By now we all know about Peter Jackson's much anticipated Hobbit films which are based on J. R. R. Tolkien's book The Hobbit, but did you know Tolkien himself is about to hit the big screen? Well sort of. Mirkwood, written by Steve Hillard, caught The Eye of the Tolkien Estate back in March of this year. In it, Hillard uses Tolkien as one of the main characters and sends him to New York City searching for lost documents.
"[Tolkien is] a man haunted by the very myths he rewove into his famous works. As much literary criticism as boisterous epic, this episodically-driven plot explores the blurred borderlands where ancient tales, lost heroines, and epic journeys are stalked by dim monsters that will not be still. In 1970, Professor Tolkien makes a little-known visit to America-and sets in motion elvish powers embodied in a cache of archaic documents. Destinies are altered, legends become real, and two heroines must race for their lives in vastly different worlds."
The Estate cried fowl and demanded all copies of the book be disposed of, however, now it seems they've come to an agreement and not only will the book survive but it is also in the process of becoming a Hollywood script. EMO Films and Steve Hillard plan to make Mirkwood into a blockbuster hit, providing there are no more issues where the word "copyright" is involved. As the author of the novel explains,
"The adaptation of 'Mirkwood' will follow the template of the novel, but will delve considerably deeper into Tolkien's little-known back story, such as his original plans to become a codebreaker in World War II up through the writing of his enduring works."
Whether EMO Films and Steve Hillard's plans come to fruition or not, Tolkien fans will be revisiting Middle-earth next year when The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits theaters on December 14, 2012 and The Hobbit: There and Back Again premiers the following year on December 13, 2013.
We are pleased to announce that the Mythgard Institute has agreed to a partnership with UWIC, the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff! We still have some paperwork to complete, but when it is done, our Mythgard courses will be fully accredited in the UK higher-education system. We’ll explain all the details when everything is finalized.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dimitra Fimi will again be teaching her online Tolkien course at UWIC this October 2011.
The course is entitled J.R.R. Tolkien: Myth and Middle-earth in Context, and is taught entirely online in 10 week units that explore Tolkien’s medieval sources and cultural context. Enrollment for this UWIC course is now open.
Good news! The course is fully accredited and carries 20 British/European credits at the Masters level.
Even better news! Dr. Fimi’s course (20 European credits = an American 3-credit course) will be accepted here at the Mythgard Institute as counting towards our M.A. program.
My good friend and fellow Middle-earth Network cohort, Ian Speck, had a chance to chat Tolkien lore with non other than "The Tolkien Professor". I found his Q&A with the Professor refreshing and fun and pass it along for you to enjoy. Not only is Ian one of the most knowledgeable Tolkien fans I know, he is also a producer here at Middle-earth Network and currently working on a top secret project for Middle-earth Network Radio (TBA). After reading, feel free to continue the debate on our comment section below.
Ian- On the night of June 24th, 2011, I was able to get a hold of Dr. Corey Olsen, more famously know as The Tolkien Professor, who graciously set aside some time for a this discussion at My Middle-earth.com, a [fantasy-based] social network that we have built at the Middle-earth Network. Dr. Olsen also runs a website of his own containing free-to-listen-to lectures on all things Tolkien, and he is ranked as one of the top most-downloaded educational lectures on the internet. The discussion pertains to a comic Youtube short, "How Lord of the Rings Should Have Ended" approximately two minutes in length.
Now I enjoy the short, but what bothers me is that there are those who seriously wonder why the Fellowship simply didn't fly on Great Eagles to Mount Doom, and see the whole story as being undone by this one thing. And you know what? It's an interesting question, but it's one myth we can bust, if you pardon the expression. I have my own arguments, but I was interested in what Dr. Olsen himself had to say. (For those unfamiliar with Tolkien a reference is made to The Song--the Ainulindalë--which, according to Tolkien's mythology epic, The Silmarillion, is the creation myth of the world in which Iluvatar (God) created the Ainur (angels) and taught them a Great Music which created the world, and also was the history of the world, as it were, from Creation to the Last Day, according to the will and designs of Iluvatar. Anonther reference is to the Eucatastrophe, a term Tolkien coined, which you can look at here.
So without further a due, My "Mini-interview" with the Tolkien Professor:
Ian- Hello sir, I was wondering if you had a moment?
TolkienProf: Sure!
Ian- I was wondering if you were familiar with "How LotR Should Have Ended"? It's a goofy cartoon short where the Fellowship fly on eagles to Mt Doom.
TolkienProf- The YouTube video? Yes
Ian- I believe it's intent is comic, but there are some who believe this to be a genuine plot hole within the framework of The Lord of the Rings. I suppose I was wondering what your thoughts were as to that.
TolkienProf- Well, there are several ways in which that could be answered. On its own level, I simply don't think it would have worked.
Ian- Agreed.
TolkienProf- I can't imagine that Sauron and the Nazgul wouldn't have noticed the eagles flying in, but that's not really the ultimate answer to the question. The problem comes with making "alternative stories" at all. A story that includes a desperate dash in on an eagle might, perhaps, work as a story, but that isn't the story that Tolkien was interested in telling (obviously).
Ian- Yes, I have made this case to friends before--that is, the problem with alternate stories
TolkienProf- When people start saying "why didn't this other thing happen?" they are basically writing new stories and that's fine, potentially, but what sense is there in asking why T didn't write a different story than he wrote?
Ian- I just know someone who wonders why they didn't "take the simpler approach".
Ian- Right.
TolkienProf- And there's a third level on which to address this: the "plot hole" angle.
Ian- I thought of a couple counters, but I'm curious as to your thoughts.
TolkienProf- That is, is this genuinely a problem for T's story as he chose to tell it? Is it an inconsistency (which the "hole" argument suggests)? My answer hinges on the nature and purpose of the eagles. They are very important, and they are not simply transportation.
Ian- Yes, I agree, they are not a taxi service.
TolkienProf- They act, in almost every case, as a traveling eucatastrophe, the instruments of the Valar and even of Iluvatar himself in the events of Middle-Earth. If the Valar wanted to help in the destruction of the Ring, heck, they wouldn't even need the eagles. They could have just vaporized the Ring, or whatever.
Ian- A good point.
TolkienProf- But they don't, and Elrond talks about how and why he knows they won't. What people who want the eagles to fly to Mordor are asking for is for the entire story to be short-circuited by a huge Deus ex Machina. That's really what people want? And THAT would be massively inconsistent with how [Tolkien] has depicted the Valar and Iluvatar throughout his mythology.
Ian- One thing I would say is that it was not ordained in the Song that it should end in such a way.
TolkienProf- Yes, sure. That ending would be wildly inconsistent with the whole, larger story that Tolkien was telling and developing throughout his lifetime, not only in the LOTR, but in the Silmarillion material.
Ian- Right.
TolkienProf- When people are thinking only "what would be easiest?" they are not really thinking of the story at all and as I said, that isn't easiest anyway. "God unmakes the Ring, destroys Sauron, and undoes all evil everywhere in the blink of an eye" is really much easier still, and simpler. But that isn't the world that we live in or that Tolkien wrote about or that anyone would actually want to read about, either. :)
Ian- No indeed. I would also add, for the sake of argument, that if such a path were taken, there would be several problems. You've named a couple, one being that how would Sauron NOT notice the approach?
TolkienProf- Oh, yes.
Ian- I also have feeling that they wouldn't make it past the Mountains of Shadow.
TolkienProf- And the movie shots of the eagles beating off the Nazgul in the last battle are very unrealistic, I think.
Ian- But I thought they did engage the Nazgul, or does memory fail me? If they could stand up to dragons then why not fell beasts, or does the Deadly Fear come into play?
TolkienProf- Yes, and Gwaihir is not Thorondor, either
Ian- (A quick rewind, Dad said with regards to the original question: "asking why the fellowship couldn't fly on eagles is like asking why does God let babies die?" So I thought it was interesting he said that when he has no clue as to the contents of this discussion.)
TolkienProf- Yep. He's thinking in exactly the same direction I am, there.
Ian- But getting back on track, let's assume they pull off this crazy task, there would still be several problems (again this is for argument's sake). One is Boromir, I don't think he would be free of his desire for the Ring. He would never have died redeemed.
TolkienProf- Yes, that's a good illustration. It would be a very different, and infinitely poorer story.
Ian- Indeed.
TolkienProf- Okay, I've got to go, unfortunately.
Ian- Hey, that's fine, thanks for your time, this was great!
TolkienProf- No problem! I enjoyed it. Good night!
Ian- Good night!
Ian- You can tell in places where the conversation overlaps a little, but the whole thing was a blast. Another thing that was cool (as mentioned in the discussion) was that [my] Dad happened to walk by and throw in his two cents, and it was amazing how well it matched the discussion we were already having. We finally wrapped up around midnight.
Starting this Tuesday Tolkien fans will have a chance to brush up on their Hobbit lore. Middle-earth Network Radio will be broadcasting "The Tolkien Professor's" popular Hobbit Lecture Series every week for the next eight weeks, beginning with Lecture 1, "Took and Baggins". For those of you familiar with Corey Olsen's Hobbit lectures, you know this is exciting news, as the series had stalled half way through lecture 5 for over a year now. In the Professor's own words, "People should tune in from the start for a refresher course, and then they can go right through to the long-awaited end of the series, week by week."
The lectures are airing at 8 AM & PM EST on Tuesdays, starting this Tuesday, June 28th.
These pictures were just released by Entertainment Weekly, hot off the press! What do you think, Hobbit fans? Does Martin Freeman capture your image of Bilbo Baggins?Let’s play “Caption it!” with the top image! Leave your thought of what’s going through Bilbo’s head on our comment section below.
Last December, Corey Olsen, the Tolkien Professor, started up the Silmarillion Seminar, a weekly discussion that has been proceeding chapter by chapter through Tolkien's stories from the First Age of Middle Earth. Recordings of the proceedings are being made available through the Tolkien Professor podcast feed. Now, listeners are invited to tune into Middle-earth Network Radio at 9:30 PM EST every Wednesday to listen LIVE as Professor Olsen and his seminar group engage in their weekly discussions. Silmarillion enthusiasts can even contribute to the ongoing discussion. During the broadcast, those who might have a question or an observation to offer to the discussion can go to the Silmarillion Seminar group page in My Middle-earth and post their thoughts on the wall. As many as possible of those comments will be relayed live to the seminar group in real time. This week at 9:30 PM EST on the Silmarillion Seminar we will discuss Akallabeth, the Downfall of Numenor. We'll be looking at the actual sinking of the island and its aftermath. After this, there will only be 2-3 more weeks, on "Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age." Recordings will still be available later on for those who miss the live broadcast.
Mark your calendars, UK Tolkien fans! Penkridge Library, located in Staffordshire, is offering fans a chance to see where the esteemed author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy once lived. The Staffordshire Newsletter reports,
“Literary lovers can join a guided walk from Penkridge Library across the Teddesley Estate, passing through Gipsy Green where Tolkien’s cottage still stands. Tolkien, who wrote ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings’, spent a short period of his early life living at the army training camps on Cannock Chase and in a cottage in Great Haywood with his wife Edith. In 1918 he moved briefly to the the Teddesley Park Estate, which later featured as Fladweth Amrod or Nomad’s Green in his writings for ‘The Silmarillion’.”
The walk start at 10.45 AM on June 30, will be under 8 miles in length and take around 4 hours to complete. The cost is £3.50 and only £2.50 for members of the library. On your return to Penkridge Library, refreshments will be provided.
Meet Tom Miller, owner and designer behind the newest apparel company to hit Middle-earth, Halfling Clothing Co. Whether you want to strut your Shire pride with their “The Brew for the Brave and True” tee or support the worlds most famousest of wizards with their “Architect of Plans” tee, they design it all. In this Q&A learn what inspired the company, their designs, and what’s in store for the future.
M-ENews- What was it that inspired you to start Halfling Clothing Co.? Tom- I've always had a love for graphic design, from a young age I've loved drawing things out or expressing ideas on paper. But unlike most kids who began doing this at a young age... my pictures still look like I am 5 yrs old. I have a horrible time using any kind of normal art medium. This is why I love graphic design. I'm able to take what I see in my head and finally create it using a tablet or mouse. My artistic ability seems to work best on a computer I'm afraid.
My love for Lord of the Rings I guess is the biggest part of this though. I love Tolkien Literature to a point that I even went as far as basing relationships around it. So when I decided one day "I'd like to try making a T-Shirt", it was natural that my designs would be inspired by fantasy literature in a strong way.
M-ENews- What's the story behind the company's logo? Tom- The story is fairly simple. I knew I wanted to do something that was easy to relate to for fantasy literature fans. The "Halfling's Frontdoor" is a great way to do this for us. It symbolizes the sense of close to home environment our company uses, but also shows that all adventures begin with stepping outside your front door.
Our design "Of Good and Evil" was adapted from this original logo to the design we now have. It shows the green good earth and happy lands we all would love, and the dark sadness and terror we all face during our lives. But - as in all things that we hope and dream, good always ends up on top!
M-ENews- Who creates the t-shirt art?
Tom- Although the art is all designed by myself (Tom), I can't take credit for the ideas we come up with. Many are ideas that are bounced around the loft (our home base of Ops) as well ideas from around the community. Its really a chance for me to take small jokes or ideas and turn them into something more visual in the form of a shirt design.
M-ENews- Why are your tees sold in limited series?
Tom- The limited series is our way of both keeping the company in a controllable size and making sure that those who buy our shirts have something unique. You can't buy our shirts at any Walmart, or shopping mall. Its something that was created for those who appreciate the ideas and inspiration it conveys.
M-ENews- Do you only make t-shirts/ will you expand to create accessories?
Tom- You know, this is something we've been getting a lot of interest in. We're working on a line of Sweatshirts as well. That is where we are currently at, but I don't think we are limited to only apparel. We have a few surprises up our sleeves still. And I can't wait to show them to our customers and friends.
M-ENews- Where would you like to see the company in 5 years?
Tom- I can't really say. I'd like to see the company expand into something really special. A place where people can look for the kind of shirts we design. I'm not sure what to expect. We love what we do, and we will do it even if its only for a few people out there! Something we have looked at is expanding to sell through some select websites like Jinx and ThinkGeek, but that is something we want to happen when the time is right. We are just enjoying what we do, one day at a time.
Follow Halfling Clothing Co. on Twitter and Facebook and check out their full line of apparel here.
A new social network has hit the web, and it’s all centered around fantasy. Middle-earth Network is quickly gaining ground, after their radio station launch last month. Since they hit the air, many prominent figures in the Tolkien world have joined forces with them, and now they’ve gone a step further. My Middle-earth Network became available in it’s beta form to the public just last week, and already it has been flooded with members. Now Tolkien fans have access to forums, chat rooms, calendars, and news as well as the ability to post photos, videos, music, create groups, and write blogs - and it’s all in one place!
And the news doesn’t stop there. This Tuesday, April 19th at 9:30 PM EST, The Tolkien Professor ( Corey Olsen) will be on Middle-earth Network Radio, LIVE, with a special announcement. It’s rumored that a crazy news journalist ( yours truly) is ready to bombard him with all kids of questions, so be sure to tune in.
You can follow Middle-earth Network on Facebook and Twitter.
