Paul Chai writes: The normally dry business of union politics turned to spectacle in New Zealand on Monday as Warner Bros. execs flew to Wellington under the threat of a canceled “Hobbit” production in hopes of gaining concessions from the industry and the Kiwi government.
A decision could come as soon as today on whether to keep production of two-picture “The Hobbit” from being moved to nearby Australia, the United Kingdom or Eastern Europe. Sources close to “Hobbit” producer/helmer Peter Jackson said Monday that finding a solution was still no better than a 50-50 proposition. Reps for Warner Bros. said they would have no comment until a decision is made. More..
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For all those who’ve been concerned about the fact that there hasn’t been any casting news about returning cast members yet, here’s something that should ease the mind a bit.
Sky News caught up with Andy Serkis and chatted him up about all things “Hobbit“, and here’s what the man has to say about filming in New Zealand and reprising his role as Gollum.
“I’m sure The Hobbit will be in New Zealand at the end of the day. These are stories that have to be told, films that have to be watched. People are dying for them to come out. It has had a strange ride. I think the worse of it is over and it’s all going to come together soon.”
“I haven’t signed up. Of course I will be there. I will be there to support Peter Jackson in his endeavour again to pull off what will be an amazing magical feat of cinema, wherever that will be.”
There’s more to read and watch over at Sky News.
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What does a Dwarf love doing most in Middle-earth besides mining for gold and jewels and spending countless hours working them into gems and treasures beyond price? How about avenging their forefathers and marching to battle against armies of Orcs?
In the Lord of the Rings, Gimli said,
“Give me a row of orc-necks and room to swing and all weariness will fall from me!“
So do all Dwarves feel the same? That can be discussed in our message boards.
In the meantime, thanks to Twitter, we know that Fili at least is keen to wield his axe when he sets out next year with his companions on the Quest of Erebor. Here’s what Rob Kazinsky tweeted after the announcement last week that he had been cast in the role of Fili:
“thank you all for your support and well wishing, looking forward to some orc slaying!“
Sure looks like Sir Peter Jackson has found a Dwarf with the perfect Dwarven attitude.
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Here’s word on what once-upon-a-time-Hobbit-director Guillermo del Toro has to say about the casting choices revealed for The Hobbit films thus far:
“I have the perfect actor for every character in the movie, but I don’t feel morally correct to saying who now that I’m not directing. But [about Martin Freeman playing Bilbo Baggins] absolutely, 100%. I’m a huge fan of his. I love him in The Office and Love Actually.”
As far as his decision to leave the director’s chair of the two-part movie, GDT says:
“[It’s] a hard thing when you’ve spent two years on a movie and it’s going nowhere”.
News courtesy of Simon Reynolds over at Digital Spy.
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A meeting between Warner Brothers and senior government ministers has ended inconclusively, with studio executives asking for larger incentives to keep The Hobbit movies in NZ. Read More
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According to Forbes annual list of ‘Top Earning Deceased Celebrities,’ our favorite professor comes in at No. 3, right behind Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson! Tolkien earned $50 million by selling approximately 500,000 copies of The Lord of the Rings in just the last year. Not too shabby for a man who passed away 37 years years ago. J.R.R. Tolkien beat out other celebrities such as John Lennon, Charles Schultz, Dr. Seuss and Albert Einstein. To read the full list, jump on over to Forbes.com. [Read on]
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