Below is the statement just released by Sir Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger over at wetanz.com:
On behalf of all our friends and colleagues at Weta Workshop, we send our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of the people from around New Zealand and the world who have sent us their messages of support.
Everyone here has tried to stay optimistic for a positive outcome but in the darkest days of the past week it has been the amazing support from the fans of LOTR and our family and friends which has given us the resolve to stay cheerful and positive about the outcome for these films.
It is a fantastic result reported tonight by our Prime Minister, the Honourable John Key, and we are grateful for the support of our Government in recognising the challenges our film industry was facing.
We are also very pleased that Warner Bros are happy to continue to see these films made in New Zealand – and thank them for their efforts.
Most importantly our thanks go out to Peter, Fran and Philippa, for their unrelenting efforts to see these films made in our country. We are very lucky to work with such passionate film makers.
All our best and cheers to you all.
Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger
I might add we’re lucky to have such passionate people as our friends at WETA working on these beloved stories too. Our very best wishes are with you as you embark on your journey into Middle-earth once again!
Ray writes: Here is a video I put together featuring some of the main speakers at the Hobbit rally on 25.10.10 in Civic Square, Wellington City, New Zealand. Rallies were also held in Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton, Queenstown and Matamata (where the Hobbiton sets have been built), and were set up to coincide with the arrival of the Warner Bros. executives, who will be meeting to decide where The Hobbit will be filmed. “This is where Middle Earth was born and this is where it should stay,” Peter Jackson.
Zippy sends along a story from a Brazilian website claiming that Star Trek/Fringe star Leonard Nimoy could get a role in the Hobbit. Nimoy, 79, recently had surgery and has also apparently retired from acting. Who knows if the story is valid. Nimoy is of course also famous for this song and subsequent music video ‘The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins’, could this be the source of the rumors?
It seems The Hollywood Reporter story about the ‘Save The Hobbit’ page being removed was incorrect. The URL provided with the story is indeed dead, but the group is still going strong with 12,500+ ‘likes’. Take a look! More..
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..
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.”
Below is the statement just released by Sir Richard Taylor and Tania Rodger over at wetanz.com:
It seems The Hollywood Reporter story about the ‘Save The Hobbit’ page being removed was incorrect. The URL provided with the story is indeed dead, but the group is still going strong with 12,500+ ‘likes’. Take a look! 