The Hobbit, Part I opens in December of 2012.

The Hobbit is scheduled to begin filming mid-February.

No press press release or announcement from Warner Bros. has been made, but we can probably expect that soon. McKellen also mentions that more characters from Jackson’s Lord of the Rigns Trilogy will also return. One of those characters probably includes Lord Elrond as Bilbo (Martin Freeman) and the Dwarfs travel through there on their journey to the Lonely Mountain. It’s unknown if Hugo Weaving is signed on to reprise that role.

Production on The Hobbit is looking to begin next February for a release in December of 2012 for part 1.

Deadline Hollywood reports that James Nesbitt (Cold Feet) and Adam Brown have signed on for the film. Nesbitt will play the dwarf Bofur, a “disarmingly forthright, funny and occasionally brave Dwarf.”Nesbitt will probably be the comic relief in the movie that was mostly held by Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) in Jackson’s trilogy, which should prove good for Nesbitt. “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,”director Peter Jackson said. Brown will be playing Ori, another dwarf who journeys to the Lonely Mountain.

While Brown and Nesbitt are signed on, Ian McKellen has yet to officially attach himself to the film. It’s been assumed/hoped that McKellen would return as Gandalf, but he mentions to Broadway World that he isn’t signed on yet.  ”I am not under contract, no”, he said. There’s no reason to worry as filming is scheduled to begin next February, and leaves plenty of time for McKellen to sign on.

The Hobbit, Part I is scheduled to open in December of 2012. Part II in December of 2013.

Deadline Hollywood catches word that Martin Freeman is set to take over the lead role of Bilbo Baggins, who was portrayed by Ian Holm in Jackson’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Freeman was already being considered for the role, but had to work around scheduling for BBC’s Sherlock Holmes. Jimmy Nesbitt (The Way) has been offered an unknown role in the films. Michael Fassbender (X-men: First Class) and David Tennant (Doctor Who) are reportedly being pursued as well. Among them will be Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis returning as Gandalf and Gollum.

It’s unknown what role Tennant and Fassbender are wanted for, but one could assume that of the dwarfs Bilbo accompanies on his journey. Sylvester McCoy has also previously been reported to be in talks for a role (here), but it’s uncertain if that offer is still valid. It’s also seems that a deal was made to allow filming to commence in New Zealand, which served as the filming location for Jackson’s Lord of the Ring’s Trilogy. There’s still the issue of MGM, and just how they will put forth their half of the $500 million production cost.  Production is looking to start in February, and yes, the films will be shot in 3D.

The Hobbit, Part I is scheduled to open in December of 2012. Part II looking to arrive in December of 2013.

According to The Telegraph, this will include Ian Mckellen (Gandalf), Cate Blanchet, and Andy Serkis (Gollum) as well. All three were up for roles in the film. It’s unknown what role Blanchet was offered, but it’s quite obvious Serkis and McKellen would be reprising their respective roles. McKellen has already said that if production doesn’t begin soon, he wouldn’t be able to return as Gandalf (here), which could upset fans even more.

However, the studios involved in production (WB, New Line Cinema, and MGM) have issued a statement (via Variety) this boycott is against New Zealand law. “The fact remains that there cannot be any collective bargaining with MEAA on this New Zealand production, for to do so would expose the production to liability and sanctions under New Zealand law”, they told the press. The studios also aren’t going to wait, and are threatening to move production to a different location. “It is our general policy to avoid filming in locations where there is potential for work force uncertainty or other forms of instability. As such, we are exploring all alternative options in order to protect our business interests,” they said.

Sets are reportedly already built in New Zealand, and are just waiting for the green-light. Changing locations would be costly, but it looks like they’re at the point where they will do anything to get the films made. Each studio also denies these films are a non-union, and they have bargaining agreements in place. So far this hasn’t changed the scheduled start date in January.

The Playlist reports the actor was interview with New Zealand’s Good Morning show about the status of the film. McKellen previously gave us fans false hope that filming would begin this summer, but now admits the film delayed. However, he expects that an  ”announcement is imminent.” But what will that announcement be?  “It’ll either be, we’re going ahead or we’re not,”said McKellen.

The actor also states that he isn’t contracted and that “my time is running out”. McKellen says he enjoys working in theatre, and wants to do another play after Waiting for Godot. MGM is currently re-structuring, and the idea of selling off their rights to The Hobbit has been speculated. That seems like it could be the only way the films will get started on production. The films are still rumored to begin shooting this January, but that won’t happen if the studio can’t find a solution soon.

The last we heard about The Hobbit from actor Ian McKellen he said that the film is in a limbo. Release dates have been set only to be pushed back, will we be seeing The Hobbit anytime soon? More so, do you still want to see a two-part feature film version of The Hobbit directed by Guillermo Del Toro, or could you care less?

What’s Playing (via Collider) spits out some quotations from Ian McKellen on what’s taking so long, and the plain fact that the film indeed is getting the push back.:

“That should have started in April but they didn’t contact me about a contract until a few weeks ago and we’re in negotiation”, the actor, who’d be reprising his Lord of the Rings‘ role Gandalf for the film, said. “I shall see (director) Guillermo del Toro and (executive producer) Peter Jackson when I’m in New Zealand after we’ve been to Australia and well find out more then.”

Continues McKellen, “I’ve read the script, or as much as had been written, they sent it to me, which was very accomplished and good, I thought, and a wonderful part, Gandalf. But I don’t have a contract and I don’t have a start date, so there we are. We’re in a bit of limbo at the moment”.

The feature, which once appeared like it was going to start filming as soon as this summer, could be stuck in this predicament for awhile especially if everyone is dragging their feet. Could it be happening due to financial issues? Schedule conflicts? Well, if they want us to go back to Middle Earth they better try to do it sooner than later.

The Hobbit’s, two films, start shooting in New Zealand in June. Filming will take over a year. Casting in Los Angeles, New York City and London has started. The script too proceeds. The first draft is crammed with old and new friends, again on a quest in Middle Earth.

There are two parts to the Lord of the Rings prequel The Hobbit that Guillermo will be directing with talent like Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving and Andy Serkis reprising their roles. The Hobbit is being handled by MGM, New Line Cinema, WingNut Films and Warner Bros Pictures.

What do you have to do? Well it’s quite a simple amount of guidelines that Collider is able to map out below.:

– You must apply by physical mail.

– You need to include a casting video, headshot and full-body shot (both head on and profile).

– It is very important that you include a return address so, in the event that the casting director thinks you would make a great goblin, you can be sent the next application.

– Don’t bother saying what part you’d be perfect for.  If you get the gig, they’ll decide for you.

– Finally, according to New Zealand law, local people must be hired before overseas fanboys and girls.  In other words you need to have a NZ tax number and be able to legally work in the country if you are going to apply.   Also, you must be available for the entire shoot.

So if you meet the requirements….

Hobbit Extras Application

3 Foot 7 Limited

PO Box 15104

Miramar

Wellington 6243

Think your right to try and throw yourself into this? Go ahead and apply as soon as possible. The Hobbit serves as a prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, directed by Guillermo Del Toro, produced by Peter Jackson and written by him and Philippa Boyens among others. Rumored to already be attached onto the cast is Ian McKellen, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, Ron Perlman and Doug Jones.

“”The Hobbit” will be two movies and we’ve written the first script and delivered it to the studio who seem to be happy with it,” Jackson said. “We’re now halfway through the second script and Philippa (Boyens), Fran (Walsh), Guillermo and myself are doing the scripts and having great fun.”

He added: “It was an interesting experience because eight or nine years have passed since we wrote the ‘Lord of the Rings’ screenplays and I was worried it’d be weird or hard or uncomfortable to go back there, but as soon as we started writing the scripts it was fun, actually, and easy.”

Jackson had been scouting for locations in New Zealand right before traveling to London. He stressed that there would be continuity between his films and Del Toro’s. ”We’re writing the screenplays with him, so in terms of the script, there is continuity,” he said. “We’re writing Ian McKellen’s dialogue just the same as we did in ‘Lord of the Rings.’ But Guillermo, being the director, will obviously take the script and interpret that and shoot his film. So that’ll be interesting to see.

“That’s actually the reason I wanted him to do it. I felt like I’d be trying to compete with myself and deliberately do things differently, which is not the way I want to work. I want it to be natural.”

Jackson mentioned that the “Hobbit” films will not be released in 3D. “Guillermo wants to shoot in 35mm, old-fashioned film, which suits me, because he wants to keep it in the same space as the original trilogy.”

Jackson said that filming for the Steven Spielberg-directed “Tintin” movie, which Jackson is producing, is in the can, but it will take two years for the computer animation to be completed. “‘Tintin’ is great. It’s made. The movie is cut together and now [we] are turning it into a fully-rendered film. So the movie, to some degree, exists in a very rough state.”

Title: Last Action Hero
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger
Released: 12th January 2009
SRP: $24.95

Further Details:
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has announced a Blu-ray release of Last Action Hero for the 12th of January. Retail wil be around $24.95. The film itself will be presented in widescreen, along with a 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. The only extra feature will be movieIQ which allows you to access real-time information on the cast, music, trivia and more while watching the movie.

Source: DVD Active

“The scripts for the two films will be delivered very soon,” he revealed. “Then they’ll be budgeted, and then they’ll be cast. And they’ll be going when they’ve always said they would be, which is next spring – March or April. Guillermo even told me at one point, ‘We’re going to film for 383 days.’ He’s got that artistic autism! Jackson’s the same; they’re very, very, very alike. They also very different, but they’ve so much in common. They both can’t stand Hollywood and have wonderful imaginations, and they’re both obsessed with gore and fantasy. Both of them laugh a great deal. Guillermo’s one of the most brilliant men I’ve ever met. His English vocabulary is way superior to mine!”

Then, when asked about “X-Men Origins: Magneto”…

“There’s meant to be a Magneto script floating around, but I’ve not read it, so I suspect it wouldn’t involve me,” he said. “I think it would be about the younger Magneto, and the most I could hope for would be to top and tail that. They can’t have someone whose face is as lined as mine any longer!”

Ian McKellen has a long list of films that he’s acted in, including the likes of all three “Lord of the Rings” films, the “X-Men” trilogy and has performed in numerous stage plays. If you want to read the rest of the article, just click here.

No, he didn’t say who. He doesn’t even have the script for the first movie yet. It is finished, and the studio has it, but it’s not gotten out to the actor. Shooting is set to begin in March.

Rumor has it that Martin Campbell is in the crosshairs, but pretty much anyone from the United Kingdom at this point has been rumored to have the legendary role.

Source: CinemaBlend