Message board member Ataahua sends this in ‘hot off the press’ from stuff.co.nz:
Film-maker Sir Peter Jackson can’t guarantee The Hobbit will ever be made as concerns grow that a lack of jobs is causing movie industry workers to leave Wellington. However, a spokesman for Jackson confirmed yesterday that the second of three Tintin movies will be shot in Wellington. Jackson will direct the film, with production duties going to Steven Spielberg – a reversal of their roles from the first film, to be released next year. But Robert Baldock, of Wellington’s Westside Studios, said shooting the film may not come in time to stop the drain of the capital’s movie production talent. “If somebody was to come here with a major movie right now and wanted to get some talent, they might struggle because it’s drifted north. They’re being offered three-year contracts on [TV show] Power Rangers. It is a lower rate than The Hobbit would offer, but they’re looking for that continuity” Read the entire story here.
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Drama-heavy FX is getting serious about comedy. To wit: The cabler has successfully wooed ex-hobbit Elijah Wood to headline its in-the-works U.S. remake of the hit Australian sitcom Wilfred.
The project, which is being adapted by Family Guy vet David Zuckerman, revolves around a guy (Wood), a girl, and a mixed-breed dog named Wilfred, whom Zuckerman describes as “part Labrador retriever and part Russell Crowe on a bender.”
This marks Wood’s first major foray into television. The Lord of the Rings vet will next be seen in the fall film The Romantics opposite Katie Holmes, Josh Duhamel, and Anna Paquin.
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A quote on Ain’t It Cool News has been posted under “Of Incomplete Stories Regarding Spiderman And The Hobbit” and is from a source named “Derek”. For those who are familiar with Peter Jackson’s Bad Taste, the character of Derek was played by Jackson himself. When Harry Knowles asked “Derek” whether he was directing, he said:
No, nothing has really changed – I’ve always said that me directing was one option, and so that’s not really news. The studio are working out what that deal would look like, because how else do they know if it’s a viable option? But it’s honestly one of several different options – many irons are in the fire right now. What’s of great concern to everyone right now is trying to stay on schedule and not slip back another year, because we will start losing people – and that’s increasingly difficult as each day passes. A lot of people – both film makers and studios are working very hard right now, trying to get a positive outcome here.”
It appears all sides are pushing feverishly to get The Hobbit moving as quickly as possible. Time is of the essence though hurdles obviously still remain. Stay tuned to TORN as updates and news continues to unfold.
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Chris writes: The former Mystery Science Theater 3000 guys (now of RiffTrax.com) have finally completed their riffing of the LOTR theatrical films with yesterday’s release of the track for Return of the King, now available here. As you’ll see from the previews, RiffTrax commentaries completely change the character of their subject movies with hilarious results. Previews of the Lord of the Rings Trilogy RiffTrax are available on YouTube:
Fellowship of the Ring (fan made)
The Two Towers (fan made)
Return of the King
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Most fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit could not imagine a role for Megan Fox in the delayed-but-upcoming film. And neither can her Jonah Hex director Jimmy Heyward, who did remark to FOXNews that Fox was a big fan of Lord Of The Rings.
When asked if she might snag a roll in The Hobbit, he replied “No! She’s too hot for that.”
However, PopEater mentions Fox frequently visits Lord Of The Rings forums (TORN message board, anyone?) and “speaks nerd fluently”.
While The Hobbit may not fit, perhaps we’ll see the luminous Ms. Fox go after the role of Luthien Tinuviel in a future adaptation of The Silmarillion. But if she’s chosen as a Wood-elves princess or a beautiful resident of Laketown, here’s hoping she announces it on TORN first!
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Fans of JRR Tolkien and Fantasy Literature are set to be taken on a voyage of discovery following the launch of two exciting new on-line courses at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff. The courses will be taught by Dr Dimitra Fimi, starting in October 2010, and will be open to students and adult learners all over the world. Fantasy Literature: From Victorian Fairy Tales to Modern Imaginary Worlds will explore the fascinating world of fantasy literature, from its Victorian roots to its latest examples.
J.R.R. Tolkien: Myth and Middle-earth in Context will examine J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium, from his much-loved The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, to his extended mythology. For more information please visit the courses website at here. For Frequently Asked Questions see here.
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