DVD Talk Forum - The Hobbit

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can you unbold all the important parts?

This movie is going to become the new "Superman" franchise. I.e. tons of press and money gets poured into it and not a single foot of film is ever shot.

Nic Cage as young Gandalf!!!!!

Hobbit news!

The Hobbit finally greenlit at last

Quote:

In the agreement completed this week, Jackson's deal was finalized and MGM and Warner Brothers agreed to give the project its long-awaited greenlight. The greenlight means that millions of global fans for the revered J.R.R. Tolkien property can look forward to a prequel to ‘The Lord of the Rings,’ which was one of the most successful movie franchises in movie history.

'The Hobbit' pics to shoot in February
Labor strife must be settled first; Peter Jackson on board to direct
By DAVE MCNARY

"The Hobbit," which has been stuck in limbo for many months, has received a greenlight from co-financers New Line and MGM to start shooting in February -- as long as the studios can sort out a thorny dispute with actors unions.

Though neither studio had any comment, sources close to the situation indicated Friday that the studios have agreed on an official go-ahead on the back-to-back films.

The Screen Actors Guild had no comment Friday. SAG and half a dozen actors unions had advised its members last month to boycott "The Hobbit" due to a dispute between producers and the New Zealand actors union, which is alleging that local performers are treated unfairly and deserve a union contract.

Additionally, Peter Jackson's deal to direct the films has closed, an informed source said Friday. Jackson, who's writing and exec producing, had responded to the unions' boycott by threatening to move the production from his home country of New Zealand to Europe.

Jackson's been widely expected to direct since Guillermo Del Toro's departed the from the director gig in May.

Preproduction on the films has been underway for many months in New Zealand, where Jackson shot the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy for New Line. Del Toro, who committed to direct "The Hobbit" pics in 2008, said in May that sets, wardrobe, animatics and planned battles sequences had all been fully prepared.

Financial difficulties faced by MGM, which owns half of the project, have also added to the uncertainty over "The Hobbit." More than 100 MGM's debtholders were asked last week to approve a pre-packaged bankrupcty plan that would wipe out the equity and leave Spyglass Entertainment execs in charge with a 5% stake, but Lionsgate Entertainment has proposed a merger that would give debtholders a 55% stake.

"The Hobbit" films are based JRR Tolkien's epic fantasy novel about the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, who obtains the ring that was the centerpiece of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy of books and films.

From Jackson's mouth, or I believe nothing.

Still, promising news.

Martin Freeman of UK The Office in running for Bilbo

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10681118

It has taken longer than Bilbo's lonely trek with The One Ring; it has been a battle as ferocious as that with the dragon Smaug.

But today - finally - Sir Peter Jackson begins a worldwide casting call for actors on The Hobbit after the troubled $661 million two-part movie series belatedly got the green light from its US film studios.

Shooting for the 3D picture begins in February - but New Zealand's place as home to Middle-Earth remains uncertain as the dispute between the Actors Equity union and the show's producers rumbles on.

British actor Martin Freeman is a hot tip to play the lead character of Bilbo Baggins.

Matt Dravitzki, Jackson's spokesman at Wingnut Films, said an announcement on where filming takes place would be "probably a week or two away". But the Waikato town of Matamata, which became affectionately known as Hobbiton, was abuzz with talk that filming would go ahead in New Zealand, after repeated setbacks.

Russell Alexander, who operates the Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tour, said he was thrilled to hear about the film being given the go-ahead.

"That's really exciting if it's true," he said. "But I haven't heard anything official."

Matamata-Piako mayor Hugh Vercoe added: "We've always believed that the films would be made here.

"The film-makers have gone to a lot of trouble to get the set ready and it is looking fantastic. We are the original Hobbiton - this is where everyone wants the filming to take place."

After months of uncertainty, during which time original director Guillermo del Toro quit, yesterday New Line Cinema, its parent company Warner Bros and MGM jointly announced that filming would go ahead.

In a statement, Jackson said: "Exploring Tolkien's Middle-earth goes way beyond a normal film-making experience. It's an all-immersive journey into a very special place of imagination, beauty and drama."

Warner Bros president Alan Horn said: "There is no human on the planet as qualified as Peter Jackson to direct these films."

Actors Equity members have refused to participate in The Hobbit until they meet producers, including Jackson. Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee is trying to negotiate a rapprochement between the actors and producers to ensure the production isn't lost overseas.

They have agreed to work together to "update the conditions of engagement for performers in the New Zealand screen production industry".

I love, love, love Martin Freeman. I don't know if I could accept him as Bilbo. Then again, I probably said the same things about Elijah and Astin a decade ago.

When he was cast as Aurthur Dent in H2G2, it was perfect. Too bad the script was underwhelming. Here's to hoping :fc:

He looks like a great choice to me, I like that he's a little older too. (compared to some of the other names rumored earlier this yr) I think he's said he wants to do it, but it's just a question of scheduling.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suprmallet (Post 8069424)

I think Martin Freeman (the guy who played Arthur in Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy) would make an excellent Bilbo.

:banana:

I thought Michael Sheen would be a good choice, but then I figured he was too young. However, he's older than Freeman.

I thought they were looking for a guy in his 50s, but I guess not.

Here we go again. Another actor is rumored as Bilbo, we all discuss it as fact for a while, then the rumor slowly dies down until the next rumor is posted. Rinse and repeat.

Peter Jackson's Company Claims 'Hobbit' Leaving New Zealand
7:20 PM 10/20/2010 by Jonathan Handel

New Zealand's "Hobbit" crisis deepened last night, with protests erupting in the streets amid a claim that Warner Bros. has already decided to move the troubled production from that country.

The claim, by director-producer Peter Jackson's production company, came in a press release decrying the controversy over attempts to unionize actors on the "Lord of the Rings" prequel. The release alleged that "Next week Warners are coming down to NZ to make arrangements to move the production off-shore."

Ironically, the head of New Zealand's Council of Trade Unions, Helen Kelly, told THR that an international actors' boycott of the production had actually been lifted several days ago, but that announcement of this had been delayed at Warner Bros.' request, for reasons that are unclear.

Kelly added that the entire dispute may be a cover for attempts by the studio to extract higher production incentives from the New Zealand government, and also that it was part of an effort to damage the union seeking to organize "The Hobbit," New Zealand Actors' Equity.

The statement by Jackson's company, Wingnut Films, implicitly acknowledged that the boycott had ended, but argued "The lifting of the blacklist on 'The Hobbit' does nothing to help the film stay in New Zealand." It added, "the damage inflicted on our film industry by (the union) is long since done."

In an interview on local television, Kelly fired back at Jackson, asserting that "if this film moves off shore, it won't be because of the (union) issues, but for many other reasons around financing and tax."

She added, "It will be because Warner Bros. have decided they can make more money elsewhere."

The facts are becoming increasingly difficult to discern. Citing the studio decision just days ago to greenlight the project, Kelly told THR that, in her view, Warner Bros. had never actually decided to make the films in New Zealand. Although "Hobbit" sets have been under construction in that country for some time, Kelly argued that this was a unilateral decision that Jackson made in order to influence the production location.

The claims by Wingnut and Kelly could not be independently verified.

In any case, talk of moving the production apparently began when the unionization effort moved into high gear. The possible destination of the project is unknown, although Scotland, Ireland, Canada, Australia and the Czech Republic are reportedly in the running if New Zealand loses out.

A studio spokesperson was unavailable for comment.

Whether moving the $500 million production would affect the planned February start date is unclear.

"Hobbit" has been beset by problems for years, including lawsuits, delays, loss of original director Guillermo del Toro and, notably, the financial distress of co-financier MGM.

Back in New Zealand, a reported 1,500 film workers met in the country's capital, Wellington, with hundreds then marching angrily to the site of a planned NZAE meeting.

According to Kelly, NZAE had expected about 80 attendees, but the meeting was canceled in anticipation of the protest. The march nonetheless resulted in some shouting matches in the streets.

The purpose of the meeting, according to Kelly, was to canvass actors on their priorities as part of a larger process of discussing working conditions with the country's Screen Production and Development Association. Kelly told THR that that process had been moving forward well.

In contrast, she described the "Hobbit" dispute as "fundamentally, an employer resisting unionization."

NZAE is a unit of Australia's Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, which led some workers to object to perceived interference from New Zealand's larger neighbor. Kelly responded that many performers work in both countries, "so a Trans Tasman union makes sense."

The organizers' public face during the dispute has shifted from MEAA's Simon Whipp to NZAE's Frances Walsh, and most recently to Kelly.

It's difficult to parse the degree of local support for the unionization efforts, with partisans on each side making widely differing claims. All of this occurs against a backdrop of very different national politics, however: Australia is led by a Labor Party government, New Zealand by a center-right National Party.

Coincidentally, 22,000 workers rallied across New Zealand yesterday in a multi-union show of support for workers' rights generally.

Loss of the two-part "Hobbit" would be an enormous blow to the Kiwi government and the nation's entertainment industry. The country's prime minister, John Key, warned last week "If you can't make 'The Hobbit' here, frankly, what movies are you going to make here?"

The unionization dispute first erupted into public view when English-speaking actors' unions around the world – SAG and AFTRA among them - issued "do not work" orders against "Hobbit" in solidarity with local organizing efforts.

Pip Bulbeck in Sydney contributed additional reporting.

damn.....that sucks for NZ

Somebody needs to photoshop a facepalm pic of J.R.R. Tolkien. It can be attached to every news story of this production.

^That'll work. :lol:

Everyone down here pretty pissed off about it. Basically the Australian union rubberstamped this huge protest and NZers are the one who will lose out if this movie leaves. What a debacle this project has become.

Good overall man on the street reaction to what's going on:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10682098

If PJ's not filming exclusively in NZ, hopefully he can work in some scenes with Christopher Lee as Saruman at the White Council.

The unions really fucked this one up pretty good. Instead of actors being treated "unfairly", the actors won't be treated at all. I wouldn't be surprised if things end up getting worked out, though.

Union done f**ked up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sierra Disc (Post 10442615)

Good overall man on the street reaction to what's going on:
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/ar...ectid=10682098

They are pissed off at everyone.

Martin Freeman is Bilbo:

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blo...ontent=Twitter

Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Graham McTavish, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Mark Hadlow and Peter Hambleton have joined the ensemble cast of the The Hobbit, it was jointly announced today by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema; Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros.; Steve Cooper, co-Chief Executive Officer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., and Peter Jackson.

Since The Hobbit films received a green light on October 15, pre-production has been in full swing. Set for release in December, 2012 and December, 2013, we can confirm that Martin Freeman (The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Hot Fuzz) will play Bilbo Baggins, the hero of the story. Richard Armitage (UK TV's MI-5 and soon to appear in Captain America: The First Avenger) is set to play Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the Company of Dwarves which sets off to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from a thieving dragon.

"Despite the various rumours and speculation surrounding this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us,” says Peter Jackson. “There are a few times in your career when you come across an actor who you know was born to play a role, but that was the case as soon as I met Martin. He is intelligent, funny, surprising and brave - exactly like Bilbo and I feel incredibly proud to be able to announce that he is our Hobbit.”

He adds “Richard is one of the most exciting and dynamic actors working on screen today and we know he is going to make an amazing Thorin Oakensheild. We cannot wait to start this adventure with him and feel very lucky that one of the most beloved characters in Middle-earth is in such good hands."

Rounding out the Company of Dwarves are Aidan Turner (TV's Being Human) and Rob Kazinsky (TVs EastEnders) who play Kili and Fili, respectively. Jackson comments "Rob is an extremely talented young actor with a huge career in front of him, I'm thrilled that he has agreed to take on the role of Fili. Besides his talent as an actor, Rob is also a champion sword fighter; I'm looking forward to seeing the damage he can do to a horde of marauding Goblins!" He continues, "Adian is a wonderfully gifted young actor who hails from Ireland. I'm sure he will bring enormous heart and humor to the role of Kili."

The remaining dwarves will be played by Graham McTavish (Secretariat and TV's 24) as Dwalin; John Callen (TV's Power Rangers Jungle Fury) as Oin; Stephen Hunter (TV's All Saints) as Bombur; Mark Hadlow (King Kong) as Dori; and Peter Hambleton (TV's The Strip) as Gloin.

Jackson notes, "Graham is a terrific actor, with a great depth of experience, which I know he will bring to the role of "Dwalin. I have worked with Mark Hadlow on many projects; he is a fantastic actor. I am thrilled to be working with both of them on these movies. He adds, "I am also proud to announce the casting of New Zealand actors as Peter Hambleton, John Callen and Stephen Hunter. Fran and I know that they will bring great depth and talent to our Company of Dwarves."

The two The Hobbit 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 Phillipa Boyens serving as co-producer and Ken Kamins as executive producer.

The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed LOTR trilogy, also from the production team of Jackson, Walsh and Cunningham, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office. In 2003, 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.