3D? Can we then expect scenes where characters poke swords and such at the viewers as a cheap 3D gimmick? I hope not!

Unfortunately, my vision is such that I can't do 3D so count me as one of the unimpressed and completely indifferent. I hope this is not a case of jumping on the bandwagon 'cause there's a bandwagon to jump on.

Oh, well...

Rook wrote:

I have to say I'm reasonably excited about the propect of hobbits propping their smelly, hairy feet up on a barrel, and their dirty soles will be sticking our RIGHT AT YOU!  Also, pipeweed smoke ... in 3-D!

(Actually, that last one could be potentially cool.)

See, I thought they were saving those effects for Smell-o-vision. ;)

Breaking: 'The Hobbit' Gets Its Greenlight!
Sharon Waxman · October 15, 2010
"The Hobbit" has been greenlit and will start production in February, an individual close to the production has told TheWrap.

As TheWrap reported previously, Peter Jackson has agreed to direct the film in addition to producing and writing the two-part project.

In the agreement completed this week, Jackson's deal was finalized and MGM and Warner Brothers agreed to give the project its long-awaited greenlight.

The greenlight means that millions of global fans for the revered J.R.R. Tolkien property can look forward to a prequel to "The Lord of the Rings," which was one of the most successful movie franchises in movie history.

Photo Slideshow: Faces of 'The Hobbit' Movie - From Bilbo to Gandalf >>

Jackson was already on board to write and produce "The Hobbit." But because of financial turmoil at MGM, which owns half of the franchise together with Warners' New Line Cinema, the project became one of the most torturous in Hollywood history.

Sets have already been built in New Zealand, and actors - including Sir Ian McKellan - have been on hold for months.

Martin Freeman has been rumored to play Bilbo Baggins.

With the logjam finally broken, production will begin in February.

Read More: 'Dr. Who' Says He's in Talks for 'Hobbit' >>

However, the individual said that labor issues related to the production have still not been resolved, and negotiations will continue with the Screen Actors Guild. The union flap involves whether the production would use Screen Actors Guild members or not.

About $30 million has already been spent on the project, the first part of which is scheduled to hit theaters Dec. 19, 2012.

But Warner Brothers was wary about moving ahead at the risk that an agreement with MGM may not hold up over time.

At MGM, the decision about greenlighting "The Hobbit," a $400 million, back-to-back production of two films, has been hanging between CEO Stephen Cooper, owners-in-waiting Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum of Spyglass Productions and the creditors committee at MGM.

Read More: Why Martin Freeman Would Be a Poor Bilbo in 'The Hobbit' >>

Spyglass has signed a letter of intent to give the production company 4-5 percent ownership of MGM in exchange for taking over the company's management. That deal would entail a prepackaged bankruptcy, under the supervision of the judge and with the accord of the studio's debtors and investors.

But just this week, takeover king Carl Icahn threw his weight behind an alternate plan, to have Lionsgate merge with MGM instead. Icahn owns 30% of Lionsgate, and about 10% of MGM's debt.

So that outcome remains in flux, with a vote pending by MGM debtholder on October 22.

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firsfron i've seen a couple 3d movies with the kids this summer and it wasnt as bad as i had feared, and they were movies you'd figure would've been targest for that kinda shtick....how to train your dragon and toy story 3

well i dont think you can get any cheesier than legolas sliding down the steps on a sheild counting out his orc kills

Neemo wrote:

well i dont think you can get any cheesier than legolas sliding down the steps on a sheild counting out his orc kills

Surf Elves Never Die!

Rook wrote:

New Zealand: No longer Middle Earth!

Secondly: where would Peter Jackson go?  My vote is for the Pacific Northwest.  We and NZ are not to dissimilar with regards to geography.

True. And you could paint the Sasquatches green and use them for Ents. They wouldn't hold up to close scrutiny, so you'd just have to keep them in the background.

Last edited by Firsfron of Ronchester (2010-10-22 19:29:49)

Morgan Freeman?! What the...?! I call miscast!




Oh. Martin Freeman. Well, that's acceptable, I guess.

PeterJW wrote:

Why not have Canada as Middle-Earth?  The rest of my country, outside of the urban centres, is composed of mountains, prairies, forests, frozen tundra, rivers, etc.  Any type of environment needed for "The Hobbit" we got it!

But Canada has no fire-breathing dragons!

Firsfron of Ronchester wrote:

PeterJW wrote:

Why not have Canada as Middle-Earth?  The rest of my country, outside of the urban centres, is composed of mountains, prairies, forests, frozen tundra, rivers, etc.  Any type of environment needed for "The Hobbit" we got it!

But Canada has no fire-breathing dragons!

Which is why Seattle is a more natural fit.  Bruce "The Dragon" Lee?  Buried here!

PeterJW wrote:

We could CGI the fire-breathing dragons.  Otherwise, we could also look for their potential Canadian hiding spots.  Possible locations include the North-West Territories, Newfoundland-Labrador, Banff, Alberta, or Whistler, British Columbia.  You might also want to check out Churchill, Manitoba, Humboldt, Saskatchewan and Lake Mistassini in Quebec.

And the next thing you'll be telling me is there are dragons in downtown Toronto, too. I don't buy that for a mo... oh, wait a minute. According to Google, there are!

It looks like "The Hobbit" will stay in New Zealand!

http://www.avclub.com/articles/the-hobb … all,46882/

You win again, New Zealand.

Or should I say, Peter Jackson, for managing to wangle a ton of tax rebates and new film regulation legislation through the New Zealand government.

Orlando Bloom and Cate Blanchett are confirmed for The Hobbit!

... aaannnd... I don't actually remember Legolas and Galadriel actually being in the Hobbit.  There's some speculation that they're going into that scene where Gandalf fights the Necromancer.

Also, Radagast the Brown's going to be in this one, so yay?