NewsTolk April 2026: Deine News rund um Tolkien und Herr der Ringe
Von Film-Besetzungen bis hin zu unterhaltsamen Anekdoten: Von uns bekommst Du alle wichtigen Tolkien-News der letzten Wochen in nur einer Stunde direkt in Dein Ohr!
Show Notes
Thematisch geordnet
BÜCHER UND FORSCHUNG
The Oxford Handbook of J.R.R. Tolkien has been announced by editor Dimitra Fimi (with Luke Shelton)
https://substack.com/@dimitrafimi/note/c-207382325
Lord of the Rings Comparison 5
https://wayneandchristina.wordpress.com/2026/01/29/lord-of-the-rings-comparison-5/
Abigail Nussbaum hat den „tolkien reread“
https://www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/category/tolkien-reread
Ein Riesen-Book Club macht auf Substack die Runde:
Kelly Orazi/ The Middle Page [5,5k+ Subscriber]
https://themiddlepage.substack.com/p/a-year-of-tolkien-starts-tomorrow
John Garth has Meditation and mosaic: two landmark Tolkien studies
https://steady.page/en/john-garth-on-tolkiens-life-and-works/posts/bc442c8c-e030-498d-9f5c-150814d1db89
The Tolkien Guide has another unboxing video, this time on The Bovadium Fragments: Together with ‘The Origin of Bovadium’.
https://www.youtube.com/live/c_GsWkrNb3E?si=xtqZB2OYpG7LvJjH
The single rarest “collectable” item on all things Tolkien is being sold right now for a rather impressive sum.
https://www.tomwayling.co.uk/product-page/songs-for-the-philologists
EVENTS
global map for Tolkien Reading Day
https://maps.app.goo.gl/H7oDhCajyEv6EeU16
DNB, DTG, Marbach, Hobbitpresse. War am 10. Februar
The German Tolkien Society in cooperation with the German National Library, the German Literature Archive Marbach, and German Tolkien Publishers Hobbitpresse (plus the German voice actor of Elijah Wood) will be starting off a nation-wide series titled ‘Literature as self-defense’ with an evening under the heading off: “I wish it need not have happened in my time.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/DUiD0kOjWHi/
Please note I am the Guest of Honour of this year’s Lustrum of the Dutch Tolkien Society, Unquendor.
Registration is now open for June 19-21, 2026.
https://www.unquendor.nl/?page_id=5109
The Fellowship of the Ring In Concert 25th anniversary UK/IRE tour dates
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/lord-rings-25th-anniversary-concert-33643464.amp
After its expansion into the US, German Middle-earth Enterprises licensee Burgschneider is now moving into the UK with the The Brandywine Festival [press release; Sept 2026]
https://burgschneider.de/blogs/middle-earth/bringing-the-shire-home-burgschneider-announces-the-brandywine-festival-s-uk-debut-at-weston-park-in-2026?shpxid=680ce4d8-a3d5-471d-9aab-f506f702bd66
The Tolkien Society is reviving the festivities in Birmingham, organising the Sarehole Festival [May 30-31]
https://www.tolkiensociety.org/events/sarehole-festival-2026/
The Tolkien Tapestries will be shown at Angers [Apr 10 – Nov 8]
https://my-angers.info/04/02/lunivers-de-tolkien-debarque-a-angers/182046
COMPUTERSPIELE & ACCESSOIRES
Veteran Studio Working On New Lord of the Rings Game [Insider Gaming; this is still an unsubstantiated rumour as of this moment]
https://insider-gaming.com/veteran-studio-working-new-lord-of-the-rings-game/
Hidden Steam listing hints at The Lord of the Rings: War in the North re-releasing
https://www.tweaktown.com/news/110470/hidden-steam-listing-hints-at-the-lord-of-the-rings-war-in-the-north-re-releasing/index.html
Tales of the Shire is coming to the Switch 2 – for free, if you already own the Switch version.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pitq0q7aIho
Corsair is halting Drop sales after March 25th [Verge]
https://www.theverge.com/news/884824/corsair-ending-drop-shopping-site
Nacon Files for Insolvency Days Before Its Big Showcase and Just Over 2 Weeks Before GreedFall 2 Releases Its Full 1.0 Version [IGN; Nacon was the publisher to LotR: Gollum]
https://www.ign.com/articles/nacon-files-for-insolvency-days-before-its-big-showcase-and-just-over-2-weeks-before-greedfall-2-releases-its-full-10-version
Concept Art from Eidos-Montréal’s LOTR Game
https://mp1st.com/news/report-cancelled-lotr-game-by-eidos-montreal-with-a-telltale-like-story-first-look
Lord of the Rings Online explains why its world is an ‘ecosystem’ rather than a themepark [MMORPG]
https://massivelyop.com/2026/02/10/lord-of-the-rings-online-explains-why-its-world-is-an-ecosystem-rather-than-a-themepark/
Lord of the Rings: Conquest, „The Game That Killed Pandemic“, Is Playable Online Once More
https://www.timeextension.com/news/2026/02/lord-of-the-rings-conquest-the-game-that-killed-pandemic-is-playable-online-once-more
Lord of the Rings comes to Summoners War – Available now
https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2026/02/02/121491-lord-of-the-rings-comes-to-summoners-war-available-now/
BRETT-, KARTEN-, TABLETOP & TCG
Kartenzocker Playmats & Shit
https://ultimateguard.com/en/Card-Cases/Omnihive-1000-The-Lord-of-the-Rings-Places-of-Middle-earth/UGD011757/
The D20 Kickstarter for Foes of Middle-earth has started.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/d20culture/foes-of-middle-earth-balrog
Hasbro Reveals Three MTG Set Release Dates to Complete 2026 Calendar [MTGRocks; Hobbit is coming Aug 14]
https://mtgrocks.com/hasbro-reveals-full-mtg-2026-calendar/
Mithril’s Miniature Box ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ is worth having a look at. [Instagram]
https://www.instagram.com/p/DU2833hCaXx/ [Mithril ist einfach besser, seit 30+ Jahren!]
A new boardgame from Office Dog Games: LotR: Circle of Conflict.
https://www.officedoggames.com/game/circle-of-conflict/
Sirius Partners with asmodee and Middle-earth Enterprises on Official The Lord of the Rings™ Tabletop Accessories Line [UberStrategist]
https://www.uberstrategist.com/press-releases/sirius-partners-with-asmodee-and-middle-earth-enterprises-on-official-the-lord-of-the-rings-tm-tabletop-accessories-line
FILME (25 Jahre Jubiläum), SERIE und MERCHANDISE
‚That’s Still Under Bezos‘ Magical Halo‘ — The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Reportedly Remains On-Track for 5 Seasons at Amazon as It Becomes TV’s First $1 Billion Series [IGN]
https://www.ign.com/articles/thats-still-under-bezos-magical-halo-the-lord-of-the-rings-the-rings-of-power-reportedly-remains-on-track-for-5-seasons-at-amazon-as-it-becomes-tvs-first-1-billion-series
Amazon MGM Studios Reorgs TV “Worldbuilding” Team, Matthew King and Adrienne O’Riain Depart [Hollywood Reporter]
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/amazon-mgm-studios-reorg-worldbuilding-series-1236555416/
Aragorn’s Recast In New Lord Of The Rings Movie Officially Confirmed By Andy Serkis [ScreenRant]
https://screenrant.com/aragorn-recast-lord-of-the-rings-the-hunt-for-gollum-confirmed-andy-serkis/
Peter Jackson to produce yet another frankly unnecessary LORD OF THE RINGS film
https://thewertzone.blogspot.com/2026/03/peter-jackson-to-produce-yet-another.html
It’s been a few years since the film came out but pant-less Aragorn is making a comeback:
https://www.darkhorsedirect.com/products/the-lord-of-the-rings-animated-film-pvc-figure-set-frodo-aragorn-samwise
Elijah Wood is finally reading The Lord of the Rings 25 years after playing Frodo: ‚They’re incredible!‘
https://ew.com/elijah-wood-finally-reading-lord-of-the-rings-25-years-after-playing-frodo-11929315
The Lord of the Rings Gold Stamp Ingot
https://shop.royalmail.com/the-lord-of-the-rings-gold-stamp-ingot
Tolkien Reading Day seems to have become the day of choice for major media to use as marketing tool (not good for the community, generally speaking, but that’s where we are right now…)
Anyway – Peter Jackson just announced the next film after „Hunt for Gollum” and it is going to be “Shadow of the Past”, in cooperation with Stephen Colbert.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMHh4L2626A
Kate Winslet To Play Female Lead In Andy Serkis’ ‘LOTR: The Hunt For Gollum’
https://deadline.com/2026/03/kate-winslet-lord-of-the-rings-hunt-for-gollum-andy-serkis-1236749998/
DC’s future just got very complicated [ICv2]
https://icv2.com/articles/columns/view/61767/dcs-future-just-got-very-complicated
Please note the Ellisons now essentially own the Eagle & Child.
Peter Jackson will receive the Cannes Honorary Palme d’or.
https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/press/press-releases/peter-jackson-honorary-palme-d-or-of-the-79th-festival-de-cannes/
A very good write-up on the Warner Bros./ Discovery sale: Too Much TV: Behind The Scenes Of Netflix’s Decision To Drop Bid For WBD [Substack]
https://toomuchtv.substack.com/p/too-much-tv-behind-the-scenes-of
First new collectible pieces from Syzygy Forge are stunning! [TORn; much more interesting: the upcoming John Howe collection]
https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2026/02/18/121540-first-new-collectible-pieces-from-syzygy-forge-are-stunning/
‘Lord of the Rings’ cracks top 10 in wintry box office weekend topped by Chris Pratt on trial before an AI judge
https://fortune.com/2026/01/26/lord-of-the-rings-cracks-top-10-in-wintry-box-office-weekend-topped-by-chris-pratt-on-trial-before-an-ai-judge/
Review: LEGO 11373 Sauron’s Helmet
https://jaysbrickblog.com/reviews/review-lego-11373-sauron-helmet/
TECH BRO FASCISTS
Hobbit-Inspired Startup Becomes First New Bank Greenlighted by Trump 2.0
https://www.wsj.com/finance/banking/hobbit-inspired-startup-becomes-first-new-bank-greenlighted-by-trump-2-0-0d6075ef
Onodrim Industries Raises €40 Million in Seed Funding to Accelerate Europe’s Defence & Industrial Technology Renaissance
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/onodrim-industries-raises-40-million-120000389.html?guccounter=1
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-02-13/palantir-alumni-launch-thiel-backed-european-defense-startup
Josh Kushner uses ‚Lord of the Rings‘ to explain what being close to OpenAI taught him about perceived power [Business Insider Africa]
https://africa.businessinsider.com/news/josh-kushner-uses-lord-of-the-rings-to-explain-what-being-close-to-openai-taught-him/l4cg8fn
What Is Palantir? An FAQ
https://www.theringer.com/2026/02/26/tech/palantir-ceo-founder-controversy-explained-lotr-peter-thiel-alex-karp
High-speed combat drone production starts at new US Anduril plant in days [Reuters]
https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/high-speed-combat-drone-production-starts-new-us-anduril-plant-days-2026-03-19/
MISCELLANEOUS und FUN
Does it surprise me that xkcd has a Tolkien connection even in its “what if?” videos? No.
The Tolkienist’s Roving Ranger and more nominated for ‘Best Online Content’ with the Tolkien Society Awards | THANK YOU!
https://steady.page/en/thetolkienist/posts/350bac91-c446-4897-a5b4-e933012f3d4c
Do Middle‑earth and Westeros make sense? Climate scientists modelled them to find out
https://theconversation.com/do-middle-earth-and-westeros-make-sense-climate-scientists-modelled-them-to-find-out-277232
Tolkien seems to have been prophetic on a number of current issues – a recent piece of scholarship puts one of the essential neurological changes in human life at… 32.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-025-65974-8
Jason Fisher has Generative AI, Hallucinations, and Tolkien Revisited
https://lingwe.blogspot.com/2026/03/generative-ai-hallucinations-and.html
I wrote another Fingolfin’s Findings – on the Oakenshield Marionettes.
https://steady.page/en/thetolkienist/posts/f0b16533-c799-4328-bd01-f2b346514e75
John Garth has The Lord of the Rings: toughest quiz ever [Steady]
https://steady.page/en/john-garth-on-tolkiens-life-and-works/posts/02a6d1f9-cd5f-4d76-8557-e8c687ac5026
A radio station in Johannesburg, South Africa, asked listeners about their experiences with their neighbours, and apparently a dispute about a dog led one caller to share his story:
„“My neighbour decided I’m a hobbit… and put hobbit posters all around the complex.”
Yes, apparently parking bays, walls and cars were decorated overnight — proving that passive-aggressive behaviour in Joburg sometimes comes with excellent production values.“
The Lamb & Flag doing what it should be doing: Famous Oxford pub now has its own group of writers
https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/25887542.famous-oxford-pub-now-group-writers/
The Oxfam Bookshop on St Giles, the charity’s first ever dedicated bookshop, could be closed
https://oxfordclarion.uk/clarion-weekend-13-february-2026/
Czechoslovakian wolfdog Nazgul made quite the appearance at the Winter Olympics
https://www.npr.org/2026/02/18/nx-s1-5718025/surprise-four-legged-olympic-competitor-wows-cross-country-fans
Is A Promised Hobbit Hotel A Scam? WBZ’s Matt Shearer Investigates
https://wbznewsradio.iheart.com/content/is-a-promised-hobbit-hotel-a-scam-wbzs-matt-shearer-investigates/
The Oxford Tolkien Society has just been beaten by the Cambridge Tolkien Society in the Varsity Quiz. Congrats to the winners!
https://www.instagram.com/p/DVDgri-CA2N/
George R.R. Martin has The Dreaming Spires.
https://georgerrmartin.com/notablog/2026/02/12/the-dreaming-spires/
The illustrated edition (Jim Kay) of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire may have appeared in 2019 – but it is only now that a fan noticed Ron Weasley reading Tolkien?
https://www.reddit.com/r/ronweasley/comments/1r2vmm9/ron_from_jim_kays_official_illustration_goblet_of/
Three artists have obviously come together to produce Stonefoot, a graphic novel inspired by Tolkien’s works.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DUVqycYkdOj/
Hier der Comic, soll mehrere Bände haben: https://globalcomix.com/read/1ae8b80b-0c3b-4a9d-9e32-4b53ffc65dff/1
A musical inspired by Tolkien’s World War I experiences, Una luz en la oscuridad, will be shown on Feb 28 in Spain at the Diocese of Getafe.1
https://www.diocesisgetafe.es/2026/02/05/el-musical-inspirado-en-la-vida-de-tolkien-llega-a-espana-gracias-a-la-diocesis/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diocese_of_Getafe
Get Birding with Sean Bean looks like a promising new podcast episode – film fans have been asking only one question: how can he get killed by birds?
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x9y9z08
In the German city of Kassel you could take the tram to Mordor – for a day. [It was a prank!]
Radio Rivendell wird 25!
Das einzig, durchgehend sendende Fantasy-Webradio (mit viel Tolkien) feiert dieses Jahr
https://www.patreon.com/posts/25-years-of-and-149827751
The Routledge Handbook of Progressive Rock, Metal, and the Literary Imagination has a chapter titled Time Travel Through Tolkien:
„The primary focus of this chapter is Bo Hansson’s 1972 instrumental concept album, Music Inspired by Lord of the Rings, which replaces the trilogy’s complex narratives with simple, folkish atmospheres, swirls of the Swedish, a synthesized equivalent to Celtic mist. Contrasting Hansson’s atmospheres with Donald Swann’s The Road Goes Ever On: A Song Cycle (1967), based on poems from Middle-earth, this chapter aims to illuminate the ways that we might hear progressive narrative in a purely instrumental setting.“