The two new Hobbit movies are finally on their way. following months of delays caused by funding problems, a row over actors’ wages and surgery for its director. Filming is taking place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand, directed by Peter Jackson, who also directed the hit Lord of the Rings trilogy. Though New Zealand unions threatened to strike over wages, but Jackson fought back with a promise to take filming to Eastern Europe, which would mean “a long, dry big-budget movie drought in this country,” according to Jackson. After this, New Zealand’s government changed wage laws and passed tax breaks to ensure filming stayed in the country. The book will be presented in two films, the first set to be released in late 2012.
Also, New Line, and MGM have released the movies official Facebook page.
Cast Listings:
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 Woodas Frodo. Jeffrey Thomas and Mike Mizrahi also join the cast as Dwarf Kings Thror and Thrain, respectively. Further casting announcements are expected.
Plot Synopsis:
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.
[More at BBC News]