After posting the newspaper advertisement from Wellington’s Dominion Post, we heard from official sources that indeed, it is real and authentic and official. Turns out, everything printed was exactly what was meant. The source said:
A preliminary casting call means: We don’t have a green light, but we do need to be prepared in the event that we get one!
Also as stated, it isn’t a call for extras, it is simply gathering folks around Wellington who might serve as scale doubles, much as they were used it the LOTR production. There is no word from Los Angeles studios on greenlights, directors or casting.
And, to clarify the source also said:
The NZ Dance and Drama Centre is simply being used as a venue for this casting call, and is not the home of our casting department.
So, the news is still good news for those wanting “Hobbit” movies and this wasn’t happening several months ago but we are still in a state of “hurry up and wait.”
Posted in:
Share:
The pieces are moving, wheels are in motion and Wellington is looking for short and tall people for two anticipated movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.”
Our friend Jack, from the Noldor blog, posted a piece of indisputable evidence on his site and shared it will us. In ran in the Wellington Dominion Post and looks to be pretty authentic. More text and a big reproduction of the ad after the break. Continue reading “Wanted: Tall or short people for ‘The Hobbit’”
Posted in:
Share:
Mike Fleming from Deadline New York writes: Despite the speculation that India conglomerate Sahara India Pariwar might swoop in and buy MGM for $2 billion, it doesn’t sound like management is taking it that seriously. At least not based on this internal memo I just got hold of:
To All Employees: We wanted to take this opportunity to provide you with an update on the Company’s restructuring efforts. Recently we announced that our lenders have again agreed to extend the forbearance period relating to certain of our debt obligations and we are appreciative of their ongoing support throughout this process.
We recognize that throughout this restructuring process, there has been a great deal of speculation about the Company’s future in the media and elsewhere which can be very distracting. We appreciate the focus, hard work and dedication you all have demonstrated for the last year. We can assure you we are working to bring this process to a conclusion as quickly and thoughtfully as possible. However, the process is still evolving and we appreciate your understanding that there are not a lot of definitive answers at this stage. More..
Posted in:
Share:
Once again, reported by multiple sources, MGM’s due date for debt has been extended. Today’s September 15 has turned into tomorrow’s October 29, but that date will likely not matter either. The Hollywood reporter says:
As expected, more than 100 holders of almost $4 billion in MGM have agreed to a seventh debt forbearance agreement with the Century City-based studio. The Lion now has until Oct. 29 to pay lenders $250 million in principal and more than $450 million in owed interest.
But it’s likely the payments never will be made, as the struggling Lion is expected to creep into bankruptcy court before that with a plan for turning debt into lender equity.
This may not mean more delays for ‘The Hobbit’ as there seems to be a plan and leadership at work. As reported last week and updated in the L.A. Times blog:
MGM signed a nonbinding letter of intent with Spyglass founders Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum to take over management of the Century City-based studio. That deal must be ratified by MGM’s board of directors and more than 100 creditors, who are expected to swap their debt for equity as part of a prepackaged bankruptcy proceeding.
Stay tuned!
Posted in:
Share:
While we await further news of what today, 15th September 2010, has in store for MGM, it being the deadline for the studio’s sixth debt extension, there’s behind-the-scenes rumblings that seem to indicate good tidings might be on the way.
In an exclusive over at Deadline regarding a film titled “The Hunger Games” slated to go into production next year, Mike Fleming reports that director Sam Mendes (who had been tapped to direct the next film in the James Bond franchise) was one of the candidates met by studio chiefs over at Lionsgate, the producing studio for the film “The Hunger Games”. However, the report goes on to say that Sam Mendes,
“bowed out of contention last Friday… because the MGM picture is clearing up and it looks like production on 007 could begin by late summer or early fall, 2011 with Mendes at the helm and Daniel Craig back in the Aston Martin.”
It might be recalled that a couple of months ago development of the new James Bond film had been suspended indefinitely due to the uncertainty surrounding the future of MGM. The turnaround of the Bond situation probably means good news for the Hobbit movies too.
Posted in:
Share:
Things are moving in the Hobbit world; there are rumors afoot of castings, contracts, scripts and even start dates. It’s all very exciting and if you were at TORn’s panels at DragonCon this year, you were prepared for it!
Yes, TheOneRing.net was present again this year at one of the world’s biggest fan-based convention. Staffers from TORn ran a table over the course of the weekend, where we had the great pleasure of chatting to fans, meeting regular TORn visitors, catching up with old friends and faithful supporters, and introducing newbies to the joys of the website. Over the four days of the convention we gave out freebies, distributed candy to those brave enough to answer Tolkien trivia, sold t-shirts to help keep the website attending conventions and events, and provided the fun of the ‘Don’t you know you’re [sic] Sam?’ photo opportunity! Apologies Samwise fans, but we decapitated Sam in a hobbit standee, so folks could pose with their head in his place; and all kinds of aliens, cartoon characters, heroes and villains stepped up over the weekend to
offer to ‘share the load…’ For images from the weekend click here. Lots more written details after the break! Continue reading “The official ‘DragonCon 2010’ report (and photos!)”
Posted in:
Share:
