Peter Jackson will take The Hobbit out of New Zealand
"The damage inflicted on our film industry by [the actors unions] is long since done. The move has undermined Warner Bros. confidence in the industry and they are now, quite rightly, very concerned about the security of their $500m investment. Next week, Warners are coming down to New Zealand to make arrangements to move the production offshore. It appears we cannot make films in our own country even when substantial financing is available."
While the decision ultimately rested with Warner Bros., Robyn Malcolm, a committee member of the Actors Equity union stated, "It would have nothing to do with Actors Equity." Here's what else she had to say:
"The difference is I'm a hobbit, you're a hobbit, you come from America or England and you work on the same production, side by side, and we work under completely different terms and conditions. Is that fair?"
New Zealand Economic Development Minister Gary Brownlee is said to be meeting with Warner represntatives next week to try and hash out an agreement. Brownlee disputed claims that the production was leaving the country due to higher tax incentives offered by other countries:
"I don't believe financial incentives are the issue here. I think it would be wrong to allow people to suggest that it is the money issue that is behind all this. It is not. Let's be very clear: some weeks ago, The Hobbit was being made in New Zealand. An Australian union [The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA)], with the blessing of Actors' Equity, put a don't work ban on the picture. That don't work ban got lifted last night in a state of absolute panic because the union were going to have a meeting in Wellington and it was going to be picketed by people telling them that they didn't support them. I think what is at the heart of this is the employment arrangements, the industrial relations, not the dollars of incentive, and anyone suggesting otherwise is seriously mistaken.''
Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly stated that Warner Bros. and Sir Peter had known since the weekend that this ban had been lifted:
"We've obviously had a pathway to resolve this dispute which Jackson has been involved in and knows about, including that in the weekend they were told that the boycott had been lifted."
We'll be sure to keep you posted with any further developments on The Hobbit and their plans to film in New Zealand as soon as we have more information. In the meantime, you can
to read the site's in-depth article on the matter.The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey comes to theaters December 14th, 2012 and stars Cate Blanchett, Saoirse Ronan, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Martin Freeman, David Tennant, Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee. The film is directed by Peter Jackson.
Comments (42)
To leave a comment, please sign in or use
Facebook or Twitter
Cyn
@The Narrator PS - you don't need an account to comment on News.com.au. I'm all over the damn site lol. You just type up your comment, leave a name and an email (which doesn't get posted) and hit 'submit', babeee!
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
Cyn
@The Narrator. Well, that's true - but wages are higher as well, so it's comparative. In my current job, I'd be making probably an extra $5 to $6 / hour minimum. It's not like waiters in Australia are making $5 bucks an hour. Generally speaking.
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
Josh
The Hobbit is becoming the new "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote", lol.
2 years agoby @shuabertFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
@Cyn, by rip off prices, I mean (according to my Aussie friends who've lived here for 2 or so years), that prices over there are double what they are here. So I've heard.
Also, thanks for the article. It was enlightening to see most of the users on that site agree with us. However, one individual said the industry would be better without Jackson. I almost made an account then and there to comment, but that would be equally pathetic. I did post a comment thou.:P
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
Cripple
@Cyn, nice article, thanks for posting.
2 years agoby @crippleFlag
Cyn
Here's a article from New.com.au (the main Aussie news site. I love Jackon's comments about Helen Kelly. He's so right, it's awesome.
http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/australian-union-blamed-for-killing-new-zealand-hobbit/story-e6frfmvr-1225941969228
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
darthboromir
WOW, a lot of hate for New Zeland and Unions. I LOVE IT. Thanks PJ and WB for not putting up with it, not letting people who have LOUD MOUTHS get want they want just because they yell, 'injustice' and 'not fair'. Welcome to the real world (where things are unjust and not fair).
Make this movie so I can watch it, and go some place that will be HAPPY you are there.
2 years agoby @darthboromirFlag
skywise
i know that it will be great no matter what. i cant wait to see this ovie.
2 years agoby @skywiseFlag
Goodbye
@Drewski37:I agree with ya there.
@spynet & Diaigma:Why do you think I keep calling for a priest?
2 years agoby @drifter49Flag
Cyn
@The Narrator - rip off prices? On?
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
mosorwvlad
He can make the films on the moon i don't care just make them :)
2 years agoby @mosorwvladFlag
Billyboy
This will have a massive knock on effect on NZ's tourism industry too. LOTR related tours, merchandising etc still dominate the south island. Shame.
2 years agoby @billyboyFlag
Shervg
They now have to film it in Scotland, would look unreal up the Highlands!!
2 years agoby @shervgFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
@Cyn, totally jealous. Except of course Australia has totally rip off prices. :P
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
Whiskeythieves
Wow that sucks, such a beautiful landscape.
2 years agoby @whiskeythievesFlag
Drewski37
This all should have happened to the twilight movies instead!
2 years agoby @drewski37Flag
incmob
hey all i have to say is no matter what it takes to get this film going, then do it. good for WB and Jackson taking a stand, and not dealing with the bullsh*t of new zealand.
2 years agoby @incmobFlag
Cyn
@The Narrator - born NZ, raised an Aussie. Got dual citizenship, so I can rag on both countries equally. lol
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
Cyn
@Diaigma - yeah, but it's early days yet. Plenty of time to still lose a few cast and crew...
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
Diaigma
Not true, @spynet315 - cast and crew are still alive . . .
2 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
spynet315
Also, does God just not want this movie to be made or what? It seems that everything that could POSSIBLY go wrong has and will continue to go wrong for this production.
2 years agoby @spynet315Flag
The Narrator: The Better Man
@Cyn, you're from New Zealand? Awesome! And yes, totally agree with them lifting the ban, thinking everything will be okay. Idiots.
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
Diaigma
That's the most vocal I've ever seen of @Cyn - that speaks volumes right there :P
2 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
Cyn
Way to go, New Zealand - show the world how to f*ck yourself over. There is no damn film industry in New Zealand. The Union(s) just did a a fantastic job of making sure that NO New Zealanders will be working on this film, who may have otherwise gotten jobs.
And lifting the ban (which shouldn't have been there in the first place) at the last minute, does not say to a Studio with a HALF A BILLION dollars they're about to sink into your economy "Yeah, of course you can be confident we won't pull another stunt like that half way through filming."
Maybe it would have been easier if you just lined up all your Union Members and f*cked them up the arse that way instead?
Serves you damn right, you ignorant country hicks. (I'm from New Zealand, I can call them what I want lol)
2 years agoby @cyn-de-harvenFlag
spynet315
I admit that I don't know the WHOLE story of what was going on here, but it just seems to me that the Union was trying to milk this situation for all it was worth. They saw how big LotR was, and they wanted to make sure that they got as large a piece of the pie as they could, and ended up screwing all of the people they represent. I'm a little ticked off that Tolkien's world is being taken out of New Zealand, but it's pretty clear whose fault that is, and it isn't WB, it isn't Jackson...
2 years agoby @spynet315Flag
The Narrator: The Better Man
Cited from the above article:
"Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly stated that Warner Bros. and Sir Peter had known since the weekend that this ban had been lifted:
"We've obviously had a pathway to resolve this dispute which Jackson has been involved in and knows about, including that in the weekend they were told that the boycott had been lifted.""
Are you kidding me? Can she not understand that the stunt they pulled put the entire film at risk and leaves WB in a really tight position. And she thinks they should simply get over it, since they lifted it? Come on!?
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
The Narrator: The Better Man
Wow. We all agree on something. On this site, thats a miracle. That should go to show how stupid the Unions were.
@REAL, agreed. Jackson is acting very patient and professional right now, dealing with the problems as they're dished out. Another reason he's my favorite director (I forgive him for The Lovely Bones).
2 years agoby @narratorFlag
Cripple
Stupid Unholy f*ckers of mothers actor's union. I don't even know what to say, what they have done to this production is unacceptable, out of line, and unprofessional. Hardly anybody even knew about that country until LOTR. Dumb motherf*ckers. Here's hoping for a miracle that the production can stay in New Zealand.
2 years agoby @crippleFlag
Dan
@Sly I second that F*CK YOU.
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
slysnide
F*CK YOU MEAA. F*CK YOU
2 years agoby @slysnideFlag