After posting the newspaper advertisement from Wellington’s Dominion Post, we heard from official sources that indeed, it is real and authentic and official. Turns out, everything printed was exactly what was meant. The source said:

A preliminary casting call means: We don’t have a green light, but we do need to be prepared in the event that we get one!

Also as stated, it isn’t a call for extras, it is simply gathering folks around Wellington who might serve as scale doubles, much as they were used it the LOTR production. There is no word from Los Angeles studios on greenlights, directors or casting.

And, to clarify the source also said:

The NZ Dance and Drama Centre is simply being used as a venue for this casting call, and is not the home of our casting department.

So, the news is still good news for those wanting “Hobbit” movies and this wasn’t happening several months ago but we are still in a state of “hurry up and wait.”