The long awaited “Hobbit” movie will begin shooting in July, at least that is what Sir Ian McKellen, most famously known as the wizard Gandalf the Grey in the “‘Lord of the Rings” trilogy, has reported.
McKellen discussed his return to Tolkien’s world on his website, where he reported on the progress of “The Hobbit”, also disclosing that it will be divided into two films, which are scheduled to be shot simultaneously. Furthermore he said that “the production team will return to New Zealand for the shoot, which is said to last over a year.”
For those of you who are worried that “The Hobbit” will not be the same with out Peter Jackson, you need not worry, while Jackson will not be directing the movie, he will be on set as executive producer, furthermore he also wrote the script with the new director Guillermo del Toro.
While not much has been revealed about the actual script itself, McKellen did say that the first draft of the script is “crammed with old and new friends, again on a quest in Middle Earth.”
Returning in the role of Gollom is British actor Andy Serkis, while Hugo Weaving will take on the role of Elrod. According to McKellen, the casting for other characters has commenced and is taking place in Los Angeles, New York and London.
The film could see a release in 2012, however New Line Cinema who has produced the previous movies and will produce both upcoming films, have yet to officially confirm the start dates.
UPDATE:
Those who have been following MGM will know that the company is currently fighting debts of around $3.7 billion, and as “it holds the distribution rights to the two “Hobbit” films no green light can be given until they have sorted out their financial situation.” Furthermore, as we reported earlier in the article, Ian McKellen said on his website that he believed filming would begin in July, but has now changed it to “at a time to be announced.”
We will of course keep you up to date on any changes that will be made to the shooting schedule of the movie.
