I would have voted no.
Peter Jackson will be directing the Hobbit, principle photography begins in February 2011. More info at the link, including who is playing Bilbo and such…
http://www.slashfilm.com/2010/10/16/martin-freeman-cast-as-bilbo-baggins-in-the-hobbit/
WOOT!
Newletter from TORN (The One Ring Net) today says that The Hobbit will likely not be filmed in New Zealand due the the Actor’s Union. 
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010/10/20/39331-nz-march-reports-hobbit-already-moving/
The Cast (so far…)
Martin Freeman – Bilbo Baggins
Richard Armitage - Thorin Oakenshield
Aidan Turner - Kili
Rob Kazinsky – Fili
Graham McTavish – Dwalin
John Callen – Oin
Stephen Hunter – Bombur
Mark Hadlow – Dori
Peter Hambleton – Gloin
Full Article on TORN!
Being a bit of a Tolkien fanboy I’m super-excited that they have all of the issues sorted out now. I don’t think the films would be as good made anywhere else and with PJ as director it looks like it has all worked out pretty nicely!
More Hobbit casting completed per TORN article, TORN EXCLUSIVE: CATE BLANCHETT, KEN STOTT, SYLVESTER MCCOY, MIKAEL PERSBRANDT JOIN CAST OF PETER JACKSON’S “THE HOBBIT”
Elijah Wood to join the cast. Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Andy Serkis as Gollum not confirmed yet.
Article on TORN: http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2011/01/07/41520-elijah-wood-will-be-in-the-hobbit/
Thanks for sharing! Now that they’ve worked out the major stumbling blocks of 2009 and 2010 I just get more excited with every new tidbit of information.
I reread The Hobbit over the holidays. I know that it is many GWCers least-favorite Tolkien book but I disagree. It’s not as masterful a work as The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but it is a good adventure story. Particularly for a little kid, which I was when I first experienced the book, read aloud to me, it’s a fun way to introduce the idea of the epic adventure and the everyman hero who really just wanted a handkerchief and some bacon but was willing to grit his teeth and burgle something for the greater good.
I can’t wait to read The Hobbit to my son. It’s a great fantasy tale for little minds to understand and isn’t too heavy or long-winded.
I get their newsletter in email…I’ll keep posting interesting updates as they arrive.
I think I read the Hobbit when I was a wee one, but frakked if i can remember anything about it.
I should prolly read it again soonish…I just rewatched the LOTR Trilogy and then listened to the LOTR Arc casts for the first time. Made me want to read the Hobbit.
I guess I should make a trip to my local library, cause knowledge is power!
Ian McKellan to return as Gandalf and Andy Serkis as Gollum!
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/heat-vision/ian-mckellan-set-return-gandalf-69960
Well, those are the only two actors who need to return, but I hope we get Christopher Lee back and could buy a Legolas cameo.
When you go, pick up not just The Hobbit book but also the 70s animated movie version. It’s a classic!
I squee’d a little.
News from Torn:
Press Release: HOBBITON MOVIE LOCATION TO BECOME JOINT VENTURE WITH SHIRE TOURS
9 February, 2011, Wellington – Sir Peter Jackson’s Wingnut Films
Productions Limited and Rings Scenic Tours Limited are pleased to
announce that they have entered into a joint venture arrangement to
allow movie fans to visit the newly reconstructed film set which is
located near Matamata. The new venture will be known as Shire Tours.
The companies have been working towards this agreement for some time,
and the joint venture came into effect on January 24th, 2011. The set,
originally designed by the Art Department of THE LORD OF THE RINGS
films, has recently been rebuilt at the original location on the
Alexander Farm on Buckland Road, Matamata. It will be used again for
the filming of the two films based on THE HOBBIT late in 2011, during
which time the location will be closed to the public.
http://tinyurl.com/4eac9at
Press Release: START OF SHOOT DATE ANNOUNCED FOR ‘THE HOBBIT’ MOVIES
Monday 7 February, Wellington – Production company, 3Foot7 Ltd, is
pleased to announce that the first day of principal photography for
THE HOBBIT will be Monday 21 March, 2011. This date has been chosen
following practical considerations of the filming schedule
requirements, actor availability and the NZ seasons. Shooting will
take place at Stone Street Studios in Miramar and on location around
New Zealand. Confirmed cast include: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen,
Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James
Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Peter Hambleton,
John Callen, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow, Adam Brown, Cate Blanchett, Andy
Serkis, Mikael Persbrant, Sylvester McCoy and Elijah Wood. Director,
Sir Peter Jackson, comments: “Despite some delays we are fully back on
track and very excited to get started.”
http://tinyurl.com/6e67d6k
Well said. Looking forward to seeing Peter Jackson’s creation.
There’s a youtube channel called Hobbit in 5 that is providing weekly updates on Jackson’s movie (in five minute episodes, hence the name.) Here’s the current one: