This page contains articles relating to the upcoming movies The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again. The Hobbit is the prequel to The Lord of The Rings trilogy. The movie casts Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins. Please visit LMR's Martin Freeman Page - Home and LMR's The Hobbit Page - Home.
| * THE HOBBIT ARTICLES BY MONTH AND YEAR * |
Martin Freeman suggests Hobbit love scene
December 30, 2011
Martin Freeman believes his character in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has had sex.
The British actor has been shooting the movie in New Zealand recently. It’s a prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Martin is portraying the hobbit Bilbo Baggins.
Martin admits he has considered everything about the character to help him prepare for the role.
“I think he’s had sex. I’m not sure,” he told Total Film. “I’m trying to convince Peter to write that scene in...”
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy star is thrilled to be part of such a huge production.
For a short time Martin thought he would be unable to appear in the film as he was committed to the British TV series, Sherlock.
“I was sad but I thought, ‘I’ll just hate whoever plays Bilbo,’” he smiled.
Luckily for Martin, Peter Jackson and his team were so intent on casting him that the production went on hiatus to allow him to complete shooting.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is slated to hit screens late next year.
(C) Cover Media
The Press Association: Cumberbatch: Audiences have to care
December 28, 2011
(UKPA) Hobbit stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman say there's too much hype around actors who transform themselves for screen roles.
Martin plays Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's forthcoming Hobbit film, and Benedict supplies the voice of the dragon, Smaug.
But Benedict told The Radio Times: "As an actor, you can do weight loss, weight gain, put on silly noses, crazy accents, move like a dragon, inviting people to look at the fireworks and admire how different you're being.
"But with acting like that, it's all about look-at-me, when what you should be doing is helping the audience care about the person they're watching."
Martin, who also stars in Sherlock with Benedict, said: "I always think it's a bit of a red herring, this business of whether you're pretending to be something different.
"I mean...show me someone who's being nothing like they are in real life and I'll show you a rubbish performance.
"In every film (Robert) De Niro's in, he's the best actor on God's earth, but he'll always pull the same De Niro face at some point. You're never going to go, 'Oh, I didn't know who that was'."
Martin Freeman And Andy Serkis Discuss Filming "Gollum’s Cave" Scene In THE HOBBIT
Josh Wilding
Comic Book Movie
December 25, 2011
Martin Freeman talks about his time so far as Bilbo Baggins, including just how familiar with the source material he is, while both he and co-star Andy Serkis discuss sharing their first scene.
"In the normal run of things, there’d be quite a lot going on for me,"Martin Freeman told Empire Magazine in a recent interview on the set of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. "I’ve got ears, the wig and the feet, which three more things than an actor normally has… But then I look over at the dwarves and see what they’re lugging!" You see, while he may be finding those additional props a pain, his dwarven co-stars are carrying around nearly 80kg of accessories all while wearing fat suits and various prosthetics. "They’re absolute troopers," he sympathises.
As for how work on the movie is going, Freeman said that he’s enjoying it despite admitting that he’s far from an expert on the source material. "It wasn’t in my orbit at all. I’m not sure it would have been very helpful if I’d always wanted to play Bilbo Baggins. I’d have come up against someone else’s vision. We’re taking the work seriously, but when we’re looking up at tennis balls that are meant to be trolls, it’s got to be fun."
"The first thing I filmed was finding the ring in Gollum’s cave," he revealed, adding that it’s a scene he knew that he’d have to invest with a certain amount of gravitas. "It’s good to know, but not play, the importance of the Ring. I’m trying to put a bit more heaviness into it. It’s not all comical." His co-star (and second unit director) Andy Serkis had nothing but praise for his co-star after sharing the iconic sequence with his as the mo-cap Gollum. "It was great for Martin to start off with that chamber piece. He could find Bilbo within the confines of a one-on-one scene. It was almost stranger for me: for the first couple of days it felt like I was doing an impersonation!"
Release date: December 14, 2012
‘The Hobbit’ trailer brings back magic (and not just for fans)
By Geoff Boucher
latimes.com
December 20, 2011
Middle-earth just got closer. The first trailer for “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” arrived Tuesday and while it was all too fleeting there was enough in it to stir the heart of fans. The movie arrives next December and will be followed a year later by “The Hobbit: There and Back Again.”
Both films are being directed by Peter Jackson, and for the filmmaker that is in itself an unexpected journey – he stepped in when Guillermo del Toro left the project amid financial delays and the MGM corporate crisis. Jackson, of course, directed “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, one of the most celebrated and successful film franchises of all time.
The excitement about the trailer’s release went beyond just fans. Down in New Zealand, at Jackson’s headquarters, there were tingles and grins, according to Philippa Boyens, the Oscar-winning screenwriter who has worked on the writing team throughout the cinematic Tolkien voyage.
Boyens said the delays and discouragements for “The Hobbit” made her wonder if perhaps the magic was gone but now she knows it was all just part of the unpredictable quest.
“It’s been an interesting journey, I was thinking about it the other day, and at some point you have to believe in fate because it’s going really well now,” Boyens said. “I’m touching wood now. But I think if it had all happened any earlier it would have been too soon and any later we would all be too old. Things seem to come together for the right reasons.”
It’s quite the fellowship that’s going along for the ride. Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey and Martin Freeman plays the central role of Bilbo Baggins. The ensemble cast also includes (in alphabetical order) Richard Armitage, John Bell, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Ian Holm, Peter Hambleton, Barry Humphries, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Evangeline Lilly, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O’Gorman, Christopher Lee, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Andy Serkis, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas, Aidan Turner, Hugo Weaving and Elijah Wood.
The Press Association: Hobbit trailer released online
December 21, 2011
(UPKA) - Martin Freeman's adventure as Hobbit Bilbo Baggins can be seen for the first time in a trailer to the Lord Of The Rings prequel released online by Warner Bros.
The Office star, Sir Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett are among those who can be seen in the long-awaited teaser trailer of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, released on iTunes.
The trailer opens with an old Bilbo, played by Ian Holm, writing a letter to his nephew Frodo - the hero of The Lord Of The Rings - about his adventurous past.
Martin then appears as the young Bilbo, being invited by Gandalf to leave the Shire on a quest.
Breathtaking views of New Zealand, doubling for Middle Earth are shown in the clips of what is to come, and at the end the eery voice of Gollum, played by Andy Serkis, can be heard muttering "Baggines, what is a Bagginses? Precious."
Jackson has split JR Tolkien's book into two films, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There And Back Again.
Filming is still taking place, with Martin's Sherlock co-star Benedict Cumberbatch starting to shoot his role as Smaug the dragon next year.
Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins
Martin Freeman talks The Hobbit
Exclusive: “I honestly don’t feel that pressure”
TotalFilm.com
December 19, 2011
Total Film recently flew to New Zealand to catch up with Martin Freeman, Peter Jackson, et al, on set of epic Lord Of The Rings prequel, The Hobbit.
When we asked lead Freeman about the burden of taking on the title role of Bilbo Baggins, he replied with trademark humility: “I honestly don’t feel that pressure, no.”
“I really, really don’t. Of course, it is Bilbo’s journey, but I didn’t write it. I’m not directing it… It’s not my film. It’s Peter’s film.”
Though Freeman seems like perfect casting for the diminutive hero (and despite PJ saying “there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us”), commitments to BBC TV drama Sherlock almost kept him from the role.
“I was sad but I thought, ‘I’ll just hate whoever plays Bilbo’,” he told us with a wry smile.
On the challenges of starring in such a vast production, he added: “The hardest thing is staying ‘up’ and peppy when you’re covered in snot or mud, day after day… I’m sure there’s more to come.”
“So far, what we’ve filmed has been more comic than heavy. I keep asking Pete [Jackson], ‘When are we going heavy?’ He assures me it’s coming!”
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey opens on 14 December 2012.
For more on The Hobbit, get the new issue of Total Film magazine, which hits newsstands on 22 December 2011.
Martin Freeman Feels No Hobbit Pressure
Contactmusic.com
December 19, 2011
Martin Freeman does not feel under pressure while filming his iconic role as Bilbo Baggins in 'The Hobbit' as he considers it to be director Sir Peter Jackson's ''film''.
Martin Freeman does not think 'The Hobbit' is his film - despite being the lead star.
The British star plays the part of hobbit Bilbo Baggins in the Sir Peter Jackson-directed 'Lord of the Rings' prequel, and he admits after a long time filming he does not feel worried about taking on the character.
He said: "I honestly don't feel that pressure, no. I really, really don't. It is Bilbo's journey, but I didn't write it. I'm not directing it. It's not my film, It's Peter's film."
However, he reveals it has been tough for him to do a good job when he is covered in "snot and mud" during the New Zealand-set shoot.
He added to Total Film: "The hardest thing is staying up and peppy when you're covered in snot or mud, day after day. I'm sure there's more to come.
"So far, what we've filmed has been more comic than heavy. I keep asking Peter, 'When are we going heavy?' He assures me it's coming."
Two 'Hobbit' prequels are set to hit cinemas in the next two years, with 'An Unexpected Journey' released in December 2012.
TOURISM NEW ZEALAND HOBBITON MOVIE SET Hobbiton Movie Set & Farm Tours, Matamata, New Zealand (C) RST. (PRNewsFoto/Tourism New Zealand) SANTA MONICA, CA UNITED STATES
New Zealand Returns as Home of Middle-earth
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey trailer released today gives inside look at New Zealand travel locations
SANTA MONICA, Calif., Dec. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Fans of Middle-earth had their first taste of the stunning New Zealand scenery that will be featured in the upcoming film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey today, with the first trailer previewing the December 2012 theatrical release.
The soaring mountains, lakes, rivers and plains that first caught the attention of the movie-going public in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring will form the backdrop to the latest Middle-earth epic, once again directed by Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson.
More than 150 different locations throughout New Zealand were used to film The Lord of the Rings trilogy, from the rolling hills of Matamata standing in for the Shire to the volcanic region of Mt Ruapehu, which was transformed into the fiery Mt Doom.
There are many film-inspired activities and attractions for fans to visit while experiencing New Zealand's dramatic scenery, one of the most popular being the Hobbiton Movie Set & Farm Tours.
A working sheep and cattle farm, Hobbiton formed the set for some of the scenes in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The two-hour guided tour is a must-do on any New Zealand vacation.
New Zealand's mix of extraordinary geography, sense of adventure, Maori culture, and cosmopolitan cities all offer a hugely diverse range of unique experiences within the magical landscape of the film's Middle-earth.
ABOUT THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEYFrom Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of two films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit. The second film will be The Hobbit: There and Back Again.
Both films are set in Middle-earth 60 years before The Lord of the Rings, which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar®-winning The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
The screenplays for both The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again are by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson. Jackson is also producing the films, together with Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Ken Kamins, Toby Emmerich and Zane Weiner, with Boyens serving as co-producer.
Under Jackson's direction, both movies are being shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming is taking place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.
Among the creative behind-the-scenes team returning to Jackson's crew are director of photography Andrew Lesnie, production designer Dan Hennah, conceptual designers Alan Lee and John Howe, composer Howard Shore and make-up and hair designer Peter King. The costumes are designed by Ann Maskrey and Richard Taylor. The score is being composed by Howard Shore.
Taylor is also overseeing the design and production of weaponry, armour and prosthetics which are once again being made by the award winning Weta Workshop. Weta Digital take on the visual effects for both films, led by the film's visual effects supervisor, Joe Letteri. Post production will take place at Park Road Post Production in Wellington.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again are productions of New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television licensing, being handled by MGM.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released beginning December 14, 2012. The second film, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, is slated for release the following year, beginning December 13, 2013.
For information about New Zealand's extensive vacation options, log onto the 100% Pure New Zealand website at www.NewZealand.com.
For other media information, log on to http://media.newzealand.com
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SOURCE Tourism New Zealand
Copyright (C) 2011 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
Stephen Fry says his Master of Laketown is a "very gross figure" in The Hobbit prequels
The Fan Carpet.com
December 16, 2011
He can currently be seen as Mycroft Holmes in the Robert Downey J and Jude Law starring Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows and Stephen Fry has revealed some details about his upcoming role in the two part Hobbit prequels.
He tells Digital Spy that his Master of Laketown is a "very gross figure" in the hotly anticipated films which remind him of Jackson's earlier work with films like Bad Taste and Brain Dead.
"He was a shlock, gore director of the highest quality and wit, my character is an opportunity for sheer grossness.
He had me eating testicles... gross appetites. I mustn't give too much away but I've got a bald cap and then on top of that a really bad combover wig and this wispy moustache and wispy beard and horrible blotchy skin and disgusting fingernails.
And generally speaking a really unappetising piece of work. And a coward to boot and very, very greedy."
Part one of the two part prequel is entitled The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and features an all star cast of Cate Blanchett, Martin Freeman, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, James Nesbitt, Graham McTavish, Ian Holm, Lee Pace, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Evangeline Lilly, Barry Humphries and Richard Armitage. The film comes to UK screens on December 14 next year.
Warner Bros. Consumer Products and The LEGO Group Build on Partnership to Produce Construction Toys for THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy and the Two Films Based on THE HOBBIT
BILLUND, Denmark and BURBANK, Calif., Dec. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Warner Bros. Consumer Products and The LEGO Group announced today a partnership that awards the world's leading construction toy brand exclusive rights to develop build-and-play construction sets based on THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy and the two films based on THE HOBBIT. The multi-year licensing agreement grants access to the library of characters, settings, and stories for THE LORD OF THE RINGS property, as well as films The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again. LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS construction sets are slated for a rolling global launch beginning in June 2012 in the United States, with LEGO THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY scheduled for later in the year.
"Only LEGO, with their expertise in the construction category, is capable of doing justice to the incredibly imaginative environments depicted in the world of THE LORD OF THE RINGS and the two films based on THE HOBBIT," said Karen McTier, executive vice president, domestic licensing and worldwide marketing, Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "These films give life to amazing worlds and characters and we are thrilled to bring fans these products that deliver an imaginative play experience befitting of these beloved properties."
The LEGO THE LORD OF THE RINGS collection will translate into LEGO form the epic locations, scenes and characters of Middle-earth as depicted in all three films, including The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
In late 2012, LEGO THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY will give fans of all ages a chance to build and play out the fantastical story and new characters of the legendary Middle-earth adventures depicted in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey from Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson, slated to premiere December 14, 2012.
"Our collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products has delivered numerous worldwide successes in the construction toy aisle with lines like LEGO HARRY POTTER and LEGO BATMAN, introducing us to loyal audiences who love great stories, strong characters and the toys that they inspire," said Jill Wilfert, vice president, licensing and entertainment for The LEGO Group. "It's particularly exciting to now be able to create sets based on the fantasy worlds and characters from THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy and the two films based on THE HOBBIT, not only because we know they will foster collectability and creative play, but also because these are two properties that our fans have been asking us to create for years."
Information about the sets and collectible minifigures from both collections will be unveiled at a later date at LEGO.com LEGO The Lord of The Rings :Home.
About The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again
From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of two films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit. The second film will be The Hobbit: There and Back Again. Both films are set in Middle-earth 60 years before The Lord of the Rings, which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released beginning December 14, 2012. The second film, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, is slated for release the following year, beginning December 13, 2013.
Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, the character he played in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, and Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins. Also reprising their roles from "The Lord of the Rings" movies are: Cate Blanchett as Galadriel; Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo; Christopher Lee as Saruman; Hugo Weaving as Elrond; Elijah Wood as Frodo; Orlando Bloom as Legolas; and Andy Serkis as Gollum. The ensemble cast also includes (in alphabetical order) Richard Armitage, John Bell, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Barry Humphries, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Evangeline Lilly, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O'Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas, and Aidan Turner.
The screenplays for both The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again are by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson. Jackson is also producing the films, together with Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Ken Kamins, Toby Emmerich and Zane Weiner, with Boyens serving as co-producer.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again are being co-produced by New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. with New Line managing production.
Warner Bros Pictures will be handling theatrical distribution for most of the world and MGM will handle all international television licensing and theatrical distribution for certain international territories for the films.
About The LEGO Group
The LEGO Group is a privately held, family-owned company, based in Billund, Denmark. It was founded in 1932 and today the group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of play materials for children, employing approximately 9,000 people globally. The LEGO Group is committed to the development of children's creative and imaginative abilities. LEGO products can be purchased in more than 130 countries.
LEGO and the LEGO logo are trademarks of The LEGO Group. 2011 The LEGO Group.
About Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Warner Bros. Consumer Products, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company, is one of the leading licensing and retail merchandising organizations in the world.
WB SHIELD: Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
About Middle-earth Enterprises
The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises is the holder of worldwide motion picture, legitimate stage, merchandising, and other rights in the literary works of J.R.R. Tolkien including The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. SZC has been producing and licensing films, stage productions and merchandise based on the Tolkien works for more than 30 years. Its headquarters are located in Berkeley, California and its Middle-earth Enterprises' website may be found at Middle-earth Enterprises.
New Line Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY and the names of the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, Inc.
New Line Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN and the names of the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, Inc.
2011 New Line Productions, Inc. All rights reserved. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and the names of the characters, items, events and places therein are trademarks of The Saul Zaentz Company d/b/a Middle-earth Enterprises under license to New Line Productions, Inc.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
The LEGO Group
Amanda Santoro
860-763-7834
amanda.santoro@lego.com
Warner Bros. Consumer Products
Janice Aguilar-Herrero
818-954-3821
janice.aguilar-herrero@warnerbros.com
SOURCE The LEGO Group
Press Release:
From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first of two films adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The second film will be The Hobbit: There and Back Again.
Both films are set in Middle-earth 60 years before The Lord of the Rings, which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar®-winning The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.
Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever…Gollum.
Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities … A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.
Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, the character he played in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Martin Freeman in the central role of Bilbo Baggins. Also reprising their roles from The Lord of the Rings movies are: Cate Blanchett as Galadriel; Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo; Christopher Lee as Saruman; Hugo Weaving as Elrond; Elijah Wood as Frodo; Orlando Bloom as Legolas; and Andy Serkis as Gollum.
The ensemble cast also includes (in alphabetical order) Richard Armitage, John Bell, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Barry Humphries, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Evangeline Lilly, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O’Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas, and Aidan Turner.
The screenplays for both The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again are by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson. Jackson is also producing the films, together with Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Ken Kamins, Toby Emmerich and Zane Weiner, with Boyens serving as co-producer.
Under Jackson’s direction, both movies are being shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming is taking place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.
Among the creative behind-the-scenes team returning to Jackson’s crew are director of photography Andrew Lesnie, production designer Dan Hennah, conceptual designers Alan Lee and John Howe, composer Howard Shore and make-up and hair designer Peter King. The costumes are designed by Ann Maskrey and Richard Taylor. The score is being composed by Howard Shore.
Taylor is also overseeing the design and production of weaponry, armour and prosthetics which are once again being made by the award winning Weta Workshop. Weta Digital take on the visual effects for both films, led by the film’s visual effects supervisor, Joe Letteri. Post production will take place at Park Road Post Production in Wellington.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again are productions of New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television licensing, being handled by MGM.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released beginning December 14, 2012. The second film, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, is slated for release the following year, beginning December 13, 2013.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has launched its official one-year countdown to release
By Justin Harp
Digital Spy.com
December 14, 2011
The first of two Peter Jackson-directed Lord of the Rings prequels will hit theatres on December 14, 2012, reuniting cast members Sir Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey follows hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) in his attempt to take back the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the dragon Smaug. As he travels across Middle-earth, Bilbo encounters the devious Gollum (Serkis) and first comes into contact with the creature's precious "ring" which ties their fates together.
An official synopsis describes the mythic meeting of Bilbo and Gollum: "The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug.
"Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.
"Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever...Gollum.
"Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum's "precious" ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities...A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know."
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey brings together an ensemble cast of acclaimed actors and actresses including Cate Blanchett, Christopher Lee, Ian Holm, Evangeline Lilly, Sylvester McCoy and Hugo Weaving.
The second part of Peter Jackson's prequel, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, is released in cinemas worldwide two years from now on December 13, 2013.
Screenplays for the films have been written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Jackson.
The Hobbit movies, which are being produced back-to-back by Jackson, began shooting in New Zealand in March.
The first trailer for The Hobbit: There and Back Again will premiere in the US in front of The Adventures of Tintin from December 21.
Preview: 365 days until 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'
By: Ross Jones-Morris
cine-vue.com
December 14, 2011
Dust off your staff and get ready to Smaug yourself silly as the year-long countdown begins to 14 December 2012, the date that heralds the return of Peter Jackson and his unique vision (now in 3D) of J.R.R. Tokien's Middle Earth with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2011). In just 365 days the first part of Jackson's eagerly awaited two-parter will be surfing into cinema near you riding high on the biggest wave of hype since The Dark Knight Rises, Prometheus, Django Unchained, The Avengers...let’s just say that 2012 is going to be a big year on the film front.
Nine years have passed since Sauron was defeated and the Fellowship of the Ring got on a bed with Elijah Wood's Frodo and laughed themselves silly, but that hasn't stopped every major cast member reprising their role where required. The two Hobbit films will see the welcome return of Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Sir Christopher Lee as Saruman, Wood as Frodo, Ian Holm as the elderly Bilbo, Orlando Bloom as Legolas, Hugo Weaving as Elrond, Cate Blanchett as Galadriel and, of course, the brilliant Andy Serkis as the schizophrenic mocap creation Gollum (and also credited as Second Unit Director).
With this cavalcade of familiar faces and a tight directorial/script-writing team - as well as trusted cinematographers (the film will be shot in both 3D and 48 fps), art directors, special effects teams, props teams and illustrators - one could be forgiven for thinking that the nine years between this and the Lord of the Rings films have flown by. However, whilst everyone is older and more experienced, the question remains; has Peter Jackson ceased to be great filmmaker? His immediate follow up to the epic trilogy was the similarly sprawling and ambitious King Kong (2005), but there was also the entirely unlovely The Lovely Bones (2010), a tonal mess that missed its target so completely that, had he seen it, Legolas would have vomited up his lembas bread with disgust.
However, with the extensive continuity of almost everyone involved with the Lord of the Rings series on board this new project (including the actual book itself) it seems therefore pertinent to categorise the two-part adaptation of The Hobbit as an official and canon prequel to the series Jackson started in 2001. Think of it as Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), just without all of the bitter memories and crushing disappointment.
This time round we are following the story of Bilbo in his younger years (played by British actor Martin Freeman). One day he is unexpectedly visited by Gandalf the Grey, a liaison which leads Bilbo into joining a company of 13 dwarves lead by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) with the sole aim of reclaiming the lost dwarven treasure of Erebor from the malicious dragon Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch) who dwells in the Lonely Mountains. This inevitably leads them on an epic adventure during which they travel through treacherous lands swarming with goblins and orcs, deadly wargs and giant spiders, shapeshifters and sorcerers that will ultimately lead to Baggins' meeting with Gollum himself and the finding of the One Ring - how much of this will concern the plot of the first film is still unclear.
'The Scouring of the Shire'; five words that make many a Tolkien completest tear apart their anorak with inconsolable rage. Jackson's decision to leave it out of his adaptation of The Return of the King (2003) was indeed a controversial one, but nevertheless done so with the medium of film in mind. No one should expect The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to be a page-for-page adaptation of Tolkien's much-loved book, and neither should it be. It's always hard to create a completely satisfying film from a literary source without either compromising on literary purity or cinematic punch, even harder when you are splitting a book in two. Here's to hoping that the final edit strikes a happy balance.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey therefore faces an expectant, yet ultimately tough crowd. As the excitement builds and builds over the next year the more it will have to live up to. This Christmas may (hopefully) see the release of the first trailer and will surely mark the foundations for a year of anticipation.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is due for release in UK cinemas on 14 December, 2012.
Abbington: Hobbit cast like family
Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
December 3, 2011
Amanda Abbington has revealed The Hobbit set is like a big family.
The 37-year-old actress has taken her two young children, Joe and Grace, to the other side of the world to watch their dad, actor Martin Freeman, take on the biggest role of his life to date as the lead hobbit Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's big screen adaptation.
Amanda revealed: "It was sacred ground, so before they could start filming we had this thing called a 'powhiri' where the Maoris accept you into their family.
"Ian McKellen made a wonderful speech about how actors are a tribe of people as well, who don't recognise colour, creed or religion. They're just thrown together.
"That's what it's like over here. You've got loads of people from all over the world coming in and it's like a lovely family. We came back a few weeks ago and it's just like coming home."
She's aware that when the first part of the highly-anticipated prequel to The Lord Of The Rings trilogy is released next year, it's going to throw a huge spotlight on her partner of 11 years, who came to the nation's attention as Tim in The Office, but says they're ready as a family to cope.
She said: "I think that's inevitable, he's got to be prepared for that, and we'll be there supporting him, making sure he doesn't fly off."
Amanda added: "I know I'm biased because I'm in love with him, but I do think he's doing a pretty excellent job, I'm really proud of him."
Amanda stars in children's drama Postcode which begins on CBBC on Tuesday, December 6.
Tree's demise Hobbit-sized crisis
By James Beech
Otago Daily Times
November 23, 2011
The old giant beech tree which prompted Sir Peter Jackson and 450 cast and crew members to film a scene for The Hobbit near Paradise, beyond Glenorchy and Queenstown, survived for a century until a storm blew it down six weeks ago.
This, however, was a Hobbit-sized problem in the grand scheme of issues for the Academy Award-winning screenwriter-producer-director in his bid to deliver Hobbit adventures to the world.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is due out on December 14 next year and The Hobbit: There and Back Again on December 13, 2013.
"We came down about six months ago to choose the exact spot where this house was going to get built, and one of the reasons why it's being built where it was is because of this amazing tree that we had standing right there," Sir Peter said.
"The tree we thought would be great to have right in the front of yard of the house was there for 100 years until six weeks ago, when it got blown over in the wind.
"So we had to build a fake one."
If the company was likened to "a travelling circus", as Sir Peter described it, then he is the ringmaster.
A core of creative crew members toured, with support crew hired in the Wakatipu or wherever else they happened to be working, Sir Peter said.
"Generally, you spend three, four, five days in one place because often you're only shooting one or two scenes there and because The Hobbit is a story of a quest, it's a travelling story, so virtually every scene takes place further along on the journey.
"It's a continuously changing landscape we're looking for."
The company's temporary "unit base" - production offices, make-up trailers, Portaloos, trucks, 4WD vehicles and the all-important catering marquee - buzzed with activity.
Stern Wellington security guards at the entrance asked what I was doing there, despite my being expected and my vehicle being covered in Otago Daily Times signs.
I was asked for identification, given a confidentiality agreement to sign and told to turn off my cellphone.
A minivan shuttled me and the unit publicist from unit base down a winding unsealed road to "tech base", a few minutes away.
Dozens of warmly clad crew members moved quietly between a large green screen set, an oversized dwelling set and several open-sided tents.
Planks of wood were lain across patches of mud, rain drops blew in the chill wind, but sunshine occasionally broke through.
Sir Ian McKellen was in full Gandalf the Grey costume and make-up on the green screen set.
Sir Peter's voice was heard giving directions on loudspeaker, but he was out of sight in a tent, viewing monitors attached to the 3-D cameras, being used for the first time in Middle-earth.
On the command "And action", everyone was silent as Gandalf walked slowly, staff in hand, down green-screen covered steps and the runway-like platform to stand beside a green-screen pole and ball and talk to Beorn (Mikael Persbrandt).
Monitors watched by crew members revealed how Gandalf and Beorn appeared to be standing on one of the adjacent physical sets, which featured an oversized workshop and barn, tools and a vegetable garden between real and fake trees.
Other two-storey-high sets included a scrub-covered gate and bee hives on shelves in an open-sided building with tussock on the roof.
About 10 minutes later, Sir Peter said on the loudspeaker "That's good" and gave instructions for another take.
Crew members murmured as they focused on their next task.
I was struck by the slightly surreal sight of Martin Freeman, dressed as Bilbo Baggins, with all 13 Dwarves, in full regalia, trudging down the incline from the rustic oversized set.
Each actor was given a black puffer jacket to wear over their costume and cups of steaming beverages.
Many pairs of hairy prosthetic hands were then carefully laid on a trestle table while the Hobbit and Dwarves went on their immediate epic quest - lunch.
Sir Peter's great southern inspiration
By James Beech
Otago Daily Times
November 23, 2011
Sir Peter Jackson says the sunshine, mountains and fresh air of Arcadia Station, near Queenstown, have raised both his spirits and those of his 450 cast and crew.
Sir Peter spoke in between scenes where Sir Ian McKellan as Gandalf the Grey, Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and dwarves arrive at the house of Beorn (Mikael Persbrandt).
Tuesday was their third and final day of shooting on a giant set, which took eight weeks to build and was based on more than eight months of design - all for one scene of about three minutes of screen time.
"This is such a beautiful area, 360 degrees, everywhere you look, incredible scenery," Sir Peter said.
"In fact, the scene where Boromir dies in The Fellowship of the Ring was about 100 yards [90m] into that forest there."
Sir Peter said The Hobbit had been "a strange journey for me" as he originally thought he would produce and not direct the eagerly awaited movies.
"Even though it was frustrating at the times and a little bit stressful from time to time, we're here and making the movies and it seems like it was meant to be."
Sir Peter said shooting the two Hobbit films felt like a reunion and "feels like we're doing it for the right reasons".
The audience knew what to expect, but he still wanted to surprise them.
Filming in 3D for the first time provided greater depth and he loved the way Middle Earth was coming to life in a more vibrant way, he said.
"You'll literally feel like you've stepped into the story," he said.
The company shot in Hamilton, Ohakune, bluffs near Te Kuiti, Strath Taieri, near Middlemarch and near Paradise over the past three weeks. All cast and crew and gear were loaded on to 200 trucks and moved to Te Anau yesterday for more filming.
Asked if he felt the weight of expectation on his shoulders, Sir Peter said: "All I can do is make the best movie I can and hope people enjoy it. It's going to have a different tone to The Lord of the Rings because the characters are quite a lot different.
"The book was very much written for a much younger reader than Lord of the Rings was, but I didn't want to make a children's movie, I still wanted to have some of the main themes we had in the Rings."
Eliah Wood: 'Frodo tag's perpetual'
The Press Association
November 24, 2011
(UKPA) - Elijah Wood says strangers are still yelling "Frodo!" at him on the street.
The Hollywood star, 30, appeared in the last Lord Of The Rings film eight years ago, but is slipping back into his hairy feet for The Hobbit movies.
Asked if passers-by had stopped calling him by his character name, he tells The Graham Norton Show: "No, it doesn't go away, it's pretty perpetual."
And he says of the success of Lord Of The Rings: "It's strange - I don't think there is anywhere in the world that doesn't know the film."
He tells this Friday's BBC One show that despite constantly being called Frodo, he couldn't resist reprising the character, saying: "It was eight years ago that we finished the last film and in my opinion that was it.
"At the time there was no more to do with Frodo, but when I was asked if I wanted to come back I said, 'oh my God', it's a dream to revisit that time in my life."
Elijah returns in the Lord Of The Rings prequel with co-stars Cate Blanchett as queen Galadriel, Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Andy Serkis as Gollum.
Martin Freeman stars as hobbit hero Bilbo Baggins in the 3D films, due for release in December 2012 and December 2013.
Elijah Wood's Hobbit reunion
The Times of India
November 24, 2011
Elijah Wood found filming 'The Hobbit' movies to be like a "family reunion".
The 30-year-old star is set to reprise the role of Frodo Baggins in the 'Lord of the Rings' prequels 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' and 'The Hobbit: There And Back Again', and he found it "incredibly surreal" when he returned to New Zealand to record his scenes for the forthcoming movies.
He said: "Production on 'The Hobbit' has been great, it was a treat to go back. It was like a family reunion. The movie has largely the same crew who worked on 'Lord of the Rings'. Many of the same actors are reprising their roles, so it's incredibly surreal, it's like a step back in time.
"We were in Hobbiton three weeks ago. I turned 19 when I was in Hobbiton for the first time and I'm 30 now so it just shows you how much time has passed and I think the movies are going to be incredible."
Elijah is a "really big fan" of Martin Freeman's portrayal of his onscreen uncle Bilbo Baggins - who was previously played by Ian Holm in the 'Lord of the Rings' series - in the forthcoming movies, and he is confident people will "love" the way he is playing the character.
Speaking at the UK launch of his latest film, Warner Bros' 'Happy Feet Two', he added to BANG Showbiz: "Frodo is not alive during the time of the Hobbit so they've done a flash forward. I didn't get chance to work with the dwarfs, I was just hanging out with them.
"I got to do a little bit of work with Martin Freeman, who is awesome - I'm a really big fan. I think what he's doing with Bilbo is great and everyone will love it."
'Happy Feet 2' is set to be released on December 2 in the UK.
Elijah Wood Hints 'Lord of the Rings' 3D Re-Release, Talks Frodo's Role in 'Hobbit'
AceShowbiz.com
November 24, 2011
Wood reveals that there's a talk to re-dimensionalize the epic trilogy and shares that his character will only have a small part in 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'.
"The Lord of the Rings" trilogy might follow the footstep of "Titanic" and "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace", which are set to be re-released in 3D. Elijah Wood, who plays Frodo Baggins in the epic series, revealed that there have been some discussions about re-dimensionalizing the movies.
"I think it would be cool to see. There's talk of releasing a dimensionalized trilogy eventually," Wood told Den of Geek. "I'm okay with doing post-process 3D, as long as someone takes the time."
"What I'm upset about is when a movie doesn't have the budget and the time to devote to it and they're not fine-tuning the detail of that, because it can look really bad and cheap," the 30-year-old actor added. "But I know that they wouldn't dimensionalize it unless it was a super meticulous process."
He went on saying, "I mean, Titanic's coming out in 3D now, and 'Star Wars: Episode I', which means we have to wait three movies to get to the f***ing good s***, it's unbelievable, I'm like, we have to wait three years for that? You're doing 'Episode I' first? [frustrated squeal], what a bummer!"
During the chat, Wood also opened up about reprising his role as Frodo in "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey". Explaining that he only gets a small part in the film, the actor said, "Very little, very little. It's just a little cameo really, but it should only be a cameo, mainly because Frodo's not alive at the time of 'The Hobbit'."
On how he prepared himself to return as Frodo, the actor said, "Before we started, I watched 'Fellowship' again, just to remember the way that he spoke. Outside of that it was revisiting something I'd spent the better part of four years playing, and it was just a joy."
The Iowa-born actor also shared about reuniting with his "Lord of the Rings" co-star in "The Hobbit". He said, "It felt like a giant family reunion in a way. The weirdest thing was being on set, looking down at my feet and it just feeling oddly normal, like, 'Here we are, doing another scene at Bag End, 10 years later'."
Wood is currently filming "The Hobbit" in New Zealand. He is joined by Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen who reprise their roles as Legolas, Galadriel, Gollum and Gandalf respectively. Meanwhile, Martin Freeman is set to play Frodo's uncle, Bilbo.
"The Hobbit" will arrive in U.S. theaters on December 14, 2012, while its follow-up "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" will be released nationwide on December 13, 2013.
Viggo Mortensen Was Asked to Return as Aragorn in 'The Hobbit'
AceShowbiz.com
November 23, 2011
Mortensen admits that the producers once offered him to reprise his role as Aragorn in 'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey', though there were no further talks.
Viggo Mortensen is not listed in the current cast line-up of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey", but he once got an offer to return to Middle Earth for the "Lord of the Rings" prequel. The actor recently revealed that Peter Jackson was asking him to reprise his role as Aragorn in the upcoming film.
In an interview with Movies.com, Mortesen said, "At one point, the producers asked if I would do it and I said sure if Aragorn is supposed to be in the bridge story because he's not in 'The Hobbit'." He added, "I would rather do it than see someone else do it, but I've never been asked [formally] and they're shooting the movie."
Mortesen claimed that the chance to see Aragorn in "The Hobbit" is very small. "I'm not in it unless if there is some last-minute plan they have, but I thought I would have heard of it by now," he said.
"Orlando Bloom and Cate Blanchett shot something, but they're elves and don't change as rapidly," the 53-year-old actor added. "As you know, Aragorn is half elf and also lives a couple hundred years or more and he could be in a bridge, but I have to assume it isn't going to happen."
Though he will not reprise his role as Aragorn in "The Hobbit", Mortensen admitted that playing the character in the three "Lord of the Rings" movies means a lot to him. "That was an important period in my life," he shared.
"And I will always be grateful that the trilogy was so successful and gave me a lot of new opportunities. I never would have gotten 'A History of Violence', no matter how much David [Cronenberg] wanted me, had it not been for my newfound notoriety," so Mortensen added.
Based on J.R.R. Tolkien's best-selling novel, "The Hobbit" centers on Bilbo Baggins and Thorin Oakenshield, along with the twelve dwarves, who embark on an epic adventure to the Lonely Mountain to reclaim a lost treasure that was stolen by the dragon Smaug.
The fantasy epic will arrive in U.S. theaters on December 14, 2012, while its follow-up "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" will be released nationwide on December 13, 2013. In addition to Bloom and Blanchett who reprise their "LOTR" roles, the movie will see Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood returning as Gollum, Gandalf and Frodo respectively. Martin Freeman, meanwhile, is cast as Bilbo.
Cumberbatch limbering up for Hobbit
Belfasttelegraph.co.uk
November 22, 2011
Benedict Cumberbatch is limbering up for his role in The Hobbit.
The Sherlock actor has taken on the role of Smaug the dragon in Peter Jackson's forthcoming Lord Of The Rings prequel and starts filming in January.
He told Collider: "I'm physicalising Smaug as a dragon I'm not just doing the voiceover, so it'll be a physical role which I'm no stranger to. I did Frankenstein at the beginning of the year with Danny Boyle at the National Theatre and playing the creature in that was a very full on and sort of corporeal experience."
"I've already started working out and doing various movement exercises to get myself limber for that all-important jump suit with balls on it, otherwise known as motion-capture. But I can't wait, I'm really excited," he added.
Benedict, who has just finished filming the second series of Sherlock with his Hobbit co-star Martin Freeman, is currently filming a Tom Stoppard series called Parade's End for HBO and BBC, and will start discussions on the second Hobbit movie after filming wraps on that.
He said: "I can't wait, but the conversations have yet to start really in earnest because they've been doing the first film... It's a world away but come a month's time we'll start conversations."
'Hobbit' to premiere in New Zealand
By Dave McNary
Variety.com
October 28, 2011
New Zealand will be the site of the world premiere for "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" in November, 2012.
Producer/director Peter Jackson and Prime Minister John Key made the announcement Friday at the Hobbiton set in Waikato. The city of Wellington served as the host of the world premiere of the "The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" in December, 2003.
"I think Warner Bros in particular were blown away by the 'Return of the King' premiere," Jackson said at the news conference. "No one in the international industry could quite believe how the country got behind that."
Warner Bros. has set Dec. 14, 2012 for the release of the first of the two "Hobbit" pics.
Jackson began shooting the two films in New Zealand in 3D in mid-March with a cast including Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett reprising their roles from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
J.R.R. Tolkien novel is set 60 years before "Lord of the Rings," with Bilbo the unassuming Hobbit who becomes a hero by obtaining a powerful ring in the face of challenges by the wicked Gollum and a dragon named Smaug.
The screenplays are penned by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson. Jackson is also producing the films, together with Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham; exec producers are Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner, with Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer.
New Line parent Warner Bros. reached a deal in January to handle worldwide distribution on "The Hobbit," taking over most international distribution and homevideo on the two films from MGM in exchange for funding MGM's half of the production costs.
Premiere of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Set
Author: Jessica
Moviehole.net
October 28, 2011
As if this film was going to hold it’s premiere anywhere else. Director Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”, which is part 1 of a 2 part film, will be premiering in none other than where it’s currently filming–New Zealand. Below is a press release with details:
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” is set to premiere in Wellington in late November 2012, director Sir Peter Jackson and Prime Minister John Key announced today at the Hobbiton set in Waikato. Wellington previously hosted the world premiere of the final Lord of the Rings movie, Return of the King, in December 2003. Over 100,000 people packed into the city’s CBD to watch the preceding parade. “I think Warner Bros. in particular were blown away by the Return of the King premiere – no one in the international industry could quite believe how the country got behind that,” Sir Peter said today. An Unexpected Journey hits theaters December 14, 2012. The second movie The Hobbit: There and Back Again opens December 13, 2012.
“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” stars Elijah Wood, Martin Freeman, Luke Evans, Evangeline Lily, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellan, Andy Serskis and Christopher Lee.
Hobbits In Matamata
Magic made in Matamata
Wayne Timmo - Stuff.co.nz
October 25, 2011
Film crews are now at Matamata's Hobbiton film set as location shooting on Peter Jackson's two-part fantasy epic The Hobbit begins in earnest – and the movie's stars might not be far away.
One of two convoys laden with film gear arrived in Matamata's Buckland Rd at the weekend, while the other headed to Queenstown from Sir Peter's Miramar studios.
While production company 3 Foot 7 retains a tighter grip on information than Gollum on a certain ring, one nearby resident who declined to be named said the convoy started arriving on Saturday afternoon.
He estimated about 50 trucks and smaller vehicles towing caravans and a mobile generator wound their way up Buckland Rd and onto the film set over 24 hours.
As if by some Gandalf-esque spell, or perhaps because of Sir Peter's keen eye for secluded filming locations, none were visible from the road or neighbouring properties once at the set. Nor were any stars.
"Knowing what they did last time this is like a prelude to get things set up," the resident said. "I expect they'll helicopter them [big name actors] in."
The film crew is already in Matamata, and on Sunday about six of them called in for a coffee at the Espresso To Go cafe on Broadway.
"They were a really artistic bunch, fun with a lot of energy," said cafe owner Jackie Anderson. "But we didn't realise who they were until they were leaving and one of them mentioned something about waiting for the sets to arrive."
If the Hobbit stays true to its literary origins Martin Freeman of The Office fame (Bilbo Baggins) and acclaimed British actors Sir Ian McKellan (Gandalf) and James Nesbitt (Bofur) could be expected to appear, as their characters meet in Hobbiton.
However, there seemed to be little Hollywood buzz so far in Matamata.
A security guard materialised at the front gate late last week once the Hobbiton set had been closed to visitors and a few traffic signs and road cones had sprouted like Middle Earth mushrooms to deal with an expected increase in traffic on the narrow country service road.
"There's certainly no rubberneckers," remarked the Times' observer. But even during The Lord of the Rings filming in the summer of 1999-2000 few had attracted much attention.
"Some of the stars used to walk through Matamata and not be noticed. There was little public interest last time. I think that was because there was this guy called Peter Jackson dreaming of doing three films together and no-one knew much about him or about Lord of the Rings."
The filmmakers have consent for shooting at Hobbiton lasting no more than 15 days before November 8, with other crews also working around the country, including the western side of Mt Ruapehu from November 6, when crew will be based for two weeks in the Turoa skifield car park.
Hobbit-like feet also look set to make an appearance in the King Country with Te Kuiti motels also well-booked with crew for the first week of November.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released on December 14 next year. The second film, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, is slated for release on December 13, 2013.
Waikato Times
The Hobbit game planned for November 2012
By Liam
Filmonic.com
October 21, 2011
Games based on The Lord of the Rings have been immensely popular over the past decade, with a new game being released nearly every year since 2002. A return to Middle Earth next year with Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit will generate more interest in Tolkien’s world, so it makes sense for Warner Bros. to develop a Hobbit game.
From The L.A. Times (via The One Ring):
Warner will launch a new Lord of the Rings game in November and a Hobbit title in 2012 before Peter Jackson’s movie “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” comes out that December. The game is one of the studio’s top releases for next year…
There has been speculation recently that the game may follow Harry Potter and Batman by going the LEGO route, but nothing seems to be confirmed yet.
The Hobbit follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild (Richard Armitage). Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.
Review
'The Hobbit belongs to a very small class of books which have nothing in common save that each admits us to a world of its own. Its place is with Alice and The Wind in the Willows.' Times Literary Supplement 'One of the best loved characters in English fiction! a marvellous fantasy adventure' Daily Mail 'Finely written saga of dwarves and elves, fearsome goblins and trolls! an exciting epic of travel, magical adventure, working up to a devastating climax' The Observer
Product Description
To celebrate The Hobbit's 75th anniversary of publication, a pocket-sized hardback of J.R.R. Tolkien's timeless classic, perfect for little Hobbits everywhere. Bilbo Baggins enjoys a quiet and contented life, with no desire to travel far from the comforts of home; then one day the wizard Gandalf and a band of dwarves arrive unexpectedly and enlist his services -- as a burglar -- on a dangerous expedition to raid the treasure-hoard of Smaug the dragon. Bilbo's life is never to be the same again. The Hobbit became an instant success when it was first published in 1937, and 75 years later Tolkien's epic tale of elves, dwarves, trolls, goblins, myth, magic and adventure, with its reluctant hero Bilbo Baggins, has lost none of its appeal. Now, for the first time, the classic hardback edition is available in a one-off special pocket-sized edition. Featuring the distinctive cover illustration painted by Tolkien himself, plus his own drawings in the book, this edition will be the perfect gift for little Hobbits everywhere!
Product Details
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Harpercollins; 75th Anniversary ed edition (October 27, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0007440847
ISBN-13: 978-0007440849
Edition prices are in pounds.
HarperCollins is starting its celebrations for the 75th anniversary of The Hobbit ahead of time, with the publication of a collection of Tolkien's artwork and a "cute" pocket-sized edition of the novel at the end of this month.
The Hobbit was first published in September 1937, but HarperCollins estates publisher David Brawn said it was beginning its celebrations early to pre-empt the excitement about Peter Jackson's film version, starring Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, which will be released in December 2012.
HarperCollins estimates around one third of the UK population will see "The Hobbit" film. Brawn said: "Since 'The Lord of the Rings' films, The Hobbit has played second fiddle-now it's going to be the turn of The Hobbit to have that focus on it. We said: ‘Let's jump in there and celebrate Tolkien before everyone starts to celebrate Peter Jackson as director of the film.'"
Tolkien, a very good amateur artist, illustrated The Hobbit as well as producing maps and letter forms for Elvish script, plus pencil sketches and watercolours. Brawn said: "What no-one has done is pull together all the artwork and put it into one book." Now the Tolkien archives, held at the Bodleian Library in Oxford, have been digitised, allowing HarperCollins to put all the illustrations in print for the first time, scanned at high resolution and with strong detail. The Art of the Hobbit, a slipcased edition (27th October, 25.00), edited by Wayne G Hammond and Christina Scull, will carry 110 pictures by the author.
Braun said experience has showed HarperCollins that many like to read the book itself ahead of seeing the adaptation. With this in mind, the publisher is bringing out The Pocket Hobbit (9.99), a small format edition featuring the cover illustration painted by Tolkien himself.
Braun said he was wondering what he could do that would be a little bit different: "It looks really cute, and hobbits are little, so it's the sort of mad idea you have as a publisher. I think it's going to run away."
Also being published this month will be a straight B-format reissue of the novel, as the 75th anniversary edition, (7.99); a revised edition of The History of the Hobbit, by J R R Tolkien and John Rateliff, published in a single volume for the first time (35.00); and a 75th anniversary boxed set of the four novels, telling the complete story of Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Gollum and the Ring, with a new jacket design.
Warner Bros. Makes Deal for The Hobbit Toys
Source: Warner Bros. Consumer Products
October 6, 2011
Warner Bros. Consumer Products has awarded The Bridge Direct, Inc. the Master Toy License for Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again. The toy line will launch in the fall of 2012:
Warner Bros. Consumer Products is pleased to announce today that it has awarded the worldwide master toy and game licensing rights for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again to The Bridge Direct, Inc., the global children's consumer products company. The Bridge will develop an exciting array of products inspired by the two films being directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson - who previously brought Middle-earth to life with the award-winning blockbuster The Lord of the Rings trilogy - including action figures, playsets, and role play accessories, which are expected to debut at retail in fall 2012 prior to the December 14 release of the first film, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
"We're thrilled about our partnership with The Bridge Direct, which produces engaging products that will recreate the storyline with stunning detail," said Karen McTier, Executive Vice President of Domestic Licensing and Worldwide Marketing for Warner Bros. Consumer Products. "Thanks to many of the same creative minds behind The Lord of the Rings trilogy products, we're looking forward to unveiling a robust toy line for the two films that captures the excitement of the beloved adventure and delights loyal fans of the series."
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again promise a timeless story, a broad range of appealing characters, thrilling action and the incomparable movie magic brought to life by master filmmaker Peter Jackson, all of which will make for an amazing toy line," said Jay Foreman, President and CEO of The Bridge.
Timed to reach consumers prior to the December 14, 2012 release of the first film, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Bridge will debut a multi-category toy line. The battle begins with Basic Action Figures, Adventure Packs, Beast Packs, and highly detailed Collector Figures. Fans can become real-life heroes with premium role play items including a Basic Sting Sword, a Basic Orcrist Sword, a Dwarven Battle Axe, and a Deluxe Sting Sword that features a blue glow just like in the film, bringing the thrill and the fantasy of the two films to life. The Bridge will reveal the 2012 product line to key retail partners in the coming weeks.
LMR comment to the article below: I am one of those "purists". Why invent a character that was not in "The Hobbit" book? There are plenty of interesting characters that were in the book. Hopefully, these characters will be in detail and not appear as cameos. I believe that any movie that is based on a book/novel should stay true and not invent characters. I don't understand why these two movies have to be "politically correct".
Evangeline Lilly fears Hobbit 'purists'
NZ Herald News
September 23, 2011
Evangeline Lilly fears "purist" fans will hate her role in The Hobbit because her character didn't feature in the book and was invented solely for the fantasy film adaptation.
The Lost actress' Sylvan elf Tauriel was created especially for director Peter Jackson's upcoming Lord of the Rings prequel, based on JRR Tolkien's classic novel The Hobbit.
But Lilly admits she is terrified Tolkien devotees won't respond well when the movie epic is released next year.
"The Hobbit didn't include female characters at all. I can see why additional characters were needed to round out the story as an adaptation, especially female characters," she says.
"I am very concerned that people will watch and I'll be the black mark on the film. I know how adamant the purists are and I'm one of them."
Lilly was announced in June as the latest addition to the male-dominated cast, featuring Hugo Weaving, Benedict Cumberbatch, Martin Freeman and Lord of the Rings regulars Sir Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom.
- AAP
Peter Jackson releases 'Hobbit' image
By Arienne Thompson
USATODAY.com
July 22, 2011
Director Peter Jackson is really trying to atone for his absence at this year's Comic-Con.
Yesterday, he posted a video from the set of two-part film The Hobbit, which is currently shooting in Wellington, New Zealand and is set for release in 2012 and 2013.
Later in the day, he gave his salivating fans another treat: an image of the army of dwarves who will appear in the films. Fan site TheOneRing.net posted the image and a short message Thursday.
"With all the excellent fan made composites for The Hobbit floating around Peter Jackson decided to send us along the definitive version."
CCI: Jackson Explains Hobbit’s Absence, Releases New Video
By Kevin Melrose
Spinoff Online
July 21, 2011
Although The Hobbit won’t have a presence at Comic-Con International in San Diego, director Peter Jackson offered some consolation last night in the form of a third production video.
“New Line and Warner Bros were very happy to support a presentation, but I declined, simply because I felt it was too early,” he wrote on his Facebook page. “There’s so much more of the films still to shoot. I just wanted to get that out there, because I’ve seen various references to the possibility of something Hobbity at Comic Con. Hate to disappoint anyone. But something tells me we will be there in force next year.”
Jackson followed that post with video from the first shooting block for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, with footage of Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis as Bilbo Baggins and Gollum, and a lengthy behind-the-scenes look at the Company of Dwarves.
“Thirteen Dwarves is one of the reasons why I dreaded The Hobbit, and why I really didn’t think I would make it for such a long time,” the director confesses. “But the irony is it’s turned out to be one of the joys of the film.”
While the video is definitely Dwarf-focused, it also features appearances by Ian McKellen, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett and a couple of other actors I won’t spoil here.
In The Hobbit, Martin Freeman and Ian McKellen lead an ensemble cast that includes Richard Armitage, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O’Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas, Aidan Turner, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Barry Humphries, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood and Andy Serkis.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey opens on Dec. 14, 2012, and The Hobbit: There and Back Again on Dec. 13, 2013.
As a young Dwarf prince, Thorin witnessed the destruction and terror wrought when a great fire-breathing Dragon attacked the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. After slaughtering many of Thorin’s kin, the great serpent, Smaug, entered The Lonely Mountain and took possession of its vast store of gold and jewels. No-one came to the aid of the surviving Dwarves, and thus, a once proud and noble race was forced into exile. Through long years of hardship, Thorin grew to be a strong and fearless fighter and revered leader. In his heart a fierce desire grew; a desire to reclaim his homeland and destroy the beast that had brought such misery upon his people. So when fate offers him an unusual ally, he seizes the chance for revenge.
“Dwarf Lords in their own right, Balin and Dwalin are close relatives of Thorin. Beyond this, these brothers are two of his most loyal and trusted friends. An old warrior, Balin has lived through hard times and fought many battles, yet he harbors doubts about the wisdom of the Quest to retake the Lonely Mountain. Dwalin has no such forebodings – his belief in Thorin’s leadership is unshakeable. A powerful and bruising fighter, with a natural tendency to distrust anyone who is not a Dwarf, particularly anyone who might be an Elf, Dwalin is not someone to cross lightly.”
While most of the Company of Thorin Oakensheild is related to the royal and noble line of Durin, Bofur, his brother Bombur and their cousin Bifur most definitely are … not. Born and bred in the West, descendants of coal miners and iron workers, they have joined the Quest for the Lonely Mountain partly to seek their fortune and partly because they were told the beer was free.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, debuts at Dwarves Fili and Kili
Upcoming movies by Jason
Great New Movies.com
July 13, 2011
Two more dwarves from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has been unveiled. After 5 of the 13 dwarves who go together with Bilbo in his quest were revealed in 2 separate pictures, where in one of the photos gives an initial appearance at the dwarf brothers Fili and Kili.
According to the official reports, Dean O’Gorman takes on the role of Fili and whereas Aidan Turner leads the role of Kili. Their roles are described as 2 of the youngest Dwarves, who have been born into the royal line of Durin and grown under the stern guardianship of their uncle, Thorin Oakensheild.
According to the details provided, neither has ever traveled far, nor ever seen the fabled Dwarf City of Erebor. For Fili and Kili, the journey to the Lonely Mountain signifies adventure and excitement. Skilled fighters, Fili and Kili set off on their adventure armed with the unbeatable courage of youth, neither being able to imagine the destiny which lies before them.
Earlier, Warner Bros. have shared photos of Dori, Ori and Nori with Oin and Gloin. The first 3 are depicted by Adam Brown, Jed Brophy, and Mark Hadlow, whereas the 2 others have John Callen and Peter Hambleton filling in the shoes.
An Unexpected Journey follows Bilbo, legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield and 12 dwarves on an epic quest to the Lonely Mountain to get back the lost kingdom Erebor and get the dwarves’ lost treasure.
Peter Jackson is the director and producer of the movie, while Richard Armitage, Martin Freeman Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and many more are the stars.
The Hobbit
The Hobbit” follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage). Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.
Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever… Gollum (Andy Serkis).
Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities… A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-Earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.
Fili (Dean O’Gorman) and Kili (Aidan Turner)
Two of the youngest Dwarves, Fili and Kili have been born into the royal line of Durin and raised under the stern guardianship of their uncle, Thorin Oakensheild. Neither has ever travelled far, nor ever seen the fabled Dwarf City of Erebor. For both, the journey to the Lonely Mountain represents adventure and excitement. Skilled fighters, both brothers set off on their adventure armed with the invincible courage of youth, neither being able to imagine the fate which lies before them.
Oin (John Callen) and Gloin (Peter Hambleton)
Distant cousins of Thorin Oakenshield, these two doughty Northern Dwarves join the Company out of a sense of loyalty to their kin, and also because they have a substantial sum of money invested in the venture. Along with Bombur, Gloin is the only other married Dwarf in the Company (there being a shortage of female dwarves in general). His wife is an acclaimed beauty with a particularly fine beard. Gloin is the proud father of a young son, Gimli, who will go on to become part of the famous Fellowship of the Ring.
Nori (Jed Brophy), Ori (Adam Brown), and Dori (Mark Hadlow)
These three brothers, all sons of the same mother, could not be more different from each other. Dori, the oldest, spends much of his time watching out for Ori, the youngest; making sure he’s not caught a chill or got himself killed by Wargs or Goblins. Nobody quite knows what Nori gets up to most of the tim, except that it’s guaranteed to be dodgy and probably, illegal. Dori, Nori and Ori are intensely loyal to each other – and whilst they are perfectly happy fighting amongst themselves, woe-betide anyone who means harm to one of these brothers.
First Look at Dwarves Oin and Gloin of 'The Hobbit'
AceShowbiz.com
July 9, 2011
First look of two more dwarf characters from Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" has been unveiled. After previously releasing image of three brothers Dori, Ori and Nori, this time Warner Bros. unleashed the fresh picture of brothers Oin and Gloin. The two characters are played by John Callen and Peter Hambleton respectively.
In the film, Oin and Gloin are among the twelve dwarves who accompany Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) and Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) on their quest to the Lonely Mountain. They embark on the journey to reclaim the lost kingdom Erebor and get the dwarves' lost treasure, which is stolen by the dragon Smaug.
Produced and directed by "Lord of the Ring" series' filmmaker Peter Jackson, the forthcoming film is scheduled to hit theaters in the U.S. on December 14, 2012. The film is also starring Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood and Cate Blanchett. Meanwhile, its sequel "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" will be released across the country on December 13, 2013.
New ‘Hobbit’ Image: The Dwarf Brothers Nori, Ori, & Dori
By Sandy Schaefer
Screen Rant
July 7, 2011
The latest image released for Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit’ reveals the dwarf siblings Nori (Jed Brophy), Ori (Adam Brown), and Dori (Mark Hadlow).
The first of Peter Jackson’s two Hobbit movies, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, isn’t due to hit theaters until Winter 2012 and yet we’ve already gotten an early look at Martin Freeman as the adventurer Bilbo Baggins.
We’ve also gotten to see Sir Ian McKellen back in his ragged garbs as Gandalf the Grey, but today brings an early look at some other Middle-Earthlings who will appear in the Hobbit pics: the dwarf siblings Nori (Jed Brophy), Ori (Adam Brown), and Dori (Mark Hadlow).
Jackson’s Hobbit movies will offer a fairly detailed look at the collective dwarf culture of Middle-Earth. Considering the only representation of that world in the filmmaker’s Lord of the Rings trilogy was the deceased Longbeard clan of Moria and Gimli (John Rhys-Davies), that idea sounds all the more intriguing.
It stands to reason then that the many dwarf characters involved in the Hobbit storyline will differ somewhat from Gimli, with respect to their appearances, attire, and manner. Dwarves are still dwarves, though, so there are certain characteristics (ex. the beards – remember, even female dwarves have those, apparently) that the Hobbit players will still retain.
Here is an official description of these dwarf siblings:
These three brothers, all sons of the same mother, could not be more different from each other. Dori, the oldest, spends much of his time watching out for Ori, the youngest; making sure he’s not caught a chill or got himself killed by Wargs or Goblins. Nobody quite knows what Nori gets up to most of the tim, except that it’s guaranteed to be dodgy and probably, illegal. Dori, Nori and Ori are intensely loyal to each other – and whilst they are perfectly happy fighting amongst themselves, woe-betide anyone who means harm to one of these brothers.
Not only do these new Hobbit players look refreshing unique and different from Gimli, while still appearing appropriately… dwarf-ish, but the above character description is a good reminder to fans that Jackson’s new Tolkien adaptation isn’t aiming to strike quite the same dramatically epic and serious tone that his Rings trilogy did.
The Hobbit still has its fair share of dangerous scenarios – not to mention, grand battles between creatures both good and evil – but it’s also a bit more humorous and light-hearted a story than the tale of Sauron’s attempt to recover The One Ring and conquer Middle-Earth. Nice to see that Jackson and Co. appear to be replicating that in the film version.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey arrives in theaters on December 14th, 2012.
The Hobbit: There and Back Again is slated for theatrical release about a year later, on December 13th, 2013.
Source: Warner Bros.
