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.
6 Comments
I’m a little concerned about this movie. I loved what Peter Jackson, cast, and crew did with The Lords Of The Rings. However, The Hobbit struck me from the first time I read it at 12 as a light-hearted adventure story with a little bit of a dark edge. Where The Lord Of The Rings is a very dark, epic war story.
How do you turn what is effectively a done-in-one adventure story into a two-part epic without losing the heart of the tale?
I think that’s everyone’s biggest concern. Everything else, especially having Jackson back in the lead is great, but the two movie thing is worrisome.
Eh. Not really concerned at all, personally. Jackson gets Tolkien’s universe and gets the books, especially. Curious about the inclusion of Elijah Wood as Frodo, though. Maybe it’s some sort of introduction at the very end or something.
Thank goodness, though, that they got the same hair designer.
About the only logical way I can think of dividing the story into two parts is the voyage to Laketown being one part, and the Battle of Five Armies being the second movie. Of course, I am just speculating. I am glad that Peter Jackson came back on board and Del Toro stepped out. As much I like his work, I was afraid that we’d end up with elves having eyeballs on their hands, one of his trademarks, or other such abominations. Jackson, at least, knows how to treat Tolkien with respect even if he doesn’t follow everything word for word.
If I can tolerate the Dwarven flatulence, and the Elf-worship I’m sure I’ll enjoy it.
My guess is that the film will split roughly at the point of the capture of the Dwarves by the Wood Elves, with an unfortunate shoe-horning of the White Council’s attack on the “Necromancer” to help round out the second film.
I recall somewhere in my reading that Tolkien was asked once about the difference between the tone of ‘The Hobbit’ versus that of ‘Lord of the Rings’. Beside it being written a little more for a kid’s liking, he explained it as more of a difference between the writing style of Bilbo versus that of Frodo. The Red Book of Westmarch being the whole story (Frodo hands it off to Sam when he leaves Middle Earth).
I’m more curious in what way they will tie the two films to the other three. Gandlaf, Saruman and Galadriel form the White Council, they eradicate Sauron (they think) from Dol Guldur, and Aragorn is just a boy when all this is taking place. I can’t wait to see what they do with it.