The Hobbit Trailer Online! is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

The Hobbit is to be filmed in Nelson at the end of this year! And 400-500 crew and cast will be staying in the region. Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, and is the economic and cultural centre of the Nelson-Tasman region. Established in 1841, it is the second oldest settled city in New Zealand.

The Hobbit publicist Melissa Booth said she was unable to confirm locations.

“We’re just looking forward and trying to get the film made. I think everyone is happy to be back at work.”

Pohara motelier Steve du Feu said the filming of The Hobbit was “good news” for businesses in Golden Bay. His motel, The Sandcastle, is one of a number in Golden Bay that have been booked out by 3 Foot 7 for 10 days in mid-November and a week in early December.

“The increased activity in the bay associated with this will be an awesome boost after what has been a pretty quiet winter. The crew will be made to feel very welcome,” he said.

Bob Haswell of Clifftops Retreat in Ruby Bay said he had friends working on the film in Wellington and “it looks like some of them might be coming to Nelson”.

Mr Haswell is connected to Tasman Helicopters, which was involved during the filming of parts of The Lord of the Rings trilogy in the Nelson region, but he said the company had not been approached about helping with The Hobbit.

Nelson Mayor Aldo Miccio said the likelihood that The Hobbit crew might be coming to Nelson was news to him, but he was not surprised. “It’s in line with what we have been hearing – that Nelson is going to be a destination for filming.”

He said the crew of Kiwi Flyer had told him that word was spreading that Nelson was “the place to come”.

“I think we’re going to see a lot more of this in the future.”

Source: stuff.co.nz

A Nelson-shaped part of Middle Earth is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Bilbo reads intently as his guests look on…

Source: Empire Magazine

Site photo with Bilbo! Wow! is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt, known for his leading “tough-guy” roles, spoke recently about playing the reclusive and heroic Beorn.

In The Hobbit, Beorn is an immense brawny shapeshifter, who is vegetarian and lives in a wooden house between the Misty Mountains and Mirkwood on his own after the Orcs killed the rest of his race. Beorn can transform at will into a bear. Mikael describes a scene, which could well be the part of the story where Beorn interrogates a wolf and a goblin to verify Gandalf’s story.

In an interview (translated from Swedish), Mikael spoke about what it was like to play Beorn.

“When, during the first days, I was hoisted up to the ceiling in the west King Kong studio in Wellington, I knew what to do. Even though it was embarrassing and a hassle to start with a severe torture scene, I knew I could even suggest things.”

Peter Jackson was impressed with your audition.

“I did not made it complicated. Just as one can imagine “how exactly would I react if I lose a child ?”…

[He bends down and knocks in the wooden floor.]

” … no more than I can imagine “what am I like as a Shapeshifter”?, living with horses and animals in the forest. One must look into oneself and try. I act pretty much in the same way in “The Hobbit” as I would in a love drama.”

There has been much anticipation of “The Hobbit”.

“I bought a mountain bike in New Zealand and was often up biking in the mountains while I was waiting.”

It is the in the Hamilton-movies that you trained your body?

“Yes, but it comes in damn handy in New Zealand. It is for Hamilton that I was with the Navy Seals and the Swedish equivalent. I’ve been at this gym.” [He points to the shirt with "Nacka martial arts center."]

“I drive all the time. Including this morning. Two miles uphill and then weights. It has become like a poison to me. Six days a week.”

You practice your English?

“Yes, I do that with Peter Jackson’s film. In Hamilton I talk in both Russian and English. I try to be a good student. I have had some resistance. It was useless to go for English lessons at home when you did not have concrete offers abroad.”

Source: Nojes Bladent

Beorn talks about being a bear is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Orlando Bloom spoke recently about Wellington, the Hobbit Movie set and his up and coming roles.

He said of Wellington “Wellington is remarkably unchanged after 10 years… It hasn’t been hit by the onslaught of consumerism…” and admitted that he would like to spend more time there.

When asked about how the Hobbit Movie is going to compare with the success of the LoTR movies, Orlando spoke about his impression of the studios, which have grown massively since the last movies, saying they had “a remarkable setup”. He also praised director Peter Jackson.

The new movie is being shot in 3D, but this does not pose any additional challenges as an actor – it just takes a little longer to set up.

When quizzed about his apparent penchant for roles where he gets to dress up in “interesting outfits and long hair”, he laughed and said this was not a pre-requisite and that he just wanted to “have fun”.

Source: 3news.co.nz

Long hair and dressing up not a pre-requisite for Orlando is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Leaving Flynn, their baby son, tucked up at home, Orlando Bloom and wife, Victoria’s Secret model Miranda Kerr, braved the New Zealand chill to view a four-bedroom open plan waterfront home featuring a gym, home cinema, spa, swimming pool, home cinema, wine cellar and spectacular views across Karaka Bay.

Orlando, playing Legolas, has already been in New Zealand for two weeks. He was joined by Miranda and Flynn a week ago, after the Victoria’s Secret model had returned to the catwalk for the first time since giving birth, for the David Jones department store in Sydney, Australia.

Source: Mail Online

Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr hunt for Hobbit hole is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Lost star Evangeline Lilly is the latest celebrity to join the cast of The Hobbit. The 31-year-old actress, who played Kate Austen in Lost, was in New Zealand to play Woodland Elf, Tauriel, as Peter Jackson announced on his Facebook page. He said, “Her name means ‘daughter of Mirkwood’ and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing!”. Sadly there will be no romantic connection to Legolas. Read his full letter below:

Yikes! I can finally get back to some postings! We’ve finished our first block of shooting and moved straight into location scouting. More on that soon… But today, I’m thrilled to announce two new cast members who will be joining us for our second block of shooting.

Evangeline Lilly will be playing a new character‚the Woodland Elf, Tauriel. Her name means ‘daughter of Mirkwood’ and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing! (No, there is no romantic connection to Legolas.) What is not a secret is how talented and compelling an actress Evangeline is; we are thrilled and excited she will be the one to bring our first true Sylvan Elf to life.

I’m also highly excited that Barry Humphries will be portraying the Goblin King, in much the way Andy Serkis created Gollum. Barry is perhaps best known for his business and social connections as the long-time manager of Dame Edna Everage. He has also been an ardent supporter of the rather misunderstood and unfairly maligned Australian politician, Sir Les Patterson. However, in his spare time, Barry is also a fine actor, and we’re looking forward to seeing him invest the Goblin King with the delicate sensitivity and emotional depth this character deserves.

Evangeline and Barry, along with Welsh actor Luke Evans as Bard and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug, just about rounds out the major casting. I cannot wait to get stuck into these new scenes!

More soon, including a flurry of answers to your questions. Sorry for the delay!

Cheers, Peter J.

 Source: Peter Jackson's Facebook Page

Star of Lost joins The Hobbit Cast is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Peter Jackson has just posted on his Facebook page that Rob Kazinsky, who was cast in the role of Fili, is having to leave The Hobbit and return home, for personal reasons.

I am sad to report that Rob Kazinsky, who was cast in the role of Fili, is having to leave The Hobbit and return home, for personal reasons.  Rob has been terrific to work with and his enthusiasm and infectious sense of humour will be missed by all of us. I should say that Rob’s departure will not affect ongoing filming of The Hobbit, nor will it impact work done to date, as we had yet to film much of Fili’s storyline. At the moment we are shooting scenes featuring Bilbo without the Dwarves, which will give us time to find a new Fili. I’ll keep everyone posted with updates as they come.

Cheers,

Peter J

Rob Kazinsky commented via Twitter:

Thanks for all your support, Peter and team have been the most wonderful and supportive team to work for and it’s with a truly sad heart that things have turned out this way. The Hobbit will go on to be as great as i’ve seen and I will miss the family and friends that i’ve here, From every disaster i’ve tried to make an opportunity. “john d rokerfeller”

Source: Peter Jackson

Rob Kazinsky (Fili) to leave The Hobbit is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

Freeman, when asked about the trouble the production has faced recently and if he is concerned about a “Hobbit” curse, admitted:

“I’m not [worried],” he said of the so-called curse. “There are some bits of bad luck to do with it, I guess, that are almost comical, I suppose. But we’re all very optimistic about it. We’re all ready to go, just as soon as 2015 rolls around. We will be there and ready.”

Freeman also admitted to taking inspiration from Sir Ian Holm, who played Bilbo in the Lord of the Rings trilogy:

Obviously I’ve been looking at what he was doing,” he said. “There’s a certain level, of course, at which I have to match what he was doing and then forget it as well. Without being either big-headed or falsely modest, I think I’m quite a good match for him. I mean, I’ve seen worse matches … we’ll find out.”

Source: airlockalpha.com

Martin Freeman not worried about ‘Hobbit’ curse is a post from: The Hobbit Movie

The Hobbit movies finally got some good news today when it was announced the project had received the green light from the studios and it was confirmed Peter Jackson would be in the directors chair as well as the producer and co-writer seats.

“Exploring Tolkien’s Middle-earth goes way beyond a normal film-making experience,” said Jackson. “It’s an all-immersive journey into a very special place of imagination, beauty and drama. We’re looking forward to re-entering this wondrous world with Gandalf and Bilbo—and our friends at New Line Cinema, Warner Brothers and MGM.

Warner Bros, New Line Cinema and MGM also announced shooting on The Hobbit would begin in February 2011 and would be shot in 3D.

Where the movies will be shot is still up in the air as the dispute with New Zealand Actors’ Equity shows no signs of coming to an end.

According to The Hollywood Reporter Peter Jackson as shortlisted 5 alternative locations should they decide to move The Hobbit from New Zealand where he shot his Lord of The Rings trilogy.

The Hobbit Movie Gets Green Light is a post from: The Hobbit Movie