This page contains articles relating to the upcoming movie The Hobbit. It is the prequel to The Lord of The Rings trilogy. The movie casts Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins. Please visit LMR's Martin Freeman Page - Home and LMR's The Hobbit Page - Home.
| * THE HOBBIT ARTICLES BY MONTH AND YEAR * |
The Press Association: Turner's hairy Hobbit preparations
February 22, 2011
(UKPA) - Aidan Turner has revealed he is growing out his beard for his forthcoming role in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit.
The Irish actor is playing dwarf Kili in the Lord Of The Rings prequel, and is deciding what sort of look he should go for.
"I'm growing out the beard - we're giving it a chance, [and] seeing what it looks like," he told Entertainment Weekly.
He denied the facial hair was to "de-handsomify" him, saying: "No, not really. I mean, famously in the books, the dwarves have really long beards, so we're just trying stuff out and seeing what it looks like."
Aidan, who plays vampire Mitchell in the BBC Three series Being Human, is undergoing boot camp at the moment to prepare for the part.
"It's dwarf boot camp, not really hobbit boot camp. It's just all dwarves - training and stuff," he continued.
"I can't really give too much away, you know? But it's pretty much everything. It's physical training and everything you can imagine, really. I guess just working as an actor helps you for these things. It's more physical than anything else, but there's dialect coaching and all those kind of things."
Martin Freeman will portray lead hobbit Bilbo Baggins in the two-part adaptation, with the first part scheduled for release in 2012.
Gandalf left to cool his heels in Middle-earth
The Australian
February 23, 2011
IAN McKellen has gone online to reveal some of the frustrations behind the scenes of The Hobbit, Peter Jackson's two-part prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The film is due to start filming in New Zealand next month following several delays, with some of the dramas including Jackson being forced to undergo surgery in January for a stomach ulcer, financial problems and the departure of original director Guillermo del Toro.
Writing on his website, McKellen says while "a wizard is never late", he hadn't intended to arrive in Wellington five weeks early. "Yet, what's new?" he says. "Just a year ago, touring New Zealand with Waiting for Godot, I had expected to start shooting in July 2010, with Guillermo del Toro in charge. I was staying at his spare house on Breaker Bay, close to the Jackson compound. There he told me why he was abandoning Middle-earth, as Warner Bros and MGM got perilously close to postponing The Hobbit forever and he worried about his commitments to other work.
"So my plan to jump straight from Beckett to Tolkien had to be abandoned and I flew home for a prolonged break."
McKellen says he cut short a holiday in India to ensure he made it to NZ by February, when filming was due to resume. "Then, while I was away, Peter Jackson had his stomach operation. The insurance company has insisted on five weeks' recuperation. Which is why, yet again, I'm here early. Waiting for Bilbo." He was hoping Jackson would make an appearance at a party thrown last week by the film's screenwriter, Philippa Boyens, and one the next day hosted by actor Graham McTavish. "No luck," he writes. "But there were many others to say hello to, beginning with 13 dwarves."
The Hobbit: There and Back Again
By Matt Patchett
Arts - Film and TV - The Yorker
February 17, 2011
It was recently announced that filming for The Hobbit will begin on 21st March 2011.
For most films, such news is simply procedure, but for The Hobbit it is a minor miracle. The film has suffered so many problems during pre-production that some have suggested that the shoot is cursed. Whilst in the cast’s first press conference last week they laughed off the so-called “Curse of the Hobbit,” the film has undoubtedly been blighted by bad luck. Even the announcement of the film’s start date came just weeks after director Peter Jackson was admitted to hospital with a perforated stomach ulcer.
The film faced problems from the very beginning when MGM, who originally held the rights to the film, went into financial meltdown, which put the whole project into jeopardy. The lengthy delays that followed saw Guillermo Del Toro, who co-wrote the script for the film, step down from his position as director, in a move which he described as one of the hardest decisions he had ever had to make. Even after Peter Jackson had agreed to take over proceedings and Warner Brothers had taken over the film’s financing and distribution, the shoot was still in doubt after several actors’ unions in New Zealand boycotted the film - again endangering the future of it.
Eventually the government of New Zealand, acknowledging the importance of the film to its tourist industry, made a deal with Jackson to help end the boycott by clarifying the laws about workers’ rights, as well as offering another $15 million to help finance the project. This meant that finally, the occasional warehouse burning down aside, it looks like the way may be clear for the filming to actually begin.
Which is very exciting. The film, divided into two parts, will not only use The Hobbit as a source, but also some of Tolkien’s other writings on Middle Earth, in order to better bridge the gap between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. This means that the films will not only contain the expected returns of Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving but also Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom (although the extent of their involvement is unknown). There are even some (possibly optimistic) whispers amongst nerdier circles that the film could involve a fight between Gandalf and Sauron (in his guise as a Necromancer) as a result. More importantly, however, is the fact that the film will use the same composer, cinematographer and writers (Del Toro aside) as LOTR, which will hopefully mean it’ll be every bit as good.
In addition to the old faces, there are a lot of new ones - many of which are British. As well as the ever-affable Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, the film will star Richard Armitage (Spooks, Robin Hood) as Thorin, the leader of the Company of Dwarves, who is The Hobbit’s equivalent (of sorts) to LOTR’s Aragorn. British TV’s James Nesbitt, Aidan Turner (Being Human), Robert Kazinksy (Eastenders), Ken Stott (Rebus) and Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who) will all also feature. There are also rumours that another former Doctor, David Tennant, has a role in the film.
Whilst The Hobbit is only making its first tentative steps towards its release at the end of 2012, the film has already been there and back again and I, for one, am sure the journey will be worth it.
The Press Association: Ronan: I haven't signed for Hobbit
February 16, 2011
(UKPA) Saoirse Ronan has said she is still waiting for a confirmation about The Hobbit film.
The Irish actress is tipped to have a role in Peter Jackson's eagerly anticipated Lord Of The Rings prequel, but claimed she hasn't signed on the dotted line yet.
"No, nothing has actually been confirmed yet," she told the Irish Times.
She added: "I'd love to get a role in The Hobbit. I think everybody in the world would like a role in The Hobbit."
Saoirse, who recently appeared in The Way Back alongside Colin Farrell and Jim Sturgess, is rumoured to be playing woodland elf Itaril.
Casting agent Ros Hubbard previously let slip that the actress will be heading to New Zealand to join the rest of the cast, which sees Martin Freeman starring as titular character Bilbo Baggins.
Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis will reprise their roles as Gandalf and Gollum respectively, as will Cate Blanchett as elf queen Galadriel.
Sacred mountains off limits for 'The Hobbit'
By Jonathan Milne
NZ Herald News
February 13, 2011
The stark cone of Mt Ngauruhoe played a leading role in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, featuring as a smouldering Mt Doom.
Now, only five weeks out from the scheduled start of filming for The Hobbit prequel, local Maori are set to put their foot down and refuse permission for the Oscar-winning director to use the central North Island mountains again. The iwi considered them sacred.
In The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins and his entourage journey through the Misty Mountains on their way to confront the dragon Smaug at the Lonely Mountain.
Without the option of using the central North Island mountains, the moviemakers could instead fall back on Mt Taranaki and the Southern Alps. Location scouts have visited Taranaki, and Jackson is said to have flown into Queenstown recently to inspect the mountain-ringed Lake Wanaka.
The movie has suffered several setbacks and the so-called "Curse of the Hobbit" led actor Martin Freeman to joke about the delays this week: "There are some bits of bad luck associated with it. We're ready to go - just as soon as 2015 comes around."
The film production company has publicly confirmed only two filming locations: the Stone Street studios in Wellington, and Hobbiton in the Waikato town of Matamata.
But the Department of Conservation says it has also received an application to film at the Aratiatia Rapids, above Taupo's Huka Falls. The rapids could feature as the Forest River, which Bilbo and his dwarf friends floated down on wine barrels to escape the elves of Mirkwood. Location scouts have also visited Wanaka, Taranaki and the Ruapehu district.
Hobbiton consent:
Peter Jackson's production company has been allowed to divert water from a Waikato stream to create the lush green pastures of Middle Earth - in the middle of a hot New Zealand summer.
Environment Waikato, the regional council, has granted consent for 3foot7 Ltd to take up to 890cu m of water a day from a lake and stream in the Hinuera Valley, near Matamata.
It will be used to irrigate 4ha of land planted on the Hobbiton set - the home from which Bilbo Baggins will set out on his quest in The Hobbit.
This will give a rich green appearance to Hobbiton, reminiscent of Tolkien's beloved English countryside.
New dwarfs sing Hobbit's praises
Michelle Duff and Tom Cardy
Stuff.co.nz
February 12, 2011
The Dominion Post:
There wasn't a Dopey, Bashful, or Sir Peter Jackson in sight, but a whole new breed of dwarfs were happy to sing The Hobbit's praises at the launch of the epic project.
The two-part Lord of the Rings prequel was launched at Jackson's Park Road Post production studios yesterday – and though the stars of the JRR Tolkien adaptation were out, the director was conspicuously absent.
In a statement, Jackson said he couldn't attend because he was under a "medical form of house arrest" while recovering from surgery on a perforated stomach ulcer.
"[It's] to prevent me from overdoing it till I'm fully recovered from my operation...and to be honest, the guys you'll be talking to this morning make me laugh so hard right now I'd be in danger of popping a few stitches.
"We couldn't be more delighted with the wonderful actors we have gathered here ... I'm feeling these movies are going to be something special."
Many films financed from Hollywood have strict insurance conditions surrounding the health of directors and lead actors. It is understood that another reason Jackson is having to rest before filming begins on March 21 is due to insurance on the US$500 million (NZ$658m) project.
Yesterday, British actor Martin Freeman, who has the pivotal role of hobbit Bilbo Baggins, was joined by Irish actor James Nesbitt, of Cold Feet fame, Spooks star Richard Armitage, and the 11 other actors who will play dwarfs in the film.
New Zealand actors include William Kircher, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Jed Brophy and Mark Hadlow.
As cameras flashed, the actors said they loved Wellington, felt privileged to be part of such a momentous project, and couldn't wait for filming to begin.
"I think it would be very odd for The Hobbit not to be here," Nesbitt said. "To be part of that I think is an adventure, not only professionally but for all of us I think personally as well.
"We've been made to feel incredibly at home. We are very aware that we are [part of] something significant and hopefully very large."
Jackson was easy to work with, "a practitioner, as opposed to a star", he said. "There are no tossers, and you certainly don't want one at the top."
The cast had spent four weeks together in a tough regime of physical training, stunt work, horse riding, singing and dialect training.
A bond had grown between them, EastEnders' Rob Kazinsky said. "It didn't take long for it to feel like we were a bunch of mates."
Freeman, best known in New Zealand for The Office, had sent in an audition tape for Bilbo, but was initially concerned he couldn't schedule it around his hit television show Sherlock Holmes. "I am extremely chuffed about it."
He joked that he wasn't "tying himself up in knots" about living up to Sir Ian Holm's depiction of Bilbo in The Lord of the Rings.
"Without being big-headed or falsely modest, I think I'm a good match for him."
Rumours of a "Hobbit curse" holding up filming were laughed off, but you could hear a pin drop when the stoush between actors' unions and Hobbit producers was raised. "It's 2011 and we're here to do the work, so we don't even think about it," Kircher said.
Asked if they were mentally prepared for "overnight heartthrob status", a grinning Kazinsky replied: "Let's not get ahead of ourselves, bearing in mind that we probably aren't going to look too much like Adonises."
Most of The Hobbit will be filmed in Miramar, Wellington.
WE LOVE WELLINGTON
James Nesbitt: "I brought my family here so it was a big move for them, and I think a difficult move. Kids at a certain age didn't necessarily want to be dragged to the other side of the world ... but they've certainly been made to feel very welcome, they're loving the schools. You can very easily understand why people move here." Nesbitt's introduction to Wellington was at last weekend's NZI Sevens, to which he went dressed as a chicken. "It just felt right," he said.
Aidan Turner: "It's still got that sort of British kookiness that I'm kind of used to from coming from Ireland and living a bit in the UK and stuff, so it does feel like home. This is the closest thing to summer camp I'm ever going to get, really, so I'm loving it. Bring it on."
Rob Kazinsky: "As someone who has led a very nomadic lifestyle over the last few years, I feel entirely at home here."
Adam Brown: "Working with amazing people and coming out here is just mindblowing, but so exciting."
Meet the cast of The Hobbit - Story - Entertainment
By Kate Rodger, James Murray and Daniel Rutledge
3news.co.nz
February 11, 2011
The cast of The Hobbit have gotten together in front of media for the first time today for a photocall and media conference.
In attendance were stars including Martin Freeman, James Nesbitt, Rob Kazinsky, Jed Brophy, Aidan Turner, Richard Armitage and Ken Stott.
They have been here for four weeks, going to gym, horse back riding, fight training and doing dialect work.
The Hobbit has faced a few hurdles leading up to this day, including director Sir Peter Jackson's hospital stay for a perforated ulcer, the departure of the original director Guillermo del Toro last year and a threatened actors' boycott.
Sir Peter apologised for being unable to attend the conference due to his ulcer but did have a representative read out a prepared statement.
“I am under a form of medical house arrest to prevent me from overdoing it... I couldn’t be more excited about these movies,” he said.
The Office star Martin Freeman was looking forward to living up to a role, Bilbo Baggins, first portrayed by Ian Holmes.
"I think I am quite a good match for him. I cant be playing Ian Holmes but there's that echo to what he did,” he said.
He was also confident enough to joke about the delays the film has suffered: "There are some bits of bad luck associated with it... we are ready to go.... just as soon as 2015 comes around."
Cold Feet star James Nesbitt, who plays the dwarf Bofur, was pleased the production had remained in New Zealand despite the argument between Warner Bros and the actor’s union last year.
“It would have been very odd for the production not to be here... it is an adventure not only professionally but personally as well,” he said.
Rob Kazinsky added that keeping the film in New Zealand would lend a certain continuity as it will be shot in locations people will already know.
The cast were also asked how they would cope with “rabid” Hobbit fans.
New Zealand actor Jed Brophy quipped: “We’ve had the shots!”
The first day of shooting for the two Hobbit movies is set for March 21 according to production company 3Foot7.
The first film is expected to be released late 2012.
'The Hobbit' closer to filming after long delays
By Ray Lilley
Associated Press
February 11, 2011
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The cast members of "The Hobbit" on Friday declared themselves ready for the cameras to roll on the next edition of mythical adventures from Middle Earth, after months of production trouble.
Hollywood studio funding problems, a threatened actors' boycott and ulcer surgery for director Peter Jackson have plagued pre-production on the $500 million, two-movie project.
Some cast members spoke to reporters Friday on location in New Zealand and said they were putting the troubled history behind them.
"We're all optimistic, ready to go," said English actor Martin Freeman, who will play Bilbo Baggins.
Freeman and 13 actors who play dwarf characters said they enjoyed the first month of preproduction, in which they trained in the gym, rode horses and practiced dialect to prepare for scenes depicting long journeys and dramatic battles between good and evil.
The twin movies of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel about a short, hairy-footed hero are expected to take up to two years to make, with the first timed for release in late 2012.
"The Hobbit" is a prequel to "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy by Tolkien that Jackson helmed to blockbuster film success in 2001-03, winning best-picture and best-director Oscars for the finale.
Jackson in the process established his home country of New Zealand as the nearest thing to a real-world version Middle Earth for many fantasy fans and has worked toward making "The Hobbit" since 1995.
Jackson underwent surgery last month for a perforated stomach ulcer and said Friday he was "under a medical form of house arrest" though he would be "be jumping back into it very soon."
Filming is set to begin March 21. Other cast members, including Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen are set to join the production in coming weeks.
New Zealand actor William Kircher, who plays Bifur, a dwarf, dismissed concerns that an actors equity threat to boycott the production over pay levels for local actors had nearly seen the movies' location shifted to Europe.
"It's 2011 and we're here to do the work," he said. "We don't even think about it. It's last year's news."
Last October, New Zealand changed labor laws and tipped in extra tax breaks for Hollywood studios MGM and New Line Cinema to ensure the Hobbit films would be made in the country.
The changes mean actors and others working on the films will be hired as contractors not employees. The union had wanted local actors and other production workers to be hired as full-fledged employees on union contracts.
New Zealand received a huge boost to its tourism and film-making industries from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
Irish actor James Nesbitt, cast as the dwarf Bofur, said the union row had not affected the project.
"That's something that's in the past and now we're moving forward on this," he told The Associated Press. "We're here to do this fabulous job and we're looking forward to it."
Freeman, whose films include "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" and "Hot Fuzz" but who may be best known from Ricky Gervais' "The Office" television comedy, said playing Baggins was the role of a lifetime.
"I'm not often grateful to people who employ me," he said, adding, "I'm extremely chuffed about it."
(Photo NZPA)
Martin Freeman
Hobbit stars speak out
msn.co.nz
February 11, 2011
Key cast members of The Hobbit have made their first media appearance, clearly ready to get the show on the road following chronic delays and industrial action.
English actor Martin Freeman, who will play Bilbo Baggins, was joined by 13 actors, who will play dwarves, at a press conference for Sir Peter Jackson's prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy on Friday morning at the Park Road post-production studio in Wellington.
A statement was first read out from Sir Peter, who is recovering from an emergency operation for a perforated ulcer, apologising for his absence.
"I'd love to be with you all this morning but I'm currently under a medical form of house arrest to prevent me from overdoing it until fully recovered from my recent operation."
He said he took casting "very seriously".
"Those of you who are familiar with The Hobbit will know the importance of the comradeship between Bilbo and each of his 13 dwarf adventurers."
In The Hobbit, Thorin, leader of the dwarves, and twelve other dwarves, visit Bilbo and ask him to help them reclaim a mountain from a dragon.
Freeman, known for high-profile roles including the character of Tim Canterbury in the BBC's comedy The Office, told reporters he was "extremely chuffed" to have won the lead role and had to constantly remind himself he was in The Hobbit.
He gushed about Sir Peter and quipped "he's as normal as is normally possible for someone who is richer than (King) Croesus".
Northern Irish actor James Nesbitt, of the Cold Feet television series, is to play Bofur the dwarf while leading Scottish actor Ken Stott will play Balin.
Shooting is expected to start next month after delays including Sir Peter's hospital stay, last year's departure of the original director Guillermo del Toro, and a threatened actors' boycott kept filming at a standstill.
When asked about industrial action last year, New Zealander John Callen, who is to play Oin the dwarf, dismissed it as "last year's news" and the cast appeared eager to change the subject.
When NZPA asked to speak to Freeman, after the press conference, he was quickly rushed away by a minder and told not to comment.
However, New Zealander Mark Hadlow, who will play Dori, told NZPA he was "overjoyed and delighted" to be part of the movie.
"Since day one it's been unbelievable. It's so exciting. Everyone's been working together as a really neat sort of little family of dwarves..."
See who else is cast for The Hobbit, surprisingly, the it's largely made up of relative unknowns - but we're sure that by the time The Hobbit hits cinemas, they'll all be household names.
Bilbo and friends turn out in Wellington
tvnz.co.nz
February 11, 2011
The actor who will play Bilbo Baggins in the movie version of The Hobbit has spoken of his admiration for the "phenomenally, genuinely normal" Sir Peter Jackson.
Martin Freeman, who made his name in the hit TV comedy The Office, was addressing members of the media in Wellington today.
Flanked by fellow cast members, including Irishman James Nesbitt of Cold Feet fame, fresh-faced Freeman said he did not know Jackson very well.
"But every time I've met him, and I've met him a few times over the years, he seems to be a practitioner as opposed to a star," he said.
Freeman's excitement at being in the film was hard to hide.
"Just because something's big that means it's better, Ive never thought that, (but) there is no denying however I'm in the f**king Hobbit."
The director himself was unable to make the event at Miramar's Park Road Studios as he is still recovering following his emergency operation for a perforated ulcer at Wellington Hospital earlier this month.
In a statement, Sir Peter said he was under a form of house arrest.
Also missing were Sir Ian McKellen, who will return as Gandalf, and Cate Blanchett as Galadriel. Andy Serkis, who will reprise his role as Gollum, and Elijah Wood who will return as Frodo Baggins despite the character not appearing in the book, also did not attend the media conference.
Frodo is expected to open the movie, possibly reading a book about Bilbo's adventures, on which the story is based.
Nesbitt spoke of his children not wanting to be "dragged to the other side of the world as they saw it".
"But they're settling brilliantly," he said.
"We've been made to feel very welcome. You know you could easily understand why people move here."
Filming of the The Hobbit will begin on March 21. Shooting will take place in Miramar and at other locations across New Zealand.
The start date was chosen following practical considerations of the filming schedule requirements, actor availability and the New Zealand seasons.
AFP: Martin Freeman rejects talk of Hobbit 'curse'
February 11, 2011
WELLINGTON - Actor Martin Freeman dismissed suggestions that Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" project is jinxed, even as the Oscar-winning director missed its publicity launch due to ill health.
Freeman, who will play Bilbo Baggins in the two-part prequel to "The Lord of the Rings", told a media conference in Wellington on Friday that he was eager to start work on the Tolkien epic, which is due to begin shooting on March 21.
The Briton, best known for his work in "The Office", said he had heard talk "The Hobbit" was cursed after a string of setbacks delayed filming but felt confident the project was now back on track.
"There are some bits of bad luck associated with it (but) we're ready to go -- just as soon as 2015 comes around," he deadpanned.
Filming on the movies, which have a combined budget of $500 million, was originally scheduled to begin this month but had to be postponed when Jackson underwent emergency surgery in January for a perforated ulcer.
The project was also threatened by a union dispute last year and faced years of delays amid wrangling over distribution rights, reported budget blowouts and financial woes at the MGM studio.
Jackson, who took over as director last year after "The Hobbit's" woes prompted Guillermo del Toro to quit, said in a statement that he was sorry he could not make the launch.
"I am under a form of medical house arrest to prevent me from overdoing it... I'm feeling these movies are going to be something very special," he said.
Live: The Hobbit press conference - entertainment
Stuff.co.nz
February 10, 2011
Welcome to live coverage of The Hobbit press conference being held in Wellington, New Zealand.
After a long and difficult birth, stars of Sir Peter Jackson's The Hobbit faced New Zealand and international media this morning. See below for the live updates.
10.45am: Press conference wraps up for photos.
10.41am: Martin Freeman said playing Bilbo Baggins was the role of a lifetime: "I'm extremely chuffed."
10.33am: Fellow Kiwi, Jed Brophy, supports Hadlow, describing overseas actors as "really good blokes".
10.32am: Kiwi actor Mark Hadlow said he was impressed by the overseas actors.
10.31am: James Nesbitt has brought his family. "It's fantastic," he says of Wellington.
10.26am: Martin Freeman said he sent in an audition tape for Bilbo, but was concerned that he couldn't shedule it around his television show Sherlock Holmes. Freeman and the dwarves have been in Wellington for about four weeks.
The dwarf band of brothers have been asked if they expect to become heartthrobs.
James Nesbitt revealed that he attended the Sevens dressed as a chicken. "It felt right." he said.
10.19am: A written statement from Jackson said he regretted not being able to attend but was effectively under a health version of "house arrest".
10.18am: Spooks star Richard Armitage, who plays one of the dwarves, is seated to Freeman's left.
10.15am: The stars, including British actor Martin Freeman and Irishman James Nesbitt, have taken their seats at a long table at the Stone Street Studios in Mirimar, Wellington. Freeman, who will play Bilbo Baggins, is seated right in the middle.
Filming on Hobbit movies to start in March
Reuters
February 7, 2011
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - Filming will begin on the long-awaited "Hobbit" movies next month, ending extended delays due to a series of woes including funding problems and a labor dispute which nearly saw the project shifted out of New Zealand.
The two films are being directed by Peter Jackson, 49, who made the hit "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and only last week was released from hospital following emergency surgery for a perforated ulcer.
"Despite some delays we are fully back on track and very excited to get started," Jackson said in a statement.
Filming will begin on March 21 and the movies will be shot at Stone Street Studios in Wellington and on location around New Zealand.
The first of the two movies will be released in December 2012 and the second is expected a year later.
The movies have been beset by a succession of problems, most notably the threat last year by Warner Bros. to move production overseas because of fears unions would impose a boycott to back demands for a collective contract.
The government last year changed labor laws to keep the estimated $500 million production and increased tax breaks for Warner Bros, citing the damage that might be done to the country's small film industry.
Before that, issues around the funding of the films saw original director Guillermo Del Toro quit in 2010.
"The Hobbit" is based on the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who lives in the land of Middle-earth and goes on a quest to find treasure guarded by a dragon.
The book, first published in 1937, is the precursor to the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, which also takes place in Middle-earth.
The cast for the movies includes Oscar winner Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Ken Stott and Martin Freeman.
The Hobbit’ Will Start Filming This March
Adam Quiqley
/FILM
February 7, 2011
Among the issues that have plagued development of The Hobbit in recent memory: financing troubles due to studio bankruptcy; a major directorial change after years of delays; actors boycotting the production; a thankfully avoided location change from New Zealand; the firey destruction of one of Peter Jackson‘s workshops; and most recently, a perforated ulcer that cost the director a trip to the hospital and the film its February start date.
It’s with all this in mind that it gives me great pleasure to announce that finally, at long last, cameras are set to begin rolling on The Hobbit in March. (Rejoice.) Read some quick, hopeful words from director Peter Jackson, along with a full list of the confirmed cast, after the break.
Many wondered whether Peter Jackson’s recent health troubles would cost the films their planned December 2012/2013 release dates, but fear not. His surgery may have caused “a slight delay” (as it was officially referred) in the start of filming, but he’s out of the hospital and recovering at home. The new start date is March 21.
The press release reads:
This date has been chosen following practical considerations of the filming schedule requirements, actor availability and the NZ seasons. Shooting will take place at Stone Street Studios in Miramar and on location around New Zealand.
Peter Jackson didn’t have much to say in the announcement, but it was nice to hear from him nonetheless.
“Despite some delays we are fully back on track and very excited to get started.”
A genuine sign of optimism, or a publicity-conscious effort to maintain the illusion of sanity?
With all the frustrations that Jackson has been forced to contend with throughout this ordeal, it would be hard to blame him for collapsing under the pressure. But since it’s the Lord of the Rings legacy at stake here, let’s go ahead and assume that he’s as mentally stable as he’s ever been and, come time to film both parts of The Hobbit, his enthusiasm for the project won’t have diminished. Best of luck, Jackson!
The Hobbit stars Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins. Reprising their roles are Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett. The rest of the confirmed cast includes:
Richard Armitage (MI-5, Captain America) as Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the Dwarves, whose grandfather ruled the Lonely Mountain settlement destroyed by Smaug.
Aidan Turner (Being Human) and Rob Kazinsky (EastEnders) as Kili and Fili, nephews of Thorin.
James Nesbitt (Bloody Sunday, Millions) as Bofur, “a disarmingly forthright, funny and occasionally brave Dwarf.”
Adam Brown as Ori, “another of the Dwarf Company which sets out to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the infamous dragon, Smaug.”
Graham McTavish (Secretariat) as Dwalin, blue-bearded, first to arrive at the home of Bilbo Baggins.
John Callen as Oin, skillful fire-maker. Brother of Gloin.
Stephen Hunter (All Saints) as Bombur, the fat, sleepy and slow member of Thorin’s company.
Mark Hadlow (King Kong) as Dori, strongest of the Dwarves, who carries Bilbo on his back at one point.
Peter Hambleton (The Strip) as Gloin, brother of Oin, initially suspicious of Bilbo’s worth, but eventually convinced. Father of Gimli from The Lord of the Rings.
Ken Stott (Charlie Wilson’s War) is the Dwarf Lord Balin
Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who) is the wizard Radagast the Brown
Mikael Persbrandt (Day and Night) is Beorn, an enormous shape-shifter who can take the form of a bear
Jed Brophy (The Lord of the Rings) is the dwarf Nori
William Kircher is the dwarf Bifur
Start to Hobbit shoot scheduled
Stuff.co.nz
February 7, 2011
Sir Peter Jackson's much-delayed Hobbit movie will begin shooting in March.
Jackson's production company, 3Foot7 Ltd, said today the first day of "principal photography'' would be Monday, March 21, with filming taking place at Stone Street Studios in Miramar and on location around New Zealand.
The film has suffered a number of setbacks, including union disputes, a director who quit, and the hospitalisation of Jackson for a perforated stomach ulcer last month.
He was released from Wellington Hospital last Thursday, with his spokeswoman saying he was expected to make a full recovery.
In a release from 3Foot7 today Jackson said: "Despite some delays we are fully back on track and very excited to get started.''
The March date was chosen following "following practical considerations of the filming schedule requirements, actor availability and the NZ seasons'', the release said.
The Hobbit's confirmed cast includes Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf.
Other actors will be Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow, Adam Brown, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, Mikael Persbrant, Sylvester McCoy and Elijah Wood.
Filming start date for The Hobbit announced
TVNZ.co.nz
February 7, 2011
Filming of Sir Peter Jackson's movie version of Tolkien's The Hobbit will begin on March 21.
Production company 3Foot7 made the announcement this afternoon.
Shooting of the film will take place at Stone Street Studios in Miramar and at locations across New Zealand.
The start date has been chosen following practical considerations of the filming schedule requirements, actor availability and the New Zealand seasons.
Martin Freeman will play Bilbo Baggins with Sir Ian McKellen returning as Gandalf and Cate Blanchett as Galadriel.
Andy Serkis will reprise his role as Gollum, while Elijah Wood will return as Frodo Baggins despite the character not appearing in the book.
Frodo is expected to open the movie, possibly reading a book about Bilbo's adventures, on which the story is based.
Sir Peter, who will direct the film, said that "despite some delays we are fully back on track and very excited to get started."
Other confrmed principal cast members are: Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow, Adam Brown, Mikael Persbrant, Sylvester McCoy.
Freeman 'daunted' by Hobbit move
The Press Association
February 4, 2011
(UKPA) - Martin Freeman has admitted feeling "daunted" as he prepares to step into Bilbo Baggins' shoes for The Hobbit.
The Sherlock star is due to start filming the Lord Of The Rings two-part prequel alongside director Peter Jackson and actors Sir Ian McKellan, Andy Serkis and Cate Blanchett and revealed he is nervous about heading to New Zealand.
"It's very daunting - the daunting part is leaving home... I'm a real homebody, even before we had children, I was a homebody, so with children it's like aww... I'm very excited though," he told Modcast host Eddie Piller.
Martin initially turned down the role because of his commitments to the BBC detective drama.
"I had to turn it down because of being contractually obliged to do the second series of Sherlock for the BBC, which we are doing in the middle of this year," he recalled.
"I turned it down with a very heavy heart because things like this don't come your way very often. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as far as scale is concerned. It's a huge, huge deal. But I was contracted to do Sherlock. I wanted to do both."
The dad-of-two added: "When I found out I couldn't do both it was very sad. And then it was very flattering when Peter Jackson rearranged the filming around my availability."
Part one of The Hobbit is expected to be released in 2012, with the second part following in 2013.
'Lord of the Rings' director released by hospital
February 2, 2011
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - "The Lord of the Rings" director Sir Peter Jackson has left a New Zealand hospital after surgery for a perforated ulcer.
Publicist Melissa Booth says Jackson was discharged from Wellington Hospital on Thursday and would continue his recuperation at home. He had surgery after being admitted Jan. 26 with acute stomach pain.
Booth said a delay on filming of the two-part film "The Hobbit" is expected to be minimal. Jackson is set to start filming the prequel to his "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy next month.
She said Jackson thanked hospital staff and fans who had wished him a speedy recovery.
Peter Jackson leaves hospital
Stuff.co.nz
February 2, 2011
Peter Jackson was discharged from hospital today to continue his recovery at home, following his operation for a perforated stomach ulcer.
Jackson was admitted to Wellington Hospital on January 26 with acute stomach pains.
A spokeswoman said the surgery had gone well and Jackson was expected to make a full recovery.
The Hobbit director wanted to express his thanks to the doctors and nursing staff at Wellington Hospital for their expert care "and to all those members of the public who sent their warm wishes," his spokeswoman said.
Any delays to filming The Hobbit were expected to be minimal.
In 2005, Sir Peter revealed he had lost over 31kg in 10 months, though other reports put the figure at up to 49kg, which he attributed to intense hard work and a change of diet.
A perforated ulcer is a when an ulcer in the stomach burns completely through the stomach lining, leaving a hole for stomach acid and foods to enter the abdominal cavity.
Interestingly, The Hobbit author JRR Tolkien suffered from a perforated ulcer before dying in 1973.
