice;)

                

Game of Thrones trailer for UK and Ireland.  US start date is Apr 17..probably same everywhere...

                                 

Crooked Smiles Poll - which one occurred at Locksley Manor:
                                                                                    
                                                                       1.  Guy (a)

                                                                    2.  Guy (b)

                                                              3.  Marian

Kiwi Peeder Jigson returns with his sneak peek at the hobbit dragon...sort of;)

Daniel Radcliffe fans will be happy to learn that he's found new outlets for his talents beyond HP.  Many people prize miniature collections, and it's in that positive spirit that I've often thought of Daniel.  To me, he's a miniature RA - both visually and in acting ability:)  Do you agree?..

Here's Daniel in THE WOMAN IN BLACK...

The former HP will also appear in Christopher Monger's THE AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER