3rd Hobbit Production Video Released and It's the Best One Yet!

In the latest Hobbit production video to be posted on Peter Jackson's Facebook wall, we meet the Dwarves face to face. Actually, we get a lot of face time. While Jackson is in the UK working with some familiar faces (keep an eye out towards the end of the video) the rest of the Hobbit cast share their thoughts on filming, becoming Dwarves, and working with each other. Is it just me, or does this video get you revved up for December 14, 2012?

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is scheduled for release on December 14, 2012, and The Hobbit: There and Back Again on December 13, 2013.

Thorin Oakenshield and Orcrist Revealed!

At long last, the highly anticipated 'first look' at Thorin Oakenshield has been released by TheOneRing.net, thus concluding our preview of the Company of Dwarves.

With their photo, TORN has also released this bio on Thorin:

As a young Dwarf prince, Thorin witnessed the destruction and terror wrought when a great fire-breathing Dragon attacked the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. After slaughtering many of Thorin’s kin, the great serpent, Smaug, entered The Lonely Mountain and took possession of its vast store of gold and jewels. No-one came to the aid of the surviving Dwarves, and thus, a once proud and noble race was forced into exile. Through long years of hardship, Thorin grew to be a strong and fearless fighter and revered leader. In his heart a fierce desire grew; a desire to reclaim his homeland and destroy the beast that had brought such misery upon his people. So when fate offers him an unusual ally, he seizes the chance for revenge.

Official Photo of The Thirteen Revealed 'Hobbit' Dwarves

Photo by James Fisher

The Thirteen Dwarves (left to right): Nori (Jed Brophy), Fili (Dean O'Gorman), Dori (Mark Hadlow), Bofur (James Nesbitt), Gloin (Peter Hambleton), Dwalin (Graham McTavish), Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage), Balin (Ken Stott), Oin (John Callen), Bombur (Stephen Hunter),  Bifur (William Kircher), Ori (Adam Brown), and Kili (Aidan Turner).

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits theaters December 14th 2012 followed by The Hobbit: There and Back Again on Decemeber 13th, 2013.


Click on photo below for larger image:

The Hobbit's Richard Armitage Talks Dwarves, Armor, and Humor

Total Film Magazine had a chance to sit down with Richard Armitage and discuss his current film, The Hobbit. Armitage is playing the Dwarf King, Thorin Oakenshield, who intends to lead of a group of 12 dwarves on a journey to reclaim their stolen treasure from the dragon Smaug who resides under The Lonely Mountain. In comparing the book and the film, Armitage states,

"The book is so focused on the dwarves, so I think it’s a chance for Peter [Jackson] and Fran [Walsh] to really look at that whole race in more detail, their heritage and what they’re like as characters....There’s going to be quite a lot more humor."

When asked about his character's sword, Armitage was quick to reply, "It’s bloody heavy!... But it’s absolutely beautiful to look at. Every time they bring something new out everyone gasps. The armor that the dwarves emerge from the mountain wearing at the end of the film will be the armour of all armor."

To read the full article, see Total Film's Interview.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will hit theaters December 14th, 2012 and The Hobbit: There and Back Again will premier the following year on December 13th, 2013.

Bid on Autographed Copy of 'The Hobbit' and Help Christchurch Recover

To help those affected by the February earthquake that struck the south island of New Zealand, the Hobbit cast has signed a beautifully bound copy of ‘The Hobbit’ for Rise Up Christchurch. Alongside their autographs, many of the cast wrote personal notes to Christchurch. Here are some examples:

Richard Armitage- “For Christchurch Love, Richard A”

John Callen-  “Kia Kaha Chirstchurch John Callen”

Ken Stott- “Best Wishes, Ken Stott”

Adam Brown- “All the Best Adam Brown (Ori) OX”

James Nesbitt- “Best Wishes, James Nesbitt (Bofur)”

Stephen Hunter- “Stay Strong Christchurch! We are all behind you Stephan Hunter ( Bombur)”

Peter Hambleton- “Go ChCh! Peter Hambleton”

Dean O’Gorman- “Hang in there Chch! Dean O’Gorman”

Graham McTavish- “All the very best to Christchurch Graham R. McTavish”

Sir Ian McKellen went even as far to sketch a full page drawing of Gandalf enjoying some long bottom leaf with the message, “love from Middle Earth Ian McKellen 2011”. Other autographs include Sir Christopher Lee, Mark Hadlow, Jed Brophy and more.

If you’d like to get your hands on this gem, you have until Thursday June 2nd, 2011, so get bidding and help Christchurch recover!

Peter Jackson Shares First 'The Hobbit' Behind the Scenes Video

It has been posted! Peter Jackson’s much anticipated behind the scenes video of ‘The Hobbit’ was posted today, and is promised to be the first of many videos to come. For 10 glorious minutes viewers and fans are treated with all kinds of visual eye candy like Rivendell sets, the wardrobe department, meetings discussing camera shots and lines, weapon training, horseback riding, a dwarf in costume, Bag End being set up for that famous opening scene when Bilbo is inundated by 13 dwarves and 1 wizard—who is never late—and much more. And it wasn’t just sets and props. Everyone in the cast makes appearances on the video. Of course, the icing on the cake is the very first roll of filming, when a little hobbit happens upon a ring in Gollum’s cave.

Hobbit Cast Press Conference

Source: Ross Setford, Associated Press/New Zealand Press Association

One hobbit and thirteen dwarves spoke and posed for cameras Friday, at a press conference held at Park Road Post production facility in Wellington, NZ. The happy crew seemed up-beat and excited for filming to begin on March 21st. Martin Freeman, playing the character of Bilbo Baggins, dismissed and joked about the recent “curse of The Hobbit” rumors that have been circulating saying, “'There are some bits of bad luck associated with it, but we're all very optimistic. We’re ready to go – just as soon as 2015 comes around.” He also talked a little about his roll as Bilbo, “'Obviously I have been looking up what he was doing ... I genuinely, without being … either big headed or falsely modest … think I am quite a good match for him.”

Sir Peter Jackson, who is still recovering from his recent surgery, released this statement: “I’d love to be with you all this morning, but I’m currently under a medical form of house arrest, to prevent me from overdoing it until fully recovered from my recent operation. I’ll be jumping back into it very soon, and to be honest the guys that you’ll be talking to this morning make me laugh so hard, right now I’d be in danger of popping a few stitches.”

The complete press conference , just shy of 40 minutes in length, has been posted by 3news.co.nz and can be viewed here.

The Hobbit, Part 1 premieres in theaters in December 2012.