‘A Lovely, Lovely Man’: Stephanie’s Reflections on seeing Richard in NYC

Stephanie and her housemate got the chance to attend the NY Fan Event for the Desolation of Smaug. As soon as I found out they were going, I asked Stephanie to share her thoughts on the experience with me for the blog. I am certain you will enjoy reading them as much as I did. Thanks again, Stephanie! I have added a few screencaps from Richard Armitage Central and from Servetus.

While the event on the whole was not quite what I was expecting, I did finally fulfill my dream of seeing our lovely man in person.  We did manage to get seats about eight rows from the front of the theatre, so had an excellent view and a good vantage point from where my housemate took over 100 photos, which hopefully will be downloaded on her photo page soon.

 The excitement was very contagious and many of the people we met while waiting in line were total Richard fans, so I really hope he felt all that love flowing towards him because there was an ocean of it.  I have to say though–when he walked up on stage, I felt this very strong vibration that he either wasn’t feeling well or perhaps it was that he simply has not yet become as comfortable as some people have said about dealing with these fan events.  Of course, the other possibility could very well be that he’d just flown in from London for this event and was a bit jet-lagged.  Even tired and scruffy though (and don’t misunderstand me, I adore his scruffy look), he was everything I’ve always thought he would be.

I have to wonder that the Q & A was so brief; each of these amazing actors except for Evangeline Lilly in LA only answered one question.  (I loved her response to the question about her role model for her character–Tinkerbell!  What a terrific choice).  The question that was addressed to Richard was, at least, a very good one–his favorite line in all three movies.  And he did appear to give it serious consideration before answering, so I think it was a very honest response.

He did spend a great deal of time watching the monitor while the Q& A was going on, and there were a few asides between Richard and Orlando.  What was truly surprising (to me, anyway) was that once they ended the live feed, everyone just left the stage–and nothing was said about whether they would return after the viewing (they didn’t) or if the film clips would be the end (it was).

The movie looks astonishing and if this is possible, I think Richard looks even more wonderful in this installment than in the first movie.  He has truly grown in the role of Thorin; when he’s onscreen, he fills the screen with his magnificent, kingly presence and his star quality is evident no matter what else may be happening in the scene.  You cannot look away from him (a problem I regularly suffer from anyway)–he is mesmerizing.  During the event itself, I found the same thing happening–I could not take my eyes from him., even though he was merely sitting onstage.  He is that magnetic; he is that beautiful.  He is everything I could have hoped and more besides.

We also met a man from Warner Brothers at the event who was apparently in charge of seeing that things went smoothly–and he told us that, of all the Hobbit actors and technical people he’s met, Richard is definitely the nicest.

 Does this surprise me?  NOT!  But it’s so nice to have it reaffirmed by someone who actually knows him, that he truly is the lovely gentleman we’ve all come to know over the years.  He even did meet with one set of four fans before he left, despite the best efforts of rampant security to prevent it, who were in costume and had brought something for him–he most graciously met with them for a few minutes and took a photo with them.  I wouldn’t expect anything else of him.

Would I have loved to meet him?  Of course.  Was it enough that I got to be in the same room and see him?  Actually, yes.  As I have pretty much always known, our Richard is a lovely, lovely man–I sincerely hope for the future that he does become more secure and comfortable in his personal appearances, for his own sake.  In the meantime, a huge hug to our dear one from me and many others.  He is most truly one of a kind–the best.

 

The Hobbit 3 release date moved to Dec. 2014: Thoughts?

From Deadline.com

EXCLUSIVE: Warner Bros has pushed the release date for The Hobbit: There And Back Again to December 17, 2014 from its original date of July 18, 2014. This is the final film in Peter Jackson’s trilogy adaptation of the JRR Tolkien novel. Hobbit 3 now avoids going up against X-Men: Days Of Future Past and so far is solo in the December 17th spot. The first film in the trilogy, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has pulled in $300.9M domestically and $979.9M worldwide since it was released on December 14, 2012. The second installment in the franchise, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug, will be released on December 13th.

“So–I will be sticking around a bit longer than expected . . .”

My first reaction to this news was, “Oh no. I’ve got to wait another six months to see the final installment of the trilogy.”

And then I thought, “Well, that’s six months more that I will have before being forced to say farewell to a beloved character *sniff*

*sob* NOT, of course, that Thorin will actually be dead. He’s already proactively been granted So Not Dead status.

Some are saving up funds hoping to travel to the final Hobbit premiere and this will give them extra time. And as someone at Twitter pointed out, July would have been in the middle of winter in NZ–perhaps not the best time for a premiere.

So–what’s YOUR reaction? Thought?

Related articles

• THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN Pushed Back to December 17, 2014 (collider.com)

The Hobbit is Blowing the Doors Off at the Box Office!

I will be adding to the box office coffers tomorrow–well, I guess I already have, since my tickets are pre-sold. This makes me very happy for Richard and all the cast and crew who worked so hard to make this a reality.

This is from Deadline Hollywood at deadline.com. Thanks to RACentral for sharing on Twitter!

FRIDAY 11:15 PM, 4TH UPDATE: This is the largest Christmas release of all time. The latest from my esources has  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey looking around $37M and $96M for the weekend with an ‘A’ CinemaScore from audiences. (My Warner Bros insiders peg the numbers tonight at $36M-$39M and the weekend at $81M-$89M. I’ll know more specifics in the morning.) There are two records shattered – biggest December Friday and biggest December weekend for the domestic box office. The opening for the 3D actioner from MGM/Warner Bros in 4,045 theaters is grossing much larger than The Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Today’s take includes $13M from 3,100 midnight shows, including $1.6M on IMAX screens. The pic based on matinee trends had been on a $113+M fast track for its first U.S.-Canada weekend but then its business slowed in the evening no doubt because of its very long 2 hour, 46 minute running time. Hollywood knew Peter Jackson‘s film adaptation of the 1937 JRR Tolkien novel would be one of the monster holiday hits so left this weekend to the pic. It’s already the #1 movie abroad and has taken in $27.3M from 42 international markets going into Friday. My insiders believe it’s very possible for the movie to end this weekend with approximately $200M worldwide. Yowza! In the U.S. and Canada, MovieTickets said box office advance tickets for the pic accounted for nearly 91% of sales going into Friday, with nearly 18% coming from those wanting to see the film in standard 3D format, 8% in High Frame Rate 3D, and 7% in IMAX 3D. The record opening for this weekend is I Am Legend‘s $77m. Remember, all Lords Of The Rings 2D films opened Christmas Week whereas 3D The Hobbit will play to lower openings but huge multiples helped by 3D and IMAX. The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey‘s production was managed by New Line Cinema with parent company Warner Bros Pictures handling worldwide theatrical distribution. Select international territories (including Scandinavia) as well as all international television distribution was handled by MGM.

In North America, the film is playing in 4,045 theaters, a record number for December. That includes 3,160 3D theaters and 461 theaters in the 48 frames-per-second format. Overseas, The Hobbit is opening in 55 territories on approximately 17,000 screens this weekend (excluding Australia, China and Russia). The pic scored a record opening in New Zealand where it was filmed and which is Jackson’s native country, marking the biggest non-holiday debut for a Wednesday.

The Hobbit was digitally re-mastered into IMAX 3D format and a select number of IMAX theatres will be presenting the pic using a higher frame rate (HFR) – presenting the picture in 48 frames per second (fps) which is closer to what the human eye actually sees. This is twice the rate of the standard 24 fps, which is the current format in
cinemas worldwide. This use of HFR 3D is the first use of this method in a major motion picture release.

Thorin & Company are slaying ’em at the box office.

Behind the scenes with RA: New Warners Vid & Screencaps

ETA: Looks like they’ve pulled the video, sorry. Anyway, enjoy the screencaps, not going to remove them unless specifically asked to.

Here’s a new 13-minute behind-the-scenes video provided by Warner Brothers Belgium. There are a lot of spoilers, new movie clips and commentary from actors. Enjoy a few screencaps from RANet of our darling Richard displaying his usual focus and intensity.

To the Batcave, Robin! More fun & games at Comic-Con

Warner Brothers, the studio behind The Hobbit, Pacific Rim and next year’s Superman reboot, is bringing some “Extra” to Comic-Con this year, it seems. The studio is mounting an outside festival in the area between the SDCC and the Hilton hotel.

Here’s a blurb from the WB website:

“Everyone at Warner Bros. Television approaches Comic-Con as a fan-first experience. It’s in our DNA, with everything we do — from panels to signings to our bags, posters and more — carefully curated with our fans in mind,” said Lisa Gregorian, Chief Marketing Officer, Warner Bros. Television Group. “With the Extra at Comic-Con space, we have created a free and fun outdoor entertainment destination for fans. In addition to having all the Batmobiles on display and game demos, we will be hosting interviews throughout the day on the Extra stage, as well as evening and night events such as screenings and live comedy and musical performances after the convention floor closes for the day. It’s additive to the experience of being at the Con.”

As the poster above indicates, talent has not yet been confirmed, but a certain hobbit and a dwarf or two just might show up on the Extra stage. Stars of WB shows like Fringe, The Big Bang Theory and the Vampire Diaries are expected, and Holy Cow, Batman! all six of the Batmobiles, from the television series to the latest Dark Knight film, will be on display. I can hear the theme music playing in my head now: “NA-NA-na-na, NA-NA-na-na–BATMAN!!” 😉

There is a hands-on LOTR videogame showcase planned for a new game, Guardians of Middle-Earth, with tie-ins to the upcoming Hobbit films.

I’m personally chuffed at the thought of the Lego Lord of the Rings Street Art display that is planned for July 13-15. You all know how I love art–and it will be in 3-D (sort of like the upcoming Hobbit films)!  I will plan to take lots of photos, of course, to share with you all.

And speaking of fan events, here’s a photo our own Teutcher shared with us of family members at a Star Trek:TNG Comic-Con in Calgary, Canada. You might spy some familiar faces.  Make it so, Number One . . . and soon I will be going where I’ve never gone before. To Comic-Con!!

Donations are still being taken for Comic-Con Trip Fund.  Click on the donate button to the right.. Any amount is truly appreciated. And thanks for your support!

San Diego Comic Con International (Photo credit: San Diego Shooter)

And here’s another bit of photo editing fun with that gorgeous portrait of Mr. A as Thorin . . . 

 

 

It’s Hobbit-Eve: will our “powerful star” appear?

The following is a quote from an article at TheOneRing.net, which is gearing up to kick off Comic-Con with a panel on all things Hobbit in the first hour of the first day of the event, no less:

“Staffers have been calling the current period of less-than-six-months before “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” Hobbit-eve and this annual popular-culture convention may serve as something of a kickoff to the mainstream or casual fans that the big event is on its way this December 14th.

Saturday, July 14, Warner Bros. has a three-hour block of time reserved in the 6,500 seat Hall H, where everybody fully expects an official Hobbit presentation. Since Hobbit principal filming wraps around the first week of July, and Billy Connolly says the wrap party is scheduled for July 7, rumors are swirling that some principal figures from the cast may attend that presentation including Richard Armitage and Martin Freeman. Part of the job of being in the movie is promoting it and word on the street is that WB will start its massive campaign at Comic-Con with powerful stars. “

I added the italics, the bolding and the red ink to emphasize those last couple of lines. Richard Armitage, a “principal figure” yippee! (as indeed he is. There may be better-known actors reprising roles from LOTR, but Martin, Sir Ian and Richard are the stars of the show, I reckon).

No formal announcement has been made yet of the content of WB’s three-hour block on Saturday, but undoubtedly, as expected, there will plenty about The Hobbit.  I fear if there was not the geekapalooza could turn into a blood bath. Hell hath no fury like fanboyz  and gurlz denied their hobbity fix.  I can only hope RAFrenzy’s gut feeling is true and Richard will indeed be there as the world’s tallest and sexiest dwarf.

The above quote also emphasizes something else we’ve been discussing–that part of an actor’s job is to promote the project. Whether they like and enjoy that aspect of their profession or not, they are expected to share the anecdotes and press the flesh on morning news shows and evening chat shows, to attend various events tied into the production, and generally make nice with various members of the media. Sir Ian is no longer a young man, and I would expect such appearances to be more limited in nature for our good Gandalf the Grey.

The Hobbit (2012 film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Martin as THE Hobbit and Richard as THE King Under the Mountain would be perfect ambassadors for this film.

I’m hoping our Richard won’t find the process too excruciating. If he were undergoing this, say, ten years ago, I’d be more worried.  Just as he has grown ever more attractive, Richard seems to have likewise grown more confident, poised and comfortable in his own beautiful skin as the years have passed as an individual and as an actor. I am hoping all his experiences–good, bad and indifferent–will help him go from strength to strength in every area of his professional life.

The Company of Dwarves from left to right: Nori, Fili, Dori, Bofur, Gloin, Dwalin, Thorin, Balin, Oin, Bombur, Bifur, Ori and Kili. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It could be getting the big break when you’ve got 40 years to talk about is exactly the right time for it to happen. And Comic-Con could be the right place for Richard to wow the thousands who will fill the hall that morning, and millions more who will experience this amazing actor via the internet.  We all know how very charming, erudite, witty, gentlemanly and purely gorgeous he can be.  Gandalf may be the wizard, but if the man who plays Thorin wants to cast his spell over the entire hall with that It Factor, he can do it. That’s the power of the Armitage Effect.

S0—will I be seeing him wow the crowd on July 14?

Comic-Con International is coming July 12-15 in San Diego and I will be there! SQUEE!

A huge thank you to everyone who has supported my Comic-Con Trip Fund. I have the biggest hurdles cleared–the plane ticket and the hotel–my way out there and back, free breakfast daily and a place to crash each night. 

 

 I’m still raising funds to be able to cover transportation to and from the convention center and hotel (just over 10 miles apart) and any of those unexpected expenses (i.e. the free food disagrees with my system and I have to buy some nosh along the way).  Any and all donations are much appreciated!