Peter Jackson returns as director, ‘The Hobbit’ to start shooting in February

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - DECEMBER 14:  Director of the Lovely Bones Peter Jackson looks on during the The Lovely Bones press conference at Intercontinental Hotel on December 14, 2009 in Wellington, New Zealand.  (Photo by Marty Melville/Getty Images)

Production for the new film version of  J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” is set to start in February 2011, according to Warner Bros. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). The movie had been pushed back due to the  financial difficulties of MGM, as well as the departure of Guillermo del Toro, who was signed on as director.

Peter Jackson, will now direct the movie, as well as produce it, which is great news for fans of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. “The Hobbit” will be divided into two installments that are to be shot in 3D.

The New Zealand set for the movie, which will bring the hobbits back to the Middle Earth village from “The Lord of the Rings”, will become forever enshrined in the Matatmata landscape, as the production company has decided to build a permanent set, which will remain for fans to explore.

The Green Dragon, where the dwarf Thorin Oakenshield awaits Bilbo Baggins ahead of their quest, will include a real thatched roof and the nearby Bywater bridge, made from polystyrene blocks resembling stone for “The Lord of the Rings”, is being rebuilt in permanent stone.

So far the first installment is set for a December 2012 release, however with all the previous delays this release is still tentative, we will keep you up to date!

1 COMMENT

  1. My name is Mike and I have read LOTR about 3 dozen times over the years and I sincerely hope Jackson does not ruin the hobbit as well

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