“The Hobbit” still has not been officially greenlighted, but director Peter Jackson is in Los Angeles this week quietly meeting with actors. The casting trip, which also included stops in New York and the U.K., underscores the progress being made on a complex series of deals to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel to the big screen.

Sources say Jackson’s pact with Warner Bros. to direct the two-part “Hobbit” adaptation is close to done, but the sticking point continues to be the dire financial situation at MGM, which holds half the rights to the property. More..

From www.smh.com.au When The Diary’s Hobbiton correspondent, Steve Meacham, spoke to Sir Ian McKellen, he made sure to ask him about – what else? – the possibility of his reprising Gandalf in a film adaptation of The Hobbit. ”I’m waiting to hear when the Hobbit is going to be made,” McKellen said. ”We don’t know who is going to direct it. Peter Jackson is currently the producer and he’s currently casting it. I’ve just been to Wellington where I met a lot of people who have been working on it for a year now. The sets are being built. The costumes are being designed. The creatures are being designed. It is all ready to go. Continue reading “More Gandalf Magic”

It’s here! KING KONG 360 3-D opens TODAY at Universal Studios Hollywood! To launch the highly-anticipated, next-generation attraction featuring the famed 25’ tall gorilla, Hollywood stars, and TORn’s very own Quickbeam, gathered at the premiere to be the first visitors to take the ride. Peter Jackson, appeared 3-D via an enormous HD flat screen monitor to introduce the ground-breaking 3D technology that is employed in the new attraction. Check out TheOneRing.net’s unfettered access to the attraction, the park and the folks on the red carpet!

And if you are in Los Angeles soon, don’t forget to take the Universal Studios backlot tour to see KING KONG 3-D for yourself! [Learn More]