Replica Weapons from "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey"

United® Cutlery, manufacturer of licensed edged and adult collectibles for the entertainment industry since 1981, announced the availability to pre-order replicas from Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated film, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, a production of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).

United Cutlery, the industry leader in collectible film and game replicas, has meticulously crafted the weapon replicas of the upcoming Hobbit film. The line will consist of signature icons, such as the Staff of Gandalf, Sting, and the legendary sword of Thorin Oakenshield, Orcrist. The Staff of Gandalf is his source of power and his primary weapon. Sting is the sword of Bilbo Baggins and is used against the Giant Spiders of Mirkwood to save the Company of Dwarves. Orcrist is the valuable and feared sword of Thorin Oakenshield, the Dwarf Lord. Each collectible will be exactly replicated from the actual film props created by Weta Workshop for the film production, and each piece will include a certificate of authenticity. These three replicas will lead off the line, which will be released in late 2012. To pre-order any of the three authentic collectibles, go to www.budk.com/hobbit. There are more replicas from The Hobbit films that will be released over the course of each film release, so look for more information concerning these new products from United Cutlery.

“We are thrilled to return to Middle-earth and continue our partnership with Warner Bros,” said Clint Kadel, CEO and owner of United Cutlery. “With Peter Jackson at the helm, the two films based on The Hobbit are sure to be a hit. We are very excited to have the opportunity to give the fans a line of collectibles they will love, while at the same time creating a consistent extension of our The Lord of the Rings line.”

About The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again

From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of two films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit. The second film will be The Hobbit: There and Back Again. Both films are set in Middle-earth 60 years before The Lord of the Rings, which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released on December 14, 2012. The second film, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, is slated for release the following year, on December 13, 2013. Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, the character he played in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins. Also reprising their roles from “The Lord of the Rings” movies are: Cate Blanchett as Galadriel; Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo; Christopher Lee as Saruman; Hugo Weaving as Elrond; Elijah Wood as Frodo; Orlando Bloom as Legolas; and Andy Serkis as Gollum. The ensemble cast also includes (in alphabetical order) Richard Armitage, John Bell, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Barry Humphries, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Evangeline Lilly, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O’Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas, and Aidan Turner.

The screenplays for both The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again are by Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, and Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro. Jackson is also producing the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again are productions of New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television licensing, being handled by MGM.
© Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All rights reserved. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY, THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and the names of the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, Inc.

About United Cutlery

United Cutlery is distinguished as the world leader in movie prop and video game replicas, fantasy collectibles, traditional samurai swords, the most innovative sport and tactical knives in the field and our unique designer line of knives and swords from Kit Rae and Gil Hibben. Nearly thirty years ago United brought together a combined team of dedicated experts in design, manufacturing and sales with one goal – to make the best knives, swords and collectibles on the planet. Often imitated, but never exceeded, we strive to make our products to the highest standards in the industry, with superior value, quality and performance! The United licensed replica philosophy is simple – to create the most accurate and visually stunning replica possible using modern materials and production methods, but at a price the average person can afford. We consider our licensed replicas heirlooms that fans will cherish for many years, as a fond memory of the world created in the property. We strive for accuracy not only in exactly replicating the film props or game designs, but in replicating the exact look as seen in the property. This includes weathering and distressing effects to accurately produce the worn and well-used appearance some replicas require to satisfy collectors. Our other film licenses include the The Expendables, The Lord of the Rings, GI Joe, Indiana Jones, Highlander, Hellboy, the Rambo films, the Blade films, Terminator 2, Total Recall, Mortal Kombat, The Mask of Zorro and the Heroes television series. Our video game replicas include God of War, Devil May Cry and Darksiders.