With “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” now in theaters, Warner Bros. revealed details about its “Hobbit” licensed merchandise and a Wall Street Journal article describes bidding for pricey items and prop replicas from that movie and its precursor “Lord of the Rings” Trilogy.
Here are some of the movie’s licensees for standard merchandise:
* Co-master toy licensees The Bridge Direct and Vivid Group offer action figures, collector’s figures, and role play toys.
* LEGO Games offers as build-and-change construction game.
* Rubie’s Costume Co. markets a line of costumes and accessories.
“We work closely with our impressive roster of licensees to create products that capture the spirit of this fantastically imagined world and give fans a chance to immerse themselves,” Warner Bros. Consumer Products president Brad Globe said in a statement.
There are high-end items too:
* Filmmaker Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop sells detailed prop replicas such as a $99 gold plated tungsten-carbide copy of the ring that is the centerpiece of the trilogy. The replica is engraved with elvish inscriptions and it’s from New Zealand jeweler Jens Hansen.
* There’s an 18-carat solid gold ring for $3,300.
* Weta Workshop also offer a $15,000 statue of Golum, who is the nemesis of hero Frodo, and the statue is sold out.
A Wall Street Journal article by Anna Russell notes that “because few props have been released from the Tolkien movie sets, rare and pristine editions of the books make up most of the market for high-end collectibles.” Tolkien is the author.
Related content:
- Warner Bros. Consumer Products Unveils Worldwide Licensing Program for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
- Gross National Hobbit: Dubious Merch from Middle-Earth
- Weta Unveils Breathtaking New HOBBIT Prop Replicas and Merchandise
- Collectibles from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings (WSJ account may be required)
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