Sideshow’s Galadriel premium format tease, whether intentional or accidental, remains up for debate. It flashed by in the latest Sideshow podcast, which I must admit, I’ve never once listened to- until now! (sorry, Dusty!) Best conjecture at this point would point to a slip-up, as it was featured as part of an “In Stock” LOTR segment, with the ‘polystone figure’ specifically mentioned. One wonders if a graphic designer got his hands smacked somewhere deep in Sideshow’s hallowed halls for that.

Many collectors (this one included) have called out the Claire Danes resemblance, so we put it to the test using secret patented alien morphing technology. Behold, as Galadriel transforms into the former “My So-Called Life” star. Yes, my best Claire Danes reference is still from a mid-90’s teen TV melodrama. Anyone seen Stardust? Yeah, me either.

We finally get a taste of how Sideshow intends to handle long, flowing locks, and fans have had plenty to say about the half-sculpted, half-rooted immortal elf queen do. It’s the juxtaposition of the two that’s undeniably jarring, but personally, I find the use of ‘real’ locks to be successful. It would be phenomenal if the whole thing were composed of ‘doll hair’, the drawback that it’d be infinitely more complex noted. Don’t believe for a second that Sideshow hasn’t already explored the possibility.

One fuzzy bespectacled visionary for another. That’s what is being reported by The Hollywood Reporter this morning, and fans being fans, are running with it as a done deal.

Guillermo del Toro is in talks to direct back-to-back installments of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”….Principal photography for the films, which will be shot simultaneously, is tentatively set for 2009. The production budget is estimated at $150 million per film. The release of the first film is slated for 2010 and the second in 2011.

I’d be delighted should it come to pass. Guillermo was always my top choice in the instance that PJ were to decline the reins himself– and I’ve firmly suspected this would be the case ever since the big Hobbit announcement broke a month ago. It strikes me as even more exciting a prospect, to have a fresh cinematic take on Tolkien with Jackson’s hands still very much in the stew. This won’t -can’t- be less than anything of a collaboration; a double dose of geekiness straight to the veins

The mishmash of each director’s roster of players is salivating too– Doug Jones and Andy Serkis working together with Weta? Yes please. “You KNOW that Doug Jones is gonna be something awesome in this“, says Harry at AICN. Can’t argue with that.

Jackson and Del Toro are two peas in a mischievious movie-making pod. I can’t wait to see what emerges when they dip their collective hands into Gandalf’s wagon.

• The story breaks at The Hollywood Reporter
• Harry Knowles blabs about blabbing with GDT
• theonering.net’s take– where readers voted GDT second place

Know what is cool about our friend, intrepid crimson haired reporter, Weta Bug? She gets to interview the folk who work at that modern day magical movie factory called Weta Workshop.

Lucky.

On her blog, you can ingest tips from Les Nairn (finishing technician), because you want to learn about airbrushing. Also because you want to see a photo of someone painting a dinosaur’s backside.

If that’s not enough, you can pore over her chat with Gus Hunter (senior concept artist), who you’ll recall as the artist of the Weta Kong print. I found out that we’re very similar cats, and have three things in common. You see, we both love art, we both play guitar, and we both work for Weta… drat, make that two things.

This is just breaking, so details are sparse. The actor was found dead at his residence in New York.

Heath was an actor that I’ve grown to admire over the years. Another star who burned too brightly.

Rest in Peace

Remember that Bioshock statue replacement program I mentioned a while back? Yeah, neither did I. Truth is, the little broken pinkie on my first statue didn’t bother me all that much. I was lucky in that the damage was rather inconspicuous, as opposed to the many who had their drill bits snap.

Nevertheless, a nice brown box arrived today and with it, a brand spanking new Big Daddy statue, and the promised Bioshock Art Book entitled “Breaking The Mold“.

A couple of things worth mentioning straight away: I was expecting an empty shipping box, not a new statue right off the bat. This was supposed to be a replacement program remember? Perhaps they’ve just decided to toss that out the window because, hell, it’s been so long. And really, what are they going to do with a bunch of broken statues? Saves them the headache. There is nothing else included- no return directions, no other documentation, nada. I’ll have to check the 2K site to see just what the deal is.

So, what about the Big Daddy? Well, it’s not broken, as expected. It actually comes in its own little styrofoam transport now, which is at least, like 1000% safer than the Collector’s Edition package ever was. Aside from that, it is identical in every fashion. It’s a little more vibrant in color, but that’s due to dust on the oldie more than anything else. For the time being, I, sounding like a bad 80’s sitcom, have Two Big Daddies.

The Art Book you see, was meant to be an act of extremely good faith on 2K’s part. The initial plan was that, while we were waiting for our statues to arrive, we’d have something else to tide us over. I don’t quite know the full story behind this book, meaning, if this was actually created for purchase in addition to being given away to the replacees. [[updated! see comments for clarification from Elizabeth of 2k Games]] The lack of a barcode says no, but the fact that Ken Levine wrote a forward to this which makes no mentions of the replacement program says maybe.

Either way, I wouldn’t be surprised if they actually sold this somewhere for $15; the quality is actually that good. Surprising, but it’s true. The printing is really high quality, on very nice paper stock. It’s rather substantial as well, no page numbers and I’m bad at estimating, but I’d guess there’s a good 50 pages. The art itself is fascinating as it ought to be. Bioshock packs better production values than most movies. If you’ve never played the game, I’m not pulling your chain. The art inside is reminiscent of the Lord of the Rings “Art of…” books. Full of conceptual sketches, color comps, and to my delight– a few sculpted maquettes!

Bioshock remains one of the finest Xbox 360 titles I have played, and this whole ordeal only makes me think more highly of 2K, not less. Fat chance we’ll ever see them throw another “Collector’s Edition” with something cool our way though.

Did you catch it? No, not the new Star Wars diorama, Thor bust, red-faced Nazi or the other million things it seems Sideshow managed to throw at you in the latest newsletter.

Clearly, one piece of news stood above the rest.

Just days after we blew the cover on our investigation, Mystery Sideshow Lady made a very rare appearance in this week’s edition.

And I do mean rare. Check the other newsletters in Sideshow’s archive- she’s no where to be found. Clearly this was a deliberate reaction. It appears we may struck a nerve that cannot be unstuck. Stay tuned, dear readers. Forget Cloverfield. This is the real mystery of 1-18-08.

In other Sideshow news:

• Why smoking is bad for you, kids: Red Skull premium format
• …on the other hand, Ringwraith shows you why playing with knives is fun
• Sideshow parties like it’s 1999, no really- Duel of the Fates dio previewed
• Flippers paradise- 150 Thor busts sell out really fast

Cloverfield, Lost, Star Trek.

J.J.’s got juice these days in Hollywood.

I still don’t get how John Cho is going to play Sulu. Unless Takei is overdubbing. That would kind of rad. Still, no more of a mystery than big strapping Karl Urban as Bones.

Mystery Sideshow Lady: Actual employee, stock image, or just a figment of our imagination?

She has always been there, greeting Sideshow’s visitors with an air of pleasant enthusiasm. The headset oozes trustworthiness and gentle authority- there’s no question she can’t answer. And with her winning smile, Mystery SS Lady assures us that everything will be alright; she’s always happy to sympathize, rain or shine, so long as it’s during business hours.

Despite seeing her day in and day out on Sideshow’s site, how much do we really know- aside her affinity toward pink business casual wear? We set out investigate this highly important matter.

Calls were made.

The dragnet cast.

Whatever it is that people do on Blackberries, we did it on our imaginary ones.

All of this top notch spy work would prove unfruitful at the end of the day: Sideshow smacked us with that kryptonite of investigative reporting, “no comment.”

For now, the mystery of the Mystery Sideshow Lady will have to remain… uh, mysterious. But rest assured, dear readers, as long as there is dirt to be uncovered, we here at [[Artist Proof]] will dig like a constipated gopher until the truth sees the light of day!

To be continued… (?)
No statues were harmed in the making of this article

[[Update]] Winner: Emmanuel DLS, CA!
What a lucky dog you!

We are hosting The Shadow and Flame’s 3rd Anniversary Giveaway both on the forum and right here at the [[Artist Proof]] Collectiblog- And we’re celebrating it by giving you a brand spanking new Wolverine Legendary Scale EXCLUSIVE bust from Sideshow Collectibles!

It’s no lie! I can already hear you saying “WOW!!”

“How do I get my paws on that bust?”:
Tell us WHAT COLLECTIBLE YOU ARE MOST EXCITED TO ADD TO YOUR SHELVES IN 08 (any manufacturer) in the comments section below, and you are automatically entered into the giveaway. It’s really that simple. One entry per household/email. Make sure you don’t enter a phony email address, because if we don’t hear back from you, tough luck- a new winner will be chosen.

“How long does it run for?”:
Starts now and ends January 24. Two weeks. Winner will be contacted by email, and must claim prize within 2 days.

“Anything else I oughta know?”:
Members of The Shadow and Flame forum are more likely to win! Here’s why- each entry is assigned a number. If you are a forum member, we assign you two numbers. You can register at any time during the contest and be eligible, won’t hurt our feelings.

Always wear a seatbelt.

“Does Sideshow want to tell me something?”:
Boy do they!

Delivery for the contest winner: The winner must allow 4-6 weeks after announcement of win to receive the product. To get the latest news from Sideshow Collectibles, join our Newsletter!

Delivery time & Restrictions: All continental US orders are shipped FedEx ground service. Because FedEx cannot provide tracking numbers for P.O. Boxes, Sideshow Collectibles will no longer ship to a P.O. Box. Please provide your street address or your shipment will be delayed. For FedEx Ground deliveries, please allow up to 6 business days for delivery from the date your order is shipped.

International Shipping Restrictions: At this time we are unable to make shipments to Venezuela or Indonesia. Please Click Here for further international shipping information and restrictions.

All taxes are the responsibility of the winner. All prizes are non-transferable, with no cash redemptions and/or substitutions except at Sponsor’s sole discretion. All international winners will be responsible for any duties, tariffs, taxes or import fees assessed to their prize. Further some countries outside of the U.S. do not have reliable mail services. In the event that a prize has been stolen or mishandled during shipment to an international destination, Sideshow may not be able to replace the specific item and will substitute a prize at its own discretion. If the winner prefers a specific quicker shipping method, they are responsible to notify us immediately and will also be responsible to cover the additional costs if any.

• Watch the Wolverine Legendary Scale bust backstage pass at Sideshow
• The giveaway page at Shadow and Flame

Gentle Giant Collectors member LaMelnik has posted unboxing shots of his shiny new wizard, and initial reaction has been varied. “His hair looks like putty” remarked one user at The Shadow and Flame, while another concluded that it “doesn’t look so bad after all.” Back at the Freaks, reaction tended to be positive overall, with the tan skin tone getting a fair bit of play.

Is this the turn of the tide for poor old Gandalf, or will the lamenting resume?

• More shots of GTW’s coming out party at GGC
• GTW Premium Format at Comic-Con 07