Nov 30 2009 06:48 PM ET

'The Hobbit': production could begin by mid-2010 and casting is moving forward

Relax, Middle Earth fans. There’s no need to panic.

Yesterday, TheOneRing.net posted a story speculating that the release dates of both Hobbit movies could get pushed from their tentative December spots in 2011 and 2012. The theory arose from comments that Hobbit co-writer and exec-producer Peter Jackson recently made to the German website moviereporter.net (currently off line), in which he mentioned that he hoped production would begin by the middle of next year. Jackson was quoted as saying: “We’re currently working on the second script, which we hope to have completed by the end of this year or beginning of next. When the scripts are completed, we can begin with the exact calculation of the necessary budget. We hope to start filming in the middle of next year. However, we’ve received no greenlight from the studio yet.”

A source for The Hobbit project confirmed to EW that Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and director Guillermo del Toro have finished up the script for the first Hobbit film, “are about to turn in” the script for the second installment, and are “looking at a number of scenarios for start dates,” including sometime in mid-2010. But no one on the creative side is worrying about release dates, according to the source. As always, that’s up to the studio.

As for Jackson’s comments about The Hobbit not having an official greenlight yet, fans shouldn’t read into those, either. There’s no strife between creative and the various studios (New Line, MGM, and Warner Bros.). It’s simply a matter of protocol. Without a finished pair of screenplays and a budget, the filmmakers wouldn’t expect to have a greenlight. Yep, even Peter Jackson sometimes has to play by studio rules.

On the upside, we could have casting news soon. Talent agents all over town are abuzz with word that casting directors for The Hobbit have been hired in London and L.A.

Comments (1-15) of 15 Add your comment

Page:
  • Jenn

    Exciting times :)

  • darclyte

    OMG, it is going to be EPIC!

  • Lisa

    about time they are coming. NZ will be a buzz, can’t wait. Peter knows how to make big brillient movies.

  • FINALLY

    i never thought this would happen, but IT’S ABOUT TIME

  • LadySolitaire

    Yippee! I cannot wait!

  • Jenn

    YAY!! I love Lotr and absolutely cannot wait for The Hobbit! I wonder who they’re going to pick to play Bilbo…

  • confused

    can someone help me. i know theres a book called “the hobbit” that came out before the trilogy. so why are there two movies being made?

    • Jenny

      the first movie will be the hobbit, the second movies plot will be taken from what happens between the hobbit and fellowship.

  • confused

    but is there an actual second book that comes after “the hobbit” and before the fellowship

    • no

      The hobbit did not have a second part. The direct “sequel” is the Lord of the Rings trilogy, although they both stand alone. The second movie will make use of the appendices in the back of the LOTR books, and the countless pages of references on what happened in other parts of Middle Earth. That’s why Aragorn and Eowyn are brought up alot. There are many stories of them in those references.

  • junierizzle

    Im only somewhat excited because Del Toro is directing.

  • HairyLime

    GDT has recently said that they’re abandoning the First Movie = Hobbit Book, Second Movie = Bridge to LOTR scheme, and instead are Deathly Hallow-izing “The Hobbit,” splitting the original novel into two movies, filling out the narrative somewhat (particularly as to what Gandalf is up to when he disappears for much of the novel) using material from the appendices and other sources.

  • James

    The trilogy was transformed to the screen so well by Jackson. Really looking forward to the Hobbitt films.

  • harry

    Yessss!!!

  • Maddie

    Hi! I am really happy that you are making a The Hobbit movie. I was wondering if you needed any help, because I would be happy to!
    P.S I hope you are doing well!

Page:

Add your comment

The rules: Keep it clean, and stay on the subject - or we may delete your comment. If you see inappropriate language, e-mail us. An asterisk (*) indicates a required field.

When you click on the "Post Comment" button above to submit your comments, you are indicating your acceptance of and are agreeing to the Terms of Service. You can also read our Privacy Policy.
Advertisement
Powered by WordPress.com VIP