The Hobbit Worldwide Fan Event
November 4, 2013
AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13, NYC
November 4, 2013
AMC Loews Lincoln Square 13, NYC
Nicole: Roughly over 700 people, including moi, were treated to a worldwide “nerdgasm” on November 4th
courtesy of famed Lord of the Rings/The Hobbit director (and Kiwi),
Peter Jackson. From four host cities (New York, London, Los Angeles and
Wellington NZ), The Hobbit Fan Event was beamed live worldwide to dozens
of cities where self-proclaimed geeks who live by all things Tolkein
enjoyed Q&As with the director himself as well as major cast members
from The Hobbit trilogy. In New York, we were lucky enough to gaze upon
a truly handsome panel comprised of Orlando Bloom (Legolas), Richard
Armitage (Thorin Oakenfield) and host, the Silver Fox himself, Anderson
Cooper. In Los Angeles, Evangeline Lilly (Tauriel); in London, Lee Pace
(Thranduil), Andy Serkis (Golem), Luke Evans (Bard); and in Wellington,
Peter Jackson.
elizabeth:
Well, it is good to know that you were not alone when you dipped your
toe again into the world of men with pointed little ears. What is the
appeal? I bet you were the fan who asked Richard Armitage what his
favorite line was. I don’t even want to picture him with little goofy
beard when he replied, “If this is to end in fire, then we will all burn
together.” Let Mr. Armitage know that I am available that day.
Nicole: No,
I was not that fan…but oh, how I wish I were. He delivered that line
with the sultriest of voices. Fans present in theatres for this
free-of-charge event were also given a sneak peek of – count them –
twenty minutes of exclusive footage from The Hobbit: The Desolation of
Smaug, which is slated for release on December 13, 2013. We also giggled
like giddy idiots over a new blog reel featuring behind-the-scenes
footage during the trilogy’s filming as well as Ed Sheerin’s video for
the new movie’s theme song: “I See Fire.”
elizabeth: 20 minutes. I just stroked out from excitement. And can you please use the word Smaug in a sentence?
Nicole: I
could, but I won’t…because you’re mocking me. That’s OK, you’re turn
will come. Peter Jackson, an incorrigible fanboy himself, tailormade
this event as a “thank you” to all of his loyal fans—making all but the
twenty minutes of exclusive film footage available to online streamers.
Respecting Jackson’s fervent request to keep the details of the footage
private, I won’t say much about what we were shown…except: If you loved
Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,
you’re going to be head over heels with him in the next installment.
And, that Lee Pace is perfectly cast as Thranduil. And, that the
invented character of Tauriel is, in a word, kickass. And, Smaug… well,
one word: CUMBERBATCH!
elizabeth:
So you and Peter Jackson did the secret handshake? The world is now
safe from you blabbing more about the film. This type of movie turns me
into a CUMBERBATCH. Use the word Thranduil in a sentence.
Nicole:
You’re lucky I have a sense of humor about these things, else I’d smite
you! I don’t know what was most delightful about this event. Perhaps it
was the rolling twitter feed from fans present and around the globe,
offering up such gems as “OMG – I’ve just had a nergasm” and “Richard
Armitage, I want to marry your voice.” Or maybe it was the live
demonstration of elven movement conducted by Lee Pace and Orlando Bloom.
Or, it could have been Anderson Cooper trying to one-up Peter Jackson’s
barefoot Hobbit look by too taking his shoes and socks off. All I can
say is – I don’t know what dumb luck managed to score me a ticket to
this thing, but I’m sure glad I got in. I’ll never forget it.
elizabeth: Nergasm. Please use that word in a sentence and just remember – our mothers might be reading this post.
Nicole: The likelihood of our mothers reading this post is slim to none. Scratch that, none.
Prep for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (in theaters on December 13, 2013) by renting or buying The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey – Extended Edition…and prepare to be awed.
