The Hobbit gets green-light and announces February start

[Mister Underhill]

After years of public feuds, false starts, financial setbacks, and dashed hopes, Warner Brothers apparently press-released today that The Hobbit has officially been given the green-light and is set for a February 2011 start -- even though Deadline Hollywood (usually authoritative on the inner workings of the industry) is reporting that the labor dispute is still not resolved.

Looks like this thing is gonna be a reality.

[Galadriel]

Originally Posted by Mister Underhill

Looks like this thing is gonna be a reality.

A well thought-out reality, let's hope, and not one that's dangling on the loose end of a string. I think this is the link:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/bre...-1225939513402

[Tuor in Gondolin]

So when's the planned release date?
And hopefully not in 3d.

[Mister Underhill]

Definitely in 3D, from what I read. Though 3D movies always have the option to see them traditionally, so really what's the difference?

[Lindale]

Originally Posted by Mister Underhill

Definitely in 3D, from what I read. Though 3D movies always have the option to see them traditionally, so really what's the difference?

3-D is always a bit too expensive for me... and after The Last Airbender fiasco, I'm not yet ready for another splurge. Yay for traditional films for underpaid teachers.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

I can't even watch anything in 3D. Being practically blind in one eye makes that task difficult. I don't know about those new glasses either. They scare me. Hopefully the film in the traditional method of viewing will look all right. Otherwise I wont see it. So take that Peter Jackson.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Mister Underhill

Definitely in 3D, from what I read. Though 3D movies always have the option to see them traditionally, so really what's the difference?

In my case, nausea. But they haven't actually cast Bilbo yet have they? So who are they starting with?

If they haven't definitively closed the door on Martin Freeman then that is interesting scheduling. They interviewed the writer of Sherlock last night on TV and they start filming the next series of that in the Spring and Freeman is committed to that for 20 weeks.... so for the Hobbit if not Freeman who? And if Freeman what are they going to start filming? There isn't so much in the original book that doesn't centre on him.

[Mister Underhill]

Deadline Hollywood usually has pretty accurate scoops, and their latest report (linked in the first post of this thread) still says that Martin Freeman will "soon be set to play Bilbo", so if you like the idea of Freeman in the role, don't give up hope yet. I'm not familiar with him, but just looking at his picture, he has a certain hobbit-like quality.

Regarding 3D, I reckon I can understand the fear about randomly poking things at the camera/audience. I guess I wouldn't put anything past PJ, who has shown a willingness to try almost anything for a gag. We'll have to wait and see. It will be interesting to see how Jackson has matured as a director in the interim.

[Aganzir]

Originally Posted by Tuor in Gondolin

So when's the planned release date?
And hopefully not in 3d.

December 2012 for the first film, it seems.

The difference between 3D and normal is that if they're doing it in 3D from the start, they'll probably do some silly camera tricks that are supposed to look cool in 3D but are really quite awkward. Well, it's their problem not ours - I probably only want to see the traditional version (assuming I decide to watch the movie in the first place, not so sure about that yet).