Sci-Fi Storm

It’s been a while since we heard news, but things are again moving forward for The Hobbit, with Warner Bros. taking over world wide theatrical and video distribution of both parts, while MGM retains international television licensing. In the process, it is reported that WB will foot the bill for the production – which is estimated in the $500 million range.

This is hopefully the last hurdle as MGM escapes bankruptcy and the long-dwelling epic production can get moving. Hopefully we’ll hear some final casting announcements (Ian McKellan still isn’t confirmed, and I’m hearing rumors of others returning although how I’m not sure) and production start can be firmly scheduled for the Spring.

Cate Blanchett has signed on to reprise the role of Galadriel in The Hobbit – although how she will fit in is unknown as I don’t recall her in the book – but it would help bridge some familiarity to the Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Also confirmed (finally) is Sylvester McCoy playing the wizard Radagast the Brown, as well as Ken Stott (Casanova) as Balin; Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt (Everlasting Moments) as Beorn, the skin-changer; Ryan Gage (Hamlet) as Drogo Baggins; and William Kircher (Out Of The Blue) and Jed Brophy (District 9) as the dwarves Bifur and Nori. Brophy is no stranger to Middle-Earth either – he appeared in the The Two Towers and The Return Of The King as different orcs.

Peter Jackson will be filming The Hobbit for 3D, and he will be doing it with the brand new RED EPIC camera, the successor to the successful RED One digital camera. The EPIC will have a “5k” resolution, which means the horizontal resolution will exceed 5,000 pixels (the EPIC is reportedly 5120×2700). By comparison, “1080p” for your standard HD TV is 1920×1080. This allows for better theater projection resolutions and also allows for limited digital zooming to reframe shots without re-shoots.

The size of the EPIC makes it far more practical for 3D filming, where they have to mount two cameras together to get the stereoscopic view. Dual mounted Panavision cameras are quite heavy and bulky.

One more of the rumored cast members has become true: James Nesbitt (Jekyll) has been cast has as Bofur, described as “a disarmingly forthright, funny and occasionally brave Dwarf.” “James’s charm, warmth and wit are legendary as is his range as an actor in both comedic and dramatic roles. We feel very lucky to be able to welcome him as one of our cast.” said director Peter Jackson. Also announced was newcomer Adam Brown, who will play Ori.

Whether you are surprised or it confirmed your belief all along, word has come down that production of The Hobbit will remain in New Zealand. The NZ government has reached an agreement with Warner Bros. on broadening the goverment’s incentive program, which could net WB an extra US$15 million in rebates, as well as begin the legislative process to better define the position of actors and other workers (which could mean the end to the unionization process, to the chagrin of the existing unions), and a long-term marketing partnership.

Seventh Doctor Sylvester McCoy, while speaking at Armageddon Expo down in Auckland, NZ, confirmed that he has been offered the role of Radagast the Brown (one of the Istari – wizards – like Gandalf and Saruman) in The Hobbit – all that remains is signing the contract. Rumors also continue to swirl around Tenth Doctor David Tennant getting a role as well…

Warner Bros. has given a press release regarding the cast of The Hobbit. As recently rumored, Martin Freeman (The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy) will play Bilbo Baggins, and Richard Armitage (the Robin Hood BBC series, MI-5) will play Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the dwarves. Alsoseven of the twelve dwarves that accompany Thorin and Bilbo were named: Aidan Turner (Being Human) as Kili; Rob Kazinsky (EastEnders) as 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; and Peter Hambleton (The Strip) as Gloin. No confirmation on Ian McKellan as Gandalf yet.

Never mind Bilbo’s adventure out of the Shire…it looks like Warner Bros. is picking up the Shire and going home…or at least somewhere else. Due to the unsettled union issues surrounding production in New Zealand, Warner Bros. is planning to move the production to possibly the studio used for Harry Potter in the U.K., and is getting offers from other countries for breaks to move the production to their locations. “Next week Warners are coming down to New Zealand to make arrangements to move the production offshore. It appears we cannot make films in our own country even when substantial financing is available,” according to Sir Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh. Although the matter could still be settled, it is not an uphill battle for New Zealand to keep the production.

Update: It appears that the acting union has now dropped their plans for a boycott…which should allow other unions’ actors to join the cast, but the bridge may have been burned already…

Always looking to see what David Tennant is up to, I’m now hearing from multiple sources that he may be up for an unnamed role in The Hobbit, and that Jekyll‘s James Nesbitt may have already been offered another role, and Michael Fassbender (Magneto in X-Men: First Class) is also up for a role. Martin Freeman (Sherlock) is still the expected frontrunner for Bilbo, so none of these others are likely up for that part. No casting announcements have been made (although Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis are fully expected), so these could just be random rumors, but here’s hoping…

Reports are hitting the streets that The Hobbit has finally gotten the go ahead for formal production – TheWrap reports that the production has been given the green light, with Peter Jackson agreeing to direct in addition to his producing and writing duties, although The Hollywood Reporter says that the acting union issue is still a key hurdle to be overcome to make the hoped for February filming date, and that the MGM debt/funding issue is not necessarily settled, but shouldn’t be a stopper.

Update: – It’s official now, as New Line president Toby Emmerich, Warner Bros. President Alan Horn, and MGM co-CEO Steve Cooper jointly announced it, with principle photography to begin in February.