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Peter Jackson Starts Filming ‘The Hobbit’

Production has commenced in Wellington, New Zealand, on “The Hobbit,” filmmaker Peter Jackson’s two film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s widely read masterpiece.

“The Hobbit” is set in Middle-earth 60 years before Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar-winning “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”

The two films, with screenplays by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson, will be shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming will take place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.

“The Hobbit” follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.

Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever … Gollum.

Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities … A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

Martin Freeman takes the title role as Bilbo Baggins and Ian McKellen returns in the role of Gandalf the Grey. The Dwarves are played by Richard Armitage (Thorin Oakenshield), Ken Stott (Balin), Graham McTavish (Dwalin), William Kircher (Bifur) James Nesbitt (Bofur), Stephen Hunter (Bombur), Rob Kazinsky (Fili), Aidan Turner (Kili), Peter Hambleton (Gloin), John Callen (Oin), Jed Brophy (Nori), Mark Hadlow (Dori) and Adam Brown (Ori). Reprising their roles from “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy are Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Andy Serkis as Gollum and Elijah Wood as Frodo. Jeffrey Thomas and Mike Mizrahi also join the cast as Dwarf Kings Thror and Thrain, respectively. Further casting announcements are expected.

“The Hobbit” is produced by Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, alongside Carolynne Cunningham. Executive producers are Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner, with Philippa Boyens as co-producer. The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, also from the production team of Jackson and Walsh, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office. In 2003, “The Return of the King” swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The trilogy’s production was also unprecedented at the time.

Among the creative behind-the-scenes team returning to Jackson’s crew are director of photography Andrew Lesnie, production designer Dan Hennah, conceptual designers Alan Lee and John Howe, composer Howard Shore and make-up and hair designer Peter King. Costumes are designed by Ann Maskrey and Richard Taylor.

Taylor is also overseeing the design and production of weaponry, armour and prosthetics which are once again being made by the award winning Weta Workshop. Weta Digital take on the visual effects for both films, led by the film’s visual effects supervisor, Joe Letteri. Post production will take place at Park Road Post Production in Wellington.

“The Hobbit” films are co-produced by New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television licensing being handled by MGM. The two films are planned for release in late 2012 and 2013, respectively.

8 Comments on Peter Jackson Starts Filming ‘The Hobbit’

  1. alex g: How would you equate a Decline in Ads, Cheap Awards, Flop Movie Gross & Poor Artists' Endorsements, from a high ratings (daw!?) claimed by gozon? // March 21, 2011 at 5:31 pm //

    Cheating & Data Tampering, Desperate Publicity, Mind Conditioning, Mislead Info’s, Rating Manipulations, etc.
    😎

  2. alex g: Did you know that gma7 was always the first channel that SIGNS-OFF the tv? And terminated by KBP for Television Code violations? Did you also know that AGB Nielsen Media Research has a pending case here & abroad? // March 21, 2011 at 5:31 pm //

    Early Signing-Off, Cost Cutting, Debt Increase & Financial Crisis.
    Words that best describes gma.
    😎

  3. alex g: What happened to the Titan Plugs of gma? I think that's what you called, "FLOP to KARMA" or "KARMA to FLOP" scenario. // March 21, 2011 at 5:31 pm //

    Pag d gawang gma, minsan nag re-rate.
    Pag gawang gma, basurang-basura.
    Bakit kaya?
    😎

  4. alex g: gma artists/shows are equipped with Very Poor Acting Skills, kaya dinadaan na lang sa mga effects & fighting pose (how stupid). // March 21, 2011 at 5:30 pm //

    Boboserye, Flopserye, Peryaserye, Pornoserye, O.A.serye, T.H.serye, etc.
    Practice Drama – tatak gma.
    😎

  5. alex g: Kapit-Tuko tlga si gozon sa ratings, (as usual pag PANIC time). TALUNAN kasi sa lahat ng bagay, mapa Ads, Awards, Movies o Endorsements. // March 21, 2011 at 5:30 pm //

    Weakness tlga ng gma ang lumaban ng patas.
    😎

  6. alex g: "Walang kinikilingan, walang pinoproteksyonan, walang kasinungalingan, walang bahid pulitika, serbisyong totoo lang", Dahil d natutulog ang balita, BAYARAN niyo kami para gumawa ng commercials 24 oras". // March 21, 2011 at 5:30 pm //

    Dahil sa Pera, nawala tuloy prinsipiyo.
    Mga mukhang pera tlga.
    😎

  7. alex g: Valentines Box Office King daw, ni wala nga kasabay na Filipino movie eh, 44.26M in 3 weeks lang!? (as compared to BULONG with 67.27M). May "Divine Intervention" pa raw, sabi ni mother lily (how stupid). // March 21, 2011 at 5:29 pm //

    “Napakahirap na ng buhay ngayon, kaya for a movie to make over P135 million in 3 days is a miracle. Divine intervention ito”.
    -lily monteverde (how stupid).
    😎

  8. this is one of the most anticipated movies. can’t wait for this one!

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