March 21st, 2011
06:41 PM ET
Finally, production begins on 'The Hobbit'More than seven years after the Oscar winning "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" hit theaters, the two-part prequel, "The Hobbit," is finally in production in Wellington, New Zealand. Warner Bros. Pictures released two photos of director Peter Jackson on the set. He is returning to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth after directing the "Rings" trilogy. The films' original director was going to be Guillermo Del Toro ("Pan's Labyrinth"), and although he dropped out last year, he's still credited along with Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens on the screenplays.
Talk of adapting "The Hobbit" began shortly after the original trilogy was released, but of course, it took years to get to this point. Martin Freeman will play the title role of Bilbo Baggins, and Ian McKellen will once again play Gandalf the Grey. Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood and Andy Serkis will also reprise their roles from the original trilogy. Much of the original production crew is returning as well, with the two films' releases set for 2012 and 2013.
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As an American Literature major I can tell you the movies didnt do the books justice at all. I assume The Hobbit will be more of the same. For you who says were nerds....at least we can read a book. If your so amazed by the movies, youll probably pass out from delight after reading the books. The movies SUCKED.
Wow, should we be impressed that you're a literature major? I don't think so – especially when you don't know the difference between "were" and "we're" or between "your" and "you're." And one of those movies that "SUCKED" won the Oscar for Best Picture.
Oh all of u nerds dont need to talk here.go to a nerd convention.
Those movies are dead just like those three gay singing brothers.lord of the rings is now dead of the rings .
Looking forward to these movies. I am not generally a fan of this genre, but something about seeing a book you read as a kid brought to life on a screen. It's exciting!
I did hear the audio drama on the radio and liked it so much I bought it on CD; the audio drama is not someone reading the book, it has actual actors and sound effects. Brilliant.
Couldn't stand the first three movies at all. They totally ra-ped Tolkien's books and mangled the storyline.
Plus I would never have picked The Matrix's "Mr.Smith" to play an elf of any sort. Most of the actors didn't really seem to fit either.
I expect "The Hobbit" to be more of same. Probably won't watch that one either.
My favorite movies of all time , I cant wait , i am so excited , woot woot
Jackson did a stellar job in making the TLOR trilogy. What we saw in the movies is almost 1/3 of the story line from the books. The Hobbit is totally different. Don't knock it until you see it. Read the book first and set your judgement.
Looking forward to the release. Peter did such a great job with LOTR, I expect this also will be well done.
I agree with Superhiro-theyve already run the story into the ground. Cant sit thru 2 more 3 hr movies. Uuuuugh! Will it ever end?
...you probably shouldn't go watch them...
When does my retirement pension kick in... .?
I'll give you one single woot.
woot
can I get a woot woot?!
Meh.. After the third Lord of the Rings I'm kinda done with these movies.
It was a book before it was a movie...