From huffingtonpost.com: The Lonely Island team premiered a new SNL digital short last night called “On the Ground,” which featured Andy Samberg throwing increasingly ridiculous things…on the ground. Host Ryan Reynolds, along with surprise guest Elijah Wood, got in on the fun by tasing the comedian after he threw their dinner on the ground.
Category: Hobbit Movie
The Noldor Blog reports some big changes around Jackson’s Stone St Studios, with what looks like the beginnings of a huge new structure to replace one of the existing sheds. Read More
In an interview with MTV last night, Howard Shore confirmed that he has begun composing for “The Hobbit:” Last night, MTV’s Kurt Loder sat down with “The Lord of the Rings” composer Howard Shore and Pippin the Hobbit actor Billy Boyd at The Paley Center for Media. Kurt was there to moderate a panel called Shore on the Score: The Music of “The Lord of the Rings,” which featured Shore, Boyd and The Music of the Lord of the Rings Films author Doug Adams.
The event kicked off a week long “Lord of the Rings” celebration which will culminate with live performances of the “Fellowship of the Ring” score at Radio City Music Hall on October 9 and 10.
“I dream and read, and read and dream about it and that’s how you compose. You know composing is sort of an intuitive act,” Shore said. “You have to put yourself in the right frame of mind. You want to enter into Middle-earth in a certain way and then you start creating.”
Thanks to many of you for pointing us to this story at The Hollywood Reporter: MGM has secured support from key lenders to allow the studio enough cash to proceed with its participation in “The Hobbit.” A recent proposal by MGM’s new CEO Steve Cooper to defer interest payments on its debt load for the next three months on Thursday won a crucial endorsement from J.P. Morgan.
Concern over MGM’s hold on “Hobbit” is at the heart of the activity. In a 50-50 rights partnership with Warner Bros.’ New Line unit, two “Hobbit” pics are being developed. The first “Hobbit” aims for theatrical release in 2011, with Guillermo del Toro on board to direct that and a sequel. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and del Toro are writing scripts for both and are expected to deliver the first screenplay by the end of November. Read More
Kevin writes: Andy Serkis — known and loved the world over for his portrayal of Gollum — has been working on an audio release of C. S. Lewis’ book, The Screwtape Letters. With a flair that only Andy has for vocal interpretation, he brings the demonic character of Uncle Screwtape to life, or “un-life” as the case may be and depending on your point of view. Releases in bookstores October 15, 2009. Click here for a short vid.
MGM’s financial woes continue to worsen according to Nikki Finke over at Deadline Hollywood. MGM had a conference call yesterday with its bond holders for the benefit of the lenders: “MGM made a desperate plea for money because the studio had missed its numbers and was going to be out of funds very soon. “The implication was that it’s teetering on bankruptcy,” one source told me. MGM said it needed $20M in short-term cash flow to cover overhead, and an additional $150 million to get through the end of year and continue funding its projects, and to start Peter Jackson’s Hobbit.” Read More