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Max
03-21-2011, 01:47 AM
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.

DemonGeminiX
03-21-2011, 01:51 AM
:woot:

About time.


Ah shit, they're gonna be in 3D.

:meh:

Griffin
03-21-2011, 02:03 AM
I guess I should knock the dust off my books and reread them.

Hal-9000
03-21-2011, 04:33 PM
at first I read this line as Morgan Freeman.....:lol: :lol:


"Martin Freeman takes the title role as Bilbo Baggins..."

Max
03-21-2011, 04:40 PM
at first I read this line as Morgan Freeman.....:lol: :lol:


"Martin Freeman takes the title role as Bilbo Baggins..."

With hollywood's almost desperate need to embrace all things politically correct, and what they see as progressive, it wouldn't have shocked me much if that was true.

Tolkien was obviously a vicious racist for not describing hobbits of color :giggle:

Arkady Renko
03-21-2011, 04:40 PM
"Precious, motherfucker, do you have it?"

MrsM
03-21-2011, 04:44 PM
"Precious, motherfucker, do you have it?"

:lol: - Although I think you were thinking of Samual Jackson

Arkady Renko
03-21-2011, 04:53 PM
true, true, but don't these people all look the same? I'll get my coat...

Hal-9000
03-21-2011, 07:11 PM
true, true, but don't these people all look the same? I'll get my coat...

no that's German folk...they all look like Werner Klemperer :thumbsup:

Godfather
03-21-2011, 07:55 PM
Bout fuggin' time....

Hal-9000
03-21-2011, 08:23 PM
I think they should hire Hayden Pantyhair to be a skanky, female hobbit that everyone in the Shire has had a go at :thumbsup:

Passaround Peggy Bumblebooty would be her name...

Arkady Renko
03-22-2011, 11:51 AM
no that's German folk...they all look like Werner Klemperer :thumbsup:

The name is Victor. [-( :nana:

Hal-9000
03-26-2011, 12:54 AM
all you German folk look like Russian folk....HELGA!

Lambchop
04-15-2011, 01:07 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2m2x8qJcGQ

Acid Trip
04-15-2011, 01:37 PM
I don't know about you all but I always thought the Hobbit was the best of all the books.