A wizard is never late: but I hadn’t intended last Thursday to arrive in Wellington for The Hobbit filming, five weeks early. Yet, what’s new? Just a year ago, touring New Zealand with Waiting for Godot, I had expected to start shooting in July 2010, with Guillermo del Toro in charge. I was staying at his spare house on Breaker Bay, close to the Jackson compound. There he told me why he was abandoning Middle Earth, as Warner Brothers and MGM got perilously close to postponing The Hobbit forever and he worried about his commitments to other work. So my plan to jump straight from Beckett to Tolkien had to be abandoned and I flew home for a prolonged break.

A year on, filming was to start at the end of February 2011. I curtailed a holiday in India to make sure I would be on time.

Then, while I was away, Peter Jackson had his stomach operation. The insurance company has insisted on five weeks recuperation. Which is why, yet again, I¹m here early. Waiting for Bilbo.

I was hoping to see Peter up and kicking at the party Philippa Boyens threw last week for the actors and again the following day, when Graham Mactavish and Gwen had a house-warming party in their garden and house overlooking the Wellington harbour. No luck: but there were many others to say hello to; beginning with 13 dwarves.

To be continued.
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OWF: I have to ask, now that it is ninety-nine percent a go down in New Zealand. Is there any chance of getting involved in The Hobbit? I’m not sure in what capacity.

I am not sure at all about that. I mean I don’t know what is happening with it, or when they are filming it. I don’t think I would be in it. I mean having played Boromir, I don’t think he was around at that time. Maybe he was a young lad, unless I played him as a toddler! [laughs]

DoG: Boromir will always come up, particularly for the kind of websites we write for, and is just a fantastic character. Looking back on it, is it one that stands out for you?

Yeah, very memorable. For all of us, it opened doors. For a lot of us, Viggo and the young guys, the hobbits, it was just something we didn’t expect, you know?

I got over there from England to New Zealand and you are kind of spaced out after that flight and I knew about the book. But I didn’t realise the scale of it, how big and epic it would be.

Walking round the workshops you saw the drawings in the studios and you thought, “Wow, this looks like it’s going to be a big film.” But we still didn’t realise, even when we were filming. I think it was only the hype, around when it was going to be released, that we realised what we’d done.

We were obviously totally committed to it and we lived there, more or less, for a year in New Zealand and we became very close. Peter knew exactly, having been studying it and visualising it for years and years, he knew exactly what he wanted. It was a big turning point for many of us. With the amount of interest it created and what it received, it created just good things for us.

OWF: Are you still in touch with the fellowship?

Yeah, we did a photo shoot a few weeks ago, Orlando and Bernard Hill, Andy Serkis and a few others. I can’t remember what it was for, actually, some kind of magazine celebrating 100 years of film, or 100 best films.

We get together and we do bump into each other now and again. I bump into Viggo occasionally. We get on quite well because we’re a similar age and we have a similar sense of humour.
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Jackson told The Hollywood Reporter:

“everyone involved in the production of The Hobbit is shocked and saddened by the earthquake and it’s devastating aftermath.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Christchurch and all those affected by this terrible tragedy,” he said.

Filming of The Hobbit will be further delayed due to the disaster.

The shoot was set for March 21 at Stone Street studios in Wellington and on location around the country.
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How big is your pool in New Zealand?
Bethany 9 years old

I don’t have a pool, but I do live on the beach, so the sea is my pool, so in that case my pool is 80% of the world’s surface.

When are you going on a train?
Ollie 4 years old

Peter Jackson has a train in his house, so the next time I’m at his house I’ll go on a train.

Which Lord of the Rings film is your favourite?
Hag 6 years old

I loved them all equally.

Do you play the Lord of the Rings computer games?
Hag 6 years old

I don’t play computer games very much anymore.

Is the Hobbit going to be as good as the other Lord of the Rings films?
Hag 6 years old

It’s going to be better.

Is being in The Hobbit exciting for you?
Hag 6 years old

It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, everyday I wake up super excited.

How many of the Lord of the Rings books have you read?
Tobias 12 years old

All of them

Who is your favourite actor in the original trilogy?
Tobias 12 years old

Elijah Wood was perfect as Frodo Baggins.

What did you do the moment you found out you were in the Hobbit?
Tobias 12 years old

I called my parents and told them, then I called my girlfriend at the time and told her, then I sat with my dog, the two of us alone on my balcony in Los Angeles and as the sun set, I cried with happiness.
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“We haven’t started filming, we got here mid-January and we were supposed to rehearse, doing lots of horse-riding and framing and stunts and all that, but then Peter got ill, he had a perforated ulcer, so filming was delayed for a few weeks. Filming starts in about three weeks and I start in a month, but it’s been great, so I’ve had lots of time off.

“We’ve been here for training, because I’m going to be here for a year so the amount of work and the work we’ll be getting up to means we all have to be fit, you know, and a few of us are getting on a bit, so we’ve been training and horse-riding and doing stunts and all that kind of thing, and then we start.”

Nesbitt commented on his experience of one of this year’s 60,000 lesser earthquakes in Wellington:

“There was one last night, yeah. I thought it was just wind actually, to tell you the truth… I think the earthquakes have been terrible in Christchurch, it’s very sad, and it’s been felt very keenly emotionally all over the islands because they’re a very tight group of people, the Kiwis, so its been awful, but people are getting on with things and trying to lend as much support as possible.”

With St. Patrick’s Day coming, Absolute Radio asked the Irishman what he would be doing on the day:

“Well I’m not filming (The Hobbit) yet, I’m rehearsing, so I might not be rehearsing much that day.”
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Today I was in various places which are all the same place.

I was on flat land the Maori called Whataitai until renamed in 1872, Miramar, or “Behold the Sea,” which is indeed nearby.

I was in Stone Street Studios in the heart of a modern suburb, with some light industry.

In fact, I was in an old paint factory, which I knew ten years back as the main film studio for The Lord of the Rings. Inside was the new set for Bag End, including a bedroom and pantry.

And I was there too, in Hobbiton, with a semi-circle of dwarves and Bilbo, their reluctant host. I was at the cast’s first joint rehearsal where Peter Jackson, with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, invited our comments on their script so far. This is as close to bliss as an actor can get. Facing three Oscar-winning screenplay writers who genuinely want us actors to contribute. AND there were piles of snacks on the coffee tables: fresh fruit, NZ cheese, Minties.

Two of the cast have forsworn deserts during Lent. Not me, not yet. At lunch I took seconds of the flourless chocolate cake and sour cream
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There have been several casting announcements since Martin Freeman was confirmed as the lead in October last year.

A spokeswoman for the production unit said only that everyone was “very excited” to get started on filming.
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“I haven’t heard from anybody.” She also didn’t know that filming began today.

When she was informed there would be additional casting, she wasn’t optimistic of her chances though expressed keenness to join old colleagues and said she would “love to go back to New Zealand”.
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Saiorse Ronan, the breakout “Atonement ” actress who worked with Jackson on the 2009 spiritual drama “The Lovely Bones,” says that while her much-rumored casting in the fantasy franchise isn’t “confirmed,” she’s optimistic that she’ll be starring amid the dragons and wizards.

“Pete is adding a lot of characters in the film adaption,” she said. “Hopefully they have a part for me… It would be great to go there, and if they ask me I would say yes.”

Ronan said she hasn’t yet read the “Hobbit” script but did read the J.R.R. Tolkien original and found herself enraptured.

“It’s magical and it’s a fantasy, but the characters in this story are also so real,” she said. “Bilbo’s such an insecure man. He’s comfortable in his life but he’s kind of reaching out for something else even though he won’t admit it.”

Saoirse has long been rumoured for the part of new character Itaril which we first told you about last January and she recently said if it were offered, she would take the part. The casting call that went out described the part as:

ITARIL – female, A woodland Elf, this character is one the Silvan Elves. The Silvan Elves are seen as more earthy and practical. Shorter than other elves, she is still quick and lithe and physically adept, being able to fight with both sword and bow. Showing promise as a fighter at a young age, ITARIL was chosen to train to become part of the Woodland King’s Guard. This is the only life she has ever expected to live, until she meets and secretly falls in love with a young ELF LORD. This role will require a wig and contact lenses to be worn. Some prosthetic make-up may also be required. LEAD. AGE: 17-27.
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The Glaswegian actor played Pippin in the movie trilogy and hoped he could appear in the new two-parter – set 60 years earlier – as the character’s father.

His hopes were boosted when it was reported that fellow hobbit Elijah Wood would reprise his role as Frodo in the opening sequence of the first movie.

But Billy now admits a return is unlikely, although that won’t stop him teaming up with Elijah and Dominic Monaghan for a nostalgic set visit.

Billy, 42, said: “No, I wouldn’t think anything will come of that but I am definitely going to go down there, I haven’t been back since the premiere of Return Of The King.

“Most of the guys have been back for a little trip or something but I have not managed it.

“I have been talking to Dom and Elijah and we are all going to go back this year. We will all go together, like a reunion trip. We want to go and see the sets.

“And while we’re there, there must be something for us. They must need a hobbit in the background somewhere. I can even put the big feet on myself!”

The award-winning trilogy had a huge impact on Billy’s profile as an actor and his life off-camera.

He became firm friends with the rest of the cast over the 14 months they spent shooting the movies in New Zealand.
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The Dominion Post can reveal that Sir Peter Jackson is trying to tempt the Flight of the Conchords co-star to take a role in the 3-D Hobbit films now being shot in Wellington.

It would spell a remarkable turnaround for McKenzie, who had a three-second spot as a pouting elf in the first Rings film.

A fan saw him on screen as Frodo was frantically trying to deliver the ring to Mordor and thought. “Frodo is great … who is that?” And from that, the acronym Figwit was born.

Hobbit spokeswoman Melissa Booth did not reply to questions about McKenzie and his role in the film.
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If I was hired to be in “The Hobbit,” I would certainly not be playing a Hobbit. I won’t have hairy feet. I don’t like hairy feet, and so I’m not going to play someone with hairy feet. I don’t know, we’ll wait and see. They’re pretty much taking everyone back from “Lord of the Rings” and sticking them into “The Hobbit” for a little while, which is so great. I think Cate’s going back down and Orlando [Bloom] I think is going back down as well, so it’s fun. It’ll be a great reuniting party when we’re—when they’re all together.

Will you be scared of Gollum?

No, I’d quite like to give him a hug, actually. I really like Gollum; I think he’d like me too.

Why?

I like him because he’s not afraid of speaking his opinion, you know? He isn’t shy about his feelings; he will always let the ring know that that is the most important thing to him. I like that; I like that in a guy. And I think he’d like me because I appreciate him. This is ridiculous. I’m just talking really silly now.

So if the most important thing in a guy’s life is his Xbox, you’d appreciate knowing that up front?

Yeah, but I don’t think I would want to be with someone like that. [Laughs.] A ring is a different thing. I don’t mean wedding ring! I just mean the “Lord of the Rings” rings.
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“I think I understand Peter’s sensibility and we have a common history of understanding Middle Earth,” Serkis told The Hollywood Reporter. “A lot of the crew from The Lord of the Rings was returning to work on The Hobbit. There is really a sense of Peter wanting people around him who totally understand the material and the work ethic.”
Serkis has already done some directing, including performance capture on a couple video games including Heavenly Sword. But, he said, “When Peter asked me. There was this email out of the blue. It was a fantastic surprise.”

When he completes The Hobbit movies, Serkis aims to direct his first live-action feature. In addition, he and producer Jonathan Cavendish (Bridget Jones’ Diary) plan to launch a perform capture studio and training center, dubbed The Imaginarium, which will produce its own material as well as service other projects.

As for his return to Middle Earth, details are being kept under wraps, but Serkis told THR that his directing responsibilities would go beyond performance capture.

“It is wide ranging and encompasses a lot of directing aspects of filmmaking and story. Yes, there is some performance capture, but I will be very much on the live action sets and locations helping Peter to tell the story.”

“The learning curve is The Hobbit is being shot in 3D,” he added, noting that the 3D would be used “dramatically, to give a point of view.”

“In the same way Lord of the Rings was an interpretation of the book, The Hobbit is being treated the same way,” Serkis said. “It will be faithfully represented with a fresh interpretation.”
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Question: You were a part of the hugely successful franchises for The Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean, and now those franchises are continuing on. What’s it going to be like to see those movies, as an audience member?

ORLANDO BLOOM: Great! I’ve had such a great run with them.

Are you going to appear in The Hobbit?

BLOOM: Yeah, it’s looking like that. I’m really excited about going to see Pete [Jackson] again. It’s still a little up in the air, but the idea of working with Pete is fantastic. I can’t actually really talk too much about it, at this point. I just was given the script to piece through, so it’s quite exciting.

The whole script?

BLOOM: Yeah!

Will you have to do anything to physically prepare for that role again?

BLOOM: Are you telling me that I’ve put on weight, in the last 10 years? I just have to grow my hair really long and blonde again.

Isn’t he a younger version?

BLOOM: Yeah.
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The 66-year-old Lord of the Rings star said he initially told Jackson he wouldn’t be returning to Middle Earth as the dwarf Gimli, but later had a change of heart.

“The other day when I realised it was about to start a little shiver of regret went through me,” he said.

“So I called Peter Jackson’s assistant and said, ‘If there was anything or even just an excuse to come down do let me know…’

“PJ promptly collapsed and was admitted to hospital, I never heard back.

“I didn’t think I was that bad!”

The Welsh-born star, who has appeared in dozens of films, plays and TV shows is in Wellington this weekend for the Armageddon expo.

During a live chat with readers, he told Stuff.co.nz despite his love of his work and long film history, he had a life outside showbiz too.

“I’m a little bit more than a career. I enjoy flying. Strike that, chasing pretty girls,” he said.

“I love projects. I love a good safari. Films are fun but life is much richer,” he said.
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Напомним, что ещё в 2008 году актёр выразил желание принять участие в двух фильмах по повести Толкиена «Хоббит или Туда и обратно». Вуд хотел вернуться в проект, если такая роль будет ему предложена, и даже направил тогда Питеру Джексону письмо по электронной почте. И вот, спустя три года его заветная мечта сбывается. Он не скрывает радости и с нетерпением ждёт возможности ещё разок примерить костюм Фродо:

«Я намереваюсь вернуться в Новую Зеландию и провести там немного времени. Будет много старых друзей, которые также станут частью фильма. Я предполагаю, что и съёмочная команда будет преимущественно всё та же. В некотором смысле это будет ирреальная поездка вроде путешествия назад в прошлое. В съёмках используются новые технологии плюс триде. Мне безумно хочется прочитать сценарий и увидеть, что же из всего этого получится. Мне очень интересно, каким образом удалось вплести кусочки нашей истории в «Хоббита». Я был на съёмочной площадке примерно год назад, в феврале, и я видел часть декораций. Тогда режиссёром ещё был Гильермо дель Торо. И я видел, что часть дизайнеров-проектировщиков из «Властелина колец» вернулась, чтобы спроектировать мир «Хоббита». А это значит, что при всех отличиях нового проекта, многое покажется очень знакомым».

Элайджа Вуд планирует присоединиться к съёмочной группе в ноябре или декабре, чтобы к февралю завершить съёмку и вернуться в телесериал «Уилфред» ("Wilfred"), в котором актёр играет главную роль.

One comment that came up from the recent video blog was the Bilbo voice at the end—many of you assumed it was Sir Ian Holm. Whilst Ian will be returning as the older Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, that recording was actually Martin Freeman’s voice, taken from a script read through we recorded when the cast first arrived. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure who it was when I first heard it, either. Cheers, Peter J
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Сэр Иан Холм возвращается

I am sad to report that Rob Kazinsky, who was cast in the role of Fili, is having to leave The Hobbit and return home, for personal reasons. Rob has been terrific to work with and his enthusiasm and infectious sense of humour will be missed by all of us. I should say that Rob’s departure will not affect ongoing filming of The Hobbit, nor will it impact work done to date, as we had yet to film much of Fili’s storyline. At the moment we are shooting scenes featuring Bilbo without the Dwarves, which will give us time to find a new Fili. I’ll keep everyone posted with updates as they come.

Cheers,

Peter J

Rob Kazinsky commented via Twitter:

Thanks for all your support, Peter and team have been the most wonderful and supportive team to work for and it’s with a truly sad heart that things have turned out this way. The Hobbit will go on to be as great as i’ve seen and I will miss the family and friends that i’ve here, From every disaster i’ve tried to make an opportunity. “john d rokerfeller”
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Скорей бы уже, балииин!!!