In this interview at Radionz.co.nz, Mark Hadlow, the New Zealand actor who has been cast as Dori the dwarf, talks about the forthcoming movies and his views on the union disputes. He states that it will be a “real tragedy” if the movies are not shot in New Zealand.
It has been officially confirmed that British actor Martin Freeman will be playing Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit movies. In a statement Peter Jackson said; “Despite the various rumours and speculation surrounding this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us,” Jackson said in a statement.
Other roles that have been cast include; Richard Armitage who will play Thorin Oakenshield, head of the company of dwarves. Aidan Turner and Rob Kazinsky as Kili and Fili; Graham McTavish as Dwalin; John Callen as Oin; Stephen Hunter as Bombur; Mark Hadlow as Dori; and Peter Hambleton as Gloin.
You can find further details here.
New Zealand Actors Equity has removed its blacklisting of the two Hobbit Movies and the Screen Actor’s Guild has confirmed that its members are now free to work on the project. Whether or not this action can keep the film production from being moved from New Zealand still remains to be seen. You can read the full story here.
You can watch a video at Tvnz.co.nz in which Peter Jackson and Philippa Boyens speak out about the ongoing union problems surrounding The Hobbit. PJ reveals that Warner Brothers are visiting on Monday.
There are also interviews with Helen Kelly, president of the Council of Trade Unions, who feels that it is a “simple union dispute” and an interview with a minister from the New Zealand government.
John Key, Prime Minister of New Zealand, thinks that they should not write off New Zealand’s chances of keeping The Hobbit movies. He has fears that if Warner Brothers pull out then other film companies will follow. “There’s work to be done and the Government hasn’t given up trying to do its best to secure the movies.”. You can read the full story at nzherald.co.nz.
Stuff.co.nz report that if The Hobbit is to be filmed outside New Zealand then the new home for the films may well be Leavesden Film Studios in London. Fran Walsh has said that there were “strong hints” that Warner wish to relocate to London. “They’ve got a huge studio that Harry Potter have vacated that they own and they say would be perfect for us.”
Helen Kelly, president of the Council of Trade Unions has stated that if The Hobbit is taken offshore; “…it’s not the actors’ fault, because the dispute could easily have been resolved” and she claims that the reason for moving the movie offshore is; “because it can make more money overseas, through different economic levers like tax and incentives”.
However, Peter Jackson’s production company, Wingnut, have questioned Helen Kelly’s role in the dispute stating that her remarks; “demonstrated a total lack of understanding of the film industry”. You can read the fully story here.
Nzherald.co.nz report that preparations are being made to move filing of The Hobbit away from New Zealand. In a statement Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh said; “Next week Warner’s are coming down to NZ to make arrangements to move the production off-shore. It appears we now cannot make films in our own country – even when substantial financing is available.” Tvnz.co.uk report that Peter Jackson has; “ slammed NZ Actors’ Equity as “gutless” for pulling out of a vital meeting last night”.
Radio New Zealand report that up to 1500 people from New Zealand’s film industry have been marching in Wellington today. Chanting “save Middle Earth” the workers are concerned that filming will not take place in New Zealand due to a dispute between Peter Jackson’s company and the actor’s union Equity.
Tvnz.co.nz report that an emergency meeting of film technicians in New Zealand has taken place to discuss the future of The Hobbit movies. The actors dispute may mean that filming will take place outside New Zealand and Sir Richard Taylor (head of Weta Workshop) has said that; “The mood is one of great concern…By the actions of a very limited few, a huge fraternity of filmmakers, technicians, and artists will be affected.”