Weta Coming Back To Middle Earth

[LOTRFan]

I don't think many would have been able to tell though, either with the Howe pieces or Gollum they were/are just really well done!

 

[WrathofSauron]

Wrath, once again you stolen my thunder! That is good news, and I'll take one of each please....

Well it's nice to be the first one for a change!!

Yes I will take one of each too!!!

 

[FrodoEyes]

Anyone else with me on this?

No because we're not rich!

 

[Anubis]

I for one am very pleased with this announcement

TBH I just like the sculpts themselves, in any form (bronze, faux-bronze). So to have a more affordable option is very welcome And I don't think it will really detract from the bronze ones, which will still be rare in the future and keep their value I think.

 

[GondorGirl]

I for one am very pleased with this announcement

TBH I just like the sculpts themselves, in any form (bronze, faux-bronze). So to have a more affordable option is very welcome And I don't think it will really detract from the bronze ones, which will still be rare in the future and keep their value I think.

Wise words from Anubis here Agree with it all

 

[Anubis]

Wise words from Anubis here Agree with it all

Thanks GG!

I for one will be getting both of them if the price is right.

And on another note, did Del Toro not say something like Howe's version was the vision of Smaug he would be using, or at least basing the movie Smaug on? I think I read that?

 

[GondorGirl]

Thanks GG!

I for one will be getting both of them if the price is right.

And on another note, did Del Toro not say something like Howe's version was the vision of Smaug he would be using, or at least basing the movie Smaug on? I think I read that?

Yeah, me too definitly!

That does really does ring a bell, was that in the Weta chat maybe? I hope it is true, always liked Howe's vision of Smaug

I can't believe I forgot to wave Here's two to make up for it:

 

[user 122]

Yeah, me too definitly!

That does really does ring a bell, was that in the Weta chat maybe? I hope it is true, always liked Howe's vision of Smaug

I can't believe I forgot to wave Here's two to make up for it:

I think John Howe's version as well as the dragon from the Dragonslayer movie.

 

[GondorGirl]

I think John Howe's version as well as the dragon from the Dragonslayer movie.

Well that sounds good to me, And that really is chiming a bell on what was said on the Weta chat...thank you

 

[woodsy]

With both bronze and faux bronze editions on the horizon....how long before Weta announces colour versions?

 

[GondorGirl]

With both bronze and faux bronze editions on the horizon....how long before Weta announces colour versions?

234 days, 4 hours and 12 minutes

 

[woodsy]

234 days, 4 hours and 12 minutes

That sounds like one of Wrath's predictions

 

[GondorGirl]

That sounds like one of Wrath's predictions

'Cheep, Cheep'

 

[lcummins]

I talked extensively with Tim (the General Manager of Weta Limited) at the Con about some of the issues brought up here. There are valid reasons for the pricing, design choices, etc. for all of these products.

First off, the John Howe line... according to Tim, John has wanted to do sculptures of his art for years and relished the opportunity to work with Weta and Richard again. It was his desire to do bronzes as that is how he always imagined the pieces; the low edition size is due to the fact that not too many pieces can be produced before the molds break down and are unusable and the fact that not a lot of people can afford bronze pieces.

The LOTR swords... each one will be hand-made by Peter just like swords were traditionally made for the last several centuries. It takes Peter about a month or more to produce one sword... that is a month they are taking him away from working on other productions, such as The Hobbit! With an edition size of 10, Anduril alone will occupy almost a year of his time, and when The Hobbit production ramps up, the schedule for the swords will take a back seat. So Weta wisely choose to limit the edition size to avoid very long delays and being able to make Peter available when they need him.

The shields... these are new sculpts, and have nothing to do with the prototypes shown several years ago. I do agree that the "pin" idea isn't the best, and Weta may re-evaluate that thought.

Gandalf's cloak... these are hand-made on original 1890's looms that have been in operation since new. The process is very time consuming... they raise the sheep and shear them, spin the wool into thread, and meticulously weave each cloak by hand. Old world craftsmanship at its finest!

Gollum... This pose is one of Richard favorite's, and that is why it has been produced in many different forms. Why a life size bronze? Because Richard loves bronzes and hopes to build a "bronze garden" one day and when he retires, he will run the garden and give tours and allow people to enjoy them as well. He hopes to do all of the Fellowship in life size bronzes eventually.

So, as you can see, there are reasons behind every choice they've made. Just because one doesn't understand the reasons or can't afford the items, that is no reason to get angry at Weta. They are actively looking for feedback from the collecting community, so if you feel they are doing something wrong (or right), let them know about it, but just do it in a civil and respectful manner. I promise you, they are listening...

 

[Lembas Eater]

I'm officially doing the Happy Dance!

 

[cstojano]

I talked extensively with Tim (the General Manager of Weta Limited) at the Con about some of the issues brought up here. There are valid reasons for the pricing, design choices, etc. for all of these products.

First off, the John Howe line... according to Tim, John has wanted to do sculptures of his art for years and relished the opportunity to work with Weta and Richard again. It was his desire to do bronzes as that is how he always imagined the pieces; the low edition size is due to the fact that not too many pieces can be produced before the molds break down and are unusable and the fact that not a lot of people can afford bronze pieces.

The LOTR swords... each one will be hand-made by Peter just like swords were traditionally made for the last several centuries. It takes Peter about a month or more to produce one sword... that is a month they are taking him away from working on other productions, such as The Hobbit! With an edition size of 10, Anduril alone will occupy almost a year of his time, and when The Hobbit production ramps up, the schedule for the swords will take a back seat. So Weta wisely choose to limit the edition size to avoid very long delays and being able to make Peter available when they need him.

The shields... these are new sculpts, and have nothing to do with the prototypes shown several years ago. I do agree that the "pin" idea isn't the best, and Weta may re-evaluate that thought.

Gandalf's cloak... these are hand-made on original 1890's looms that have been in operation since new. The process is very time consuming... they raise the sheep and shear them, spin the wool into thread, and meticulously weave each cloak by hand. Old world craftsmanship at its finest!

Gollum... This pose is one of Richard favorite's, and that is why it has been produced in many different forms. Why a life size bronze? Because Richard loves bronzes and hopes to build a "bronze garden" one day and when he retires, he will run the garden and give tours and allow people to enjoy them as well. He hopes to do all of the Fellowship in life size bronzes eventually.

So, as you can see, there are reasons behind every choice they've made. Just because one doesn't understand the reasons or can't afford the items, that is no reason to get angry at Weta. They are actively looking for feedback from the collecting community, so if you feel they are doing something wrong (or right), let them know about it, but just do it in a civil and respectful manner. I promise you, they are listening...

I've been bouncing emails with Weta about the faux bronze issue. I don't want to be the negative nellie on the boards and will surely own all of the faux bronzes that they do. Heck if I was contemplating spending 6k based on seeing the faux bronze pieces at SDCC then the actual faux bronze costs will be a drop in the bucket, a total no-brainer. I can live with the swords, gollum, gandalf's cloak. But I just don't get the decision with these statues. Has any other company ever done a bronze and faux bronze of the same piece? I know Bowen did a bronze and then full painted version of Frazetta's Death Dealer. CS Moore does a bronze and full painted versions for their Conan pieces. Some people like the look of the bronze and others want painted statues. Of course I could buy both and have a custom paint job done on the faux bronze (not a bad plan actually). I'm just left wondering who they are envisioning as the fine art collector that will buy these bronze pieces???

 

[abstractharmony]

Thanks for the update Lonnie!

 

[WrathofSauron]

'Cheep, Cheep'

OMG you just can't stop can you both!!! I have to root through the smilies now for an apt one.........................



ok got one!

 

[WrathofSauron]

You see what you guys are doing, GG and Woodsy,..... driving me to drink!!

 

[-Super Hans-]

You see what you guys are doing, GG and Woodsy,..... driving me to drink!!

it isnt exactley hard to force an irishman to drink