Cad Monkey writes: Just a quick review of the rally that’s just finished in Auckland. A slightly disappointing turnout of around 250 people, plenty of news media, radio & tv. Mark Harrison the Auckland actor who has organised the nationwide rallies spoke very well and at length about the impact that LOTR had on tourism and the economy in NZ and that if Warner Bros want to make the best movies they can (and make plenty of money too ) then NZ is the only place to shoot them: NZ is middle earth. Each point he made was greeted by loud cheers and applause. A statement by Peter Jackson was read out at the end thanking everyone for their support.

Were you at a rally in New Zealand? Send your pics and video now!

Continue reading “Hobbit Rally: Auckland”

Since word got out that the two-part “Hobbit” film might leave the island nation of New Zealand, fans have been e-mailing TORn, posting on Facebook and expressing on message boards that they wish they could help.

Now you can.

In a grass-roots effort, a film production crew is making a film full of the messages of those who feel passionately about keeping “The Hobbit,” in New Zealand (and keeping New Zealand in “The Hobbit.”) Many of those leading the charge are from Weta but this isn’t organized by Peter Jackson or Richard Taylor or the company in any way but rather this is for them, to show widespread support from the ground up. These are artists and craftspeople spending their own time and talents and they are asking for your help.

Here is the information as received from the organizers:

“If you wish to see The Hobbit filmed in New Zealand, then this is your chance to have your say and support the many people working in the New Zealand film industry and related industries. The film production crew at Weta Workshop are putting together a message of support and we need your help! Continue reading “A call for fans to help demonstrate that New Zealand is the right place for ‘The Hobbit’ films”

Time: 12.30 – 1 or 2
Where: Cathedral Square, Christchurch
Contact: Axel Scott (axel@boysdayout.co.nz)
Details:

RALLY FOR ALL NEW ZEALANDERS, Industry & public on Labour Day Monday, 12.30 for 1pm-2pm!

This POSITIVE rally of support is timed to coincide with the visit of Warner Bros. movie executives to discuss moving The Hobbit away from NZ. We’re going to show them that we like them, we want The Hobbit filmed here and we SUPPORT Sir Peter. Continue reading “A Christchurch rally to support ‘The Hobbit’ for NZ”

Trade union council president Helen Kelly has apologised for calling Peter Jackson a “spoiled brat” but is not sorry for backing industrial action that may see filming of The Hobbit moved overseas. Her apology comes as one of the newly cast stars in the Lord Of The Rings prequel speaks out about the dispute. Scottish actor Sylvester McCoy, famous for his role as sci-fi’s Dr Who in the 1980s, was this weekend cast as wizard Radagast the Brown in the film. Speaking at the Armageddon Expo in Auckland yesterday, McCoy said he – like all of New Zealand – was still waiting to hear where and when filming would go ahead. More..

We’ve surpassed 10 thousand ‘likes’ on our Facebook page! Thanks to all the fans, family and friends that have helped us along the way. With the endless stream of Hobbit news (good and bad) TORN has been very busy lately, my personal thanks to all our staffers for their hard work! Visit us on Facebook!

Now to break half a million views on our YouTube page…we’re very close!

New Zealand actor Mark Hadlow, revealed only a couple of days ago as being cast as the dwarf Dori in The Hobbit, says he received text and phone messages three weeks ago telling him not to sign on to any roles for the film. Hadlow, who isn’t a member of NZ Actors’ Equity, had got callbacks for four different roles in The Hobbit.

About the missives he received Hadlow says,

“What arrogance. What is that about? No one tells me where I can or can’t work.”

Like many others, Hadlow too hopes the Hobbit movies will be made in New Zealand. Here’s what he says about that:

“I’ll do my utmost to try to convince everybody that New Zealand is the best country in the world to film a film in.”

However, if that’s not the way things work out, Hadlow hopes he can be wherever they film the movies.

Head over to Stuff.co.nz to read the entire article.