On this week’s episode of Hobbit in 5 we look at more ways to help New Zealand earthquake victims, Mikael Persbrandt wins and Oscar, more character studies, and Ringer Spy HobbitWatch gives us a glimpse of a very special Hobbit action sequence with Bilbo and the Dwarves. Hobbit in 5
Category: Hobbit Movie
Irish actor James Nesbitt, cast in the role of the Dwarf Bofur, spoke with the Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show on Absolute Radio this morning about the time he’s spent so far in New Zealand, reports BeeHiveCity and ContactMusic.com.
From BeeHiveCity:
“We’ve been here for training, because I’m going to be here for a year so the amount of work and the work we’ll be getting up to means we all have to be fit, you know, and a few of us are getting on a bit, so we’ve been training and horse-riding and doing stunts and all that kind of thing, and then we start.”
From ContactMusic.com:
“We haven’t started filming, we got here mid-January and we were supposed to rehearse, doing lots of horse-riding and framing and stunts and all that, but then Peter got ill, he had a perforated ulcer, so filming was delayed for a few weeks. Filming starts in about three weeks and I start in a month, but it’s been great, so I’ve had lots of time off. A typical day will be little bit of training, doing a bit of that, trying to get strong, and then doing lots of stunt fights and movement, then going out and horse-riding. I mean, it’s basically playing is what we’re doing.”
The Telegraph reports today that Sir Ian Holm, who portrayed Bilbo to perfection in the Lord of the Rings, was contacted previously to reprise his role as an “older Bilbo” in the upcoming Hobbit films, but he hasn’t heard back from the producers since. Excerpts from the Telegraph’s article follow:
“I don’t know what’s happening,” the 79-year-old actor admitted to me at the Saatchi Gallery. “I haven’t heard anything for weeks.”
“I had great fun playing Baggins in the first two films and the plan had been, with Martin Freeman playing Young Baggins, I would be the Old Baggins,” he adds. “I suppose the earthquake in Christchurch couldn’t have helped with communications.”
Sophie de Stempel, Sir Ian’s wife, tells me: “I worry that the film has run into so much bad luck that they might have missed their chance altogether.”
Here’s hoping we get to see Sir Ian Holm in the character of the memorable old Bilbo once again. In case you’re interested, the topic is already being discussed over at our message boards.
Ringer Spy Mr. Underbelly monitors movie titles that are registered by major film studios. Mr. Underbelly noticed that New Line has recently registered the following two film titles:
The Hobbit: There and Back Again
and…
The Hobbit: An/The Unexpected Journey
This is the first indication of what the ‘official’ titles will be of the two Hobbit films. What are your thoughts? Remember, this is not confirmed officially, but it is a relatively good indication of what the two film titles could be. Share your thoughts in our forum, comments and on Facebook!
Since production of The Hobbit began ramping up we have been getting emails from curious fashionistas about costume designer Ngila Dickson, will she be continuing stunning her work on The Hobbit? The answer comes from a ‘Reel Late with Kate’ interview. At the end of the programme the presenter (Kate Rodger) said that Ngila Dickson would not be working on The Hobbit because of existing contractual obligations.
While this is not official confirmation, we believe this is in fact the case.
Taranaki Daily News reporter John Anthony writes: People often tell me I look like an elf. My tall slender frame, pasty white skin and high cheekbones somewhat resemble the elegant elvish features as personified in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
I regard the elf label as a compliment considering Elves were depicted as the humble, stealth heroes of Middle Earth. The spiritual and calm demeanour of the fair creatures was largely popularised by good- looking celebrities such as Liv Tyler, Orlando Bloom and New Zealand’s very own Craig Parker. Their telepathic abilities, enchanting dialect, fanciful footwork and unrivalled archery skills are the envy of many Tolkien enthusiasts. More..