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With all the trouble MGM has had lately, there was some serious concern over whether or not THE HOBBIT would actually get off the ground at some point soon. For the longest time Peter Jackson hasn’t even officially been confirmed as the director. Today we have some answers. New Line Cinema president and COO Toby Emmerich, Warner Brothers president and COO Alan Horn, and MGM co-CEO Steve Cooper made the announcement that the “the two films based on ‘The Hobbit’ are now greenlit and will begin principal photography in February 2011, under the direction of Peter Jackson.”
Martin Freeman to be Bilbo
LORD OF THE RINGS fans can breathe a sigh of relief… almost. There is still the issue of a labor dispute – a joint venture with Australian and Kiwi acting organizations that are pushing for a newly written deal for residuals on films. This dispute could absolutely affect how things progress. Peter Jackson and various unions, such as SAG and the New Zealand Actors Equity have a DO NOT WORK order over the production. New Zealand’s government is overseeing the discussions on this, but so far no progress has come about. Jackson has said Warner Brothers in considering 5 alternative shooting locations across the world should New Zealand negotiations fail. Plus there’s a matter of money to finance all of this, which MGM currently doesn’t have. Hopefully the announcement is at least a big step in the right direction, and we may finally get to see THE HOBBIT after all. As of right now, actor Martin Freeman (2005’s THE HITCHHIKER’S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY) is expected to play the role of Bilbo Baggins, as long as his schedule on SHERLOCK permits. This could be really great, and Jackson returning to the J.R.R. Tolkien train is probably a great thing for him as well. Are you excited about Jackson doing THE HOBBIT? Tell us in the comments!
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
