The One Ring will stay in New Zealand as The Hobbit is cleared to start shooting
The New Zealand government was said to have provided up to $25 million in incentives, including $15 million in tax credits and $10 million in marketing costs that the government will offset. The estimated budget for both movies is said to be as high as $500 million. It was also said that New Zealand will play host to at least one of the two prequels' world premieres as well.
The New Zealand government will introduce legislation that will make a clearer distinction between independent contractors and employees in the film industry. Here's what John Key had to say on the matter:
"The industrial issues that have arisen in the past several weeks have highlighted a significant set of concerns for the way in which the international film industry operates. We will be moving to ensure that New Zealand law in this area is settled to give film producers like Warner Bros the confidence they need to produce their movies in this country. This will guarantee the movies are made in New Zealand. I am delighted we have achieved this result. Making the two Hobbit movies here will not only safeguard work for thousands of New Zealanders, but it will also follow the success of The Lord of the Rings trilogy in once again promoting New Zealand on the world stage. It's good to have the uncertainty over, and to have everyone now full steam ahead on this project."
Peter Jackson will direct both movies and principal photography is slated to begin in February.
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.
The Hobbit: There and Back Again comes to theaters December 13th, 2013 and stars Ron Perlman, Hugo Weaving, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Doug Jones, Kiran Shah, Billy Connolly.
Comments (42)
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Ben Greene
Aw...I wanted a version in Stourbridge. Or even the Arndale Centre, with security running up to Bilbo in his cloak and hood and going: "YOU! You in the hoodie! OUT!!!" and bodily hurling him out into the street where a mugger takes the ring and adds it to their bling.
2 years agoby @ben-greeneFlag
Drewski37
Damn i keep feeling blue-balled with every article i read about this...
2 years agoby @drewski37Flag
Courtney O.
I'm so sick of being jerked around
2 years agoby @chickflickFlag
ejk1
Obviously, this is the best outcome of what became a muddied situation. Now on to movie-making Jackson!
2 years agoby @ejk1Flag
Dan
@Newtron Myself and @Diaigma are the clowns of this site. We really don't take anything seriously here :)
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
Diaigma
::bows:: much obliged, @Newtron :P
2 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
ollie-styrene
THANK YOU GOD FOR HEARING MY PRAYERS ON THIS!!!!!!
Now,.. get to it Peter!!
2 years agoby @ollie-styreneFlag
spynet315
After all that it's almost a little disappointing that the production is staying there... aww, what the hell am I saying, THIS IS GREAT NEWS!
2 years agoby @spynet315Flag
Avian
The Hobbit will be ten times better now in New Zealand. Can't wait!
2 years agoby @avian005Flag
Shadow Of The Day
Great.
2 years agoby @asifFlag
knobie09
cool. JUST MAKE THE F*CKING PICTURE ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 years agoby @knobie09Flag
darksektor1971
Fasten your seatbelts...this is gonna be a hell of a ride!!!!!
2 years agoby @darksektor1971Flag
ParkWilliams
Couldn't have ended up better. Now just make it, and don't screw up!
2 years agoby @azadorFlag
CBF
It wouldn't have been The Hobbit if it weren't filmed in New Zealand, like @Brian said.
2 years agoby @comicbookfanFlag
Newtron
@TheRealsupes and @Diaigma: you guys are hilarious LOLOL
2 years agoby @newtronFlag
MovieWiz001
Okay, hurry up before something else happens!
2 years agoby @moviewiz001Flag
Emmytt
good
2 years agoby @emmyttFlag
RojoDiablo
Bout time, can't wait for this one!
2 years agoby @rojodiabloFlag
Diaigma
I don't think they actually used it, @REAL - but it could have been their last resort.
::imagines Helen repeating herself in a padded cell:: . . . :)
2 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
Dan
@Diaigma I don't think they killed her, they just shook her up so that for the rest of her days she'd be saying "New Zealand is perfect for Hobbit, New Zealand is perfect for Hobbit, New Zealand is perfect for Hobbit".
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
Diaigma
@REAL - Really? I heard they borrowed that stupid Saw trap thing we saw a clip of earlier :P
2 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
DoubleR0522
THAT IS GOOD NEWS !!!!
2 years agoby @doubler0522Flag
Worth5Bucks
Finally! I am so excited. All the hopes are now fact set in stone. Finally
2 years agoby @mattbierwagenFlag
Dan
@Diaigma I heard some torture was involved, too. Something about electrocution until she admitted she was a bitch and almost screwed over thousands of workers.
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
Diaigma
No, I think that actually happened, @TheREALsupes - or so I heard, but my version involved tranquilizers and a gag-order :P
2 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
K-Man
Great news! Looks like all that hard work and protests paid off!
So excited for this!
2 years agoby @k-manFlag
Dan
Or at least, I can fantasize.
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
Dan
You know how that all played out. Warners showed up, took a look around, looked at that Helen lady, and while she looked back, 2 men in uniforms grabbed her and tossed her in the back of a squad car, and we never heard about her again. Then the problems disappeared with her. :)
2 years agoby @dan1Flag
Diaigma
::looks below:: : / lol ;)
Yep. Best news of the year :D
2 years agoby @diaigmaFlag
Dan
"And the clouds did part, and the heavens did open, and the trumpets did sound, and the angels sang hosannah in the highest"
2 years agoby @dan1Flag