The Hobbit Movie

In an interview with Hobbit actor Andy Serkis (Gollum) with The Hollywood Reporter, Serkis revealed that Gollum was not his only responsibility in making The Hobbit movies. Serkis has been hired on to serve as the Second Unit Direct for the movies.  Though little details have been revealed about what exactly his roles will be, Serkis says that his duties will go far beyond performance capture.  Here is what he said:

“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.” “When we created Gollum the first time, performance capture was it its infancy,” he said, noting that today, “within the industry, there is more appreciation for it as an acting art form. It’s all about character, learning what the character thinks, feels, how he carries pain.”

Serkis also said in regards to playing Gollum again, it is “thrilling” and that creepy creature “never really left me.”

(Source: the-hobbit-movie.com)

Bret McKenzie could be going from being a Figwit in the Lord of the Rings to a big-screen presence in The Hobbit.

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.

(Source: the-hobbit-movie.com)

LORD of the Rings star Billy Boyd has revealed his dream of a cameo role in prequel The Hobbit has been shot down… but he plans to gatecrash the set anyway.

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.

(Source: theonering.net)

Adam Brown.

James Nesbitt

Andy Serkis in Gollum Motion Capture Suit.

Unknown Actors/Crew

(Source: theonering.net)

Another potential problem is in the near future for Sir Peter Jackson and his quest to produce the long awaited Hobbit movies.  Under the Official Information Act, a 450 man crew was scheduled to visit Hobbiton for a three week period.  This was called off due to the emergency surgery which put Peter Jackson in the hospital.

Now the local council is saying that under the contract, filming must be finished by the end of the month.  With it, they issued this statement:

“If 3 Foot 7 wants to film after this date they will need approval from council to do so, they have not applied to council yet, although I understand they are aware of this requirement,” she said. A traffic management plan, needed for resource consent, had still not been approved by the council.

A new resource consent will be required if they plan to shoot in Hobbiton next summer as they currently do.

(Source: theonering.net)

The LA Times ’24 Frames’ blog has an interview with rumored Hobbit participant, Saiorse Ronan, which reveals a significant statement about PJ’s adaptation of The Hobbit to film. Among other highlights in the article is the following statement from Ms. Ronan:

“Pete is adding a lot of characters in the film adaption,” she said. “Hopefully they have a part for me.”

This lines up with long standing rumors that a character named ‘Itaril’ has been added to the movie and Ms. Ronan is queued up for the role.

Itaril is described in unofficial casting call sheets as: 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.

Time will tell, but odds are we’ll be seeing Saiorse Ronan in this role for The Hobbit. Saiorse also mentioned that The Hobbit will be ‘a little bit lighter than ‘Lord of the Rings’.’ Read the full interview at the LA Times [Read on]