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.
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The Hobbit's Jackson recovering from surgery
Director Peter Jackson will remain in a New Zealand hospital for a few more days to recover, after undergoing last-minute surgery for a perforated ulcer last week.
The filmmaker behind the Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy as well as the forthcoming The Hobbit films was admitted to Wellington Hospital on Wednesday complaining of severe stomach pains.
He underwent surgery that night.
On Monday, publicist Melissa Booth said Jackson, 49, was "doing well," but would need to remain in hospital for several more days. He is in stable condition in the intensive care unit.
Doctors have said they expect him to make a full recovery.
The unexpected illness is the latest delay to The Hobbit, a two-part production set to hit theatres in Dec. 2012 and Dec. 2013.
Production on the project, slated to start in February, was also postponed due to the drawn-out financial woes of film studio MGM, the departure of original director Guillermo del Toro and a temporary boycott of The Hobbit by acting unions.
Peter Jackson “Doing Well” After Emergency Surgery
Wellington, New Zealand – Sir Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, is in stable condition and “doing well” after undergoing surgery for perforated ulcer, his publicist Melissa Booth said.
Jackson had to go under the knife after complaining of severe stomach pain. He was admitted to Wellington Hospital.
Perforated or bleeding ulcer is when an ulcer burns through the lining of the stomach, causing stomach acid to leak out into the abdomen. Emergency surgery is required to treat this problem.
This is more delay news for the set of The Hobbit, which has already suffered setbacks to filming due to problems with finances, distribution rights, a boycott by local actors’ unions, and the departure of director Guillermo del Toro. The project is finally a ‘go’ after the NZ government stepped in and fixed employment laws. The Hobbit, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, is a two-part prequel to the Lord of the Rings story and will star Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins. Other leading actors such as Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Christopher Lee, and Cate Blanchett from the LOTR trilogy will reprise their roles.
Jackson would need to stay in the hospital for a couple more days but is expected to make a full recovery. He then goes straight back to the set where shooting will begin for the movie.
Saoirse Ronan Joining The Hobbit?
Irish actress Saoirse Ronan, who earned acclaim for roles in Atonement and The Lovely Bones, reportedly will reunite with director Peter Jackson for The Hobbit.
The news comes courtesy of an interview with veteran casting director Ros Hubbard, who was asked by the Irish Film & Television Network about “the large Irish presence” in the two-part prequel to The Lord of the Rings. (Irishmen Aidan Turner and James Nesbitt play dwarves Kili and Bofur.)
There’s no word yet what character the 16-year-old Ronan might play in The Hobbit, a novel lacking in female roles. But Film School Rejects finds a couple of possibilities in a casting call that went out a year ago: a woodland elf created for the film named Itaril, a young fighter who secretly falls in love with a young elven lord; and Primula Brandybuck, a lively and observant young hobbit who later becomes Frodo’s mother.
The Hobbit, which stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett and a host of others, will be released in December 2012 and December 2013. Although filming was set to begin next month, production has been delayed while Jackson recovers from surgery.
Part of the interview regarding The Hobbit:
Casting Ros Hubbard in a Good Light: The Irish Film & Television Network - January 27, 2011
IFTN: I wondered if there was any coincidence between the large Irish presence (Aidan Turner, James Nesbitt and Saoirse Ronan) in the film and the fact that it was you guys casting .
Ros Hubbard: Yes, there was quite a lot of influence there! We had been wanting to to put Aidan Turner into film for a long time because he had done an awful lot of TV and we told him when we finally met him “We are going to concentrate in getting you into the movies.” I didn’t think it would be as big as this. But how great for him.
And Jimmy is thrilled to bits, his whole family have gone out, it is just wonderful. And working with Peter Jackson is like working with a family. So they’ll have a great time. Saoirse’s family will go too, everyone is very close and very loving on those sorts of jobs. It’s not like typical studio movies at all.
Ronan to star in Hobbit movie?
Saoirse Ronan will star in The Hobbit, it has been claimed.
The Lovely Bones actress had been rumoured to be reuniting with director Peter Jackson on his highly anticipated Lord Of The Rings prequel, and casting agent Ros Hubbard has let slip that she will head to New Zealand to join the rest of the cast, which includes Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis.
"Working with Peter Jackson is like working with a family, so they'll have a great time... Saoirse's family will go too, everyone is very close and very loving on those sorts of jobs," she told the Irish Film and Television Network.
Saoirse, who is tipped to play woodland elf Itaril, previously said she would take the role, but no offers had come her way.
"Yeah if I was asked, certainly," she has said.
Ros, who also helped find actors for the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, said casting for The Hobbit has been easier than for the other films.
"It was a huge event but it was smaller than the three Lord Of The Rings. And it is still going on to a degree in that little things change, but the actors are all out in New Zealand now," she continued.
Production on the two-part adaptation, which stars Martin as lead hobbit Bilbo Baggins, is set to begin in the next couple of weeks. Part one is scheduled to be released in December 2012, with the second set to follow in December 2013.
Saoirse Ronan Joins 'The Hobbit'
After years of delays and false starts and directorial changes, 'The Hobbit' has shown true momentum in recent months, finally proving that this long-awaited film may actually start to exist in the near future. Not even director Peter Jackson being hospitalized can stop the train of casting news. Today, we learn that young Oscar-nominee Saoirse Ronan has joined the cast. Her role is not specified, but fan speculation suggests that she'll be playing the role of Itaril, an Elven warrior.
This casting has been rumored before, but this news arrives slightly hidden in an Irish Film and Television interview with 'The Hobbit''s casting director, Ros Hubbard (kudos to Coming Soon for finding it), where it's casually brought up as something that we all surely know by now. Although this casting looks highly probable, it should be noted that this is far from an official announcement; anything can change, so don't celebrate/despair quite yet.
Ronan has previously worked with Jackson, starring in his adaptation of 'The Lovely Bones' and will soon be seen as a teenage assassin in Joe Wright's 'Hanna' (which will be her second film under Wright's direction, the first being her Academy Award–nominated work in 'Atonement'). She was most recently seen in 'The Way Back,' directed by the great Peter Weir. With directors like these casting her (more than once!), it's hard to deny that she has something special.
MGM is hoping for a 2012 release for 'The Hobbit.' The cast includes 'Lord of the Rings' veterans Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Elijah Wood in addition to many newcomers, including Martin Freeman as the young Bilbo Baggins, memorably played by Ian Holm in the original trilogy.
Saoirse Ronan Confirmed For 'The Hobbit'?
The Hobbit's casting director Ros Hubbard may have confirmed rumours that Lovely Bones star Saoirse Ronan is joining Peter Jackson's two-part epic.
The actress has been linked to the role of Itaril for some time, but is yet to confirm her involvement.
However, asked by IFTN about the “large Irish presence” in the film, Hubbard replied:
Yes, there was quite a lot of influence there! We had been wanting to to put Aidan Turner into film for a long time because he had done an awful lot of TV and we told him when we finally met him “We are going to concentrate in getting you into the movies.” I didn’t think it would be as big as this. But how great for him.
And Jimmy is thrilled to bits, his whole family have gone out, it is just wonderful. And working with Peter Jackson is like working with a family. So they’ll have a great time. Saoirse’s family will go too, everyone is very close and very loving on those sorts of jobs. It’s not like typical studio movies at all.
The Hobbit: Part 1, which stars Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, is due to arrive in cinemas in December 2012.
Shooting on the film – which was to start in New Zealand next month - is expected to be slightly delayed while Jackson recovers from surgery on a perforated ulcer.
Peter Jackson hospitalized
Peter Jackson has been hospitalized with a perforated ulcer, leading to a "slight delay" in the start of production of "The Hobbit" films.
"Sir Peter Jackson was admitted to Wellington Hospital on Wednesday night with acute stomach pains," a statement from the film's publicist said. "He subsequently underwent surgery for a perforated ulcer. Sir Peter is currently resting comfortably and his doctors expect him to make a full recovery. Sir Peter's surgery is not expected to impact on his directing commitment to 'The Hobbit' beyond a slight delay to the start of filming."
Production on the pics had been set for an unspecified date in February.
"Hobbit" cast includes Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett reprising their roles from "Lord of The Rings" trilogy. Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films with co-writer Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer and Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner as exec producers.
Warner Bros. and MGM announced earlier this month that Warners will handle worldwide distribution on "The Hobbit," taking over the international distribution and home video on the films from MGM in exchange for funding MGM's half of the production costs. The "Hobbit" films will be released in December 2012 and December 2013.
Peter Jackson's health delays Hobbit filming
Filming of the widely-anticipated Hobbit films will be delayed because director Peter Jackson is recovering from surgery for a perforated ulcer.
Jackson, 49, who directed the Lord of the Rings film trilogy in his native New Zealand, was admitted to a hospital in Wellington on Wednesday evening with acute stomach pains.
"Sir Peter is currently resting comfortably and his doctors expect him to make a full recovery," spokesman Melissa Booth said in a statement.
"The surgery is not expected to impact on his directing commitment to the Hobbit beyond a slight delay to the start of filming."
Filming of the two movies of The Hobbit, based on the J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy novel, had been expected to start around the middle of February.
The first movie 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 move could have cost New Zealand an estimated $1.5 billion and threatened the country's fledgling film industry.
In response, the government last year changed labour laws to keep the estimated $500 million production and increased tax breaks for Warner Bros.
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.
Production on The Hobbit delayed
The movie's director Sir Peter Jackson entered into hospital in Wellington, New Zealand yesterday (26.01.11) suffering with stomach pains, meaning the troubled 'Lord of the Rings' prequel - starring Sir Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett and Orlando Bloom - will not start on its expected production date in February.
However, Sir Peter is believed to be recovering well from the surgery for a perforated stomach ulcer and resting comfortably.
A statement from producers read: "Sir Peter's surgery is not expected to impact on his directing commitment to 'The Hobbit' beyond a slight delay to the start of filming."
The movie - which features British actor Martin Freeman as lead character Bilbo Baggins - has had a number of problems with production, and last year was close to moving from New Zealand to Eastern Europe or the UK.
Original director Guillermo Del Toro pulled out of helming the project, and extras were initially advised against taking part in the shoot because of a lack of deal about pay.
'The Hobbit' - which sees lead character Bilbo journey to Lonely Mountain with a group of dwarves to fight a dragon - is expected to hit cinemas in December 2012.
Director Jackson's surgery to delay Hobbit filming
WELLINGTON (Reuters Life!) - Filming of the widely-anticipated "Hobbit" movies will be delayed because director Peter Jackson is recovering from surgery for a perforated ulcer, a spokeswoman said on Thursday.
Jackson, 49, who directed the hit "Lord of the Rings" film trilogy in his native New Zealand, was admitted to a hospital in Wellington on Wednesday evening with acute stomach pains.
"Sir Peter is currently resting comfortably and his doctors expect him to make a full recovery," spokeswoman Melissa Booth said in a statement.
"The surgery is not expected to impact on his directing commitment to the Hobbit beyond a slight delay to the start of filming."
Filming of the two movies of "The Hobbit," based on the J.R.R. Tolkien fantasy novel, had been expected to start around the middle of February.
The first movie 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 Time Warner Inc unit Warner Bros. to move production overseas because of fears unions would impose a boycott to back demands for a collective contract.
The move could have cost New Zealand an estimated $1.5 billion and threatened the country's fledgling film industry.
In response, the government last year changed labour laws to keep the estimated $500 million production and increased tax breaks for Warner Bros.
"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.
(Reporting by Gyles Beckford; editing by Elaine Lies)
Full: Casting The Hobbit
Finding the right actors to play Tolkien's mythical characters is no mean feat, as the casting of The Hobbit shows, writes Alex Ritman.
While casting good-looking chaps and chapesses might be fine for slushy teenage vampire flicks, it seems the world of dwarfs and dragons is a very different kettle of fish. The line-up for Peter Jackson's forthcoming version of The Hobbit is slowly taking shape, with the welcome news last week that Sir Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis will reprise their roles as Gandalf and Gollum respectively. The roles of each of the 13 dwarfs accompanying Bilbo on his merry little quest have finally been filled. But the news that Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of this vertically challenged company, was to be played by an actor with a not-that-appalling appearance, sparked minor fury in the fan ranks.
"So far, the biggest controversy among fans with the casting of The Hobbit has to be the casting of Richard Armitage as Thorin," says Pat Dawson, a senior staff member of the Tolkien fansite TheOneRing.net. Armitage, best known for a major role in the BBC spy drama Spooks, is considered by many to be a somewhat handsome gentleman, and certainly not "grim-faced" as Tolkien described his dwarfs. And it's this that is causing the upset.
"It would, quite frankly, ruin the movie if the dwarfs are portrayed as anything more or less than what they are: short, strong, muscular, slightly over-weight, bearded and 'grim-faced'," one commenter on the site exclaimed. "Authenticity is very important."
There were similar murmurings of disapproval when The Lord of the Rings was in pre-production, when Elijah Wood was cast as Frodo Baggins, but then it was regarding the actor's age rather than his attractiveness. "Many fans thought from the beginning that he was too young to play Frodo," says Dawson, pointing to the fact that in the books he celebrated his 50th birthday shortly before setting out from Hobbiton with his all-powerful piece of jewellery. "While 50 is relatively young for a hobbit, Frodo being played by a 20-something was too much of a stretch."
Thankfully, the performance by Wood, along with most of the cast, was enough to win over many. Fans were particular delighted with McKellen's Gandalf, Viggo Mortensen's Aragorn and Serkis's Gollum. And in The Hobbit, while the addition of an attractive dwarf in the party might upset some, the lead character is already exciting many.
"Martin Freeman is perfect for the role of Bilbo," says Dawson. "He's been a fan favourite from early on in the rumour cycle because he not only looks so 'Hobbity', but he's an accomplished actor in his own right." While Dawson suggests that most fans prefer relative unknowns, to avoid being "jarred out of the film by recognising a big-name actor 'playing' a beloved character", she says that so perfect is Freeman that almost everyone will be able to overlook his recognisability from The Office, Love, Actually, and numerous others.
One thing fans haven't complained about so far is size, and it's not purely because they've been casting diminutive actors.
"With special effects the directors have more freedom in choosing their talent," says the Los Angeles-based casting agent Victoria Burrows, who was heavily involved in the casting for The Lord of the Rings trilogy. "In the case of The Lord of the Rings, we did veer towards shorter actors as it made production work better, but if we loved an actor, they were hired." Alongside helping cast Wood, Mortensen and Sean Austin, Burrows brought into the fellowship John Rhys Davies, who managed to play the three-foot dwarf Gimli despite being over twice that height in reality.
In fact, Rhys Davies's height actually helped the filming process as he was in good proportion to the hobbit actors, who were around 5' 6". Had he been shorter, shots of the entire fellowship would have required three camera passes rather than two.
In 1999, when discussing his coming three-part epic, Jackson said he didn't want to go down the route of casting authentic little people. "We are casting normal-sized actors and using prosthetics, computer tricks and other less-complicated trickery to reduce them in size." Among this "less-complicated trickery", the simple act of kneeling down proved extremely useful.
Unfortunately, while Jackson's clever use of CGI and knee bending might have waved goodbye to the days when any film featuring small people needed genuine small people in the roles, one casting director for The Hobbit did add a requirement that wasn't so warmly welcomed.
In November, a British actor attending a casting audition in New Zealand was apparently turned down because her skin colour was too dark to play a hobbit. The casting director was immediately dismissed, with a spokesman for Jackson saying the director had never issued such an order, but not before the actor in question had started a Facebook group called "Hire hobbits of all colours! Say no to hobbit racism!"
Thankfully, there can be no such prejudice surrounding the next major character announcement: the voice of Smaug the dragon, the large fire-breathing, mountain-dwelling antagonist. "The predominant rumour for the part is that it will be filled by Bill Nighy," says Dawson, almost instantly conjuring up scenes with a rather sneering, sarcastic dragon. "But many other actors' names have been thrown in the pot by fans, including Patrick Stewart and Alan Rickman."
No doubt whoever voices the giant, gold-hoarding flying lizard will be subject to extreme fanboy scrutiny. Will Bill Nighy or Alan Rickman be just too British? Would a Patrick Stewart-voiced dragon sound too much like a Star Trek captain or wheelchair-bound X-Man?
In any case, Tolkien purists have another issue on their hands to deal with first. Wood has just been cast to play Frodo again in The Hobbit. This time, it's not his age that is the issue, but the fact that he's in it at all, Frodo being absent from Tolkien's original novel (set 60 years before The Lord of the Rings).
According to TheOneRing.net, Frodo will appear in the film's opening scenes, introducing the story by reading from Bilbo's authored account some years later.
While this scene doesn't mess with timelines and helps link the Lord of the Rings trilogy with The Hobbit, it hasn't gone down terribly well among some. "The worst idea ever," says one commenter. "Horrible, horrible," writes another.
It doesn't even bear thinking about what would have happened had the actor originally rumoured to play Bilbo been confirmed. Although he might have worked height-wise, there can't be many out there who would have wanted Tom Cruise as the hobbit hero.
Hunt on for Hobbit filming location
Fiordland residents have spotted director Peter Jackson, along with five helicopters, as he hunts for filming spots for The Hobbit movies.
Yesterday, Jackson's spokesman, Matt Dravitzki, confirmed Jackson was location scouting in the Queenstown area before filming starts next month.
He would be there for a "few days" and crews were also looking for sites in the North Island.
Dravitzki said he was unprepared to offer further details until filming started.
Jackson is adapting JRR Tolkien's prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy into two movies.
His private jet, a Gulfstream, was seen at Queenstown Airport on Monday.
The first of the two films is expected to screen late next year with Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, Andy Serkis as Gollum and Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf. Actor Elijah Wood, who starred in The Lord of the Rings series, has also confirmed he would appear in the movies.
Last year, the movies were subjected to a boycott from several international actors' unions, including the Australian Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance and its New Zealand affiliate, Actors' Equity.
In response, the studios threatened to take the production to Eastern Europe, sparking public demonstrations against the move.
Warner Bros eventually agreed to film in New Zealand after securing a change to employment laws and millions in tax breaks.
The Hobbit also hit the headlines last year when a woman claimed she had been rejected as an extra because she "wasn't pale-skinned".
New Zealand loves those Hobbits
Press Release:
Valentine’s Day 2011 - February 14 - could have added heart-warming significance in New Zealand this year with talk that filming of the much anticipated Hobbit movies is likely to begin that day.
Fans are welcoming the claim by Wellywood insiders that cameras will start rolling on the two films on 14 February - though there seems to be some debate about location.
Matamata locals says they’re watching for signs that might indicate filming has begun at the famous Hobbiton site just outside the Waikato town, and the local newspaper reports that the "pitter patter of hairy feet is getting louder with filming starting next month."
But rumours that filming will begin in Wellington have been strengthened by Sir Ian McKellen, who is reprising his Lord of the Rings role as Gandalf, and has posted a comment on his website saying he is happy to say he starts filming in Wellington on February 21, 2011.
Film publicist Melissa Booth has confirmed filming will start next month, but where and when is yet to be announced.
Hobbiton on watch:
Matamata-Piako locals say they are watching for the shutdown of the district's Hobbiton movie set tours which will be a definite sign that filming is under way on the long-awaited prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Hobbiton Movie Set & Farm Tours manager Russell Alexander has remained tight-lipped.
"I've got meetings coming up but I'm bound by confidentiality and I can't talk, and I can't say what I do know," Alexander said.
Matamata-Piako Mayor Hugh Vercoe says the town is "looking absolutely fabulous" and is ready to welcome the film crews with open arms.
He says the long-term economic benefits for the district outweighed the immediate economic impact of production.
Unlike the set built for the Lord of the Rings films which was dismantled following filming, the one rebuilt for The Hobbit will remain permanently, providing a future drawcard for fans once filming is completed.
Hobbit cast due:
While an exact date had not been set for filming, Melissa Booth says a significant number of the actors are due to start arriving in Wellington in the next two weeks.
The official announcement that McKellen would play Gandalf in The Hobbit was made only last week.
Other returning cast members have also been announced, with Elijah Wood to play Frodo, Andy Serkis cast as Gollum, Cate Blanchett as Galadrial, and Orlando Bloom as Legolas. Martin Freeman, of The Office, will play Bilbo Baggins.
Elijah Wood says he can’t wait to be reunited with his co-stars and claims it will be "like going back in time".
While Wood is looking forward to filming with his former cast mates, he says it's unlikely that they will re-seal their bond by getting inked with tattoos as they did while making the Lord of the Rings.
"This time around, I don't think so," says 29-year-old Wood, whose torso bears the Elvish word for ‘nine’, a reference to the number of members of the Fellowship. "But you never know."
Wellington locations:
It is unclear whether The Hobbit will provide new locations for Wellington tourist operators to add to their Lord of the Rings site tours.
A Wellington City Council spokesman said no resource consent applications, or requests to use public land, had been received from Jackson's team.
"It sounds like a lot of it will be done in the studios," Richard McLean said.
One area that definitely won't be used is the site of the former Kingdom Come set near Wellington Prison, according to a spokesman for Sir Peter Jackson.
Dunedin doubles:
In Dunedin yesterday (17.1.2011) about 100 people lined up outside the city’s Edgar Centre to attend a casting call for non-speaking doubles for actors in The Hobbit.
All had to adhere to a number of guidelines - they had to be aged 17 to 55, be between 128cm and 158cm if male, and between 128 and 153cm if female.
The hopefuls had all signed secrecy agreements and were tight-lipped about which actors would need scale doubles.
The Hobbit films are being co-produced by New Line Cinema, Warner Bros and MGM, and scheduled for release in December 2012 (part one) and December 2013.
Sir Peter scouts southern locations for new movie
Sir Peter Jackson and his crew are on a Queenstown-based location scout of the South Island this week.
Sir Peter's assistant at Wingnut Films, Matt Dravitzki, yesterday said his boss was not available for interviews while he was in the South Island because the team were on a gruelling location scout.
"Location scouting for The Hobbit is currently under way in both the North and South Islands.
"Locations will be chosen ahead of the commencement of principal photography in February."
Mr Dravitzki said further details would be available once shooting started and it went without saying that New Zealand's unique landscape would double for JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth.
On Monday, Sir Peter's private jet, a Gulfstream, registration ZK-KFB, landed at Queenstown Airport, where it was parked yesterday.
The planned two-part adaptation of Tolkien's prequel to the Lord of the Rings was almost derailed last year when the Australian Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance called for a boycott of the films.
The New Zealand Actors' Equity joined the dispute with Sir Peter's production company and sought collective agreements before the threat of an actors' boycott passed.
Thousands of people joined rallies in support of a national call to keep the $500 million production in New Zealand.
The first of the two films is expected to screen in late 2012 with Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, Andy Serkis as Gollum and Sir Ian McKellen as Gan-dalf.South Island filming locations for The Lord of the Rings trilogy included parts of Fiordland, Arrowtown Recreational Reserve, and the Shotover River.
Locals hush as Hobbit date set
The pitter patter of hairy feet is getting louder in Matamata with The Hobbit to start filming next month.
Wellywood insiders have told the Dominion Post that Valentine's Day - February 14 - is when cameras will start rolling on the two films.
However, Sir Ian McKellen - who is reprising his Lord of the Rings role as Gandalf - said via his website: "I am happy to say I start filming in Wellington on February 21, 2011."
Matamata-Piako locals are watching for the shutdown of the district's famous Hobbiton movie set tours as a definite sign that filming is under way on the long-awaited prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy of films.
Hobbiton Movie Set & Farm Tours manager Russell Alexander was tight-lipped today.
"I've got meetings coming up but I'm bound by confidentiality and I can't talk, and I can't say what I do know," he said.
Film publicist Melissa Booth confirmed filming would start next month but said the exact date had yet to be set.
Matamata-Piako Mayor Hugh Vercoe said the long-term economic benefits for the district outweighed the immediate economic impact of production.
Unlike the set built for the Lord of the Rings films which was dismantled following filming, the one rebuilt for The Hobbit would remain permanently, providing a future drawcard for fans once filming finished.
Ongoing tourism from first movies meant it would be difficult for locals to detect an influx of crew and actors for The Hobbit when filming did begin.
The town was "looking absolutely fabulous" and was ready to welcome the film crews with open arms, he said.
The official announcement that McKellen would play Gandalf in The Hobbit was made only last week.
Other returning cast members have also been announced, with Elijah Wood to return as Frodo and Andy Serkis as Gollum, Cate Blanchett as Galadrial, and Orlando Bloom as Legolas. Martin Freeman, of UK's The Office, will play Bilbo Baggins.
Elijah Wood on Reprising the Role of Frodo Baggins in The Hobbit
The recent news that Sir Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis would be reprising the roles of Gandalf and Smeagol/Gollum, respectively, in director Peter Jackson's two-part prequel to The Lord of the Rings (LOTR) trilogy, The Hobbit, was certainly welcome news to LOTR fans, but it wasn't really a surprise. After all, before Jackson had to step in to direct The Hobbit, original director Guillermo del Toro had announced way back in June 2009 that the pair would reprise the roles, along with Hugo Weaving as Elrond. McKellen even had his personal website updated to include a return to Middle Earth on his list of projects in the "2010's" section of his filmography.
What was a big surprise was the return of Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, considering the character won't even have been born yet during the events that will be chronicled in the pair of movies and the fact that Frodo doesn't appear in The Hobbit book written by J.R.R. Tolkien. But, it's not just the fans who are surprised to see Frodo returning. In a recent interview with IGN, Wood revealed that he never thought he would play the character again.
No, we thought we were finished and the character doesn't even exist in [the book of] The Hobbit, so it was not even a pipe dream to imagine the possibility would be there for me to reprise the role of Frodo. But they've come up with something that I think is kind of interesting and I think very fitting that doesn't necessarily infringe upon the integrity of the original novel. It's great. I'm really excited.
Those films marked a huge, massive experience in my life. It's been 11 years, basically, since I went to New Zealand, so it'll be a beautiful reunion and I'm just excited to go back and see everybody again.
Wood did not go into detail about the "fitting" way in which Frodo will be inserted into The Hobbit, but admitted that he is not likely to get much screen time.
I think it'll be relatively minimal. That's my impression. I actually haven't read anything yet. I haven't read a script.
The Hobbit screenplays were written by Jackson, Guillermo del Toro, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. The movies will chronicle the adventures of Hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he leaves the comfort of his home in the Shire to "burgle" from the dragon Smaug for a company of dwarves. It is on this quest that Bilbo discovers the "One Ring" that serves as the centerpiece of the action in the LOTR trilogy.
Wood told IGN that he will be journeying to New Zealand in February to begin work on The Hobbit. The first movie is expected to be released in December 2012, with the second movie opening the following December.
'Hobbit' Star Ian McKellen Reveals Why He Almost Ditched Role
Actor comes clean on his website about a series of issues that nearly kept him from returning to Middle Earth.
Why did it take the man behind Gandalf so long to commit officially to "The Hobbit"? In a surprisingly candid post on his website, Ian McKellen opened up on Wednesday (January 12) about behind-the-scenes developments and his own ambivalence surrounding the two-part project.
"Could I let Gandalf go? Would anyone else care if I did?" he wrote, going on to cite the example of the "Harry Potter" franchise. "Elsewhere, does anyone care that Michael Gambon was not the first to play Dumbledore?"
The issue all along was not whether he still feels creatively energized by Gandalf — "I long to do it," McKellen told us of the role back in November of 2009. Rather, the sticking point was simply that the production faced delay after delay and, as the 71-year-old McKellen put it, "All I had to decide was what to do with the time that is given me."
First, producer Peter Jackson and director Guillermo del Toro struggled to get the production off the ground as MGM faced severe financial difficulties, and then a planned date to begin shooting early last year came and went. Del Toro departed the project, Jackson stepped in to direct and the production faced a dustup with New Zealand's trade union. The prospect of shooting outside that country bubbled up.
All the while, McKellen remained fascinated with the scripts. "It was true to the style, the fun and the romance of the trilogy," he wrote of the "Part One" pages. Yet when the production finally got back on track, with Martin Freeman taking on the starring role of Bilbo and a February 2011 date set to begin filming, McKellen still found himself unsure.
"I kept wondering was Gandalf what I most wanted to do, more than a new play for instance or indeed a new part?" he wrote. "Sequels aren't necessarily as rewarding to act in as their originals.
"The deciding negotiation was not about money but about dates," he added. "Gandalf is needed on set over the next 18 months but with sizeable breaks when I can work on other projects. My worry that I could not easily escape from Middle Earth was lifted. I am happy to say I start filming in Wellington on February 21 2011."
Ian McKellen Explains “Hobbit” Return
Sir Ian McKellen told this column twice last fall that he would reprise his role as Gandalf in “The Hobbit.” Each time he talked to us exclusively he problem, he said, was lawyers.
Now that the deal is done, Sir Ian explains himself on his website. Here’s what he has to say:
All I had to decide was what to do with the time that is given me.
“I’m 71 and fit: though at my age who knows what accident is ’round the next corner? For a year or more, I have been arranging my professional commitments around the possibility of The Hobbit films starting at almost anytime. We brought the Waiting for Godot tour of Australia to New Zealand early 2010, assuming I would stay on to start shooting soon after. Then there was yet another delay: but in Wellington I met with Guillermo del Toro and later read his script for Part One, written with the LOTR writing team. It was true to the style, the fun and the romance of the trilogy.
When Peter Jackson, already producing, resumed the director’s chair, he kept me in touch with developments. A second screenplay was sent over, on the understanding that I would not talk about what I read in it.
After the ruckus over trade union expectations and unlikely rumours of filming outside New Zealand, suddenly crucial casting was announced, plus a start date in February 2011. Martin Freeman as Bilbo sounds perfect. As my agent continued to negotiate with Warner Brothers, I kept wondering was Gandalf what I most wanted to do, more than a new play for instance or indeed a new part? Sequels aren’t necessarily as rewarding to act in as their originals.
Could I let Gandalf go? Would anyone else care if I did? Elsewhere, does anyone care that Michael Gambon was not the first to play Dumbledore?
The deciding negotiation was not about money but about dates. Gandalf is needed on set over the next 18 months but with sizeable breaks when I can work on other projects. My worry that I could not easily escape from Middle Earth was lifted.
I am happy to say I start filming in Wellington on February 21 2011.”
Ian McKellen, London, January 2011
David Tennant to join The Hobbit?
This week a number of Lord of the Rings stars have confirmed they will be reprising their roles for the forthcoming prequel.
Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis are returning as Gandalf and Gollum, while Elijah Wood is making a comeback as Frodo Baggins despite the fact his character does not feature in the original book.
Today Christopher Lee confirmed he will also be involved, with a statement on his official website saying: ‘Sir. Christopher Lee had been in talks to reprise his role as the wizard Saruman and it now looks certain, providing that he is in good health, that he will be appearing in the movie.’
Meanwhile internet rumours continue to suggest that former Doctor Who star David Tennant will be involved in the film.
He has been linked to the project for several months, originally being linked to the role of Bilbo Baggins until Martin Freeman was confirmed for the part.
At the time David Tennant quashed the rumours, telling MTV: ‘I'm a bit tall, aren't I?
‘I know they do things with CGI now, but I'm 6'1'. Hobbits are little. I do have quite hairy toes, though.’
But now Tennant is rumoured to be playing Thranduil the Elvenking, so height won’t be an issue.
He is linked to the role on the Internet Movie Database, but has yet to make a statement regarding his involvement in the film.
Christopher Lee Confirms a Likely Role in ‘The Hobbit;’ David Tennant Rumors Resurface
Casting is heating up for The Hobbit. While the majority of the characters unique to the actual novel The Hobbit were cast last year, Peter Jackson has been turning to recruiting some members of his cast from The Lord of the Rings. So yesterday we had confirmation of the return of Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen. Along with that was word that Christopher Lee is likely to return as Saruman. We’ve got a statement from the actor about that, after the break, and a continuation of the David Tennant casting rumor as well.
The official site of Christopher Lee offers:
Slowly but surely, Peter Jackson has managed to secure the return of the majority of the major stars from The Lord of the Rings franchise for his soon to be shooting prequel, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit.
Sir. Christopher Lee had been in talks to reprise his role as the wizard Saruman and it now looks certain, providing that he is in good health, that he will be appearing in the movie.
The note that he’ll likely appear is encouraging, though the caveat that he’ll only do so if in the proper health is not. I don’t know what health concerns, if any, might be worrying the actor, but hope for the sake of his general well-being that they don’t prove to be a factor.
Assuming things go well, how will Saruman fit into The Hobbit? That we don’t know, since we know little about what story the creative team has built that goes beyond the basic scope of the novel.
Meanwhile, David Tennant has been rumored for The Hobbit for quite some time, first for the role of Bilbo Baggins (since given to Martin Freeman) and then for other roles like Bard, and now Thranduil the Elvenking. Movieweb carries the latest rumor but doesn’t make clear where the information comes from. It seems to leap off in part from the continued low-key reports that Orlando Bloom will return as Legolas; Thranduil is the father of Legolas, so this might just be the result of some speculation by a well-read Tolkien fan. Don’t take it seriously at all until there’s more official word.
Christopher Lee Set to Return to Middle Earth for The Hobbit
Now that The Hobbit has broken free from the quagmire of MGM’s financial woes and departing directors we are starting to hear more and more details of the film as it nears production and its casting has been in the news recently.
In the last few days it was confirmed that Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis and Sir Ian McKellen would be joining Peter Jackson’s return to Middle Earth with Martin Freeman as the young Bilbo Baggins, while Ian Holm is rumoured to be reprising his role as the older incarnation of the hobbit.
And it appears that another name synonymous with Jackson’s Middle Earth was Sir Christopher Lee, who according to his official website, is set to about to sign up as well.
Sir. Christopher Lee had been in talks to reprise his role as the wizard Saruman and it now looks certain, providing that he is in good health, that he will be appearing in the movie.
The legendary actor is returning to his roots in more ways than one with forthcoming roles in the next Hammer Horror, The Resident, and a part in Robin Hardy’s return to Summerisle for The Wicker Tree.
McKellen confirms return as Gandalf for The Hobbit
Ian McKellen, who helped keep up online chatter about The Hobbit during a multitude of delays over the last few years, is heading back to Middle Earth.
The 71-year-old actor confirmed on his website Tuesday that he will reprise the role of the wizard Gandalf, which he memorably portrayed in Peter Jackson's award-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
"For a year or more, I have been arranging my professional commitments around the possibility of The Hobbit films starting at almost any time," McKellen wrote on his website.
When word arose that a new film version of The Hobbit was being planned, McKellen publicly expressed interest in returning to the Gandalf role.
However, the project suffered repeated delays over the years because of financial troubles facing its studio, MGM, which is co-distributing the project with New Line, and the subsequent departure of director Guillermo del Toro because of the protracted production start date. There was also a controversy involving acting unions in New Zealand, where the films are to be shot.
Jackson, who was initially only co-writing the script and serving as producer, ultimately stepped in to be director, too.
Escape from Middle Earth:
In the meantime, "I kept wondering was Gandalf what I most wanted to do, more than a new play for instance or indeed a new part?" McKellen wrote. "Could I let Gandalf go? Would anyone else care if I did?"
McKellen said he's been assured that the projected 18-month film shoot - slated to begin in Wellington in February - will include "sizable breaks" that will allow him to work on other projects as well.
"My worry that I could not easily escape from Middle Earth was lifted," he noted.
Along with McKellen, Lord of the Rings stars Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett and Andy Serkis have agreed to reprise their roles as Frodo, Galadriel and Gollom, respectively, for the two upcoming Hobbit films.
Actor Martin Freeman will portray the titular hero, Bilbo Baggins.
The Hobbit Gets Ian McKellen & Andy Serkis Officially On Board
Fans can now breathe a collective sigh of relief as it has been confirmed that The Hobbit will now get both its original wise wizard Gandalf the Grey and feral cave-dwelling ring junkie Gollum. Yes, Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis are now officially on board the two-part 3D epic. These two returning integral characters from Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy have, oddly enough, been some of the last holdouts in the casting announcement bonanza that has been taking place for the last few months, with most notably, Martin Freeman as main character Bilbo Baggins. With these two locked-in to reprise their roles, all that remains to necessarily maintain the full actor/character continuity between The Hobbit and the Rings trilogy will be Hugo Weaving's Elrond, whose return is practically inevitable. However, when it comes to the return of Ian McKellen as Gandalf, it was a much bigger victory for fans than one might think, and was anything but inevitable. In his blog, McKellen describes just how close he actually came to passing on the role. You'd be surprised at what the actor is sacrificing to don his pointy grey hat.
At the age of 71, Ian McKellen describes himself as "fit," and has been happy with his work schedule for the past year with a production of Waiting for Godot touring Australia and New Zealand. The legendary actor still had every intention to reprise his role as Gandalf, but with the seemingly unending stream of difficulties that would beset the production from studio bankruptcy to Union issues, McKellen especially felt the clock ticking away. Having gotten to where we are now, with The Hobbit being set to shoot next month, he began to ask himself if it was worth the trouble. As he comments in his blog (via Ain't it Cool News):
"As my agent continued to negotiate with Warner Brothers, I kept wondering was Gandalf what I most wanted to do, more than a new play for instance or indeed a new part? Sequels aren’t necessarily as rewarding to act in as their originals." Adding: "Could I let Gandalf go? Would anyone else care if I did? Elsewhere, does anyone care that Michael Gambon was not the first to play Dumbledore?"
He definitely makes a valid case that the film could essentially go on and be as great as fans would like, even without him. Michael Gambon taking over the role of Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films is a prime example of that situation. (In fact, while I respected Richard Harris' work, I personally preferred Gambon's version.) At McKellen's age, especially, what work you are physically able to do should be about what makes you happy. However, with what McKellen is describing as "sizable breaks" within the 18 month shoot of the two-parts of The Hobbit, allowing him to work other projects, McKellen decided that the schedule was feasible enough. As a fan, it's just excellent to hear that. Additionally, anyone who's read the books will know that Gandalf's role in The Hobbit is actually much more limited than it was in the Rings trilogy. We still may be getting an additional scene that was merely alluded to in the book, where Gandalf leaves Bilbo and company to attend a meeting of the White Council of Wizards, discussing the threat that would eventually reveal itself to be Sauron. However, McKellen's shooting schedule would still be comparably smaller than the previous films.
McKellen and Serkis will be joining fellow Rings vets Cate Blanchett and Elijah Wood who are also locked into the film to reprise their roles. With Orlando Bloom's Legolas also looking very likely to return, Christopher Lee's off-the-reservation White Wizard Saruman may also be back for the aforementioned White Council scene. The Hobbit's time-line will be taking place about 60 years before the Rings films. (Although the book's timeline differs at about 80 years, due to necessary narrative changes in the Rings films.)
Notch two more for our return to Middle Earth! Are your expectations now being raised for The Hobbit? (Even more than previously?)
'The Hobbit' Adds Andy Serkis, Eyes Ian McKellen
After years stuck in the development doldrums, "The Hobbit" has been picking up steam in recent weeks, with a slew of business deals and casting moves in advance of a planned February production start.
On the heels of Elijah Wood's recent deal to reprise his "Lord of the Rings" role as Frodo, Deadline New York reports that Andy Serkis has signed on to once again play Gollum in the two "Hobbit" films. What's more, it's looking like Ian McKellen is poised to reprise the part of Gandalf in what's being called "a major role" in the new films.
McKellen has been eyeing a return to Middle-earth for years. Back in the fall of 2009, he told MTV News that "Gandalf is a fantastic part and I long to do it" and that he prefers the character's "Hobbit" version to his "LOTR" incarnation. "He was more humane somehow," he added. "He was the guy who liked to hang out with the Hobbits and drink too much and smoke too much."
McKellen, Serkis and their cohorts, it seems, won't be the only "LOTR" faces to pop up in "The Hobbit." Cate Blanchett has already signed on to play Galadriel, Christopher Lee is in talks for Saruman, and Ian Holm is in talks for the elder Bilbo Baggins, whose younger version will be played by Martin Freeman. There's no word yet if Orlando Bloom, who portrayed Legolas in "LOTR," will return for the new project.
"The Hobbit" is set to begin shooting in 3-D in New Zealand in February — a full seven years after the conclusion of the "LOTR" trilogy. Few thought it would take this long.
"I think they're intending to release it on Christmas 2011," McKellen told us in late '09, in what would turn out to be wishful thinking. "If they're going to do that, they're going to have to get moving on shooting it."
Gollum back in Ring with Gandalf
PRECIOUS news from Middle Earth - Gollum and Gandalf are back for The Hobbit.
After months of negotiation ANDY SERKIS and IAN McKELLEN have finally signed on the dotted line.
They will join MARTIN FREEMAN, JAMES NESBITT. CATE BLANCHETT and ROB KAZINSKY in the Lord Of The Rings prequel.
ORLANDO BLOOM will also return as Legolas for a brief cameo - for which he is set to trouser a cool millions dollars.
And ELIJAH WOOD is back as Frodo Baggins.
The Hobbit, directed by PETER JACKSON, will be split into two parts with the first instalment of the movie arriving in December 2012.
CHRISTOPHER LEE is still being wooed to return as Saruman and IAN HOLM may appear as the older version of Martin's Bilbo Baggins.
But the studio will be breathing a sigh of relief now that Andy and Ian are back in the Ring.
Middle Earth wouldn't be the same without them.
Andy Serkis and Ian McKellan to Return for The Hobbit
Peter Jackson has been slowly assembling his cast for The Hobbit, the upcoming prequel to his Lord of the Rings trilogy. Jackson hired British actor Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins last October, then brought back Cate Blanchett as Galadriel in December. Blanchett's character does not appear in J.R.R. Tolkien's original novel, but neither did Elijah Wood's Frodo, though Wood will also return as Frodo, possibly in a narrator kind of role.
Two characters who were are definitely in Tolkien's Hobbit are the wizard Gandalf and Gollum, played respectively by Sir Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis, who, curiously, had yet to be signed for the two-part prequel. That's all about to change.
Deadline reports Serkis has "closed his deal" to return as Gollum, and HitFix,. confirmed the casting with Warner Bros. The Deadline report claims Christopher Lee and Ian Holm could also return as the wizard Saruman and an elder Bilbo Baggins, respectively.
THR reports McKellen's return is official, though HitFix reports that Warner Bros. wouldn't confirm McKellen "yet". McKellen openly discussed his lack of a contract for The Hobbit last November, but considering Gandalf's role in The Hobbit is even larger than Gollum's, it's likely that McKellen will be confirmed soon.
Orlando Bloom also reportedly has an offer to return as the elven archer Legolas, though the THR reports that "it’s too early to tell" if Bloom will return. Signs look good. Last January, Bloom admitted that he had written an email to Jackson stating that he'd "be honored" to "don the blond wig and pointy ears again."
Hugo Weaving is also expected to return as the elf Elrond and join a cast that is already filled with host of British actors as the twelve dwarves that accompany Bilbo on his quest to "burgle" treasure from a dragon named Smaug, including Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the company of dwarves.
Orlando Bloom to earn $1 million for 2 min. ’Hobbit’ cameo
Actor Orlando Bloom will make a whopping $1 million for making a 2 minute cameo appearance in The Hobbit: Part 1.
UK's The Sun reports that the British actor will reprise his role as elf-prince "Legolas" from The Lord of The Rings trilogy in Peter Jackson's upcoming Tolkien classic.
No doubt the extra money and time away from the set will come in handy for Bloom and wife Miranda Kerr -- new parents to their baby boy born last Friday on Jan. 7, 2011.
Bloom, himself, will turn 34 on Thursday.
When "Hobbit" filming begins, Bloom will join fellow Lord Of the Rings star Cate Blanchett (Galadriel), as well as Elijah Wood (Frodo) and Dominic Monaghan (Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck) for the 2012 release.
Also joining the cast is BBC Sherlock's Martin Freeman as "Bilbo Baggins."
Those rumored to be cast but yet to be confirmed include Leonard Nimoy as "Smaug,", Saoirse Ronan as "Itaril," David Tennant as "Thranduil," and Brian Blessed.
Did you know? Orlando Bloom originally auditioned for the much smaller part of "Faramir." It was Peter Jackson, however, who decided to cast him as elf-prince Legolas.
Ian McKellen confirmed for The Hobbit
Ian McKellen has confirmed he will reprise his role of Gandalf for The Hobbit. The actor announced he had signed up for The Hobbit via his official website. The news comes as Andy Sirkis also confirms he will reprise his role of Gollum for the two part Hobbit movie. Fans had been waiting for news of the two's casting in The Hobbit especially as Orlando Bloom and Cate Blanchett have already been confirmed to appear even though their characters do not appear in the book.
On his official website Ian McKellen explains why his casting in The Hobbit took so long and also reveals filming begins in February.
“All I had to decide was what to do with the time that is given me. I’m 71 and fit: though at my age who knows what accident is ’round the next corner? For a year or more, I have been arranging my professional commitments around the possibility of The Hobbit films starting at almost anytime. We brought the Waiting for Godot tour of Australia to New Zealand early 2010, assuming I would stay on to start shooting soon after. Then there was yet another delay: but in Wellington I met with Guillermo del Toro and later read his script for Part One, written with the LOTR writing team. It was true to the style, the fun and the romance of the trilogy.
“When Peter Jackson, already producing, resumed the director’s chair, he kept me in touch with developments. A second screenplay was sent over, on the understanding that I would not talk about what I read in it. After the ruckus over trade union expectations and unlikely rumours of filming outside New Zealand, suddenly crucial casting was announced, plus a start date in February 2011. Martin Freeman as Bilbo sounds perfect. As my agent continued to negotiate with Warner Brothers, I kept wondering was Gandalf what I most wanted to do, more than a new play for instance or indeed a new part? Sequels aren’t necessarily as rewarding to act in as their originals.
“Could I let Gandalf go? Would anyone else care if I did? Elsewhere, does anyone care that Michael Gambon was not the first to play Dumbledore? The deciding negotiation was not about money but about dates. Gandalf is needed on set over the next 18 months but with sizeable breaks when I can work on other projects. My worry that I could not easily escape from Middle Earth was lifted. I am happy to say I start filming in Wellington on February 21 2011.” - Ian McKellen on his official website
Already cast in The Hobbit are Martin Freeman, James Nesbit, Sylvester McCoy, Aidan Turner, Rob Kazinsky, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett and Richard Armitage.
Andy Serkis & Ian McKellen Confirmed To Reprise Their Roles Of Gollum & Gandalf In ‘The Hobbit’
Just days after the report that Elijah Wood is reprising his role from the Lord of The Rings trilogy in The Hobbit, both Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen are now confirmed to join him as Gollum and Gandalf the Wizard, respectively. So far returning actors from the trilogy include Wood, Cate Blanchett, McKellen and Serkis. Christopher Lee is in talks to reprise the wizard Saruman, and Ian Holm is in talks to return as an older version of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman is playing that title role in the two new movies). In addition an offer is out to Orlando Bloom, although it isn’t known yet if he will come back as Legolas.
The Hobbit Part I is scheduled to be released in December 2012, with The Hobbit Part II set to follow in December 2013....I’m stoked!
Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis confirmed for The Hobbit
It’s full steam ahead for Peter Jackson’s pair of films of The Hobbit, as Sir Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis head back to Middle Earth. Plus, find out when production begins...
It's taken quite a while to get this far, that's fair to say. But finally, the long-delayed shoot of The Hobbit is set to begin in February.
The Hobbit is, as you probably know, set to split into two films, both being helmed by Peter Jackson, and shot at the same time in New Zealand over the coming year. And once Martin Freeman had been announced as Bilbo Baggins, the main cast had pretty much fallen into place.
The last pieces of the jigsaw are gradually being put into place now, ahead of the marathon shoot of the films. And it's now, finally, been confirmed that Sir Ian McKellen will definitely return as Gandalf, while Andy Serkis is back as Gollum.
Ian Holm is believed to be in negotiations to play the older Bilbo Baggins, too.
Furthermore, following the financial mire that MGM found itself in that led to the delay in production, we understand that Warner Bros is now stumping up the full $500m budget for the films, and taking the lion's share of the distribution rights as a result. This is good timing for Warner Bros, as the Harry Potter franchise, which has kept its balance sheet in fine fettle, ends this year. And that means that, for 2012 and 2013 at least, The Hobbit can now attempt to fill that gap.
Expect the few remaining casting gaps to be filled in the next few weeks, and then let the shoot begin...
Gandalf Speaks: Ian McKellen On Returning To Middle Earth And Why It's Taken Him So Long
With the announcement today that Sir Ian McKellen had at last agreed to return as Gandalf for Peter Jackson’s upcoming Lord of the Rings prequel The Hobbit, the internet collectively threw its hat in the air and rejoiced. What’s amazing though is that, apparently, McKellen didn’t seem to know whether we’d care.
Shortly after the official announcement of his casting in the film, Sir Ian posted about his involvement in the film on his official site. There he explains in part why he’s the last cast member on board, and talks about all the steps it’s taken to get him this far. Apparently he just wasn’t sure he still wanted to do it. Not because he doesn’t love the character, but because he’s 71 and though spry, worried that he might be more comfortable at home working in the theater. He explains:
As my agent continued to negotiate with Warner Brothers, I kept wondering was Gandalf what I most wanted to do, more than a new play for instance or indeed a new part? Sequels aren’t necessarily as rewarding to act in as their originals.
More than that though, he seems unaware of just how utterly iconic and irreplaceable his Oscar nominated work as Gandalf was. He says:
Could I let Gandalf go? Would anyone else care if I did? Elsewhere, does anyone care that Michael Gambon was not the first to play Dumbledore?
Though he does have a website, McKellen is 71 and maybe it’s safe to assume he doesn’t use the internet a ton. Maybe he simply hasn’t read all the millions of words written about how much having him as Gandalf means not just to the production, but to everyone who plans to see the two Hobbit movies once they’re released. By comparing himself to Richard Harris’s work as Dumbledore he does himself a disservice. His take on Gandalf was infinitely more significant. There’s a reason Harris wasn’t nominated for an Oscar while McKellen as Gandalf, was. All wizards are not created equal.
Whether or not he realizes just how important this role is to all of us, it does seem like it’s important to him, and ultimately he signed up. It may have even helped that they’ll be taking a break over the summer to accommodate the schedule of Martin Freeman, who has other commitments during those months. Says Sir Ian:
The deciding negotiation was not about money but about dates. Gandalf is needed on set over the next 18 months but with sizeable breaks when I can work on other projects. My worry that I could not easily escape from Middle Earth was lifted. I am happy to say I start filming in Wellington on February 21 2011.
We’re glad to have you back sir, The Hobbit wouldn’t be worth seeing without you.
Andy Serkis to Return for The Hobbit
Source: New Line/Warner Bros:
Though it comes as no surprise, official word that Andy Serkis has signed on for The Hobbit should make fans very pleased.
Serkis is best known, of course, for his motion-capture performance in the role of Gollum in the original Lord of the Rings films. The character made his first literary appearance in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, confronting Bilbo in the chapter "Riddles in the Dark," which also features a very familiar golden ring.
More actors are expected to sign on for the two-part Peter Jackson film in the near future, including Christopher Lee as Saruman and Ian Holm as an older Bilbo Baggins.
Here's the official press release on Serkis and Elijah Wood's return:
Elijah Wood and Andy Serkis are set to join the cast of Peter Jackson’s highly anticipated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic “The Hobbit.” The films, which are scheduled to commence principal photography in February 2011, mark Jackson’s return to Middle-earth following his Oscar-winning “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. The announcement was made jointly today by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema, Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros. and Steve Cooper, co-Chief Executive Officer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
Jackson, who directed all three “Lord of the Rings” films, will helm the two films back-to-back, telling the story of “The Hobbit” in two parts from a screenplay by Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro.
Elijah Wood (“The Lord of The Rings” trilogy, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”) will be returning to play Frodo Baggins the young cousin of Bilbo Baggins and Andy Serkis (“The Lord of The Rings” trilogy, “King Kong”) will be returning to play the character Gollum.
Peter Jackson welcomed the two back. "I cannot imagine returning to Middle-earth without these two wonderful actors. We began this journey together ten years ago and I couldn't be more thrilled to be working with Elijah and Andy again."
The actors join the previously announced cast including Martin Freeman (TV’s “Sherlock,” “Breaking and Entering”) as Bilbo Baggins, Cate Blanchett (“Lord of The Rings” trilogy, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”). Ken Stott (“Charlie Wilson’s War”, TV’s “Rebus”), Sylvester McCoy (TV’s “Doctor Who”), Mikael Persbrandt (“Everlasting Moments”, “Day and Night”). Ryan Gage (“Outlaw”, TV’s “Doctors”). Richard Armitage (upcoming “Captain America: The First Avenger”), Aidan Turner (TV’s “Being Human”), Rob Kazinsky (TVs “EastEnders”), Graham McTavish (“Secretariat”), John Callen (TV’s “Power Rangers Jungle Fury”), Stephen Hunter (TV’s “All Saints”), Mark Hadlow (“King Kong”) and Peter Hambleton (TV’s “The Strip”). Additional cast announcements include James Nesbitt (“Millions” and TV’s “Cold Feet”) Jed Brophy (“Lord of The Rings” trilogy, “District 9”), William Kircher (“Out of the Blue”) and newcomer Adam Brown.
Since “The Hobbit” films received a green light on October 15, pre-production has been in full swing with release dates targeted for December, 2012 and December, 2013. Jackson will utilize groundbreaking visual effects and his incomparable storytelling to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel to the big screen. Both “Hobbit” movies will be filmed in Digital 3-D, using the latest camera and stereo technology to create a high quality, comfortable viewing experience.
The two films are being co-produced by New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production, Warner Bros Pictures handling domestic distribution and MGM distributing internationally.
Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films, with co-writer Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer and Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner as executive producers. The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, also from the production team of Jackson, Walsh and Cunningham, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office.. In 2003, “The Return of the King” swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The trilogy’s production was also unprecedented at the time.
Andy Serkis Returning as Gollum for ‘The Hobbit’
Actor Andy Serkis has reportedly signed on to reprise his turn as Gollum in ‘The Hobbit’, which could also feature ‘Lord of the Rings’ actors Ian Holm and Christopher Lee.
UPDATE: Ian McKellen will reprise his role as Gandalf in The Hobbit
Bringing back Andy Serkis to once again play the dual-minded, shriveled creature known as Gollum in Peter Jackson’s new venture to Middle-Earth, The Hobbit, has been a no-brainer since the project was initially announced some 50 years ago (kidding, of course, but all the delays have certainly made it feel like half a century has passed).
Serkis has reportedly closed a deal to provide the facial expressions and physical movement for the motion-capture creation that is Gollum in both Hobbit movies, which will be financed and theatrically distributed worldwide by Warner Bros.
While Serkis’ reps have yet to officially confirm his involvement with The Hobbit, Deadline says it’s a done deal – and given the universal praise surrounding Serkis’ performance as the “precious” obsessed Gollum, there is little reason to doubt that claim. Ian McKellen is still working on a deal to return as Gandalf the Grey, but that too seems like a matter of time as the actor’s turn as the wise but aged wizard was beloved by moviegoers of all creeds – and there’s never been any bad history reported between the X-Men star and Jackson’s camp.
UPDATE: Heat Vision is reporting that Ian McKellen has officially signed on to reprise his role as Gandalf in both Hobbit films, which will begin shooting in New Zealand on February 14th, 2011.
J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit focuses around the experiences of a young Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he, a band of 13 dwarves, and Gandalf set out on a quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the treasure-guarding dragon Smaug. According to Lord of the Rings canon, Bilbo recorded his grand adventure many years later in the book “The Hobbit or There and Back Again,” which – in Jackson’s films – will be read by Frodo (Elijah Wood) in the present (presumably, before his departure to the Grey Havens in Return of the King).
The flashback structure of Jackson’s Hobbit films also accounts for why Ian Holms is currently in talks to reprise his turn as the older version of Bilbo. Tolkien’s additional text about the history of Middle-Earth will also partially be covered in both Hobbit movies, which explains why the less dense novel is being recounted in two, rather than one film like each chapter in the Lord of the Rings series. This also accounts for why cast members such as Christopher Lee, Cate Blanchett, and Orlando Bloom are likely to return as the wizard Saruman, the Lady Galadriel, and the elf Legolas, respectively, in both movies – despite their characters not being in the original Hobbit novel.
The Hobbit: Part 1 is scheduled to reach regular, 3D, and IMAX 3D theaters on December 19th, 2012. Part 2 will arrive a year later in December of 2013.
Source: Deadline
Update Source: THR
Elijah Wood Returning as Frodo in 'The Hobbit'
Elijah Wood is officially reprising his role as Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s two-part, $500 million adaptation of The Hobbit.
Wood and his representation have been in negotiations with Warner Bros since mid-December, but discussions shut down for the holidays. This month, according to Deadline, talks were re-started with Wood, as well reps for Andy Serkis (Gollum), Ian McKellen (Gandalf), and Orlando Bloom, who was rumored to be returning a month ago as Legloas.
Elijah Wood’s involvement sparked some initial confusion with fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy series since the character, Frodo, wasn’t alive during the adventures of his older cousin, Bilbo Baggins (to be played by Martin Freeman in the upcoming prequels).
However, TheOneRing has confirmed the circumstances of Frodo’s return. Spoilers: Frodo will appear at the opening of the two films as an aged Bilbo recounts his experiences, serving as a frame for the story and connecting these two movies to Jackson’s magnificent Lord of the Rings film trilogy.
Obviously, this means Wood’s screen time will be relatively short, but this familiar bookend setup is a step in the right direction in bringing back casual and devoted fans alike by linking the two series without making significant changes to Tolkien’s beloved oeuvre. Hopefully, McKellen and Serkis will return as well alongside the signed Cate Blanchett (as Galadriel), the negotiating Bloom, and the unconfirmed Hugo Weaving.
Jackson begins principal photography on the two-part adaptation in 3D next month in New Zealand for a release in December 2012 and December 2013.
Frodo to get a time machine?
It was announced last week that Elijah Wood was in talks to work on The Hobbit alongside news that Warner Bros would rescue the film financially. But seeing as Frodo Baggins didn't even exist during the time Bilbo had his adventures, the resounding question is: how? Read on for spoilers.
TheOneRing.net has revealed (while pointing out that nothing has been set in stone) that Elijah Wood will reprise his role as Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson's adaptation of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit. The likely scenario seems to be that Frodo will be reading the story from the two-volume book he and Bilbo wrote, The Downfall of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit or There and Back Again. At the end of The Lord of the Rings the book is shown on screen as Frodo hands it to Samwise Gamgee. (In related literary movie news, Wood has also signed on to play Ben Gunn in Stewart Harcourt's adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island alongside Eddie Izzard.)
So you can reasonably expect to see Wood back in Frodo's hairy feet at the beginning of both instalments. Our only wonder at this point is whether he'll close the book at the end of the first instalment and declare, “it's time for bed now children, we'll continue Bilbo's journey next December. Sleep tight.”
Filming is due to begin next month with Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett, Sylvester McCoy, James Nesbitt, Mikael Persbrandt, Aidan Turner, Rob Kazinsky, Graham McTavish, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Mark Hadlow, Ken Stott, Ryan Gages, Jed Brophy, William Kircher, Peter Hambleton and Adam Brown. Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, David Tennant and Orlando Bloom are all still in rumour territory at the moment but McKellen and Serkis returning as Gandalf and Gollum respectively seems almost like a dead cert, recasting now would be a pretty major thing.
The Hobbit is to be a two-parter, its releases are currently set at December 2012 and December 2013. Both instalments will be filmed in crowd pleasing Digital 3D.
Elijah Wood Confirmed For The Hobbit
Despite the fact that, er, his character wasn’t actually in JRR Tolkien’s original Hobbit book, you can expect to see Elijah Wood’s take on Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s two new film instalments.
Deadline first broke word of Wood being in talks to work on The Hobbit late last week as part of a story about Warner Bros. taking over the whole cost of the films from MGM and, as part of the deal, distributing the result across the world both cinematically and on DVD/Blu-Ray/Brain Chip Download. MGM is hanging on to the international TV rights.
But now the site has updated with news that Wood has officially locked in a deal to appear. Which rather begs the question: just how will they squeeze Frodo into the story? Those of a spoiler-phobic nature will want to stop reading now.
The One Ring site has dug up apparent plans to see Frodo reading The Downfall of The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit or There And Back Again, the two books written by Bilbo after his adventures, which were then passed as part of the Red Book of Westmarch (in the film, at least) to Frodo and Sam. So we’ll be experiencing Bilbo’s story as Frodo reads the book. Just don’t go expecting Wood to suddenly crop up chatting with Martin Freeman.
And while the site claims it has the info from several sources, we’d warn that everything is rumour until officially confirmed or, more likely, until the first clips surface.
Jackson is due to start filming the two movies next month with Wood, Freeman, Richard Armitage, Cate Blanchett, Sylvester McCoy, James Nesbitt, Mikael Persbrandt, Aidan Turner, Rob Kazinsky, Graham McTavish, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Mark Hadlow, Ken Stott, Ryan Gages, Jed Brophy, William Kircher, Peter Hambleton, Adam Brown and half of New Zealand already aboard.
Still in the rumour/”talks” stage? Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis, apparently, though we can’t see Jackson recasting their vital roles, David Tennant (stuck in rumour limbo, we're afraid) and Orlando Bloom, who may yet return as Legolas.
Elijah Wood will return for The Hobbit - National Movie News
Elijah Wood will return to Middle Earth for Peter Jackson's The Hobbit.
Wood's representatives confirmed the rumors today, following the announcement earlier this week that Warner Bros. will finance and distribute the film in partnership with MGM and New Line. Wood will reprise his role as the young hobbit Frodo Baggins for the Lord of the Rings prequel.
The Hobbit's cast currently includes such actors as Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, and Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey. Andy Serkis is rumored to be returning as the creature Gollum.
The Hobbit: Part 1 is expected to hit theaters in December 2012, with Part 2 following the next year. Filming is set to begin in New Zealand next month.
Is using Frodo to create a 'Hobbit'-'LOTR' connection a bad idea?
This afternoon the studio behind "The Hobbit" confirmed that (and the Lord of the Rings fan site The One Ring explained how) Elijah Wood will reprise his Frodo role for a small part at the beginning of Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit," which centers on Martin Freeman's Bilbo Baggins.
According to the J.R.R. Tolkien mythology, the fictional "Red Book of Westmarch" tells the story of both "The Hobbit" and "LOTR." Frodo is an author on the book, and he'll appear in "The Hobbit" (which takes place about 60 years before the "LOTR" trilogy begins) setting up the story that happened lo those decades before. "The fictional book, and either the telling from it or the reading of it, will establish Frodo in the films experiencing Bilbo [Baggins'] story," says The One Ring.
This might all seem like Jackson is tossing a little something to the devotees, an Easter egg for those initiates who see Tolkien's worlds as connected.
But in reality it may well be the opposite: this is a move aimed mainly at the average moviegoer. "Lord of the Rings" was hugely popular even among people who'd never read a word of Tolkien, so a little link to the original trilogy, the thinking seems to go, wouldn't hurt to get audiences into the two "Hobbit" films.
For Tolkien devotees, though, the news may be less exciting. Frodo doesn't appear before the "Lord of the Rings" so the cameo could be considered unnecessary. And in fact, putting characters into a context where they never existed before could ruffle feathers.
On the whole this seems like a harmless indulgence, and Peter Jackson has earned the trust of Tolkien purists.
Still, the Tolkien-loving public has an all-seeing eye, and expectations from the franchise can be as daunting as, well, the burden of the ring itself.
Elijah Wood to star in 'The Hobbit'
It's official--Elijah Wood is returning to Middle Earth to star in Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit," currently in pre-production in New Zealand.
Reps for Wood, who starred as Frodo Baggins in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, confirmed Friday that the thesp had signed for the back-to-back "Hobbit" films to portray Frodo again. Jackson's set to start shooting next month.
Wood's character in the "Rings" trilogy inherited the titular ring from Bilbo Baggins and undertook the quest to destroy it in the fires of Mount Doom. The "Hobbit" strory in J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy novel centers on the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, who obtains the ring.
"Hobbit" cast includes Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Cate Blanchett reprising her role from "Lord of The Rings" trilogy as Galadriel. Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films with co-writer Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer and Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner as exec producers.
"The Lord of the Rings" trilogy was also produced by Jackson, Walsh and Cunningham.
Signing of Wood comes a day after Warner Bros. announced it will handle worldwide distribution on "The Hobbit," taking over the international distribution and home video on the films from MGM in exchange for funding MGM's half of the production costs.
Wood's also signed on to play Ben Gunn in Stewart Harcourt's adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island" alongside Eddie Izzard in a two-part hour miniseries will be airing on Sky TV in the UK with Alan Moloney producing and Steve Barron directing. He'll be seen this summer in FX's new series "Wilfred", as well as lending his voice to Warner Bros. "Happy Feet 2" in November.
Wood's also starring in the Sundance short "Fight for your Right Revisited" with John C. Reilly and Seth Rogen, directed by Adam Yauch.
Elijah Wood's Frodo Will Appear in The Hobbit Movies
Sources have confirmed that Elijah Wood will reprise his role as Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson's two-part adaptation of The Hobbit.
Everyone knew that Peter Jackson would take liberties in portraying the comparatively short tale of The Hobbit over two films by borrowing heavily from the immense backstory written by J.R.R. Tolkien. For instance, we know that Cate Blanchett will appear as the elf queen Galadriel despite not being mentioned in Tolkien's prequel to the Lord of the Rings. But The One Ring.net has confirmed that Elijah Wood will also appear in the films, despite the events of The Hobbit occurring nearly 80 years before Frodo takes the Ring to Mordor (and 27 years before Frodo was even born.) How does that work, you might ask? Well, read on only if you don't mind knowing the narrative framework of a work before you consume it. In other words:
THAR BE SPOILERS HERE
The opening sequences of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit will feature Elijah Wood as Frodo reading through his adoptive father's adventures written in the fictional Red Book of Westmarch aka There and Back Again. Remember the big red book that Bilbo is seen writing in the Extended Edition of The Fellowship of the Ring film and that Frodo is later seen recording his story in The Return of the King? That book also contains Bilbo's account of his adventure to the Lonely Mountain with Thorin Oakenshield's band of dwarves and Jackson is using Frodo reading the story as a framing device for the The Hobbit films.
It's an ingenius way to not only draw in fans of the original films but also cater to hardcore fans of Tolkien's Middle Earth. Frodo will be able to experience Bilbo's story, while leaving it open for characters like Gandalf (hopefully played by the as yet unconfirmed Ian McKellen) to drop by and add their insight to the story. For example, with Galadriel, Saruman and Radagast (another Wizard) confirmed to appear in the film, maybe Gandalf will report on attending a meeting of the White Council and the subsequent attack on Dol Guldur just as Bilbo (played by Martin Freeman) and company traverse the forest of Mirkwood.
As an admitted Tolkien fanboy, I quite like the direction that Jackson is taking with The Hobbit portraying so much more of the story of Middle Earth. Here's hoping it lives up to his treatment of the The Lord of the Rings and offers an experience that captures the feel and tone of the original works while limiting any changes in the story to make it more cinematic.
Elijah Wood To Return As Frodo In The Hobbit
Lord of the Rings fans are being spoilt rotten it would seem. The eagerly anticipated prequel to the trilogy, The Hobbit, is seeing a host of familiar faces from the original films return, though only for fleeting cameos as well as director Peter Jackson, but the most important character of the whole story is returning too.
According to IndieWire, Elijah Wood is set to appear in The Hobbit as the title character of the trilogy Frodo Baggins for a brief appearance, which sees him reading from the fictional Red Book Of Westmarch to introduce audiences to the world of The Hobbit, provided they didn’t read the book of course.
With his uncle being the central focus of The Hobbit, Frodo is likely to appear in the beginning of the film with his hobbit friends Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin), Merry (Dominic Monaghan) and Pippin (Billy Boyd) also set to figure though it’ll be a case of whether Jackson can get those three involved though I’m sure 18 Oscar wins and big bucks will be enough to convince any of those actors to come back.
The prequel will be coming out in 2012 followed by the sequel a year later with other Lord of the Rings characters making an appearance including Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), Legolas (Orlando Bloom) and Gollum (Andy Serkis) joining new faces like Martin Freeman. One prequel to rule them all indeed!
Source: The Playlist
Elijah Wood To Return For ‘The Hobbit’?
Oh Yeah, Warner Bros. Is Going To Pay For & Distribute ‘The Hobbit’ Everywhere Too
In not so shocking news, MGM has a bit of cash crunch, thus the idea of them distributing or even somehow paying for “The Hobbit” was kind of hilarious.
So in an inevitable bit of news, it was been announced today that Warner Bros. will handle both domestic and international distribution for Peter Jackson‘s “The Hobbit,” which should make shareholders very, very happy. As for MGM, they will cling to the international television licensing rights to the film. In addition, according to Deadline, they will be taking on the full financing of the picture as well. However, the real piece of juicy, potentially exciting news is mentioned in a bit of a throwaway line.
Updating his original report, Mike Fleming reports that as the production gears up to shoot next month, a few notable names are still needed to be officially nailed down, including Ian McKellen (who confirmed he was coming back) and Orlando Bloom (reports of his potential involvement surfaced last month). In addition, he adds that he’s “heard talk of conversations” with Elijah Wood and Andy Serkis. We’ll pause as the Internet loses its mind.
Now, bear in mind, this is pretty speculative at this point. However, when Deadline makes this kind of mention, it’s certainly worth listening to. Gollum is introduced in “The Hobbit” and factors into the story but Frodo is nowhere to be found; if we had to guess Serkis reprises his role as Gollum (hardly shocking) and Wood cameos at the end of part two as Frodo to help bridge into “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy.
So far Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Richard Armitage, Aidan Turner, Rob Kazinsky, Graham McTavish, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Sylester McCoy, Adam Brown, Mikael Persbrandt, Ryan Gage, Jed Brophy and William Kircher are all confirmed and we figure more announcements are imminent. The film will shoot in 3D with Peter Jackson at the helm, with the first picture landing in theaters in December 2012.
Details Emerge On Elijah Wood’s Appearance In ‘The Hobbit’
As word of Elijah Wood‘s potential return to the franchise that made him a worldwide star picked up yesterday, it was a bit of a question mark how Frodo would factor at all into the story that doesn’t feature him at all. Well, the very well informed and well sourced fansite, The One Ring, have picked up the ball and run with it, revealing that Peter Jackson and co. have found a clever way of bringing the star back and linking “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy with the “The Hobbit.” Obviously, if you don’t want to know stop reading and yes, there are spoilers ahead.
According to the site, Wood was more or less locked down in very early stages of the script writing phase as he was contacted to see if he would be interested in returning. Once he gave his word, the script set up a framing device that will have Frodo appear in the opening sequence of the film. As Tolkien fans know, “The Downfall of The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit or There and Back Again,” are contained in the fictional “Red Book of Westmarch.” In “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy, Bilbo and Frodo both write in the ‘Red Book,’ later handing it off to Sam Gamgee. So with that in mind, the plan is to open “The Hobbit” with Frodo either reading from or telling the tale from the ‘Red Book’ as he - and the viewers - experience Bilbo’s story.
It will be interesting to see how fans react to Jackson’s shaping of “The Hobbit” but regardless, it’s a smart way to bring back the most recognizable and beloved face from the “The Lord Of The Rings” series. The One Ring also speculates as to whether Liv Tyler’s Arwen and Marton Csokas’ Celeborn will be returning as they are featured in the story, adding that Orlando Bloom and Hugo Weaving are still not confirmed (though we figure official word will be coming soon).
“The Hobbit” will be led by Martin Freeman with some familiar faces and many new ones rounding out the extensive cast. The film lenses in 3D staring next month and lineups will begin soon for the film that opens in December 2012.
Warner Bros. to distribute 'Hobbit'
Studio takes worldwide rights to adventure pics
Warner Bros. will handle worldwide distribution on "The Hobbit," taking over international distribution and homevideo on the two films from MGM in exchange for funding MGM's half of the production costs.
Deal calls for MGM to continue handling international television licensing for the films and for MGM and Warners to work collaboratively to coordinate marketing and release plans worldwide.
MGM, Warner Bros. and Warner's New Line unit made the joint announcement Thursday, with director Peter Jackson still set to start shooting in 3D next month in New Zealand and release of the two "Hobbit" pics aimed for December 2012 and December 2013.
The studios did not disclose specific further terms of the deal, however. A source close to the situation said Warners will provide funds for MGM's obligation on production costs, with the funds to be repaid through MGM's share of "Hobbit" revenues.
Announcement comes two weeks after MGM secured $500 million in exit financing to ramp up operations as part of its pre-packaged bankruptcy to eliminate more than $4 billion in debt. The bankruptcy filings indicated that MGM was seeking a separate loan of $265 million-$275 million to finance its half-share in the two "Hobbit" films.
Both studios were motivated to make the deal because Warners is in a far better position to handle a franchise film outside the U.S. MGM's distribution and marketing operations have been mothballed for the past two years with a total of two releases, while Warners has been Hollywood's most successful studio during that period thanks largely to tentpoles such as the sixth and seventh Harry Potter pics and "Inception."
MGM's already made two recent cost-cutting moves -- signing to leave its namesake MGM Tower in Century City for new digs in Beverly Hills and pinkslipping about 45 employees, a reduction of more than 10% to its staff of 400.
The MGM-Warner distrib deal doesn't affect MGM's half-ownership rights to any additional "Hobbit" films should the studios decide to make them.
Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films, with co-writer Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer and Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner as exec producers. Cast includes Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Cate Blanchett reprising her role from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy as Galadriel.
"The Hobbit" films received a greenlight on Oct. 15. New Line, MGM and Warner Bros. (parent of New Line) agreed three years earlier to partner on a bigscreen version of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy novel about the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and how he obtained the ring that became the centerpiece of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
The studios reached a settlement agreement in late October with the New Zealand government, which agreed to change its labor laws and sweeten production incentives in exchange for keeping "The Hobbit" shoot in that country.
Warner Bros Taking WW Distribution (And Paying For) ‘The Hobbit’
UPDATE: I've learned that Warner Bros will, in fact, pay the entire cost of the two installments of The Hobbit, a price-tag that is expected to exceed $500 million. Now, the question will be which cast members from The Lord of the Rings come back for encores. I've heard talk of conversations with Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and possibly Elijah Wood. I'd heard Orlando Bloom was also in talks before the holidays. Returning actors will need to be locked in shortly.
BREAKING: MGM and Warner Bros have finalized a deal that gives Warner Bros worldwide theatrical distribution on the Peter Jackson-directed The Hobbit. MGM will retain international television rights. This solves another problem on Jackson's eagerly awaited followup to The Lord of the Rings, which has overcome an MGM freeze because of angry creditors, and the threat that the films would move away from New Zealand after local unions blacklisted the production.
Shooting begins next month, and Jackson is still in the process of locking in cast from the original movie, which is expected to include Ian McKellen's Gandalf, Andy Serkis' Gollum, and others. MGM, a half partner in The Hobbit, was expected to bow out of its international distribution role because the studio came out of prepackaged bankruptcy--headed by Spyglass partners Roger Birnbaum and Gary Barber--with the intention of initially reviving the studio as a production company that contracts out distribution and marketing to others. Still trying to figure out how MGM is paying for its part of a production budget pegged at north of $500 million. Suspicions were that Warner Bros was cash-flowing the film.
LOS ANGELES, CA, January 6, 2011- Roger Birnbaum and Gary Barber, MGM Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officers, Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema and Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that MGM and Warner Bros have concluded a deal for Warner Bros. Pictures to handle international theatrical and video distribution responsibilities on MGM's behalf for Peter Jackson's highly anticipated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit". This arrangement results in Warner Bros. Pictures handling the bulk of worldwide distribution, while MGM will handle international television licensing for the films. MGM and WB will work collaboratively to coordinate marketing and release plans worldwide.
Jackson, who directed all three "The Lord of the Rings" films, will helm the two films back-to-back, telling the story of "The Hobbit" from screenplays written by Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro.
The two "Hobbit" films are set to begin production in February 2011, with release dates targeted for December 2012 and December 2013. Jackson will utilize groundbreaking visual effects and his incomparable storytelling to bring Tolkien's novel to the big screen. Both "Hobbit" movies will be filmed in Digital 3-D, using the latest camera and stereo technology to create a high quality, comfortable viewing experience.
Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films for New Line, Warner Bros and MGM, with co-writer Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer and Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner as executive producers. The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, also from the production team of Jackson, Walsh and Cunningham, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office. In 2003, "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture - the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The trilogy's production was also unprecedented at the time.
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Muveez.com
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Production on 'Hobbit' pics delayed
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January 27, 2011
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January 27, 2011
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Filming of 'The Hobbit' will be delayed
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The National
January 23, 2011
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January 10, 2011
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January 10, 2011
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January 7, 2011
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