George R.R. Martin has often cited J.R.R. Tolkien as an inspiration for his own A Song of Ice and Fire series. So it's exciting news that Martin has been announced as the moderator for a discussion and Q&A about the new movie, Tolkien.
Martin will moderate and discussion and Q&A with the movie's stars, including Nicholas Hoult, Lily Collins, and director Dome Karukoski. The event is taking place on May 8 at the Regency Westwood Village where the film is premiering in Los Angeles.
"Modern fantasy would not exist without J.R.R. Tolkien and Lord of the Rings… and that most definitely includes my own A Song of Ice and Fire," Martin said in a blog post. "Tolkien's work redefined fantasy, and all of us who have followed in his footsteps owe him a profound debt.
"But who was the man behind the Shire, the Hobbits, and the One Ring? Tolkien, the new motion picture about JRRT’s early life, aspires to answer that question."
The discussion and Q&A will be broadcast live on the Tolkien movie's Facebook page, beginning at 9 PM PST.
Last week, the Tolkien Estate disavowed the movie Tolkien. The Estate said it was not involved in and does not approve of the new film, which stars Hoult as Tolkien and Collins as Edith Bratt. In response, film company Fox Searchlight said it is proud of the movie, adding that it has the "utmost respect and admiration for Mr. Tolkien and his phenomenal contribution to literature."