by Jobie Weetaluktuk

Created on: October 21, 2010

The much-anticipated movie, The Hobbit, could still be shot in early 2011.  This film has been in the works for years and even Guillermo del Toro was announced as the director in April 2008.  Due to MGM's financial difficulties, which caused delays in production, del Toro resigned two years later.  The assurance that The Hobbit would be filmed in early 2011 has been a welcome assurance. 

The Hobbit will be a two part series, and will be a prequel to the highly successful The Lord of the Rings trilogy.  Both works are based on the books of J. R. Tolkien, an English writer (Jan. 03, 1892 – Sept. 02 1973). 

Following the resignation of del Toro, Sir Peter Jackson, director of TLOR, and producer of The Hobbit, took over the directorial reigns.  Sir Peter as he is known in New Zealand is a legend in the filmmaking world, and has considerable pull in his home country.  Warner Bros president Alan Horn said in a released statement that “there is no human being on the planet as qualified as Peter Jackson to direct these films.”  Indeed, Sir Peter has earned considerable respect for moviegoers with the TLOR. 

In addition, there are the considerable talents of Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, also of TLOR fame, who remain with The Hobbit.  In addition, the backing of major players like New Line Cinema, Warner Brothers and MGM speaks of financial, skill, and talent resources. 

The shoot days have not been rescheduled even though the blacklisting of The Hobbit by the Actor Equity New Zealand.  That boycott by the automous New Zealand arm of Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, has precipitated a national and pre-production crisis of The Hobbit.  In October 2010, the producers were making rounds of the news outlets accusing the Actors Equity of destroying the film industry that filmmakers have been building for decades. 

Indeed, the Prime Minister of NZ, John Keys is quoted as saying, “I think we have a strong position but industrial action from the unions and the threat of industrial action have substantially undermined the confidence Warner Brothers have in New Zealand.” 

Although the Actors Equity boycott is said to have been lifted, there seems to be some confusion such action. 

Though things are uncertain, some countries such as Australia, Scotland, Canada, and countries in Eastern Europe have been reported as vying for this film.  They are offering a mix of tax credits, secure working environment, and desirable hobbit landscapes. 

The Hobbit movie has been troubled from the start.  The rights to the book have been a story by themselves.  Then there was the friction between New Line and Sir Peter Jackson and the resignation of del Toro.  The Hobbit may even go back to Middle Earth or England, as she is now known.  Though rescheduling has not been announced, this film still has rough terrain to navigate before movie goers get a peep at it. 

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