The Hobbit

[Geekyfanboy]

'The Hobbit' Delayed Yet Again, But This Time For A Good Reason
By Scott Harris | January 27, 2011 |

Boy, those poor dudes trying to film "The Hobbit" sure have been having a rough time of it. Ever since Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy finished up back in 2003, everyone involved in movies — from actors to executives to, most of all, fans — has been waiting for "The Hobbit" to get off the ground.

But despite the amount of money the film is guaranteed to make, "The Hobbit" has struggled to get off the ground for nearly eight years, being delayed by everything from the studio refusing to greenlight it, to original director Guillermo del Toro dropping out to the New Zealand film community staging a labor protest.

And now this: just when the movie seemed ready to start filming, "The Hobbit" has been delayed yet again due to a sudden medical emergency — involving Peter Jackson himself.

Yes, unfortunately, it's true: according to the New Zealand website Stuff, Peter Jackson was rushed to the hospital last night with a perforated ulcer, which required immediate surgery. The good news is Jackson is expected to make a full recovery. The bad news is, of course, that filming on "The Hobbit" will be delayed yet again.

Of course, it could have been far worse; perforated ulcers are no joke, as they involve acid from your stomach eating its way out and literally burning through your body. Eerily, "Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" author J.R.R. Tolkein himself died from complications caused by a perforated ulcer. Luckily for everyone, however, Jackson appears to be in no danger thanks to the magic of modern medicine.

Just how long 'The Hobbit" will be delayed is unclear, but for now, the priority for Jackson is getting healthy.

And six billion movie fans wish him a very, very fast recovery.

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Bah, cmonnnnn. 

Many good wishes towards Jackson for a swift and full recovery.  :)

King

[Bromptonboy]

Shooting of The Hobbit is to be delayed one last time (hopefully) after Director Peter Jackson underwent an emergency operation for a perforated ulcer last night in Wellington, New Zealand.
A short statement was just released saying:
"Sir Peter is currently resting comfortably and his doctors expect him to make a full recovery."
Filming was due to start on February 14th and actors are currently at 'Hobbit camp' preparing for the heavy schedule.
The statement went on to say that Sir Peter's surgery is not expected to impact on his directing commitment to The Hobbit beyond a slight delay to the start of filming.
Hopefully PJ will be back on his feet in no time and back in Middle-earth....... Get well soon Sir Peter

[Bromptonboy]

In an interview with The Irish Film & Television Network, Lord of the Rings and Hobbit casting director Ros Hubbard lets slip that Saoirse Ronan is a done deal. She was asked about the Irish contingent in The Hobbit and is reported to have said:
"Jimmy (Nesbitt) is thrilled to bits, his whole family have gone out (to New Zealand), it is just wonderful. And working with Peter Jackson is like working with a family. So they'll have a great time. Saoirse's family will go too, everyone is very close and very loving on those sorts of jobs. It's not like typical studio movies at all."
Saoirse has long been rumoured for the part of new character Itaril which we first told you about last January and she recently said if it were offered, she would take the part. The casting call that went out described the part as:
ITARIL – female, A woodland Elf, this character is one the Silvan Elves. The Silvan Elves are seen as more earthy and practical. Shorter than other elves, she is still quick and lithe and physically adept, being able to fight with both sword and bow. Showing promise as a fighter at a young age, ITARIL was chosen to train to become part of the Woodland King's Guard. This is the only life she has ever expected to live, until she meets and secretly falls in love with a young ELF LORD. This role will require a wig and contact lenses to be worn. Some prosthetic make-up may also be required. LEAD. AGE: 17-27.
Ros said casting for The Hobbit has been easier than for the Lord of the Rings movies.
"It was a huge event but it was smaller than the three Lord Of The Rings. And it is still going on to a degree in that little things change, but the actors are all out in New Zealand now," she said.
While it appears to be a slip of the tongue for Ros, given that she's the casting director its probably a safe bet that Saoirse Ronan has signed on the dotted line. The talented 16 year old has worked with Jackson before on The Lovely Bones and you may have also seen her in City of Ember, Atonement and The Way Back

[Meds]

James Nesbitt is in it, oh sheesh !!!!

[Geekyfanboy]

Monday 7 February, Wellington – Production company, 3Foot7 Ltd, is pleased to announce that the first day of principal photography for THE HOBBIT will be Monday 21 March, 2011.

This date has been chosen following practical considerations of the filming schedule requirements, actor availability and the NZ seasons. Shooting will take place at Stone Street Studios in Miramar and on location around New Zealand.

Confirmed cast include: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow, Adam Brown, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, Mikael Persbrant, Sylvester McCoy and Elijah Wood. Director, Sir Peter Jackson, comments: "Despite some delays we are fully back on track and very excited to get started."

[ElfManDan]

Bilbo and the Dwarves picture from
http://blastr.com/2011/02/image-of-the-day-1st-cast.php

[KingIsaacLinksr]

Hmm..."are you a little tall for a dwarf?"  ;)

King

[ElfManDan]

It's interesting to think that they have to make every one of these guys look small on screen.

[Bromptonboy]

Hmmm, none of them look like a Bombur to me.

[Meds]

Cool pic, i can see Nesbitt and armitage on that photo as well.

[Geekyfanboy]

There was a press conference interview that went along with that photo.. I'll see if I can find it again.. the guys look like they are having fun.. I think they know what is in store for them.

[Meds]

Press conference in audio form,

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2011/02/11/42201-complete-audio-of-the-hobbit-press-conference/

[Bromptonboy]

James Nesbitt and his family have found the move from their London home to New Zealand a struggle, he told a Press conference in Wellington. Nesbitt, who plays Bofur, one of the dwarfs in The Hobbit, relocated to Wellington for a year last month with his wife Sonia and their two daughters to star in Peter Jackson's new movie.
"I brought my family here, so it was a big move for them, and I think a difficult move," he told a Press conference in Wellington.
"Kids at a certain age don't necessarily want to be dragged to the other side of the world, but they've certainly been made to feel very welcome; they are loving the schools," he added.
The father-of-two said he was delighted to be involved in the film and described it as an "adventure".
"To be part of that is an adventure, not only professionally but for all of us personally as well," he said. "We've been made to feel incredibly at home. We are very aware that we are part of something significant and, hopefully, very large."
James Nesbitt finds Hobbit relocation a struggle is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

[Meds]

After just seeing Christopher Lee take the BAFTA fellowship award I seriously can't see him flying to New Zealand he's way to frail bless him. They will have to come here to film him.