Handlebar-mustached Thorin? A look at Hobbit concept art

(courtesy of RANet, from a Tweet by Daria/Giz the Gunslinger)

This is a shot of a page in the yet-to-be-released book from Weta Workshop, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Chronicles: Art & Design.

 Getting this glimpse of conceptual artists‘ ideas for Thorin’s look in the films is so interesting. I was already looking forward to getting this book, which I have pre-ordered from Amazon; now I am truly enthused. Here’s the blurb from Amazon:

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Chronicles: Art & Design is a sumptuous celebration of the creative vision of Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The book is packed with more than 1,000 images of concept artwork, photographs and development paintings by the artists working behind the scenes to bring Middle-earth to life, who each provide detailed and entertaining commentary that reveals the story behind the vision.

As a bonus feature unique to this book, there is a special fold-out map printed in glow-in-the-dark ink and a giant four-page fold-out of Bilbo’s contract.

Complied by Weta Workshop senior concept designer Daniel Falconer, this is the first in a series of lavish hardcover books written and designed by the award-winning team at Weta, who are working closely with the production team to guarantee that these books will be bursting with insider information and stunning visual imagery.”

So, what do you think of these concepts for Thorin’s look?  How do you feel about that handlebar mustache on the left? How about the braided beard? Are you glad they chose a shorter beard and put those plaits in his long tresses?

 (I have to say the large painting on the right captures Armitage’s intensity rather well . . .)

The book is set to release on Dec. 14 in time for the premiere of the film. Oh, so much to look forward to, my darlings!