Exclusive to The Hollywood Reporter:
Gollum Actor Andy Serkis to Serve as Second Unit Director on ‘The Hobbit’ (Exclusive)
“There is really a sense of Peter [Jackson] wanting people around him who totally understand the material and the work ethic,” he tells The Hollywood Reporter.
Andy Serkis, who played the iconic Gollum in Peter Jackson’sThe Lord of the Rings, is taking on a new role in The Hobbit 1 and 2. In addition to reprising his role as the tragic creature, Serkis also has been tapped by Jackson to serve as second unit director on the two films, which are now in production in New Zealand.
“I think I understand Peter’s sensibility and we have a common history of understanding Middle Earth,” Serkis told The Hollywood Reporter. “A lot of the crew from The Lord of the Rings was returning to work on The Hobbit. There is really a sense of Peter wanting people around him who totally understand the material and the work ethic.” [Full Release] (Thanks to Ringer Kookie for the heads up!)
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This was TheOneRing.net’s 2011 April Fools Joke. This is a completely fabricated story.
Wellington, NZ, April 1, 2011—Production is underway in Wellington, New Zealand, on “The Hobbit,” filmmaker Peter Jackson’s two film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s widely read masterpiece.
Set in Middle-earth, “The Hobbit” takes place 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.”
Joining the all-star cast is actor Stuart Townsend as the grim and heroric Bard. Bard is a skilled archer from the town of Dale, who finds himself holding the fate of his people on the string of his bow. Stuart is no stranger to Middle-earth as he was originally cast as Aragorn in the Oscar-winning “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy but left the production for personal reasons. “This is a great chance for Stuart to return to Middle-earth and bring his immeasurable talents to the production,” said casting director Thomas Williams.
Saiorse Ronan also joins the cast in the role of Itaril, a quick and lithe Silvan elf who is dedicated to protecting the Elf King of Mirkwood. Ms. Ronan was previously directed by Peter Jackson in 2009’s critically acclaimed ‘The Lovely Bones.’
“The Hobbit” cast already includes Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins) and Ian McKellen (Gandalf). 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. Further announcements are expected.
“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. What is the date again?
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Master Titi, the spy that send the set pics exclusive to TheOneRing.net yesterday, has sent in a new batch of images today. In this latest set, we get to see some actors in costume, and in one particular image, it sure looks like he might have captured the first pic of Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins! Click on the images below for a larger version and let the conversations begin! (Don’t forget, to click the ‘discuss’ link on this story to share your thoughts with over 6000 Tolkien fans, or find us on Facebook to interact with 20,000+!)
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Nothing too groundbreaking here folks, but we do have some of the first pics from the set of The Hobbit! Just like during the production of The Lord of the Rings, folks are out there trying to capture any tidbit of information related to the The Hobbit and enthusiastic to share it with the world! The images in this article come to use from Master Titi who captured a few actors and crew as they prepped for their roles in the film. Among the imagery you will see Andy Serkis in his motion capture suit for Gollum, Adam Brown (Ori) coming out of his trailer, James Nesbitt (Bofur) on a cell phone and some other cast/crew hanging out. So if you didn’t believe production had begun, now we at least have proof that something is happening! Also, if you think you can identify the other crew/actors in these pics, please leave a comment or share your thoughts in our forum!
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The LA Times ’24 Frames’ blog has an interview with rumored Hobbit participant, Saiorse Ronan, which reveals a significant statement about PJ’s adaptation of The Hobbit to film. Among other highlights in the article is the following statement from Ms. Ronan:
“Pete is adding a lot of characters in the film adaption,” she said. “Hopefully they have a part for me.”
This lines up with long standing rumors that a character named ‘Itaril’ has been added to the movie and Ms. Ronan is queued up for the role.
Itaril is described in unofficial casting call sheets as: female, A woodland Elf, this character is one the Silvan Elves. The Silvan Elves are seen as more earthy and practical. Shorter than other elves, she is still quick and lithe and physically adept, being able to fight with both sword and bow. Showing promise as a fighter at a young age, ITARIL was chosen to train to become part of the Woodland King’s Guard. This is the only life she has ever expected to live, until she meets and secretly falls in love with a young ELF LORD. This role will require a wig and contact lenses to be worn. Some prosthetic make-up may also be required. LEAD. AGE: 17-27.
Time will tell, but odds are we’ll be seeing Saiorse Ronan in this role for The Hobbit. Saiorse also mentioned that The Hobbit will be ‘a little bit lighter than ‘Lord of the Rings’.’ Read the full interview at the LA Times [Read on]
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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. Continue reading “PRODUCTION BEGINS IN NEW ZEALAND ON THE HOBBIT, PETER JACKSON’S TWO FILM EPIC ADAPTATION OF J.R.R. TOLKIEN’S TIMELESS CLASSIC”
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