The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - In theaters December 14, 2012

[xtop]

From IMDB:

A younger and more reluctant Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins, sets out on a "unexpected journey" to the Lonely Mountain with a spirited group of Dwarves to reclaim a their stolen mountain home from a dragon named Smaug.

With: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Ian Holm, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, Richard Armitage and much much more...

Trailer:
[media=youtube]G0k3kHtyoqc[/media]



Old post:

Spoiler

In an article at Variety talking about New Line Cinema, which two years ago became a unit under Warner Bros.Pictures, studio executive Alan Horn reveals that the first of the two Hobbit films may not hit theaters until late 2012, a full year after the previously-announced December 2011 release:

Once the script for the second film is in -- Jackson and his longtime collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are working on it with Del Toro -- New Line will work up a budget for both films and start casting. New Line exec Michael Disco, who was once Emmerich's assistant, will oversee for the studio.

Horn won't predict when the first of the two "Hobbit" films will be out, but says the most probable scenario would be a release in the fourth quarter of 2012.

"It's a big bet for us. But it's one we think will pay off given the success of 'Lord of the Rings,'" says Emmerich. "This is one of the few movies it feels like people are waiting for."

New Line's original plan was to release the first film in December 2011, followed by the second one in December 2012. One reason for the delay may be the restructuring of MGM, which shares the financing rights with New Line for the "Hobbit" films. MGM is currently accepting bids for the studio and those rights may go to another studio (Warner Bros. is said to be one of the bidders).

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=62637

 

[jefXfree]

he lead character, Bilbo Baggins, will be played by Martin Freeman! You probably remember him as the endearing adult film actor from Love Actually. He's also appeared as Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. We think he's great for this role.

Here are some other major casting announcements:

-Richard Armitage (Captain America: The First Avenger) as Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the Company of Dwarves

-Aidan Turner (Being Human) and Rob Kazinsky (EastEnders) as Dwarves Kili and Fili

-Graham McTavish (Secretariat) as Dwalin

-John Callen (Power Rangers Jungle Fury) as Oin

-Stephen Hunter (All Saints) as Bombur

-Mark Hadlow (King Kong) as Dori

-Peter Hambleton (The Strip) as Gloin

Rumored cast members include Ian McKellan as Gandalf and Andy Serkis as Gollum.

Stephen Fry, Saoirse Ronan, and Bill Nighy are also on Peter Jackson's radar.

 

[xtop]

Elijah Wood Confirmed for The Hobbit

Since it was announced, The Hobbit has spawned rumors that characters from the original three films would make an appearance despite their not appearing specifically in the original text of J.R.R. Tolkein's novel.

Earlier today, Deadline offered more specific details, indicating that the actors likely to return include Orlando Bloom and Elijah Wood in addition to the more obvious potential casting of Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis (whose characters both play prominent roles in the original story).

UPDATE: Less than 24 hours after Deadline suggested that Elijah Wood would be returning, ComingSoon.net has received confirmation from the actor's reps that Wood will indeed be returning and that he's confirmed to star in the film. They've also informed us that Wood and comedian Eddie Izzard will be starring in the SKY TV mini-series based on Robert Louis Stevenson's literary classic "Treasure Island," playing Ben Gunn. It will be directed by Steve Barron, who directed the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles as well as some of the classic music videos of the '80s including "Video Killed the Radio Star."

Earlier, TheOneRing.net suggested that Wood, at least, is a near certainty and offered some spoilers as to how his appearance is planned to play out, which you can read about by clicking here.

The two Hobbit films are expected to go into production next month.

Read more: UPDATE: Elijah Wood Confirmed for The Hobbit - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=73066#ixzz1AY3Eh81m

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[Boz]

Thanks for posting, this is a very good news, I hope the movie will be gorgeous

 

[Ezcompane]

I'd like to see this movie before I'm retired. Good news that Elijah is confirmed though.

 

[jefXfree]

That's awesome!

 

[mobius387]

i liked him better in SNL's "throw it on the ground" digital short




but yah, this is good news. who is he going to play though? frodo really isn't in the book, and i think it would be a bad idea for him to play as bilbo.

i dont remember the hobitt as much as the trilogy tho. ill prolly read it again before this movie comes out; i got a bit of time to do it, ha!

 

[Ezcompane]

i dont remember the hobitt as much as the trilogy tho. ill prolly read it again before this movie comes out; i got a bit of time to do it, ha!

Same here. I feel like reading through the trilogy again so I might as well jump in this one too.

 

[jefXfree]

Andy Serkis Signed To Reprise Gollum In 'The Hobbit'

EXCLUSIVE: I'm told that Andy Serkis has closed his deal to bring back Gollum in The Hobbit, the two films that Peter Jackson will direct in New Zealand starting in February. Serkis will join returning cast members Cate Blanchett and Elijah Wood. Wood's participation was made official last week after Deadline first revealed his negotiations. According to sources, others who appeared in The Lord of the Rings poised to return at this point include Ian McKellen (who's still working out a deal to return as Gandalf in a major role), Christopher Lee is in talks to reprise the wizard Saruman, and Ian Holm to return as an older version of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman is playing that title role in the two new movies).

There was no confirmation from the Serkis' camp, but the character certainly fits a small but important role in the storyline of the JRR Tolkien book. Bilbo is on an epic quest with Gandalf and 13 dwarves led by their King, Thorin Oakenshield, to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and strike down the talking dragon Smaug (I'd heard last year Bill Nighy was a possible to voice Smaug, but have heard nothing since). During that journey, Bilbo wanders into Gollum's lair and finds the Ring of Power. Serkis will likely be there early in the shoot. The chamelon actor, who has become a fixture in Jackson's movies, will do reshoots for The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn. Serkis plays Captain Haddock in the film, a collaboration between Jackson and Steven Spielberg. Spielberg directed the first Tintin film, but it's being posted at Jackson's New Zealand facilities. The Hobbit, a partnership between Warner Bros and MGM, is now being fully financed by Warner Bros, which will distribute worldwide.

 

[jefXfree]

It's Official: Ian McKellen to Return as Gandalf in 'The Hobbit'

Ian McKellen has signed on to return as wizard Gandalf in The Hobbit, the two-pic adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkien novel being directed by Peter Jackson.

The dealmaking on Hobbit for a slew of Jackson veterans from his Lord of the Rings trilogy has been coming fast and furious and comes on the heels of Andy Serkis finally inking his deal to reprise Gollum.

The Hobbit book introduced Gandalf and Gollum, with both characters going on to become part of literature’s most popular characters. Gandalf sets the adventure going in the story and appears throughout the novel. Gollum appears in a chapter that has gone on to be one of the most memorable in all of fantasy literature.

Elijah Wood signed his deal to return as Frodo last week, and Cate Blanchett will play Galadriel once again. Orlando Bloom has an offer to return as elf archer Legolas, though it’s too early to tell if a deal will be made.
McKellen, who was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Gandalf, has spent recent years doing mostly voice work for film and TV, although he did star in the remake of AMC's The Prisoner. His last major film role was in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand.

 

[Boz]

These are finally ALL great news!

Good job

 

[jefXfree]

The Hobbit Is Filming!

Finally! The wait is over!

It's been a long, arduous process, but finally, Lord of the Rings fans can rejoice because Peter Jackson has officially started production on The Hobbit.

Last Thursday, the cast was rounded up and taken to Bilbo Baggin's house to go through the first official read-thru of the script for the first of the the two back-to-back prequels planned, rumored to be titled The Hobbit: There and Back Again. Now, as of this morning, the first scenes for the flick are being shot in New Zealand.

To further prove that things are finally going swimmingly on the project, Peter posted this photo of himself chillin in the shire on his Facebook page.

 

[jefXfree]

Ian Holm WILL Return As Older Bilbo Baggins In The Hobbit!

Back in October, we were excited to learn that Love Actually/The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy star Martin Freeman had been cast as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit!

Now, there are reports that Ian Holm will return as an older version of Bilbo in the epic LOTR prequel films.

Here's what Peter Jackson said about it on his Facebook page:

One comment that came up from the recent video blog was the Bilbo voice at the end—many of you assumed it was Sir Ian Holm. Whilst Ian will be returning as the older Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, that recording was actually Martin Freeman's voice, taken from a script read through we recorded when the cast first arrived. I have to admit, I wasn't sure who it was when I first heard it, either. Cheers, Peter J

 

[jefXfree]

It's Official! Orlando Bloom Is Returning To Middle Earth!!

Peter Jackson says:

"Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas. I'm excited to announce today that we'll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older—and he doesn’t! I guess that's why he makes such a wonderful elf."

 

[jefXfree]

The Hobbit Movies Get Titles And Release Dates

Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit" movies have been given official release dates and titles. The first will open Dec. 14, 2012, as "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," and the second will be released on Dec. 13, 2013, as "The Hobbit: There and Back Again."
Both pics had been expected to see release during the holiday season. "An Unexpected Journey" will open against Ang Lee's "Life of Pi" from Fox while "There and Back Again" is the first pic set for the 2013 holiday season.

Announcement was made Monday by MGM, New Line and New Line parent Warner Bros.

Jackson began shooting the two films in New Zealand in 3D in mid-March with a cast including Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Orlando Bloom, Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Hugo Weaving, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett reprising their roles from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Bloom joined the cast Friday to portray the elf Legolas.

Cast also includes Richard Armitage, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O'Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas and Aidan Turner.J.R.R. Tolkien novel is set 60 years before "Lord of the Rings," with Bilbo the unassuming Hobbit who becomes a hero by obtaining a powerful ring in the face of challenges by the wicked Gollum and a dragon named Smaug.

The screenplays are penned by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson. Jackson is also producing together with Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham; exec producers are Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner, with Boyens as co-producer.

In January, New Line parent Warner Bros. reached a deal to handle worldwide distribution on "The Hobbit," taking over most international distribution and homevideo on the two films from MGM in exchange for funding MGM's half of the production costs.

 

[digitalbabe]

Trailer added to OP, and here:

[media=youtube]G0k3kHtyoqc[/media]

 

[CollectorEmtee]

Beat me to it LOL.....It looks great and I can't wait!

 

[Drum18]

New video blog (on their FB for HD)
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151028043926807

 

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From Entertainment Weekly:

 

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Comic-Con poster:

 

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Amazing new banner: