Jackson begins filming 'Hobbit'
Source: Agencies |
March 22, 2011, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CAMERAS started rolling yesterday in New Zealand on director Peter Jackson's production of "The Hobbit," following months of delays on the prequel to his Oscar-winning "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
Hollywood studio funding problems, a threatened actors' boycott and ulcer surgery for Jackson have plagued pre-production on the US$500 million, two-movie project.
The director posted a studio news release on his website yesterday saying production has started in New Zealand on the much-anticipated project.
British actor Martin Freeman will star as hobbit Bilbo Baggins alongside Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett and Orlando Bloom in twin movies of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel about a short, hairy-footed hero.
The films are expected to take up to two years to make, with the first timed for release in late 2012.
"The Hobbit" is a prequel to "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy by Tolkien that Jackson helmed to blockbuster film success in 2001-03, winning best-picture and best-director Oscars for the finale.
Jackson underwent surgery last month for a perforated stomach ulcer, pushing back the start of filming.
Last October, New Zealand changed labor laws and tipped in extra tax breaks for Hollywood studios MGM and New Line Cinema to ensure the Hobbit films would be made in the country.
The changes mean actors and others working on the films will be hired as contractors not employees. The union had wanted local actors and other production workers to be hired as employees on union contracts.
New Zealand received a boost to its tourism and film-making industries from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
Hollywood studio funding problems, a threatened actors' boycott and ulcer surgery for Jackson have plagued pre-production on the US$500 million, two-movie project.
The director posted a studio news release on his website yesterday saying production has started in New Zealand on the much-anticipated project.
British actor Martin Freeman will star as hobbit Bilbo Baggins alongside Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett and Orlando Bloom in twin movies of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novel about a short, hairy-footed hero.
The films are expected to take up to two years to make, with the first timed for release in late 2012.
"The Hobbit" is a prequel to "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy by Tolkien that Jackson helmed to blockbuster film success in 2001-03, winning best-picture and best-director Oscars for the finale.
Jackson underwent surgery last month for a perforated stomach ulcer, pushing back the start of filming.
Last October, New Zealand changed labor laws and tipped in extra tax breaks for Hollywood studios MGM and New Line Cinema to ensure the Hobbit films would be made in the country.
The changes mean actors and others working on the films will be hired as contractors not employees. The union had wanted local actors and other production workers to be hired as employees on union contracts.
New Zealand received a boost to its tourism and film-making industries from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
