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”
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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”
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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”
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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..
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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.
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Attendees of the Dr. Who Panel at the Armageddon Expo in Auckland yesterday are saying that Sylvester McCoy has confirmed that he has been cast in the role of Radagast the wizard in “The Hobbit.” Rumors have been flying about McCoy having auditioned, some thinking he might have even been cast as Bilbo. As early as August, McCoy started hinting that he had been been cast in a role that was not Bilbo. However earlier this week it started leaking in earnest (from McCoy himself), that he had been cast as Radagast. Confirming the news yesterday at Armageddon adds one more piece to the casting puzzle and confirms that Radagast the Brown, contemporary of Gandalf and Saruman and lover of nature and animals, will indeed be part of “The Hobbit” movies. Thanks to message board member, Earl, for the great tip!
UPDATE: Sylvester McCoy Cast But Not Signed Yet
Here’s more confirmation lending veracity to the above story.
The New Zealand Herald is reporting that Sylvester McCoy flew out to Wellington last Thursday to meet with PJ and Philippa about The Hobbit, and he confirms that he has been cast as Radagast the Brown, but he hasn’t signed any contracts yet.
His journey into Middle-earth began back in 2007 when he met Peter Jackson during the New Zealand tour of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of King Lear.
About the turmoil surrounding the location shooting for The Hobbit, Sylvester McCoy says, “Everybody wants to make it here [i.e., New Zealand]. It would be horrible if it was made anywhere else.”
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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. 