May 30th, 2011
04:25 PM ET
'The Hobbit' films get release datesBreak out the calendar: Peter Jackson's two “Hobbit” films now have release dates – and official titles. The first, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” will arrive in theaters on December 14, 2012, according to Variety. The second half of the two-part adaptation is called “The Hobbit: There and Back Again” and will bow a year later nearly to the date on December 13, 2013. That’s not the only “Hobbit” related news, however. Last week it was announced that Orlando Bloom is returning to Middle Earth as the elf Legolas in Jackson's films, even though the character doesn't appear in J.R.R. Tolkien's original story. "I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again," Jackson said in a Facebook post. "Funny thing is, I look older—and he doesn’t! I guess that's why he makes such a wonderful elf." Joining Bloom will be Martin Freeman, playing the title role of Bilbo Baggins, and Ian McKellen, who’s once again playing Gandalf. “Lord of the Rings” alums Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood and Andy Serkis are also returning and reprising their roles. Production began on the project in New Zealand in March.
Next entry »Judy Garland concert headed for theaters
« Previous entryOlsen twins explain their 'homeless chic' style
 |
  About this blog
Our daily cheat-sheet for breaking celebrity news, Hollywood buzz and your pop-culture obsessions.  |
Oops i spelled LOTR Triology wrong!I think its HOBBIT movie will be awesome!
I personally think tohr trilogy was awesome and they should of continued it like on the book.but its all good.omg orlando bloom makes a beautiful freaken elf....hes hot!i will be going to the movies to see these!
I'm looking forward to these movies. I loved the LOTR Trilogy....enjoyed each and every long minute of it
OH HAPPY!!! FOR PERSONS TO COME BACK TO MOVIE AFTER YEARS GONE!!! MAYBE SEE LUKEBSKYWALKER AGAIN FOR MOVIE THIS TIME? Or like bad Jarjar movies?
I agree with Sunshinegirl. LOTR was reeeeealy long. I still go to sleep while watching it.
The Hobbit is not a big enough book to make into two movies. And for Jackson to now incorporate characters into a movie that never existed in the book is a sacrilege to JRR Tolkien and his books. Been a huge Tolkien fan since 6th Grade. You can have creative license, but don't rewrite a book to suit your own ego.
For the Tolkien "experts". If you have read some of the Tolkien books from his notes that his son compiled you would know a couple of things. First, a lot goes on DURING the hobbit tale that is not in the book. Gandalf leaves the dwarves and Bilbo to go on another adventure with Aragorn/Strider. They battle the Necromancer i.e. Sauron in non-human form in the forest of Mirkwood. The same forest where Legolas is from. I suppose Peter Jackson is taking some features of those writings and using them in the hobbit. Secondly, OF COURSE Andy Serkis is in it, he's Gollum!?! Last Gladriel is was the defacto narrator in the trilogy so I could still see her doing the same thing in these two books. The hobbit is a prequel to LOTR which Galadriel is a big part of.
Sunshine girl, are you smoking something in your mama's basement, or what? LOTR was wonderfully done and worth watching over and over. You must have been high when you watched it, or you would know that. Wow, I don't know anyone who has seen it who didn't love the whole series. I don't know how the Hobbit movies will turn out, but LOTR was amazing!
Pete looks like he's rocking something stronger than the Halflings Leaf in that pipe.
Why is Bilbo wearing a wrist watch? That doesn't seem very Hobbit-y.
Um, that's the director, Peter Jackson...he's just lost some serious weight since the LOTR films.
The Lord of The Rings turned out to be a long boring mess. I believe it couldve been shortened up quite a bit and still have been able to tell the story. I hope he doesnt turn The Hobbit story into the same long/boring/drawn out story he did with The Lord of The Rings. Hollywood just butchers classic literature.
Just because you have the attention span of a gnat doesn't make the movie bad. Have you ever actually read a book? And People magazine doesn't count.
you say that hollywood butchers classic literature, and ironically, thats what you wish was done to "lord of the rings". i have a feeling that if you actuallt read "lord of the rings" you would have called it a boring mess too. either way, your loss, go take ur ritalin.
I am looking forward to it, myself. 🙂
Considering how much Jackson is play fast and loose with the source material I have to say I'm not all that excited about the Hobbit films. While he took liberties with the Lord of the Rings source material that fit into the plot of the movies. Adding characters for the sake of adding them to the Hobbit makes me wonder what kind of mess Jackson will give us.
14-12-12...7 days till 21-12-12
It will not be a success
If the movies are anything like Peter Jackson did on the Lord of the Ring series....they ought to be AWSOME !!!
You know, the Mayans just got bored of the calendar and abandoned it right ( or maybe it's their idea of an insanely elaborate joke)... the world will continue. It'll be the many "Raptures" and Y2K all over again...
On a lighter note, looking forward to the movies.. .although not too sure why they are drawing it out into two...