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THE HOBBIT NEWS

The Hobbit is Greenlit, Peter Jackson Starts Shooting in February

by Alex Billington
October 15, 2010
Source: NY Times, The Wrap

I feel like a broken record saying all this, but we can finally report, from multiple sources, that The Hobbit is greenlit, ready to go, with Peter Jackson at the helm, and shooting starting early next year. The NY Times was the first to report that Jackson's deal to direct is finalized and Warner Bros' and MGM have "worked out their deal to finance the pair of films." The Wrap has also announced that The Hobbit has been greenlit with shooting starting in February. No more sources needed, this is a done deal, it's time to start getting really excited about seeing J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved novel finally hit the big screen in two movies in 2012 and 2013.

The NY Times says there are still issues regarding the actors unions in New Zealand (see here for more info) and drops this nerve-wracking statement near the end: "If the studios move the film out of New Zealand, the budget, which already runs into the hundreds of millions of dollars, would have to be redrawn, and at least some further delay would be inevitable." We're so close, I hope everything works out, and I'm sure it will. I really don't think New Zealand wants to lose this production, nor does Jackson want to move off the island. Rumors are that Martin Freeman might play Bilbo Baggins, but no casting has been officially confirmed yet, though we can assume that Sir Ian McKellen will undoubtedly be back to play the lovable wizard Gandalf.

Don't forget that the budget for both movies is around $500 million, which is quite a damn bit, but bring it on, as I want to see The Hobbit imagined in all of its epic glory, following in the same footsteps as the Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is a bit sad that Guillermo del Toro (or anyone else for that matter) won't be putting his unique stamp on this, although I have a feeling Jackson will still pull from a lot of the designs and work that del Toro did before he left. Warner Bros, who runs New Line Cinema, will be releasing the first Hobbit on December 19th, 2012. It may seem like a very long way away, but it'll be here sooner than you know!

Related categories: Hobbit News, Hype, Movie News, Opinions

Cmurder

About fucking time! I'm happy its Jackson directing and not Del Toro. I like Del Toro and all but I want Jackson's vision back and for him to see this through to the end. YAY!
T

Finally! This is spectacular!
qweqwu

damn, the hobbit and superman in the same week
harrison

finally, and with the right people doing it
tir na nog

Personally,I would prefer Jackson's Hobbit over Del Toro,at least they are starting,hopefully its as good as the Rings trilogy.
4k4k

Finally, let's see it happen!!!!
Cody w

Finally.
http://www.modernamericanman.net ModernAmericanMan

I disagree with you a bit Alex on your statement concerning Jackson pulling from Del Toro's original designs. Jackson has a vision all his own and it simply doesn't match Del Toro's. I'm sure he'll do something in tribute to Del Toro's hard work and effort, but in the end Jackson will make this film his. I think he's going to be extremely passionate about ensuring the world in The Hobbit resembles LOTR. I'm excited for this.
Xerxex

Wait...Really? Woah!
max s.

This is like the best news month ever, first we get tom hardy in Batman 3(best news), then we get Superman with the amazing effects of Snyder with the visionary work of Chriss Nolan, then we have this. Anyways, THANK THE LORD PETER JACKSON IS DIRECTING AND THAT THIS IS FINALLY GREENLIT!!!!
JeepFu

Awesome news! I can't wait!
beavis

martin freeman as bilbo? - excellent. peter jackson back and del toro out? - excellent again. the hobbit movies are finally greenlit? - hell yea!!
sits and starts singing about gold

This project needs Jackson not Del Toro. Look how great the LOTR films turned out. More!
tivdatsun

Yay...there was much rejoicing.
8=D

praise the elves!!!!!!!
hater

Rejoice orc brothers time to kill some fucken elves lol.... Seriously its about fucken time I hope they release before 2012 date when we are all fuck up, the last movie i would want to watch before i see those pearly gates in heaven would be the Hobbit.
Jordan

about time. SHEESH.
werdnafaz

Imagine the politics that where involced to get this the green light. Every grubby little hand would of hand its hand out for money. But who cares right as long as its happening.
Robbie

FINALLY.
paddlepaws

Best movie news in a long, long time! I am so glad Peter Jackson is the director. I think I will make it a Lord of the Rings weekend (again) and watch all 3 (again). I never get tired of them. Looks like #16 learned a new word on the playground last week, and he is still delusional!
Manuel

I never liked the Trilogy made by Jackson and I don't care about all of this without Del Toro. Let's see the gay parade of Black Forest's elves in this one, with a gay Bilbo.
max s.

THIS IS AWESOME NEWS!!!! We will see the 2 best movies released before we all die in 2012. Batman 3, the avengers, abd the hobbit 2012 is gonna be going with one huge bang
Hyper Dweeb III

So who is in this? Some good international actors or the usual haul of Aussie hacks that filled the other three films. McKellen and Freeman are good news but there are hundreds of characters, so who will play them?
Xerxex

Hyper Dweeb III "Aussie hacks?" huh? Manuel if you didn't like the LOTR films then why post here?
DiR3cT

This has been a long time coming. So can we expect a december release? Perhaps to early Feb 2012 then?