[Lotr_announce] PRODUCTION BEGINS IN NEW ZEALAND ON THE HOBBIT, PETER JACKSON’S TWO FILM EPIC ADAPTATION OF J.R.R. TOLKIEN’S TIMELESS CLASSIC

Michael Regina xoanon at theonering.net
Sun Mar 20 17:10:26 CDT 2011


PRODUCTION BEGINS IN NEW ZEALAND ON THE HOBBIT, PETER JACKSON’S TWO
FILM EPIC ADAPTATION OF J.R.R. TOLKIEN’S TIMELESS CLASSIC

In a hole in the ground there lived a Hobbit…

Wellington, NZ, March 21, 2011—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.

ABOUT NEW LINE CINEMA:

New Line Cinema continues to be one of the most successful independent
film companies.  For more than 40 years, its mission has been to
produce innovative, popular, profitable entertainment in the best
creative environment.  A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line
produced the Oscar®-winning “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, which is
a landmark in the history of film franchises.  New Line Cinema is a
division of Warner Bros.

ABOUT PETER JACKSON/WINGNUT FILMS:

Peter Jackson is one of the world's most successful filmmakers.  His
monumental achievement co-writing, co-producing and directing The Lord
of the Rings trilogy (with fellow Academy Award winners and frequent
collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens) earned a total of 30
Academy Award nominations and 17 Academy Awards.  Jackson and Walsh
received their first Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for
their acclaimed film Heavenly Creatures.  Jackson, through his New
Zealand-based Wingnut Films banner, also was responsible for the
globally successful 2005 remake of King Kong which earned over $500
million worldwide and 3 Academy Awards.  Jackson most recently
directed the Academy Award nominated The Lovely Bones; an adaptation
of the acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold, which to date has
earned nearly $100 million worldwide; and produced the global
sensation, District 9, which received an Academy Award nomination for
Best Picture.  He is also developing a trilogy of films with Steven
Spielberg based on Tintin, the world renowned comic book series by
Herge.  In 2010 he received a Knighthood for his services to film.

ABOUT METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER STUDIOS INC.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. is actively engaged in the worldwide
production and distribution of motion pictures, television
programming, home video, interactive media, music, and licensed
merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern
films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc.,
United Artists Films Inc., MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM
Networks Inc., MGM Distribution Co., MGM International Television
Distribution Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON
STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In
addition, MGM has ownership interests in domestic and international TV
channels reaching over 130 countries. For more information, visit
www.mgm.com.

-- 


Sincerely,

Michael Regina
Editor in Chief - TheOneRing.net
PH: 514.947.5221

www.facebook.com/michael.regina
www.twitter.com/mikereginatorn
www.linkedin.com/profile?viewProfile=&key=13212777



More information about the Lotr_Announce mailing list