The Beard sends this in: I see on TORN that there seems to be Hobbit action in Dunedin, so maybe the filming here in Golden Bay is second unit, or maybe they got creative to deal with iffy weather here. The word around the Bay is that they are filming at two locations: Canaan Downs at Harwood’s Hole, and at a private sheep station at Kaihoka Lakes. I was actually at the latter place yesterday, on a social visit with a friend, but there was no sign of filming and the owner apparently told my friend that they were filming at Canaan Downs that day.

In other words– lots of talk about the Hobbit here, but not much fact to share other than the supposed locations. I do believe the Kaihoka Lakes location, as this is a farm family who would have no reason to make up the fact that their property is being used!

Ross sends along some exclusive photos from Pelorus River and Pelorus Bridge area.

The Pelorus River is situated halfway between Nelson and Blenheim on state highway 6 at the top of the South Island. It is the first time any of the 3 Foot 7 films have had a location in the Marlborough province. The Bridge over the river is set in prime native bush which has many walks and a small camping ground where the local bird life proliferate, their calls breaking the background river noise. Continue reading “NZ Photos from Pelorus River Region”

As we start to close down 2011, Ringers get another new item to add to their shelves. The Legolas Greenleaf statue is shipping right now from Sideshow Collectibles. Legolas is the third statue to ship from the growing line of collectibles representing Sir Peter Jackson’s adaptation of The Lord of the Rings.

Legolas is the son of Thranduil, King of the Elves of Mirkwood. During the early stages of the War of the Ring he would be sent to Rivendell for The Council of Elrond where the fate of the Ring of Power would be decided. Eventually, Legolas would be chosen to represent the race of Elves as The Fellowship goes upon its journey to destroy the Ring of Power. The Elf would go on to form a great bond with the Dwarf Gimli who should be the next statue to ship from Sideshow. This representation of Legolas brings us his look from The Two Towers and more specifically during the battle Helm’s Deep.

Continue reading “Collecting The Precious – Sideshow Collectibles Legolas Statue Review”

docdanz writes: I popped past the actively shooting location near Middlemarch today on the way back from Queenstown to Dunedin where I live. It was a hive of activity with a veritable city of trucks, trailers and marquees on the the side of Hartfield Road, which is a small gravel back road across the Taieri River from Middlemarch.

The set itself was a little further along (southwards) and just out of view (apart from the sight of more trucks). It seemed clear that they are prepared for a huge number of extras and support crew for this particular shoot. My guess is that this is going to be where the battle of five armies is shot. The terrain is basically the same as the rocky terrain used for Rohan in The Lord of The Rings. The location is here on Google maps. The route was well signposted by bright pink signs, marked with “LR” (Not JAMB this time!).

Glaurung writes: Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh were at the Skyline Gondola park in Queenstown today – Peter and Fran went past me on the chairlift for the Skyline Luge twice. Perhaps they were scouting locations? Or merely sightseeing.

From skyline.co.nz: Reputed to be the steepest lift in the Southern Hemisphere, the gondola carries visitors high above Queenstown to the Skyline complex located on Bob’s Peak. Situated an easy five minute walk from central Queenstown, the gondola is an all weather tourist attraction in its own right. Sit back and relax as the views from the gondola unfold while you journey to the Skyline complex. The best vistas in the region are found here, spread out in a spectacular 220 degree panorama. Numerous observation decks around the complex offer breathtaking views of Coronet Peak & The Remarkables, over Queenstown and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peaks. Truly magnificent and awe-inspiring.

Hundreds of cast and crew for The Hobbit films have flown to Dunedin International Airport seemingly bound for Otago film sets. An airport spokesman said four chartered flights carrying 320 cast and crew arrived, starting on Thursday night with a BAe146 Whisper Jet from Wellington. Today (Friday) another three flights arrived, two from Wellington, and one from Taupo, also on chartered Whisper Jets. A large contingent of rental cars had been organised for the arrivals to travel, but he did not have further details. The spokesman said he had not known the large group was coming until a couple of days ago. More..