Outside of possibly Avatar 2 & 3, Peter Jackson‘s The Hobbit is the biggest blockbuster production on the horizon. As of today, after many financial and scheduling snafus, that digital 3D production has finally begun in New Zealand. A blog dedicated to production updates has launched, as well as updates on Peter Jackson‘s official Facebook page. With that update comes the first two official set photos (one above, one below), as well as the synopsis. With this announcement also comes news that The Lord of the Rings Extended Edition Trilogy Blu-ray will see a release on June 28th, 2011. Check out more details over at Blu-ray.com and the rest of the info below.
For comparison, here is Jackson on set over ten years ago:
Cast:
Martin Freeman takes the title role as Bilbo Baggins and Ian McKellen returns in the role of Gandalf the Grey. The Dwarves are played by Richard Armitage (Thorin Oakenshield), Ken Stott (Balin), Graham McTavish (Dwalin), William Kircher (Bifur) James Nesbitt (Bofur), Stephen Hunter (Bombur), Rob Kazinsky (Fili), Aidan Turner (Kili), Peter Hambleton (Gloin), John Callen (Oin), Jed Brophy (Nori), Mark Hadlow (Dori) and Adam Brown (Ori). Reprising their roles from “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy are Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Andy Serkis as Gollum and Elijah Wood as Frodo. Jeffrey Thomas and Mike Mizrahi also join the cast as Dwarf Kings Thror and Thrain.
Synopsis:
“The Hobbit” follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild (Richard Armitage). Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.
Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever… Gollum (Andy Serkis).
Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities… A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-Earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.
Late 2012 and 2013 releases are still planned for the back-to-back films. Let’s hope they don’t go with any of the previously rumored titles.
Are you still looking forward to The Hobbit?