Two New 'Hobbit' Photos

From the June 30 issue of Empire Magazine come two new stills from 'The Hobbit' film, which feature Martin Freeman as Bilbo, and Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf. The issue also includes an exclusive report from the New Zealand set.

“I’m exactly the same filmmaker as I was ten years ago,” Jackson says. “I’m trying to nail the same thing that I did before. I’m just telling the story.”

Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins

Sir Ian McKellen as a younger-looking Gandalf

Adds Jackson with a laugh: "[The dwarves] don’t know what to make of Gandalf, they think Bilbo is a wuss, and Elrond a prissy headmaster type."

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

First ‘Hobbit’ Cover Courtesy of EMPIRE

Photo Source: Empire Magazine

Following Entertainment Weekly’s photos of Martin Freeman and Sir Ian McKellen from the set of ‘The Hobbit,’ Empire Magazine has just released their first ‘Hobbit’ cover, featuring Bilbo Baggins and Gandalf, whom Empire describes as "A resplendent 'younger' Gandalf the Grey (look closely for subtle differences in costume from his 60-year older Rings self)."

"The tone is actually the part of it I'm enjoying the most," Jackson says of filming. "[The Dwarves] have a healthy disregard for the icons of Middle-Earth."

You can read the full story in the August issue of Empire, which will hit news stands on June 30th. 

Freeman has Perfect Hobbit Gait, McKellen’s Gandalf ‘Iconic'

 In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Peter Jackson, director of the highly anticipated two-part film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit, expressed his approval over the casting of Martin Freeman, who will play the story’s titular character, the hobbit Bilbo Baggins. 

”He fits the ears, and he’s got some very nice feet,” Jackson said of Freeman. “I think he’s got the biggest hobbit feet we’ve had so far. They’re a little bit hard to walk in, but he’s managed to figure out the perfect hobbit gait.”

Freeman, star of The Office, has also appeared in such films as Hot Fuzz, Love Actually, and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. 

Jackson also shared his excitement over working once again with Sir Ian McKellen, who will reprise his role as the wizard Gandalf, a character whose look Jackson says has become “iconic” in the ten years following The Lord of the Rings films. 

“So what's weird for me on The Hobbit is that I'll be sitting on the set talking to Ian and - if I look away at the crew and look back - I don't see Ian McKellen, I see Gandalf beside me.”

Other returning characters from The Lord of the Rings include Frodo, Galadriel, Gollum, and Legolas. 

“We're working with much of the same crew as Lord of the Rings and obviously some of the actors like Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, and Andy Serkis are back so it's like a reunion. Plus we've got all the new boys.”

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is slated for release on December 14, 2012, with The Hobbit: There and Back Again arriving in theaters on December 13, 2013.

BREAKING: First Look of Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins!

These pictures were just released by Entertainment Weekly, hot off the press! What do you think, Hobbit fans? Does Martin Freeman capture your image of Bilbo Baggins? Let’s play “Caption it!” with the top image! Leave your thought of what’s going through Bilbo’s head on our comment section below.

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!

Sir Ian McKellen Watches Gandalf in 3D

There he sits, Sir Ian McKellen in full Gandalf garb, sporting a snazzy pair of 3D glasses on the set of The Hobbit. The photo was released through McKellen's Flicker account, giving the snapshot's credit to non other than Peter Jackson! On closer inspection, you can see McKellen glancing over as the shot was taken. It was just two days ago, fans where treated to another post on McKellen's blog, confirming several cast members: Hugo Weaving as Elrond, Bret McKenzie as Lindir, and Sylvester McCoy as Radagast the Brown.