Sir Ian McKellen says shooting is finally set to begin in June but it still appears undecided as to whether The Hobbit will be filmed in 3D or not.
With industry sources saying The Hobbit will be in 3D and with Peter Jackson and Guillermo Del Toro both not taking an opportunity to kill off the rumor as happened originally when it was raised by MarketSaw back in 2007, the smart money says it will be.
Talking of money, the interest in a 3D Hobbit comes from the studios who are still drooling at the success of Avatar.
GDT told Torn the other week that the studio had brought up the idea and it was being discussed.
According to Stuff.co.nz who are usually spot on with all things middle Earth, the industry insider is adamant it will be in 3D and Weta Digital would be doing it following their Oscar for the work they did on Avatar.
Wingnut Films spokesman Matt Dravitzki told them:
“What Guillermo said on the blog is as far as things got. It’s a conversation being had by a lot of studios but that’s as much as it is at this stage. We don’t have a cast, we don’t have a green light, and until any of those things happen no decision around [3D] will be announced or made.”
Update: Sir Ian McKellen’s blog now says filming starts in July.
Has Avatar convinced you The Hobbit in 3D is a good idea?
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{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }
year! the Hobbit en 3D, c’est digne d’Avatar, enfin une bonne nouvelle. Vivement 2012 !
Actually, stuff.co.nz is usualy no more than 50% correct on any of it’s stories. They rarely listen to their sources, and often draw wild conclusions from out-of-context quotes.
A lot of their hobbit news comes from the Wellington paper The Dominion Post, who remain the only newspaper officially banned from all of Peter Jackson’s press conferences, mainly for creating untruths and scandals were there weren’t any.
Matthew Dravitski says no decision has been made reagrding 3D. I believe him. If you don’t know his name, google him – he’s (very) credible.
– Jack M.
I hope we don’t have 3D for The Hobbit. And no, Avatar did not convince me
I am afraid that the movie takes care more of 3D scenes than the history itself, and what is great in The Hobbit is the history, a history related by Tolkien. May Eru save The Hobbit!
@Alexandre “Morgoth”, But if u had a movie true to the story n all and 3D just an addition, wud u still hold da same views?
3-D? It’s just barely 2-D. The movies I’ve seen that start as 3D usually look a bit clumsy when they go to dvd or regular viewing. They should follow George Lucas’ example and film everything “normal” now, then in 30 years re-release in 3D or hologram or whatever is the new technology at that time. Stop the torture. Make the movie(s).
Avatar looked awesome both in 3D and 2D. I don’t believe it’s a necessity for a good Hobbit movie, but I will be just as pleased with a Jackson/Del Toro Hobbit film either way.
I’m more intrigued though by the confirmation that filming begins in June, which roughly confirms what a Wellington resident has revealed on the Hobbit forum attached to this site.
This would seem to indicate that PJ and DT are playing this one close to the vest, and that casting may indeed be complete despite anyone’s willingness to confirm.
No, it has not convinced me at all! It was a lovely film, but still it looked digital and in some places not real. It also talks against everyuthing we have seen in LOTR! A real built up world, Peter Jackson saying “we have to build the WHOLE world, not just part of it” and so on… Well how about not building ANYTHING up?
If it is good for the invironment, however, I could agree with it being an OK idea!
No to 3-D. Avatar focused more on special effects than plot and characters. That’s a real risk with filming in the 3-D – the temptation to spend so much time on the effects in order to justify the cost of filming in 3-D. In fact, I didn’t find Avatar in 3-D to be anything to get excited about. I do remember the 3-D glasses got uncomfortable and annoying after about half an hour, ruining the film experience for me.
@Dom, yeah u rite dom, i honestly thought the effects were stunning but the story and the acting a little week. the story is wat makes the hobbit gud, lets stick 2 that and u’ll see many hapi fans.
I think it should not be 3D. I like the old fashioned movies. Anyway, being an arachnophobe, seeing the spiders in Mirkwood in 3D would be way too much for me. in fact, with smaug and all that, I’d probably be screaming my head off for half the movie.
@Elrohir, As a story written for children that’s a very good point.
@The Hobbit, how ’bout both, the as long as da story is da same, thats wat is most important isn’t it?
No 3D the visual quality of Avatar was much better in 2D 3D had fuzzy edges
As long as 3D isn’t the focus of the film I don’t mind. The fact that they’re finally going to be shooting in June is far more important news as it means they are further into preparations then we (I) previously thought. Good for them if they put it into 3D format, as long as they keep true to the story!!!
@Joshua, Totally agree with you man.
Bilbo in 3D…well, it is not useful.
Just make a movie which can keep true to the story, we want something unforgetable and something Tolkien would have liked!
3d sounds great. But I agree that it shouldn’t be the focus. When a film is at the cinema it is only for a short time, the years after are more important to it’s continued success.
oh and do we know who is supplying music?
I recommend the Amazing Mediaeval Baebes 6 part harmonies and incredible arrangements.Perfect for this film!http://www.mediaevalbaebes.com/
I frankly hope it isn’t in 3D. That would just take away from the artistry of the film and the story. I think they ought to spend the money for the film making sure the cinematography and digital work is impeccable, not trying to follow in the steps of Avatar to make a quick buck at the theater. Avatar was decent but not stupendous, and The Hobbit is not Avatar.
I am very weary of making The Hobbit in 3D.Avatar was ok but it did look cartoonish a points and I just know that the film would turn into a 3D story not a true hobbits tale.
No. In lord of the rings the main way they scaled the hobbits down was with “Forced Perspective” which requires 2D.
I think that P. Jackson of all people will have the ability to spend on 3D and invest in the story, one does not come instead of the other – as long as Peter Jackson is involved in the making, this movie will be awesome – just stay true to the original story so that you won’t dissapoint the audiance.
Well Avatar did not conviced me…
Surely the Effects were great and the 3D expierence too but nothing more…I did not like it as a movie itself…
Surely the Film studio want to earn money and The Hobbit is sure success…So 3D will give them more money…
But we need to consider that The Lord Of The Rings trilogy that we all love was made with love and respect…And i want the Hobbit to be like the trilogy…So im not sure about the 3D…Cause they may thing nothing else but money…And then the Hobbit will surely will dissapiont us…
Please don’t make the Hobbit in 3D! 3D is for movies that don’t have anything else to offer…
Make a “grown up” movie.
I went to see Avatar in 3D and i didnt think it did anything for it, there wasnt any moments where anything was actually coming out of the screen but this could be totally different for the Hobbit. I personally dont want the Hobbit in 3D, because i really don’t want it to be messed up since it’s my fave book!
done well 3D could be a bonus but the reality is all lotr and hobbit fan will go to watch it regardless so where is the financial benefit in 3d personally i can not wait getting very excited already just take the fastest route please. omg is it to early to start counting the days?
when i first hear this early on, i guess in 2007, i was dead set against 3d, seemed gimicky. But after watching Avatar, I absolutely thinki it should be in 3D, Tolkien’s world was made for 3d. Avatar had none of the old 3d gimmicks of things meant to make you jump. It was very artistic and drew you into the fantasy world. To be honest, not that impressed with the Avatar story, but the visuals were amazing in 3d. Frankly, as Cameron has done in the past, he stole a bit from Tolkien’s Middle Earth, but then again, who hasn’t. I am absolutely on the side of 3d if meant to make it more epic. It’s perfect for Middle Earth. Now, just too bad Lord of the Rings couldn’t be done in 3d. I’m guessing it someday will
@Antonius Block, I totally agree. All I enjoyed about Avatar was the 3D for making the audience get more immersed in the story. If DT and PJ can get it right by focusing on the story and acting, the 3D can just be used as a bonus to immerse us in the story more (as long as they don’t go crazy with stuff flying out at us). But at the same time, I’d be 100% okay with regular 2D.
NO! 3D is EVIL! Don’t destroy the precious with that crap!
Seriously, 3D is just a cheap trick. It cheapens the art of film. I pray Del Toro and Jackson are above such trivial garbage! The Hobbit should not be tailored for the same dumbass mass market as Avatar’s!
Why dont they just do the same thing as they did with lotr, im a huge fan of the books, but i still loved the films, i think if they did it in 3d it would draw the attention to that,not to the story, or the writing or the acting, all of these are still more important than wether you can see the spiders coming out of the screen
A 3D Hobbit movie would be amazing! I’ve just been watching clips from Clash of the Titans and Avatar and the same technology being used for The Hobbit would be amazing and would hopefully supercede the beauty and wonder of Lord of the Rings. It’d take a lot of effort to compete against Clash and Avatar though; can giant spiders stand up against giant scorpions (as seen in Clash)? I look immensely forward to The Hobbit and hope it’s not rushed in any way.
Don’t make The Hobbit in 3D.just do the same thing as they did with lotr.3D isn’t good at all.it’ll just destroy the movie.and the people who really love the story won’t be satisfied.they want to enjoy the story,the places it takes,the acting.so,just make it like the lotr.don’t break it!
NO to 3-D!I am so against this movie being in 3-D! 3d movies tend to influence the effects way too much and take attention away from the story and action.And the film makers start making everything come out at you. I just want these movies to blend seamless with the Lord of the Rings movies. Those movies were made near perfectly! don’t change it!!
@Matthew Hannan,
I absolutely agree with you. I’d hate to go watch the film and have it reduced to:
Dwarves arrive
Walk
Trolls attack
Walk
Orcs attack
Gollum
Walk
Spiders attack
Float down the river
Dragon attack
There’s a lot more to this story than just plain action and landcapes. I really hope they don’t tear it apart…
the rumours are getting worse, guys. there’s talk of 4D (where you feel and smell things). this is beyond gimmicky – i’m guessing gollum is going to smell disgusting, it will be hot and stuffy under the mountain etc – who wants to be uncomfortable whilst watching a film? i’ll be watching it in 2D, but I’d feel cheated. money spent on these gimmicks when they don’t even seem to have worked out who’s playing most of the characters yet. this better be nothing more than a rumour.
@Lee, The 4D story was an April fools joke started by the good folk at Total Film
Okay that’s a fail on my part then, lmao!
God — I so wish this idea that every movie needs to be 3D would never have happened. The films are too dark, they make my head hurt and cost more. The glasses are uncomfortable, too. Another thing, they also hog up the big theaters while the crappy small theaters at the Multiplex gets the 2D version. I enjoyed UP! so much more when I bought the Blu-ray version than when I spent a small fortune and brought the family to see it in the theatre.
The ONLY film I ever really enjoyed was the IMAX 3D version of A Christmas Carol. The lighting and the whole experience was a great one.
Every other time, I was annoyed. However, it makes so much money so it’s here to stay regardless. Fortunately, the DVDs don’t take too long to get to retail, so I’ll probably go to the movies less.
This whole 3D thing is getting really stupid. Aside from a few films, most movies made in 3D are no different from their 2D counterparts, except for the nagging headache you get. Kill the 3D idea, its nothing but money-grabbing.
Look, I am a HUGE LOTR and Hobbit fan, and I trust that peter jackson knows a little more about delivering a good movie than all you nay sayers.
the movie is gonna be good 2 or 3d. My only plea is that is you are gonna do a 3d movie, do it like avatar. With full intent during the filming, and not as an afterthought like in clash of the titans. That was just downright distracting.
And the whole point in 3d is not to have three stupid things dangled in your face for no apparent reason throughout the movie.
It is to make you feel as if you are a part of something impossible. Avatar did that perfectly. I want that with the hobbit. I want to feel like i am in middle earth for two to three hours. Who wouldn’t. If done right( and it can be), this could be an unforgettable experience.
The Hobbit 3D would be only a Disneyworld attraction, not a great movie as it could be… there’s no needing of 3D technology to have a spectacular movie: I left Avatar after 40 minutes, and I think that without 3D it could have been better…
Let’s hope!
I really don’t want it done in 3-D. I find them difficult to watch if you’re anywhere near the front of the theatre. And although Avatar was amazing I enjoyed it just as much when I saw it in 2D as I did in 3D.
Why don’t you people cry a little more about it. “Just don’t see it in 3d if you don’t like that!”
Its pretty simple and you’ll save a few dollars. Like the last person said, he believes avatar was better without 3d. You know why? B/c the movie was good and wasn’t about the stupid scenes where things just point at you from the screen. It was a well done movie that was enhanced with 3d( if you wanted to see it like that) I saw both, both were good.
I just find so many of you guys posts so annoying. Trust me, there will be a 2d version of it for you losers too. go see that and quit crying about.
And to the people afraid that not enough trees are gonna sing for a day or that gollum and bilco won’t play freaking tidly winks for three hours, just read the book and watch a few more movies. Understand that all that is on paper does not make for a great cinematic experience.
This one will likely be as spot on as a movie can be. It is one of the shortest JRTT books and it is being split into 2 movies( i think).
If they can do it without sacrificing resources for the meat and potatoes of the film, why not? 3D is great and all, but with a wife who gets sick in 3D, I’ll still have to miss out.
Please no 3D. 3D is too distracting from the actual elements of characters and story, taking away from the cinematic qualities, from motivated shots. Watching digital effects with actors embedded within is distracting and depressing. As popular as it was at the time, did “House of Wax” endure as a valuable work? “Creature From the Black Lagoon”? Those are fun films, but Tolkien’s stories are more complex and valuable than that. “Avatar” was completely stupid, same goes for “Alice In Wonderland.” No one will care about those films in 25 years.
Seriously: the special effects are not worth the annoying glasses. It’s not exactly something that you can forget hanging on to your face. Indeed, the quality of the glasses is so low, that I can say with some conviction that they distract me from the movie.
3-D is over rated and still in the stone age compared to what I consider 3-D. In any case, The Hobbit is such an epic story 3-D isn’t really necessary. IMO 3-D was designed to draw the viewers attention away from the lame plot. Which obviously isn’t the situation with The Hobbit. Not that Avatar wasn’t a decent story, it was, but it will be forgotten in a year or two. The hobbit is timeless.
3D is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard. i mean we all just want to sit back relax and watch the film, not have to keep adjusting the very un-comfortable 3d googles.
however cannot wait for the films release, very much anticipated
I think with peter jackson on board to help with the production of the film he will keep it true to the true storyline of the hobbit. As long as they dont lose focus of whats truly important to the hobbit fans and use 3d just as a measurre to draw non-readers it should be a great film
@daly91, PJ did write the screenplay for this….
Making the Hobbit in 3d would take away for the experience if the movie! Sure some of the scenes would be incredible to see in 3d but overall it should stay in 2d. Plus they are finding that the human eye is not compatable with the 3d tech, in something like 25% of people it causes eyesrtain and headaches. I saw Avatar in 3d and fall into that 25%, walked out after the movie with a massive migraine.
i hope they don’t totally ruin these films with 3D. 3D is totally overrated and most the time they spend a few months switching a movie to 3D and it totally blows like Clash of the titans in 3D (horrible). Considering also they are making the hobbit into 2 movies (very good idea) means they better keep the movie very much like the book cause both movies should be close to 3 hours or more if they are smart so they have plenty of time to put the whole book in there and add the typical Death in the movies somewhere to add drama ( like in the Two Towers when they killed off Haldir who lived in the books made me sad) but maybe they won’t add some cheesy death and just make a Bad ass 6 hours of two hobbit movies but one can only hope!!
@nova, Totally agree. 3D is just another Hollywood gimmick. The kind that continues to make Hollywood less art and more accounting in movies.
Avatar was a good movie. But did not have any expectation, the hobbit is completely different. There is no need for some fat cat movie executive to push for 3d just because they think it will make a few more bucks. Its obvious hollywood has run out of decent stories so they need novelties to get audiences, but lotr and the hobbit already have an excellent story that does not need a 3d gimmick. All 3d can possibly do is take away they stories impact. When will the fat cats realise lotr made enough money as it was, so will the hobbit in 2d.
Avatar was terrible! Actually the storyline was terrible.Effects were good though. Hobbit 3d would be pretty awesome i reckon.
I’d be happy to see it in 3D. Whatever happens, the producers will stick to the naturalistic New Zealand settings of the trilogy and sew in the CGI, so it will be nothing like the exlusive CGI rendering of Avatar. If you have doubts about the abilities of 3D to covincingly portray natural landscapes take a look at some of the IMAX material being released for Blu-ray on a 3D telly.