The Hobbit

[Bromptonboy]

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/27/hobbit-actors-in-for-a-big-year/
The Hobbit Movie New Post

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Hobbit Actors in for a Big Year
Posted: 27 Jun 2013 06:57 AM PDT

The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is due for release this coming December but it seems that the fandom just can't wait for the movie that the first trailer alone was enough to get the fans in quite a ruckus. Oh well, with all the scenes that were shown, is it really any surprise as to why the fandom seems to be going utterly nuts. From the encounters with elves in the forest of Mirkwood, the first meeting with men in the town of Lake Town to Bilbo's fateful face to face with the dragon Smaug in his own lair in Erebor. However, it seems that much of the cast is in for quite a year as 2013 is definitely going to have its own blockbusters that may very well compete with Desolation of Smaug. Here are just some of the things we can expect:


Martin Freeman
Martin Freeman, the little guy we all know who's playing as Bilbo Baggins. Well actually, not so little since he's of average height in real life. Anyway, we've also seen him play the role of often in-over-their-heads characters that are caught in situations that beg description. A good example of what I mentioned would be his role in the film Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy where he plays the role of Arthur Dent, an otherwise common every man who is suddenly taken aboard an alien spaceship named the Heart of Gold. Asides from Desolation of Smaug however, he will also be slated to appear in the film The World's End, the third and final installment of the Cornetto Trilogy which began with Shaun of the Dead and followed by Hot Fuzz. Another dark comedy, The World's End focuses on five friends who are attempting a pub crawl that they have also attempted and failed in the past. For some reason however, they are suddenly attacked by robots and the pub crawl becomes the least of their problems.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch is also raking in his own fair share of recognition in the film industry. Known for having a rather sexy and almost mystical voice, it is little wonder that Peter Jackson has chosen him for the role of Smaug, the mighty dragon. Asides from the dragon however, he has also been given the role of the Necromancer of Dol Goldur, a character that those familiar with the lore of Lord of the Rings know very well. And just in the first half of the year, he was cast in the role of John Harrison, the enigmatic villain of the Star Trek films' second installment, Into Darkness who seems to be more than he meets the eye.
Andy Serkis
Ah, our precious Andy Serkis. Yes, while it's not likely that Gollum will be appearing again anytime soon in the upcoming sequels of The Hobbit, it has been confirmed that he is now Peter Jackson's faithful assistant director and is making good time with the upcoming films. He is also scheduled to reprise his role in the latest sequel of Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes where he will play as Caesar, the leader of the apes in the first film.
Hobbit Actors in for a Big Year is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
       

Is Orlando Bloom Getting Too Old?
Posted: 27 Jun 2013 02:08 AM PDT

The trailer for The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug came out just a few weeks ago and it seems the fandom just can't get enough of it and can't wait for what's next. There's a lot more to be had once the film finally rolls around in December of this year, with some scenes that fans simply can't get over such as the epic meeting with the wood elves in Mirkwood, the rolling barrels in the river that Bilbo and company happen to be inside in, the meeting with the men of Dale and, of course, the fateful meeting with the mighty dragon Smaug.
Then there's the return of the ever iconic Legolas, the elven archer we all know well from Lord of the Rings and possibly someone that fangirls of the franchise have been cheering for since the announcement was made that he would play in The Hobbit film trilogy. Played by the actor Orlando Bloom, the fandom is divided between whether the character's return is a welcome change from the plot of the original or if this is another way that Peter Jackson seems to be stretching his artistic license a little too much. Nonetheless, it's certainly good to see the actor in action again after the overwhelming success of Lord of the Rings after 2003 onward.
We've seen Orlando Bloom in plenty of other films as well. For instance from 2003 until 2007, we have seen the actor play the part of Will Turner, a blacksmith caught amid the troubles of fearsome and comical pirates in Pirates of the Caribbean. There, he played as the love interest for Keira Knightley and the occasional ally and enemy of Captain Jack Sparrow who was played by none other than Johnny Depp. He played in the first three films of the film series until his story arc with Keira Knightley ended in the third installment, At World's End.


Also, we've seen an amazing performance from Orlando Bloom when he appeared in the film Kingdom of Heaven as Balian de Ibelin, another unassuming blacksmith who turns out to be the heir of a local noble. He is then sent to Jerusalem to rule and protect the kingdom left behind by his father, Baron Godfrey, played by veteran actor Liam Neeson. In the meantime, he learns that Jerusalem is not the holy city it is often believed to be and politics and fanaticism have made life difficult for all who dwell there.
Unfortunately for us fans however, Orlando Bloom has stated that he may no longer be able to fulfill the audience's expectation of what the light-footed elf prince should be. Apparently, he has stated that when he was fully garbed in the gear of the elven warrior, it seemed that he no longer felt the elven spring in his step and that he constantly worried that, after jumping, he would simply crash into the ground and hurt himself. Of course, this may not be all that surprising considering that, despite his role in the film and his misleading appearance, he is definitely not getting any younger as it is with the rest of us.
Except perhaps for Christopher Lee...
Is Orlando Bloom Getting Too Old? is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
       

[Bromptonboy]

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/29/desolation-of-smaug-and-other-hopeful-sequels/
Desolation of Smaug and Other Hopeful Sequels
Posted: 29 Jun 2013 06:37 AM PDT

Oh well, we all know the kind of waves The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey caused around the world with Ringers going head over heels over Peter Jackson's return to Middle Earth. The film proved to be very successful and it was a fitting final film for 2012 and was probably enough to make a number of moviegoers forget about the rumors of the incoming apocalypse at the time. Oh well, I suppose that's just how good a director Peter Jackson can be although I'm seriously doubtful if anyone could ignore Smaug himself descended upon Wellington or something. Well, worse yet, it seems that a recent fire on the set of The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug was rumored to have been caused by the Wicked Wyrm himself. Perhaps authorities will now keep a sharp eye for a large winged something above the skies of New Zealand.
Anyway, the trailer for Desolation of Smaug has just recently been released in theaters and has proven to be quite a hit amongst moviegoers. The trailer was released around the same time that Man of Steel hit theaters and it's even likely that many moviegoers actually just came to see the trailers of oncoming films. Then again though, there are so many new films for all of us to look forward to and here are just some of them.


Well, this might be surprising but it seems that Jurassic Park will indeed be having another sequel. Of course, Michael Crichton is now officially out of the picture due to cancer, but it seems there is now considerable development in producing the film. From rumors, it seems that the eponymous park will finally be in operation with dinosaurs managing to draw in tourists while remaining, surprisingly, safe for the latter. Talk of aquatic dinosaurs have also been mentioned which will be a first for the series although it isn't entirely clear what kind we're going to see.
There has also been rumors of the third Hellboy film coming although the statements from Guillermo Del Toro is quite vague and not entirely clear. According to him, he will resume the story of everyone's favorite man-demon once he finishes up with his work in The Hobbit series. And true enough, after writing the screenplay for An Unexpected Journey, it seems that Guillermo Del Toro has left for other plans. Though it seems that Del Toro's plans for Hellboy 3 is still in his mind, he has gone on to mention that the protagonist will once again face off with his enemies who are a remnant of the Nazi regime. In the meantime though, we can wait for one of Guillermo Del Toro's masterpieces to hit the big screen sometime soon called Pacific Rim, an epic film about giant robots and massive monsters.
Then of course we have the aforementioned The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, which is coming to theaters near you come December of this year. Alongside familiar faces like Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, we'll also be seeing the return of Orlando Bloom as Legolas as well as the introduction of Luke Evans as Bard and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug.
Desolation of Smaug and Other Hopeful Sequels is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
       

[Bromptonboy]

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/30/is-new-zealand-really-middle-earth/
Is New Zealand Really Middle Earth?
Posted: 30 Jun 2013 07:36 AM PDT

Peter Jackson's return to New Zealand to shoot another film based in Middle Earth, the mystic land where J.R.R. Tolkien's epic stories Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit actually take place is proving to be quite popular among tourists all over the world. After the success of Lord of the Rings in 2001-2003, it seems that New Zealand became the destination for Peter Jackson's next greatest project, The Hobbit film trilogy and once again, as expected, tourism is once again booming in the giant boot south of the globe. The fact that Peter Jackson's film crew went on to use some more durable materials to make sure that their sets would be able to last longer than the previous ones they used for Lord of the Rings which were only meant to endure until filming finished. This meant that many of the residents of New Zealand could use the props left behind as a means of reliving many of the iconic scenes in the film such as the busy landscape of Hobbiton as the hobbits go on about their daily lives as well as a replica of the Green Dragon where many of the Shire's inhabitants go for a good day's rest and a pint of something to drink.
But just what makes New Zealand a successful substitute for Middle Earth? Well, I suppose we can answer some of those questions. And here are some of the theories involved:
New Zealand's Pristine Environment
New Zealand is known for being one of the most intact places in the world mostly because it's one of the last places on Earth to be explored by humankind. With its woods seemingly out of some storybook with its mountains and lakes seemingly places of mystical power, is it really any wonder that Peter Jackson chose the little country for the setting for some of his most epic films to date. Well, Peter Jackson is indeed from New Zealand as well but then again we now have a host of up and coming films like Top of the Lake which requires a bit of a mystical background in order to give the necessary feel to its audience.
New Zealanders' Dedication
New Zealanders are well known for their determination in making things work despite the odds stacked against them. For instance, in the Americas and Europe, you all too often hear the words: "that's not my department" or "I can't do that" but New Zealanders have always known for their gung-ho attitude and willingness to work against the odds. It's probably how they managed to pull of some big projects like Lord of the Rings to start with despite the fact that many directors before Peter Jackson had flat out stated that Lord of the Rings was impossible to film.
Peace, Quiet and Liquors
Oh well, there's no denying it that a lot of other celebrities from New Zealand had invested in the country's wine industry, enticing foreigners into coming over to have something to drink. Also of note is, as mentioned above, New Zealand's relative peace and quiet that can make one feel as if they were in paradise.

[Geekyfanboy]

THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, Production Diary 11

[Bromptonboy]

Love these PJ updates.

[Bromptonboy]

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/01/hobbit-holes-for-everyone/
The Hobbit Movie New Post

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Hobbit Holes for Everyone
Posted: 01 Jul 2013 06:52 AM PDT

We've seen plenty of crazy antics in anticipation of The Hobbit and this latest craze is, as best can be described, almost a phenomenon of sorts. So just what have we seen so far? Well, for starters, we've seen hundreds upon hundreds of costume competitions, battles of poetry and storytelling and works of art based on Middle Earth, the great and wonderful world created by J.R.R. Tolkien, is just the tip of the iceberg as new activities continue especially with the release of the film trilogy's second installment, Desolation of Smaug, having hit theaters in the previous few weeks. One can only imagine what kind of reception the actual film can expect when it comes out this December.


Another great way that fans and fanatics of the works of Tolkien show their devotion is by building houses in the general appearance of the homes inhabited by Tolkien's most popular creatures the hobbits. Yep, one great example of these is the house in Vancouver that greatly resembles a house from the Middle Ages. While not really intentional on the part of the builder, the house was nonetheless constantly associated with the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, especially in 2001-2003 when Lord of the Rings hit the big screen and Middle Earth rose to a new level of popularity. Luckily, the home itself was kept intact even after it seemed that the house would be demolished, thanks of efforts to preserve the house and declare it as a landmark.Then we have many tours in New Zealand that were made thanks to The Hobbit film crew's choice to make the miniature homes more durable and thus be used by locals as a way to commemorate and relive Tolkien's masterpiece. All in all, the tours have proven to be highly successful, what with even having a Green Dragon Inn where patrons can fully experience what it must be like to be a hobbit after a long day at work.
An now, for the latest in The Hobbit craze, we have the works of Wooden Wonders who are making cozy little Hobbit Holes for everyone to enjoy. Or at least for the enjoyment of both chickens and children. The small hobbit holes are mainly used as a home for various fowl and comes with several features that make it easier to clean and retrieve the eggs of said fowl thanks to openings in the structure. The only downside to this is that the chickens you seek to raise will probably be living larger than you. Either that or your neighbors will apparently think that you are crazy or something.
Anyway, the little Wooden Wonders homes are best used as a home for fowl or something like a playhouse for children. They would even make really great props if you ever decide to make a play of The Hobbit of your own. Just don't expect to be able to fit an entire fully grown actor like Martin Freeman into them as I sincerely doubt that they have been built for that kind of thing.
Hobbit Holes for Everyone is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
       

[Bromptonboy]

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/02/legends-of-middle-earth-on-the-rise/
The Hobbit Movie New Post

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Legends of Middle Earth On The Rise
Posted: 02 Jul 2013 07:42 AM PDT

The trailer for The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug has been out in theaters for quite some time and it seems that the fanbase had never been happier. Well, this is not at all surprising considering the unquestionable success of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Heck, the last film isn't even done with impressing audiences as Peter Jackson has just recently released the extended cut of the film that will reveal more of the kind of life one can expect in the meadows of Hobbiton, an unsurprisingly unpleasant interaction between the dwarves and elves of Rivendell and a few more scenes involving the nauseating Goblin King. The trailer on the other hand enticed viewers with what they're in for once Desolation of Smaug finally hits theaters this year in December such as the elves of Mirkwood, the dwarves arrival at Dale and, finally, Bilbo's fateful encounter with Smaug the dragon.


Looking back now on some of Peter Jackson's previous projects, it seems that some of its actors owe their current popularity to his films. For instance, there is Orlando Bloom, whom we all know and remember from Lord of the Rings as the elf prince Legolas whom the whole world seemed to swoon over after his first appearance. And then there is Andy Serkis who served as the CGI actor for Gollum, making him one of the most successful and popular computer-animated characters of the time. Now, they have proven to be able to hold their own in other films with Orlando Bloom having already appeared in numerous epic films like Pirates of the Caribbean, Troy and Kingdom of Heaven and Andy Serkis managing to become assistant director in The Hobbit as well as playing the main character of Rise of the Planet of the Apes. And worry not as they have more projects to come with Orlando Bloom possibly appearing in another Pirates of the Caribbean film, Andy Serkis showing up for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Ian McKellen scheduled to appear in the latest installment of the X-Men franchise.
However now, with The Hobbit, more actors will definitely get a boost in their respective careers thanks to their appearance in the film. For instance, there is Martin Freeman, who was already quite popular before taking up the role of Bilbo Baggins has made himself even more famous. Already he is scheduled to appear in the film At World's End with Simon Pegg, the third installment of the Cornetto trilogy which were preceded by Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.
Also of note is Mikael Persbrandt, who will be portraying the character of Beorn in the upcoming installments of The Hobbit. In Sweden, he had made quite a name for himself playing the role of various "tough guys" who was usually on either side of the law. It's almost as if Peter Jackson himself had little choice in picking the big guy for the role. Whatever the case, it seems that the world will never see him the same way again.
Legends of Middle Earth On The Rise is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
       

The Breaking of the Fellowship... Again
Posted: 02 Jul 2013 02:23 AM PDT

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey had been quite an adventure and remember that it's far from over. We still have the second installment, Desolation of Smaug, coming this December and the third and final installment, There and Back Again, set to hit theaters late next year so don't worry your little heads Ringers. Unfortunately however, not all good things last forever and now, we prepare to say goodbye to veteran actor Orlando Bloom, whom we all know well as the elven archer Legolas from Lord of the Rings, will now be sailing away to undying lands. Or at least, off to a new career.
Anyway, one can say that Orlando Bloom's career blossomed with Peter Jackson's first visit to Middle Earth with Lord of the Rings in 2001-2003. Before that, he had merely gotten minor roles such as his appearance in Wilde where he portrayed the role of a Rent Boy. It was through Lord of the Rings, when he played the elf prince of Mirkwood did he truly become a legend in his own right, causing many women (and possibly some men) to cry out in delight at the sight of him in the films. He became an overnight sensation and a heartthrob, not just for Ringers, but for people who were, before Lord of the Rings was put into film, entirely unfamiliar with the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.


His apparent popularity in the Lord of the Rings proved to be such a hit that he later gained other prominent roles in blockbuster films. One of these of course included his role as Will Turner in the Pirates of the Caribbean films where he was the love interest of Elizabeth Swann, played by Keira Knightley and the sometime friend and sometime enemy (frienemy?) of Captain Jack Sparrow, played by the legendary Johnny Depp. Throughout the three films he has appeared in so far, he plays the role of a bewildered blacksmith embroiled in the troubles of pirates with both mundane and less mundane adventures. It has even been noted that he is willing to reappear in the remaining films of Pirates of the Caribbean if offered to do so.
Also of note is his portrayal of Paris in a film adaptation of the classic story of Troy. Based on the epic of Greek Mythology, Orlando Bloom plays as a rather naive and fearful younger brother to Hector, who is played by Eric Bana. Things take a turn for the worst when Achilles, played by Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt arrives through the coercion of Greek kings in order to lead an assault on the city-state of Troy.
Of course, as mentioned above, it seems that Orlando Bloom's part in The Hobbit has just recently finished as the scenes involving Legolas have all been filmed and ready to be compiled in the remaining two films of The Hobbit trilogy. Whatever the case, it seems that he's certainly left his own mark in the film franchise and we definitely hope to be seeing more of him in other films, if nothing else. As a farewell, Peter Jackson has posted a video of Legolas singing "They are Taking the Hobbits to Isengard" on his facebook page.
The Breaking of the Fellowship... Again is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
       

[Geekyfanboy]

http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=37919

Journey's Extended Edition
Expect some 'serious Dwarvish disrespect' and a lot more
25 June 2013  |

The latest issue of Empire - out this Thursday, June 27 - has three elves on the front cover, and inside there's plenty of information on second movie in the Hobbit trilogy, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug. But if you're looking for more from the first out of the gate, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, feast your eyes on the following quotes discussing that movie's planned extended edition, straight from the magazine.

"You are going to get some serious Dwarvish disrespect of the elves at Rivendell," says Jackson, echoing what he previously said to us during our Unexpected Journey video interviews (see below).

"You are going to get more of Hobbiton," says producer / co-writer Philippa Boyens. "We always wanted to wend our way through Hobbiton, but in the end Bilbo has to run out of the door."

"You are going to get more Goblin Town, and the Great Goblin singing his song," adds Fran Walsh, Jackson's other half and fellow screenwriter. "It is a great song, but it was just another delay in terms of moving the story along."

"A number one hit from the Goblin King," laughs Jackson. "Barry Humphries is going to rise up the charts."

"We are putting things in the extended cut that are going to play straight into the second film," explains Jackson, "like this character Girion, who is defending [the city of] Dale using black arrows against Smaug. And the black arrows play a part in an ongoing story, for they are the one thing that can pierce the dragon's hide."

"There are also issues with [king of the elves] Thranduil (Lee Pace)," Jackson adds. "We get some of the reason why he and the dwarves had a falling out - to do with these white gems..."

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug is out on December 13. The extended edition of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be out about a month before The Desolation Of Smaug's release. The new issue of Empire, meanwhile, is out on Thursday, June 27.

[Bromptonboy]

Looking forward to that one! 

[Bromptonboy]

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/04/desolation-of-smaug-darker-and-edgier/
Desolation of Smaug: Darker and Edgier?
Posted: 04 Jul 2013 07:46 AM PDT

Okay Ringers, it seems that it isn't really all that long before we finally get to see the long awaited second installment of The Hobbit film trilogy, Desolation of Smaug. The trailer is already out in theaters and fans can only fawn and drool over what they're going to see in December once the film finally rolls around. Examples include everything from the company of Bilbo and the dwarves finally running into the elves of Mirkwood which include that of Legolas, played by Orlando Bloom, Tauriel, played by Evangeline Lilly and Thranduil, played by Lee Pace. There is also the scene in Lake Town where the dwarves finally meet the Men of Dale along with Bard the Bowman who is less than enthusiastic about awakening the dragon Smaug. And then finally, there's Bilbo's fateful meeting with Smaug himself when he enters the Wicked Wyrm's lair.
However, Peter Jackson has gone on to confirm that The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug will not be as light-hearted as its predecessor and has gone on to cite that the film will be somewhat darker and less joyful than the first. This can come surprising to some fans, as the original novel was marketed as a children's story during the 1930s. Of course, J.R.R. Tolkien would probably understand as some of the darker themes and elements probably come from some of his experiences as a soldier in World War I, perhaps the darkest of the world wars due to their toll on the spirits of those who fought in it.


Well, for starters, as is shown in some of the sneak-peeks of Desolation of Smaug in Peter Jackson's video blog, they will show the lands of Dale in the dead of winter. Before Smaug came to the lands, all fire and ravaging claws, Dale had been a prosperous land with Erebor, the kingdom of the dwarves which is the main objective of Thorin Oakenshield and company and mentioned often in An Unexpected Journey, its wealthiest landmark and pride and joy of the dwarven race. As a matter of fact, actress Evangeline Lilly has gone on to note that Dale somewhat resembled some cozy and wonderful city in Europe before the arrival of the Wicked Wyrm. Now it will be shown to viewers the kind of damage that Smaug has done to the otherwise scenic countryside and that it has become a cold wasteland of misery and foreboding as those that dwell there live in constant fear of the dragon awakening and destroying the surviving inhabitants.
Then we have the characters. For all you arachnophobes, the giant spiders will finally be revealed in this film in all their glory. While everything about them is yet to be revealed one can note the kind of work the film crew has put into bringing them to life and will surely get all those fearful of creepy-crawlies shrieking helplessly. Then we have the mighty Beorn, the shape-shifting bear man who, despite being one of the good guys, is a violent and dangerous individual who is perhaps only on the side of the protagonists through Gandalf's diplomacy and the fact that he has great hatred for orcs.

[Bromptonboy]

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/05/a-journey-with-peter-jackson/
A Journey With Peter Jackson
Posted: 05 Jul 2013 07:27 AM PDT

The anticipation for the release of The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is palpable in fans all over the world. It'll be a long time yet before the film finally makes it to theaters this year in December but already thousands of fans are just dying to get a glimpse of what's to come. Fan expectations were blown and worsened with the release of the first trailer for the film in June about the same time that Man of Steel came about. Epic scenes like the one in Mirkwood, Lake Town and Smaug's Lair were shown and Ringers throughout the world have never been more ecstatic.
However, one should note that Peter Jackson has made many films throughout his career and that his recent visits to Middle Earth are just some of his latest activities and that he's had quite a bit of time to make other films that, though they aren't blockbusters, have managed to make themselves a hit in their own right. Here are just a few of Peter Jackson's films that have at least managed to capture the hearts of moviegoers even if they never reached the same popularity level as that of Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit.
First off, we have The Frighteners, one of Peter Jackson's first hits starring another ageless-looking actor Michael J. Fox. Anyway, the story centers on a psychic who is still suffering from the trauma of his wife's tragic death. In an odd twist, he uses the ghosts he can communicate with to make a living, making them frighten common people so that he is soon called by them and hired to fix their issues. However, his antics end and is forced into dangerous circumstances when he finds himself involved in something worse than his usual fare of ghosts.


Then we have another story about ghosts, The Lovely Bones which features actress Saoirse Ronan, in one of her first notable film appearance. The Lovely Bones centers on the tale of young rape victim who lives on as a ghost and gradually watches as her family struggles to deal with her loss but is often shown to be failing quite badly at it. Initially, she resists at the thought of entering Heaven but as time goes on, the actions of her surviving family and friends come to a head and she comes to learn of a few things as well as teach the audience some of life's lessons before she dies.
And then we have Peter Jackson's adaptation of the 1930's hit King Kong in 2005 with Naomi Watts and Adrien Brody. A very long film, although not requiring multiple installments like Lord of the Rings in 2001-2003, it was nonetheless an exciting movie for most viewers and as faithful as can be hoped with the advances in technology regarding special effects. After all, it seems that directing a remake of King Kong had always been one of Peter Jackson's life-long dream and was indeed a treat for all audiences.
A Journey With Peter Jackson is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
       

Wrapping Up The Journey
Posted: 05 Jul 2013 02:17 AM PDT

It's been said and proven that Peter Jackson had also had plenty of trouble trying to put his The Hobbit film trilogy into the big screen before his first success in 2012 when An Unexpected Journey managed to hit theaters in December of that year. It proved to be a huge success in both that year and the following as the home videos came out around April of 2013 and raked in its own profits. Heck, it seems that Peter Jackson isn't even done with the first installment as it is confirmed that the film will indeed include some extended scenes in later releases to home video. Now that is something to look forward to while we wait for Desolation of Smaug to reach theaters this December!
Unfortunately though, it seems that all good things must come to an end and it's quite true with the film cast and crew of The Hobbit as well. While fans need not worry as there is definitely more to come with Desolation of Smaug still due to come out this year and There and Back Again scheduled for late next year, it seems that filming is almost complete for the whole trilogy. Yup, that means that some of the actors included in the film are done and are now going back their respective careers.


One of these of course is our beloved Ian McKellen, whom we all know well playing as Gandalf, as well as a lot of other roles in various other films. It's been a long and fun journey and, considering his appearance in Lord of the Rings, this would be his second visit to Middle Earth, but it seems that the old British actor is finally done with his pick-up shots and now has to move on to other projects. As a lot of others may know, he has also made his career flourish through the X-Men films and it seems he is far from done in that franchise and is scheduled for an appearance in an up and coming sequel.
Next up is Orlando Bloom. Before Lord of the Rings and his role as Legolas, he mostly played minor roles such as a rent boy in the film Wilde. Thankfully however, his role in Lord of the Rings proved to be highly successful and he went on to take roles in other film franchise such as Pirates of the Caribbean and other less successful films like Kingdom of Heaven, Troy and Three Musketeers. It was quite a surprise when he made an entry in Peter Jackson's video blog in a tearful and somewhat intoxicated farewell.
Finally we have Evangeline Lilly whom we all remember well from episodes of Lost. Well, at least now she's no longer a fugitive although her hot blood is still quite apparent in her character Tauriel. Oh well, she's supposed to be young for an elf (maybe about 600!) and not really into all the quiet and graceful wisdom elves are known for. Anyway, it seems that her part is done too and we can all wait eagerly for what waits for us in Desolation of Smaug in December.
Wrapping Up The Journey is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
       

[Bromptonboy]

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/06/masterpieces-of-middle-earth/
Masterpieces of Middle Earth
Posted: 06 Jul 2013 07:31 AM PDT

It's hard to deny that a lot of us just can't wait for the next installment of The Hobbit to reach theaters, but it seems that there's still quite a bit we can do to distract ourselves while we wait for the inevitable arrival of Desolation of Smaug come this December. One of these of course includes the extended scenes provided in the first installment, An Unexpected Journey, in home videos through DVD and blu-ray. We can also view Peter Jackson's video diary of his efforts and antics considering the completion of the upcoming installments of The Hobbit films with some hilarious scenes like a drunken Legolas and the dwarves performing some crazy dance aerobics.
And then there's the latest figures done by Weta Workshop that we can all enjoy and reminisce over as we relive some of our most favorite scenes in both the book and the films proper. Weta Workshop has always been known to make some very interesting figures for various fantasy and adventure franchises for fans to enjoy and it seems that they seem to hold the works of both J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson in high regard. Here are just a few of what they have to offer.


First off we have a rather life-like figure of Azog the Defiler, the pale orc we've seen running around in An Unexpected Journey. Played by Manu Bennett, an actor we also know well for playing the part of Crixus in the Spartacus series, the character has received quite a bit of ire from fans due to his rather obvious CGI appearance and the fact that he was only a posthumous character in the books and the real threat against the traveling party comes from Bolg, Azog's son. Apparently though, it seems that some fans are still willing to overlook this detail and embrace the character as a welcome embellishment. The figure itself possesses detachable arms that can allow owner to pose him in his battle against the dwarves with one hand holding the head of Thror (Thorin Oakenshield's grandfather) or with his painful looking prosthetic after Thorin severs his other arm.
Then we have a figure of Smaug the dragon himself as he is poised over the treasures of Erebor which he now covets for his own. Complete with his massive wingspan and his serpentine and brazen appearance, its certainly a welcome sight after all that was revealed of him in the films was his eye and nostril. Although we did get to see a bit of his head and neck in the first trailer for the film...
Finally, we have Bilbo Baggins who is struggling with a barrel which no doubt has to do with the scene where he and the dwarves are forced to hide in them as they try to flee from the elven banquet. The figure clearly illustrates Bilbo's worry and bewilderment as he (and we can assume his companions are also around him) battles against the currents of the river while he himself seems to have considerable difficulty just staying inside his own barrel.
Masterpieces of Middle Earth is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
       

Growing Up and Getting Old. Or Not.
Posted: 06 Jul 2013 02:17 AM PDT

The Hobbit film trilogy is on the roll and it seems that we're definitely in for more as the first installment, An Unexpected Journey is expected to receive some extended scenes that fans we'll surely appreciate such as more scenes depicting more shots of the Hobbits hard at work in The Shire, the dwarves not exactly getting along with the elves of Rivendell and, of course there will be much more screentime for everyone's favorite Goblin King hidden somewhere in Goblin Town. Then add to the fact that Desolation of Smaug, the second installment, is coming this December and its trailer has just been recently released in the previous month and that There and Back Again looms on the distant horizon for late 2014.
Well, it really has been a long time for the film crew and cast of The Hobbit. Then again, it seems for the cast at least, it seems that the project seems almost over what with Orlando Bloom and Ian McKellen finally taking their farewells from the project. Anyway, we can hope to see more of these actors and actresses sometime soon as it turns out that you can never really be too old to be part of an epic story like Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit.


Take Christopher Lee for example, an actor well into his 90's but still manages to make a good run with playing as the character of Saruman in both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Although there were some complications beforehand as it seemed that his body was now too frail to travel all the way to New Zealand to reprise his role as Saruman. Nonetheless though, he managed to make a good enough performance when doing his own film shoot in England when he couldn't make his way to New Zealand in time.
And then there is Ian McKellen who comes back to play the role of Gandalf the Grey in The Hobbit. Another veteran actor, he has taken on many roles that involve an air of both wisdom and authority such as that of Magneto from the X-Men franchise and Iorek Byrnison in the Golden Compass movie adaptation. In fact, it seems that his career in films is far from over and will indeed be getting roles in what could possibly be even more blockbuster films in the future such as X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Also of note is Orlando Bloom, another actor who seems to be done with playing the role of Legolas. After all, it seems that he has already spent enough time in Middle Earth and he himself is often worried that he may no longer have the "elven spring" in his step in order to be fully able to play the character of Legolas. Nonetheless, it seems that there are still those who think that little has really changed about the character regardless of what Orlando Bloom may actually think. Oh well, at least he's left us with a farewell video in Peter Jackson's diary blog, leaving us with a good song.
Growing Up and Getting Old. Or Not. is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
       

[Bromptonboy]

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/07/2013-a-time-for-films/
Well, there's no denying the impact of films that have hit theaters so far. With the unquestionable successes of films in the previous year, does it really come as any surprise that films of today are also earning the attention of fans worldwide. Films like Avengers, Dark Knight Rises and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey come to mind when mentioning the various blockbusters of the previous year and this year is no slouch in presenting us with some of the most epic films to date.
We've seen the third installment of the Iron Man series with the rich, eccentric and idiotic Tony Stark attempting to rebuild his life after the climatic events of The Avengers film and it seems that he is far from fully recovering from his troubles. And then we were graced with the second installment of the Star Trek franchise, Into Darkness, with actor Benedict Cumberbatch as the mysterious and enigmatic terrorist John Harrison who is later revealed to have an identity that is deeply significant in Star Trek's lore. Then there is Man of Steel that tells the origins of one of the world's most well-known superheroes Superman and details his life story as he discovers his true identity and goes on his journey to become the superhero we all know and love. However, it seems that our adventures are far from over as it seems that there are more films to come that will surely capture our hearts and imaginations.


This coming July we have Pacific Rim which will hit theaters and probably leave a lot of viewers dumbfounded with its epic special effects and slam bang action. Created by the visionary Guillermo Del Toro, who was also involved in the making of the first installment of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Pacific Rim is a film where the Earth is being attacked by gigantic alien monsters that come through a rift from beneath an ocean trench. To combat this threat, humanity has resorted to building these mighty robotic war machines to repel these monsters.
Then we have Thor: The Dark World, the second installment of the Thor series. It should be noted that the first Thor film proved to be a good film but many fans were disappointed in the fact that so much was left at a loose end. However, after the success of The Avengers in defeating Loki, the God of Thunder returns to set things right. This time Thor must deal with enemies who may perhaps be older than the universe itself.
Finally we have the second installment of The Hobbit film trilogy, Desolation of Smaug. One of the most awaited films of the year, it will reach theaters sometime this December. The recent release of its first trailer has only further exacerbated the longing and excitement that fans feel for the movie as will definitely have quite a bit of fanfare with new actors like Luke Evans and Evangeline Lilly taking on some important roles as well as the return of iconic ones like Orlando Bloom who we all remember well as Legolas from Lord of the Rings.

[Bromptonboy]

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/09/evangeline-lilly-gets-dangerous/
The Hobbit Movie New Post

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Evangeline Lilly Gets Dangerous
Posted: 09 Jul 2013 06:58 AM PDT

So there you have it, it seems that Peter Jackson and his crew are finally finishing up with The Hobbit films and are ready for release soon enough. So don't worry Ringers, we can surely look forward to more as Wingnut films is almost ready to present us with what we're waiting for in the following few months. Already we have the first trailer for the second film, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, released not long ago after the release of Man of Steel on the big screen and the fans are already ecstatic over what they will probably see in the up and coming sequel. Cue also the cheer of fans when it was announced that Unexpected Journey will be receiving some extended scenes just to spice things up.
Now though, it seems that the journey is wrapping up and some of the actors and actresses who have made The Hobbit possible are now taking their leave. It's sad and heartwarming at the same time that the people who have brought Middle Earth to life are now making their heartfelt farewells to both fans and fellow actors and film crews. There's even that short video on Peter Jackson's video diary depicting a presumably drunk Orlando Bloom singing "They Have Taken The Hobbits to Isengard" as a kind of final joke as he moves on to the next projects in his career.


Another noteworthy person on the project is of course Evangeline Lilly, whom we all know as Tauriel in her movie incarnation. Again, it seems that Evangeline Lilly who made one of her first notable appearances in the TV series Lost where she played as the fugitive Kate Austen will be once again taking the role of a badass and rather renegade character. Of course, it seems that Evangeline Lilly is more than pleased to take on the role of Tauriel as is revealed in a few interviews with her and seems intent on pleasing the fandom who have come to accept the character.
Well, for those not in the know, the character of Tauriel received considerable criticism after Peter Jackson revealed her to waiting fans of the franchise. Being an original character not found in the original novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, it seems that a lot of fans were outright insulted by this development and have come to view the characters as almost a kind of a betrayal to the works of the great author. However, Evangeline Lilly herself has gone on to confirm that the character was made with great respect for Tolkien's works and was created solely to further enrich the story.
Tauriel, as Evangeline Lilly herself describes, is a rather young elf (600 years old to be exact) who has yet to be considered fully mature (like Legolas and Thranduil who are effectively past 1000 years of age) and is rather brash and reckless. However, she is confirmed to have the same amount of grace that elves are famous for although, unlike the rest of her peers, is quite blunt especially when it comes to combat.
Evangeline Lilly Gets Dangerous is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
       

Fame is a Bitch, But Not for Martin Freeman
Posted: 09 Jul 2013 02:26 AM PDT

The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is ready to hit theaters come December of this year and it looks like fans just can't seem to wait anymore. The recent release of the film's trailer that came out along with the first screening of Man of Steel certainly didn't make things any easier for fans as they now clamor even more of The Hobbit. Even the first installment, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, has received a bit of tweaking and some extended scenes that will include more of Hobbiton and the hobbits' idyllic way of life, a scuffle between the dwarven company and the elves of Rivendell and a few more shots with the Goblin King (shudder).
However, the film itself took quite some time before it could be successfully launched possibly because of some major issues that director Peter Jackson had to contend with. This would include the legal repercussions as Peter Jackson has little access to other sources cited by J.R.R. Tolkien and had to make do with whatever could be found in both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. There is also the case with the actors as some of them like Christopher Lee who was simply too frail to fly to New Zealand and had to do most of his shots in England and there was Hugo Weaving who not entirely sure about taking up the mantle of Lord Elrond again.


They also had a few issues with actor Martin Freeman who was set up to take the role of Bilbo Baggins, the main character of the story and film. Apparently, he had been busy with another project when Peter Jackson began work with The Hobbit, more specifically the British TV series Sherlock. A more modern interpretation of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic Great Detective, Martin Freeman plays the role of Dr. Watson, the faithful sidekick of Sherlock Holmes himself and, at the same time, a kind of surrogate for the audience as Watson is most certainly a typical everyman caught in situations that are in over his head.
Luckily though it seems that Martin Freeman made it after all and is slated to star in the up and coming sequels of the film as well such as Desolation of Smaug and There and Back Again. However, Martin Freeman goes on to note that, in Britain at least, he seems to be more popular for being Watson than anything else. Either way though, he seems to be quite popular for playing the role of rather everyman characters caught in situations that utterly defy description.
Also however, Martin Freeman's rather unassuming look has made him a little harder to recognize than some of his fellow celebrities. Take for example Orlando Bloom who plays the role of Legolas in both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and you'll notice the way the general public easily recognized him among the masses in New York City Park. Oh well, at least it'll keep Martin Freeman free from having any problems with Paparazzi.
Fame is a Bitch, But Not for Martin Freeman is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
       

[Bromptonboy]

http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/10/benedict-cumberbatch-and-guillermo-del-toro/
The Hobbit Movie New Post

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Benedict Cumberbatch and Guillermo Del Toro
Posted: 10 Jul 2013 08:15 AM PDT

It seems that the hard work of Peter Jackson as well as the cast and crew for The Hobbit films have finally paid off. The results of the first installment, An Unexpected Journey, has already raked in considerable recognition and it seems that it has easily become one of the most successful films of 2012 alongside the really classic hits like The Avengers and Skyfall. And it seems its far from over as it was announced that An Unexpected Journey would come out with some extended scenes such as additional scenes in Hobbiton, a few scuffles between the dwarves and elves of Rivendell and perhaps maybe a few shots of the Goblin King.
Desolation of Smaug, the second installment of the film trilogy, is due this year in December and it seems the fandom just can't wait for it to roll around. Of course the recent release of the film's first trailer just over a month ago hasn't helped much with the yearning of fans and has possibly boosted the fan reception with the confirmation that Orlando Bloom, the actor who played as Legolas in Lord of the Rings and perhaps one of the film industry's biggest heartthrobs, would be returning to reprise his role as the elf prince of Mirkwood. However now, it seems that the some of the cast have already left as the project is now coming to an end while the third and last film of the franchise will be scheduled for release late next year.


It should be noted though that some of the people involved in The Hobbit films still have quite a bit ahead of them especially those who have become some of the most recognizable names in Hollywood like the aforementioned Orlando Bloom being interested in getting a role for the latest Pirates of the Caribbean films and Ian McKellen reprising his role as Magneto in the latest installment of X-Men franchise. But now we have Guillermo Del Toro and Benedict Cumberbatch planning a new project of their own.
Indeed, Benedict Cumberbatch, the same guy who played as Sherlock Holmes alongside Martin Freeman (the guy playing as Bilbo in The Hobbit) in the ever popular British TV series Sherlock as well as the mysterious John Harrison in the latest installment of the Star Trek reboot, Into Darkness, may indeed be joining visionary Guillermo Del Toro in a new project. In The Hobbit proper, its quite impressive to note that he gets to play not just one character, but two. He plays as both the fearsome Wicked Wyrm, Smaug and the mysterious Necromancer who I'm sure fans of Tolkien are easily familiar with.
Guillermo Del Toro has also been quite busy with his own projects like Pacific Rim, an epic film with giant robots and huge monsters set for release this month. For those not in the know, Guillermo Del Toro was also behind the Hellboy film adaptations as well as the Spanish film Pan's Labyrinth. Anyway, it seems now that he wants to get together with Benedict Cumberbatch in order to launch his latest project which seems to be Frankenstein. Of course, knowing his passion for classics, we can only hope to see his new project launched soon.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Guillermo Del Toro is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
       

A Long Awaited Journey
Posted: 10 Jul 2013 02:07 AM PDT

Of course, we all know about Peter Jackson in some way. After all, the world cheered him on after he successfully adapted Lord of the Rings unto the big screen. And this after a lot of directors before the 21st century claimed that the epic novel by J.R.R. Tolkien was impossible to film. I suppose that just goes to show the ingenuity of the director himself who has gone on to direct many more movies in his time and impressed audiences around the world. One can even note that, although his version of Lord of the Rings was quite loyal to the source material (unlike The Hobbit today) it could be said that people will never look at that classic the same way ever again.
Well, for those of you not in the know, Peter Jackson is originally from New Zealand, which probably comes as no surprise considering he made some of his most noteworthy films in the little country south of the world. Some of his earliest films include that of The Valley, a short film about a group of prospectors who stumble into a space/time portal of some sort and finding themselves in another age and forced to fight against mythological creatures and other nasties as they attempt to get away and seeks some kind of shelter in the otherwise hostile world they have found themselves in.


And then there is the rather bizarre Bad Taste which Peter Jackson made sometime in 1976 which became a cult classic in its own right. It tells the story of a group of paramilitary personnel investigating a bizarre incident in Kaihoro, a fictional town in New Zealand. Soon enough, the four members of the team discover, much to their horror, that all the people of the town have been abducted and possibly devoured by aliens. To make matters worse, it seems that the aliens have set up shop in the town as a kind of fastfood for other aliens with human flesh as one of the major commodities.
Then there is yet another film called Meet the Feebles which didn't really succeed but proved to be quite interesting in its own right and became a cult classic. The movie is actually quite reminiscent of The Muppets, but whereas The Muppets can be thought of as a wholesome adventure with the characters constantly suffering from their own naivete and innocence, The Feebles are known for their largely rude and brutal sense of humor. A black comedy in every sense of the word, the film involves everything from sex and violence to the naturally shady nature of the film industry.
The Hobbit film trilogy, which the world has been waiting for eagerly since Peter Jackson finished up with Lord of the Rings also took quite some time to make as there have been numerous issues regarding the film's crew and cast. For instance, they had plenty of trouble just making the film as laws prevented Peter Jackson from making use of any other sources by Tolkien asides from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
A Long Awaited Journey is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
       

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