Is God Mad At The Hobbit?



The proposed “Hobbit” films are having problems. Problems is putting it mildly. First MGM went bust, Guillermo Del Toro left the movie
in favor of other projects, and then there is the well-publicized standoff between director Peter Jackson and a variety of unions. Add to that an estimated $500 million dollar price tag, and you might start to wonder if this is actually ever going to happen.

And things are only getting worse.

Yesterday flames gutted the New Zealand workshop set that would have been used for Jackson’s embattled adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved novel.



With everything that the production of “The Hobbit” has endured so far, it is no wonder that the media is making frequent references to “The Curse of The Hobbit”. However, even with the laundry list of impediments, the production could begin shooting as early as mid-January.

The Hobbit Will Finally Shoot in February 2011



The first three “Lord of the Rings” films are legendary, but they might be nothing compared to the behind-the-scenes turmoil that has gone on with the upcoming two “Hobbit” movies. After years of problems (and still more problems left to be resolved), Peter Jackson’s two “Hobbit” movies have now been given the official greenlight, with production set for as early as February of next year.

Jackson will once again direct both films with a combined budget of $400 million, with $30 million of that already sank into pre-production on the film’s New Zealand sets. Of course, whether the films will actually shoot in New Zealand remains to be seen given the labor issues the production is currently still mired in.

Of the cast, only Sir Ian McKellan is officially back as Gandalf, with Martin Freeman rumored to be the frontrunner for the lead, the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. With the greenlight given, expect the first part of “The Hobbit” to land in theaters by December 19, 2012, followed by part two in the following year.

That is, unless something else comes up to sabotage the production. You know, like maybe meteorites from outer space, or mole men from the Earth’s core. Hey, this is the “Hobbit”, it could happen.

The Hobbit Casting Official Announcement: Yes, Martin Freeman is Bilbo Baggins



With “The Hobbit” set to shoot early next year, the studio has released an official announcement on the film’s casting. And yes, as expected, Martin Freeman (left) is indeed playing Bilbo Baggins, played by Ian Holm in the first three “Lord of the Rings” films. The major casting also includes Richard Armitage (below, right) as Thorin Oakenshield, Aidan Turner as Kili, and Rob Kazinsky as Fili.

Press release below:

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 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 rumors 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.

Cate Blanchett Signs on For The Hobbit, More Official Casting



Apparently Cate Blanchett’s “Lord of the Rings” character Galadriel doesn’t actually appear in J.R.R Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” book, but that’s not going to stop Peter Jackson from casting her in the two films anyway. Hey, when you can get Cate Blanchett in your movie, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, source material or not.

Besides Blanchett, Jackson also announced new castmembers:

Ken Stott (“Charlie Wilson’s War”) will play the Dwarf Lord Balin; Sylvester McCoy (“Doctor Who”) will play the wizard Radagast the Brown; Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt will play the shape-shifting bear-man Beorn; British actor Ryan Gage will play Drogo Baggins; and New Zealand actors Jed Brophy and William Kircher will play the dwarves Nori and Bifur, respectively.

Missing from the list is Sir Ian McKellan, who has already stated that he will return as Gandalf in “The Hobbit” films.

Orlando Bloom Near A Deal To Reprise His Role As Legolas In The Hobbit



After the announcement that Cate Blanchet will appear in Peter Jackson’s two film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”, reprising her “Lord of the Rings” role as Galadriel (even though Galadriel isn’t in “The Hobbit”), a rumor started circulating that Orlando Bloom is “near a deal to return as Elven archer Legolas”. Similarly to Galadriel, Legolas is nowhere to be found in “The Hobbit”. Strange, considering that the role will be reportedly be “more than a cameo”.

Elves are immortal, so if they try hard enough, they’ll find a way to work Galadriel and Legolas into the story without age being a problem. Maybe they’ll show up near the conclusion as a way to tie the two “Hobbit” movies to the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

There is still no word on whether Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, and Hugo Weaving, will reprise appear as Gandalf, Gollum, and Elrond, respectively, all of whom figure prominently in both “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings”. It’s odd that so much effort is being expended on two roles that don’t appear in the book, instead of focusing on securing the lynchpins of the series. Then again, that stuff is probably going on behind closed doors and everything will work out eventually.

Frodo aka Elijah Wood All but Confirmed for The Hobbit Movies — SPOILERS



He doesn’t actually appear in the J.R.R. Tolkien novel, but that isn’t going to keep Peter Jackson and Elijah Wood from putting diminutive but heroic hobbit Frodo Baggins into the two “Hobbit” movies anyway. According to reports, Wood is already in negotiations to reprise his famous role, and TheOneRing.net has further details about how Frodo will appear in the movie.



Now the big question is, what’s a Frodo Baggins appearance without Sam (Sean Astin)? The two were practically inseparable in the first three movies, and I dare say, Sam held their storyline together while ol Frodo just looked all glassy eyed and whatnot.

Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen Officially Signed for The Hobbit Movies



No surprise here. Andy Serkis has signed a deal to return as Gollum in Peter Jackson’s two “Hobbit” movies. He’ll be joining Martin Freeman, playing a younger version of Bilbo Baggins, along with Elijah Wood, last reported to be reprising Frodo Baggins in the two movies. Ian McKellen, after a lot of surprising maybe/maybe-not, is now also officially back as the wizard Gandalf.

Also expected back: Cate Blanchett as Galadriel and Christopher Lee as Saruman. Orlando Bloom was previously rumored to also be back as Legalos, but that’s still up in the air. Both Galadriel and Legalos don’t actually appear in J.R.R. Tolkien’s source novel, but that didn’t stop Jackson from including Frodo in the upcoming movie anyway.

The premise of “The Hobbit” movies follows Freeman’s Bilbo, who is on an epic quest with Gandalf and 13 dwarves led by their King, Thorin Oakenshield (to be played by Richard Armitage), to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and strike down the talking dragon Smaug (possibly voiced by Bill Nighy, whose participation is also up in the air).

It’s during this journey that Bilbo runs across a little ring that everyone seems to want in that “Lord of the Rings” trilogy that came out a little while back. Serkis’ Gollum, of course, really, really wants that ring back.

Peter Jackson and company commences the back-to-back production starting in February 14 on location in New Zealand.

Peter Jackson Confirms Legolas Will be in The Hobbit



Peter Jackson, Lord of Middle Earth, has confirmed via Facebook that Orlando Bloom, who played Legolas in the three “Lord of the Rings” films, will indeed be reprising his warrior elf in “The Hobbit” movies. Writes Jackson:


So in case you were wondering, “Hobbit” fans, wonder no more.

As with most of the “LOTR” characters returning to the prequel “Hobbit” films, Legolas doesn’t actually appear in the “Hobbit” novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. Then again, since most of these people are hundreds of years old, there’s really nothing to stop Jackson from appearing anyway.

The Hobbit Movies Officially Get Some, I Guess You Could Say, Unexpected Titles



The triumvirate of New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures and MGM have made it official via the upcoming films’ Facebook page: the first “Hobbit” movie, due out on December 14, 2012, will be titled “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”, while the sequel, due out almost exactly one year later on December 13, 2013, will be called “The Hobbit: There and Back Again”.

The announcement also provided the official cast list:

Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, the character he played in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and Martin Freeman, who just won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the BBC series “Sherlock,” takes on the central role of Bilbo Baggins.

Also reprising their roles from “The Lord of the Rings” movies are: Cate Blanchett as Galadriel; Orlando Bloom as Legolas; Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo; Christopher Lee as Saruman; Hugo Weaving as Elrond; Elijah Wood as Frodo; and Andy Serkis as Gollum.

The ensemble cast also includes (in alphabetical order) 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, and Aidan Turner.

The first unexpected journey is already underway, with Peter Jackson directing.

Benedict Cumberbatch Doing Double Duty on The Hobbitt



Benedict Cumberbatch, owner of the best damn name in the history of British television, will be playing not one, but two characters in Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit Part 1: An Unexpected Journey” (yeah, still not a fan of that title). Deadline reports that the “Sherlock” actor will be providing the voice and motion-capture for the dragon Smaug, pissed off cup owner in the first “Hobbit” movie, as well as provide the voice for Necromancer.

As I recall, Cumberbatch’s involvement in “The Hobbitt” was spoiled by his “Sherlock” and “The Hobbit” star Martin Freeman weeks ago back stage at a British Awards ceremony, though the exact specifics escapes me. Now you can take it to the bank — the Cumberbatch is doing The Hobbit.

Another casting note: Luke Evans will play Bard.

Besides Freeman, Cumberbatch joins Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow, Adam Brown, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Jeffrey Thomas, and Mike Mizrahi.

The Hobbit Adds Evangeline Lilly and Barry Humphries



Peter Jackson is taking this whole social networking thing seriously, which is good news for those of you dying to know every little bit of news from the director’s New Zealand set of “The Hobbit”. Jackson has recently updated fans about the progress of “The Hobbit” movies via Facebook (he’s finished “first block of shooting and moved straight into location scouting”), and has announced two new additions to the cast (as well as confirming the recent additions of Luke Evans as Bard and Benedict Cumberbatch as the dragon Smaug).

Up first, “Lost’s” Evangeline Lilly (also in the upcoming “Real Steel” with Hugh Jackman”) will play a new character name Tauriel, a Woodland Elf whose name means “daughter of Mirkwood”. Lilly is following in the footsteps of her “Lost” co-star and one-time beau Dominic Monaghan, who played Merry on the three “Lord of the Rings” films before landing on The Island. Hoping to cut off fan rumors, Jackman says Lilly’s character has no connection to Orlando Bloom’s Legolas, who will also be making an appearance in the prequels, though it’s unclear how big of a role that will be.

The other new castmember is Barry Humphries, who will be playing The Goblin King, “in much the way Andy Serkis created Gollum.” You might better know Humphries as his alter ego, Dame Edna Everage. Or not.

First Official Images From The Hobbit Part 1



Check out three more official looks at Peter Jackson’s upcoming “The Hobbit”, starring Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, the Hobbit who started it all, along with Ian McKellan as Gandalf, chillin’ underneath a tree as he is wont to do in his free time. Part 1 comes out next year, followed by Part 2 the year after that.

“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.

Part 1, “An Unexpected Journey” stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow, Adam Brown, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Jeffrey Thomas, and Mike Mizrahi, and travels into theaters December 19, 2012.

Another Shot of Martin Freeman as Bilbo in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit



If you’re going to see Steven Spielberg’s “The Adventures of Tintin”, you may find yourself staring at a trailer for Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit”, a motion picture that I am almost literally foaming at the mouth to see. What’s more, the latest issue of Empire contains the image you see below, which, obviously, is a picture of Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins from “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”. Don’t have access to Empire? Don’t fret — the image lies below.

The film opens on December 14th, 2012.

Where's Legolas?

The Hobbit Parts 2 and 3 Get New Titles, Release Dates



We already know that “The Hobbit Part 1″ will be subtitled “An Unexpected Journey”, and we thought we knew that “The Hobbit Part 2″ will be called “There and Back Again”. Well, not anymore.

Part 1 will still be called “An Unexpected Journey”, but now that Peter Jackson and company have added a third installment to their formerly two-parter adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkien book, the second movie will now be called “The Hobbit Part 2: The Desolation of Smaug”, while “The Hobbit Part 3″ will take over “Part 2′s’” old subtitle, “There and Back Again”.

Part 2 will now be released on December 13, 2013, a full year after the first movie later this year, while your wait for Part 3 won’t be quite as long, wrapping things up on in the Summer on July 18, 2014.

So, to sum up:

“The Hobbit Part 1: An Unexpected Journey” – December 19, 2012
“The Hobbit Part 2: The Desolation of Smaug” – December 13, 2013
“The Hobbit Part 3: There and Back Again” – July 18, 2014