Warner Bros., New Line and MGM have announced what has seemed so close yet so far for seemingly years on end. A pair of films based on The Hobbit have been greenlit and will begin shooting this February 2011, in 3D, under the direction of The Lord of the Rings mastermind Peter Jackson.
Where The Hobbit will be filmed is still up in the air as a labor dispute between Jackson and numerous unions remains in effect. Sets have already been built in New Zealand but the New Zealand Actors’ Equity is one of the unions currently under a “do not work” order. If a resolution cannot be reached by February 2011 then Jackson and the studios may be forced to take the already costly production elsewhere.
Per Jackson, Warner Bros. is already planning ahead and have identified five alternative shooting locations around the world that would not be affected by the labor dispute. Those locations remains unknown to the public at this time.
Sir Ian McKellen is set to reprise his role of Galdalf in The Hobbit films and has been waiting patiently for the production to get underway. With the greenlight, casting should begin in earnest for other roles including that of Bilbo Baggins.
Source: Heat Vision
