Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens were interviewed on radio NZ last Thursday (before unions lifted the blacklist on ‘The Hobbit’). Both ladies are clearly frustrated at the situation and are not afraid to show it. With WB execs flying in next week it is clear that Walsh, Boyens and Jackson are the only 3 people that can possibly save The Hobbit from leaving NZ. If they manage to prove NZ is a good choice as a location to make the films all can be saved. Now we wait…
These clips were previously available as MP3’s, however to add them to YouTube we’ve added a few photos of Fran, Philippa and Peter through the years. Take a listen.
WELLINGTON — New Zealand’s economy could lose as much as $1.5 billion if Warner Bros. relocates its production of “The Hobbit” with the country’s burgeoning film suffering long-term damage, economists said on Friday. New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson shot his blockbuster “Lord of the Rings” trilogy in his home country, which bolstered the local film industry, and he planned to shoot a two-part adaption of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” locally as well. But the project’s future in New Zealand is now in doubt after actors’ unions boycotted working on “The Hobbit” and Time Warner Inc.’s Warner Bros started looking for alternative locations for the estimated $500 million production. More..
The media in New Zealand has been careful to give both sides of the dispute regarding the Australian and New Zealand actors’ unions and the possibilities that the two-part “Hobbit” production might leave the nation’s shores. Union spokespersons have claimed in several interviews (look down our page for video) that movie studios knew of the lifting of the “do not work” ban days ago and delayed the announcement, something Peter Jackson and Philipa Boyens have denied in the same interviews. Now New Line Cinema has released an official statement regarding the entire dispute.
Recent reports that the boycott of The Hobbit was lifted by unions a number of days ago and that Warner Bros asked to delay this announcement are false. It was not until last night that we received confirmation of the retractions from SAG, NZ Equity and Continue reading “New Line issues statement about ‘Hobbit’ boycott”
Anyone else noticing a rather interesting trend? A few of the major NZ New Agencies are getting interviews with Peter Jackson and Philippa Boyens on the actual sets for the upcoming Hobbit films. The previous interview from TVNZ was in Gollum’s Cave (see below), and the following from 3 News is inside the rebuilt Bag End set! Thanks to Ringer Pippin for the link. (Hey, I want to see Smaug’s Lair please) [3News Video]
Close Up’s Mark Sainsbury spoke with Sir Peter Jackson and Philippa Boyens about the dispute surrounding The Hobbit. The location for the interview was the set for Gollum’s Cave currently under construction. The video can be viewed here.
Portions of the interview have been transcribed by TORn message board gem Ataahua who’s faithfully been keeping us updated of the scene as it unfolds down in New Zealand. Highlights from the transcription follow:
PJ: “There are sets behind us being made to shoot on. This is Gollum’s cave for goodness’ sake. It [the allegation that Warner Bros. always wanted to take The Hobbit overseas] is absolute junk. One month ago, no one in a million years thought this movie was going to leave the country. At that point [four weeks ago] the confidence in our country as a stable base to make movies was eroded. Is the movie going to come or go? We don’t know. Unfortunately, lifting the blacklist doesn’t have anyting to do with it: The damage will be done. Warners are coming here next Monday and we’ve got to fight like hell.”
Mark Sainsbury: “Right here, Thursday night, what is the status of The Hobbit?”
Philippa: “Probably going out the door.”
PJ: “Yeah. The studio are coming through on Monday and I’m wracking my brains to find out what they need to get the confidence that they need.”
The transcription can be viewed in over at our message boards using this link.
