Meet Azog the Defiler, known as the Pale Orc, is one of the biggest and most terrifying characters in Middle-Earth.
We were not able to take too many pictures of the mannequin of Azog because I am not tall enough but I hope you can see is plenty of details.
Azog the Pale Orc
We think big in Middle-Earth and they don’t come any bigger than Azog the Defiler from the Hobbit.
While the original Azog was created using computer graphics, The Hobbit white orc actor is Manu Bennett a very tall and broad Kiwi. His performance is subsequently enhanced with motion capture technology (performance capture). You can see how this is done in the Weta video at the bottom of this post.

This Fibreglass Statue Was Made for the Hobbit Costume Trail
It has been created by artists from Weta Workshop. It is based on the digital original, and you can get some idea of the impact this giant dwarf slayer might have caused as you stand to look up at him.
The statue of Azog was originally on the Level 2 foyer at Te Papa Museum in Wellington. On the plinth, he stands 3.5 metres, (about 11.5 feet) tall. There is a lot of costume detail such as footwear and weaponry. Also, take a look at his grim loincloth, there look some very unhappy dwarf faces there!
Who was Azog the Defiler?
Azog was chief of the Orcs of Moria and there is a line of history linking Thorin to the giant orc. Thror, one of Thorin’s ancestors was killed by Azog and this began the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. This conflict reverberated down through Middle-Earth time to the Battle of the Five Armies.
Azog the Defiler Features:
- Leather boots/foot protectors
- Loincloth made from victims heads
- Weapon arm, Weapons
- Fibreglass Figure
Check out more costumes from The Hobbit on our Costume Pages.
Mom L made it to the theater to see the movie! Loved it! Can’t wait to visit The Shire in NZ
Whoa! He’s big AND scary! We liked learning about how he was created, too.
ConCats to da winners. Dat’s a Giant statue alwight.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
Mum would love to see all that stuff ! She’s a fan of Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit : she read the books, she watched the movies, and re-read the books ! Purrs
guys….we due knot think any one wantz ta mezz with thiz dood !!
thanx for sharin XXXX
Yikes! That is one scary dude!
Wow, a-ma-zing Aunty! He’d strike fear into your heart, for sure!