"The Hobbit" is finally happening! - To go into production at MGM

[OscarGuy]

I think it's Robert Kazinsky, but I then wonder which of them is Richard Armitage (he must be the one hiding in the back right of the photo)

[flipp525]

Also, last week, the entire cast was in New Zealand for a photo op and press conference. Here is the cast photo of Bilbo and the 13 dwarves and the audio from the press conference...



http://www.theonering.net/audio/TORN-021111-Hobbit-Press.mp3

Who is that hot little fuck in the light blue v-neck? The only time this thread has been interesting to me.

[MovieWes]

Production Begins on The Hobbit!

Source: New Line/Warner Bros.
March 20, 2011

New Line/Warner Bros. announced today that production has begun in New Zealand on The Hobbit, Peter Jackson's two-film epic adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's timeless classic. The studio has also revealed two photos of Jackson on the set which you can view below in the press release:

Production has commenced in Wellington, New Zealand, on "The Hobbit," filmmaker Peter Jackson's two film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's widely read masterpiece.

"The Hobbit" is set in Middle-earth 60 years before Tolkien's "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 two films, with screenplays by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson, will be shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming will take place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.

"The Hobbit" follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, 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, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild. 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.

Martin Freeman takes the title role as Bilbo Baggins and Ian McKellen returns in the role of Gandalf the Grey. The Dwarves are played by Richard Armitage (Thorin Oakenshield), Ken Stott (Balin), Graham McTavish (Dwalin), William Kircher (Bifur) James Nesbitt (Bofur), Stephen Hunter (Bombur), Rob Kazinsky (Fili), Aidan Turner (Kili), Peter Hambleton (Gloin), John Callen (Oin), Jed Brophy (Nori), Mark Hadlow (Dori) and Adam Brown (Ori). Reprising their roles from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy are Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Andy Serkis as Gollum and Elijah Wood as Frodo. Jeffrey Thomas and Mike Mizrahi also join the cast as Dwarf Kings Thror and Thrain, respectively. Further casting announcements are expected.

"The Hobbit" is produced by Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, alongside Carolynne Cunningham. Executive producers are Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner, with Philippa Boyens as co-producer. The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, also from the production team of Jackson and Walsh, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office. In 2003, "The Return of the King" swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The trilogy's production was also unprecedented at the time.

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. Costumes are designed by Ann Maskrey and Richard Taylor.

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" films are co-produced by 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 two films are planned for release in late 2012 and 2013, respectively.

The studio has also launched an official Blog for The Hobbit as well as a Facebook page for Peter Jackson to post updates at.

[MovieWes]

We have titles now!!! New Line has registered the following titles...

Part I will be called: "The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey" or "An Unexpected Journey"
Part II will be called: "The Hobbit: There and Back Again"



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[OscarGuy]

I guess it could be. I just never really thought of Lonely Mountain as anything but a deep cavern. Of course, you would probably have to have some elements of the plot filmed in dwarven locales.

[MovieWes]

The architecture looks Gothic and since nothing in the Hobbit really has that feel, then I'm guessing Dol Guldur.

I think it looks a bit dwarfish personally. It could be Erebor, the dwarven stronghold in the Lonely Mountain that Smaug has taken over.

[OscarGuy]

The architecture looks Gothic and since nothing in the Hobbit really has that feel, then I'm guessing Dol Guldur.

[MovieWes]

Also, last week, the entire cast was in New Zealand for a photo op and press conference. Here is the cast photo of Bilbo and the 13 dwarves and the audio from the press conference...



http://www.theonering.net/audio/TORN-021111-Hobbit-Press.mp3

[MovieWes]

The first set photos have leaked online. I wonder what this could be.

[MovieWes]

Saoirse Ronan has been confirmed to be joining the cast. What role she will be taking on is unknown at the present, but rumors indicate that she will be playing a Silvan elf named Itaril who is a member of Thranduil's royal guard and a possible love interest for Orlando Bloom's Legolas. Of course, this character has no basis in Tolkien's universe and is pure fan fiction on the part of Peter Jackson and his writing team.



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[MovieWes]

Christopher Lee has announced his return as Saruman while former Doctor Who actor David Tennant has reportedly entered into negotiations to play Thranduil the Elvenking of Mirkwood.

[MovieWes]

Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis have officially signed. It is being reported that Lord of the Rings veterans Christopher Lee, Ian Holm, and Hugo Weaving have entered into negotiations to reprise Saruman, Old Bilbo Baggins, and Elrond, respectively.

[MovieWes]

It is being reported on multiple sites that Elijah Wood is set to reprise the role of Frodo Baggins in both "Hobbit" films. Apparently the entire story will be told in flashbacks as an older Bilbo recounts the tale to Frodo. I wonder if we can also expect an appearance by Ian Holm as the older Bilbo.

[MovieWes]

Just breaking... Orlando Bloom is set to reprise his role of Legolas!

From Deadline...

After New Line Cinema announced Cate Blanchett's return to Middle Earth for 'The Hobbit,' I'm told that Orlando Bloom will likely be the next original cast member set for an encore. He's near a deal to return as Elven archer Legolas. And it's for more than a cameo, I'm told. I'd have expected them to first set Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Andy Serkis (Gollum) or Hugo Weaving (Elrond), whose characters figured in the book. But those talks have been arduous and aren't completed yet.

You may ask, how can this be? Well, quite simply, the character of Legolas was very much alive during the timeframe of 'The Hobbit.' In fact, he was probably several thousand years old at the time of The Lord of the Rings! Since Legolas is the son of Thranduil (The Elvenking), a major player in 'The Hobbit,' one can easily see Peter, Phillipa, and Fran writing him into the script. *MINOR SPOILERS* Not only would he appear in Mirkwood with the other wood-elves, he could very well lead the wood-elf contingent into the Battle of Five Armies!



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[MovieWes]

So now that we know that Galadriel and Radagast are part of the cast, it's almost a certainty that we'll be shown the White Council driving the Necromancer (which turns out to be Sauron) out of his stronghold in Mirkwood. I like this, as it will give The Hobbit a gravity that was severely lacking in the novel, as well as tie it in with the LOTR trilogy.

Also curious is the addition of Drogo Baggins, who is (to the uninitiated) the father of Frodo. I imagine this means that we'll also have Primula Brandybuck (Frodo's mother). I doubt that they'll depict their drowning, as it happens many years after the events of the films, but I am wondering if the Hobbiton scenes will be more fleshed out than they were in the novel.

The only thing I need to hear now is that Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, and Hugo Weaving are returning. I'd also like to hear that Christopher Lee will return as Saruman, but I doubt that he would be up to a long shoot in New Zealand at his age. Personally, if the role must be recast, I'd like to see Frank Langella take his place.



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