Mark Hadlow spills the beans on Dori? More like spills a bean. A fun read none-the-less. Peter Jackson answers the first fan question on his Facebook page; confirms the While Council and Dol Goldur will feature in the films. Titles and release dates announced for the Hobbit films. New photos of Rivendell set en route to Hobbit studios. James Nesbitt says he makes a dashing Bofur. Great photos of Czech Tolkien fans re-enacting scenes from the Hobbit. Stephen Fry talks about his role as the Master of Laketown. GeekDad article asks The Hobbit: More Awesome Or More Aweful? We know where we stand on the subject. Elijah Wood excited to return to Middle-earth in October. Peter Jackson's jet lands in Queensland. One article says "nothing to see here, folks", another says "sure looks like they're here to film." A quick map search shows, to your hosts, that they're awfully close to the Long Lake! Take a look for yourself. No literary discussion this week in order to make room for our special guests, Father Roderick and Dave Kale of the Secrets Of The Hobbit podcast. Find us on Facebook at the Middle-earth Minutes Podcast page. Follow us on Twitter @middleearthmins DOWNLOAD | SUBSCRIBE | SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

A man named Conan cast as an Orc called Azog! To learn about Azog, the quintessential Orc, listen to MEM 12. Matamata will be upgrading facilities to create a "Hobbit-like feel" with the help of cold-hard cash. Even more casting news: Stephen Fry cast as the Master of Laketown, Benedict Cumberbatch casted as somebody - according to Martin Freeman, and the ladies will be happy that Orlando Bloom is officially back as Legolas! Two and a half million dollars raised for Christchurch earthquake releif during a 12-hour telethon. A man suffered injury to his nostril hair caused by an "explosion" on the Hobbit set. Our discussion this show is about Dragons. Where did they come from? Why was Gandalf so concerned about one Smaug the Golden? How many types of dragons are there? What is the "Dragon Spell"? We talk about these and much more, including the greatest dragon ever, on Middle-earth Minutes. Find us on Facebook at the Middle-earth Minutes Podcast page. Follow us on Twitter @middleearthmins DOWNLOAD | SUBSCRIBE | SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

The Good Friday episode of Middle-earth Minutes with Michael and Micah. A lot of news to cover. How much is a dragon worth? Let's just say a 14th share would suffice, according to Forbes. Elijah Wood is excited to return to Middle-earth, but is bemused that Orlando Bloom has read the whole script! Did Gimli cause Peter Jackson's ulcer? Well, Andy Serkis will help with the load. He's taken on the additional job as 2nd Unit Director. Regardless, the films will be beautiful, owing in part to being filmed at 48 frames per second. Is it true, as according to a NY Times blogger, that women don't like the Hobbit? For our discussion this episode we piggy back on the subject from MEM 11 and continue our study on Durin's folk. We give a quick review of the events that led up to that Unexpected Party that Bilbo Baggins found himself host to. How did 13 Dwarves find themselves in Bag End, Bagshot Row? Listen to find out! Find us on Facebook at the Middle-earth Minutes Podcast page. Follow us on Twitter @middleearthmins DOWNLOAD | SUBSCRIBE | SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

We had the great pleasure of hosting Dr. Corey Olsen, more affectionately known as the Tolkien Professor, for a live special announcement on the Middle-earth Network. We feel honored that he chose to give us the exclusive news of his forthcoming book about... well, just listen. You'll enjoy it. Join the Tolkien Professor, Mark from Bird and Baby, John from the Lonely Mountain Band, Arwen from Middle-earth News, and myself for a fun and informative hour, as heard live on the Middle-earth Network. Find us on Facebook at the Middle-earth Minutes Podcast page. Follow us on Twitter @middleearthmins DOWNLOAD | SUBSCRIBE | SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

The longest episode of MEM yet! After discussing the latest Hobbit movie news we use the the topic of the latest upgrades to LOTRO to launch into a discussion of Dwarves. As always we use the Silmarillion and the Lord Of The Rings appendices, as well as the Tolkien Gateway as reference material. We are also joined by very special guest, Mark, from Dunedain Radio and the Middle-earth Network to talk about the launch of the brand new Tolkien/Fantasy internet radio station. We were excited to hear Father Roderick mention MEM on episode 4 of his wonderful Secrets Of The Hobbit podcast (never mind that we said episode 3 during this show), and encourage everyone to listen to all his "Secrets" podcasts. Find us on Facebook at the Middle-earth Minutes Podcast page. Follow us on Twitter @middleearthmins DOWNLOAD | SUBSCRIBE | SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

More Hobbit movie news: Peter Jackson recovered quickly after emergency surgery for a perforated ulcer. Are the sacred mountains off limits to the Lonely Mountain? Are you an elf? Report for Hobbit duty as an extra. Finally a date! The Hobbit set to begin filming March, 21st. On this episode we also discuss the Dunedain; who were they and where did they come from? Source material is taken mainly from the Silmarillion, the Lord Of The Rings Appendices and the Tolkien Gateway wiki. Excuse the mis-pronunciation of some names and the mis-represented URL to the MEM Facebook page. Actual link below. Music this episode is the track Gollum Blues, by Marc Gunn. Taken from  Music Alley - the podsafe music network. If you play Tolkien inspired music, please upload some tracks to Music Alley and let us know. We'd love to hear it. Find us on Facebook at the Middle-earth Minutes Podcast page. Follow us on Twitter @middleearthmins DOWNLOAD | SUBSCRIBE | SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

The big news, regarding the Hobbit movies, of course, is that Elijah Wood is reprising his role as Frodo. But Frodo is nowhere to be found in the story of Bilbo's adventure! We share our thoughts on that - the Red Book of Westmarch may be the key - as well as other casting news. Plus an eleven-year-old's eye view of LOTRO (Lord of the Rings Online), this day in Middle-earth history, and more. Music for this episode: Song Of Durin's Awakening, provided by the amazing Lonely Mountain Band. Find us on Facebook at the Middle-earth Minutes Podcast page. Follow us on Twitter @middleearthmins DOWNLOAD | SUBSCRIBE | SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

Covering the news and events from the last couple of months, Michael Kaiser and Pieter Collier bring you up to date on specific items of interest to any fan of Tolkien. J.R.R. Tolkien trained as a British spy? On Sept. 16, 2009, the Telegraph reported that "Novelist JRR Tolkien secretly trained as a Government spy in the run up to the Second World War, new documents have disclosed" (emphasis added). Pieter shows how this story isn't news by citing sources such as the J.R.R. Tolkien Companion and Guide, as well as other Tolkien scholars. MGM: The Lion, The Ditch, and The Hobbit The studio with the most recognizable logo in movie history continues to make news. MTV Movies Blog reported on Sept. 25, 2009 that "things are looking bleak", and that the studio needs a total of $170 million to finish out the year and to "fund high-profile projects like The Hobbit". THR.com reported on Oct. 1, 2009 that MGM has "secured enough support from key lenders to allow the studio enough cash to proceed with its participation in The Hobbit." And Variety.com has reported on Nov. 11, 2009 that, according to several sources, MGM "will essentially be auctioned off within the next few weeks." We discuss all these things, as well as the great news coming out about the progress regarding the script, casting rumors, and more including: According to SciFi Wire.com, "Gandalf" has read the script, and Comic Book Movie.com asks "Could we being seeing Brian Cox as a Dwarf in The Hobbit?" Music This episode features the song "The Grey Havens" by New York band Fathom. New Segment: Browsing the Tolkien Library Each episode Pieter will step out of the Tolkien Library with a prized book, or news of upcoming releases, to share with us. This time we discuss his article about The Book of Jonah, which is to become available in February, 2010. Talk centers around Tolkien's work as editor of The Jerusalem Bible, his translation, and possible as-of-yet unsubstantiated participation in translating other books of the Old Testament. Did C.S. Lewis and Tolkien plan to write together? C.S.Lewis.com conducted an interview with Dr. Steven Beebe about the forthcoming publication about his discovery of a "previously undiscovered fragment" of a manuscript in the Oxford library. A manuscript which he believes is the much-sought-after beginnings of a collaboration between Lewis and Tolkien. Festivals We reported last episode about the Festival In The Shire. Now we have more news; and it is shaping up to be the pinnacle of Tolkien festivals! Pieter fills in some of the particulars on this episode, and we know that you will be anxious to attend this event. Also, the Edge of the Wild annual Middle-earth Art Exhibition, now into its 7th year, is scheduled for March 26-29, 2009 according to the Facebook Page. Call the Middle-earth Minutes voice line at: (815) 2-HOBBIT Email us at: middleearthpodcast [at] gmail [dot] com Follow us on Twitter: @middleearthmins Join the Facebook Page at: facebook.com/middleearthminutes Bookmark the Tolkien Library at: tolkienlibrary.com Follow the Tolkien Library on Twitter at: @TolkienLibrary DOWNLOAD | SUBSCRIBE | SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES

The change in format is here! I'm joined by Pieter Collier from the Tolkien Library to discuss news and views about all things Tolkien: Literature, Art, Film, Festivals, and more. We're sure that Pieter will become a regular part of Middle-earth Minutes, and are certain that you will enjoy the news that we have brought you... some of which is being heard here for the very 1st time. Legend of Sigurd Audio Book Delayed: All those who had pre-ordered the Audio CD were expecting to be listening to it by now. Find out why it is not yet available according to the publisher. But, Harper Collins has some news that is being reported here for the 1st time... Never-Before Published Hobbit Painting By Alan Lee: When asked about what else we could expect the answer came back that "the Alan Lee illustrated Hobbit hardback is getting a much deserved reprint with a slightly different cover, which includes a brand new never-before published Hobbit painting by Alan Lee." We took the opportunity of that good news to discuss Alan Lee and the interview that Pieter conducted with him in March, 2008. The Edel Silmarillion Student Project: Further discussion with David Brawn at Harper Collins turned to the Edel Silmarillion, a student project produced by the very talented Benjamin Harff, which was featured on the Tolkien Library. Harper Collins says that The Benjamin Harff Silmarillion "has not been considered commercially". We encourage all Tolkien fans everywhere to take a look at this book, and send a friendly email to both the Tolkien Estate and Harper Collins asking that this book be published so that we may all have a copy. You can email both by visiting Tolkienestate.com/contact, and perhaps, with enough letters from eager fans, we can persuade Harper Collins to release this beautiful book. Tolkien Settlement: More Than $100 Million: THR, Esq. reports on the resolution of the litigation between New Line Cinema and the estate of author J.R.R. Tolkien, and we offer our own comments as well as those of Christopher Tolkien (“The Trustees acknowledge that New Line may now proceed with its proposed films of ‘The Hobbit.’”) and Peter Jackson who says that they're "not even greenlit yet", and suggests that we "drop Warner Bros. a line and encourage them to be kind to [the film makers]". Also, according to High-Def Digest New Line/Warner has delayed The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Blu-ray. Oxonmoot 2009: Oxonmoot 2009 will take place at Lady Margaret Hall from September 25th to 27th. Advanced booking has now closed but you can still attend Oxonmoot and pay at the door. For more information, visit the Oxonmoot website. And lastly, according to Pieter... Festival In The Shire: Next year there will be organized a completely new Tolkien event, namely "Festival in the shire - A celebration of all things Tolkien inspired". It will be held from August 13th -15th, 2010 at Y Plas Machynlleth, Wales, United Kingdom. The town of Machynlleth is located on the edge of beautiful Snowdonia National Park and is the historic capital of Wales. There is not much known about this event yet, but it promises to be great! I have heard rumors that Ted Nasmith (the Tolkien artist), Jane Chance (the author of many Tolkien related books and articles) and John Garth (author of Tolkien and the Great War) and Tom Shippey (probably the greatest Tolkien scholar alive) are confirmed to be participating/attending. This event will be combining a Tolkien conference with an exhibition of Tolkien-related books, art, memorabilia and other fantasy items. The three-day event will feature food, music and entertainment. There is no website yet but I have been told it will be going live shortly. Tolkien fans that wish to provide input on the program planning and events related to Festival of the Shire are encouraged to do so. If you would like to exhibit your company’s products, exhibit items from your personal Tolkien collection, or participate in the entertainment, contact Mark Faith. info [AT]

After a long hiatus Middle-earth Minutes is back with episode no. 5, recounting our favorite news items from the last couple of months. Courtesy of IncGamers.com The Saul Zaentz Company is expecting a new Lord Of The Rings and Hobbit videogame to be out in time for Christmas. From the Examiner.com: the Top 5 Weirdest bands from the San Francisco Bay area includes a Tolkien inspired band - A Band of Orcs - in the #1 position. TotalFilm.com interviews Viggo Mortensen about The Hobbit, and we find the tone of the article to be a bit "fishy". Can anyone provide the full audio interview? From Chris Bouchard, director of The Hunt For Gollum fan film: Release date is May 3rd, 2009! We, at Middle-earth Minutes, kindly ask that you wait until the 4th of May to view as to not risk bringing down the servers as we try to watch the film. Just kidding, Chris! World Exclusive on EmpireOnline.com: Jackson and Del Toro talk Hobbit. Revealing the make-up of both films. From TolkienLibrary.com: Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun Release Party will be held online with guest Tom Shippey & giveaways! Join us on the Middle-earth Minutes site to share your ideas on how you would like to see each film made. What should comprise the 1st and 2nd film? How long should each film be? When do you expect the announcement of a Trilogy? Follow @middleearthmins on Twitter DOWNLOAD | SUBSCRIBE | SUBSCRIBE IN ITUNES