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Following news of Rob Kazinsky's departure (and it appears this is due to a health related problme) as reported below on this page - Kiwi actor Dean O'Gorman will be taking on the role of Filli vacated by Rob Kazinsky recently. It is also noted that Jackson is managing to allow for commitments by some of main actos and other shows. For instance, Martin Freeman has a scheduled commitment to Sherlock, the BBC series about Sherlock Holmes in which he plays Dr Watson. That should be filming again in summer and therefore it was agreed at the beginning that Freeman would be free to continue. Obviously we will have to wait and see how it pans out as produciton has been delayed but O'Gorman has also got a commitment to the second season of a local TV series that
Jackson says in his blog will not be affected. We already know from the way they filmed LOTR that "doubles" are used in various sequences so anything is possible!
Rob Kazinsky who was to play the part of Filli in The Hobbit has had to leave for "personal reasons" and is already on his way back to the UK. Director Peter Jackson has stated that it will not affect filming as they haven't really started filming the main dwarves story concentrating more on Bilbo at present. Sounds like the troubles on The Hobbit continue.
Gollum actor Andy Sirkis has been asked by director Peter Jackson to take on Second Unit Director duties on The Hobbit. As someon who is very familiar with performance capture and his stint as Gollum has been completed, Sirkis can now turn his attention to helping Jackson with the task of bringing Middle Earth to life once again. Many of the LOTR crew are back so that will be relatively easy for Sirkis to get to grips with his new duties. Sirkis has indicated that he will not only be helping with Performance Capture but also with some of the "live" shots too.
BILBO TAKES A BREAK - MARTIN FREEMAN LEAVES THE HOBBBIT!
Okay it is an official break from filming. As reported on our movie page, Martin Freeman is contracted to pay Dr Watson in the BBC's Sherlock. He has now left New Zealand to film the second season. Sir Ian McKellan and the dwarves are carrying on without him in scenes that do not require Bilbo. If you know the book you will be aware that both Gandalf and Bilbo leave the dwarves during their quest. There will also be a pre-arranged break in filming. Sir Ian McKellan is due to appear on stage in England. We will keep you posted with the latest news. This is the page to check out from now on.
STEPHEN FRY BECOMES THE MASTER OF LAKETOWN
The latest news from the set of the Hobbit is that friend and collaborator actor Stephen Fry will take the part of the Master of Laketown. Jackson and Fry have known each other for some time. They are also working on a new version of Dam Busters. Filming will cease in approximately three weeks and then Jackson will commence editing while the actors are away. It is not clear at the moment whether Fry's character will appear in both part of the Hobbit. Ryan Gage has also been promoted to the character of Alfrid.
HOBBIT TITLES ANNOUNCED
The two Hobbit fillms have had their names announced. The first will be The Hobbit: The Unexpected Journey and the second There and Back Again. The cast and crew are about to take a break and Martin Freeman has already returned to England to not only pick up a BAFTA award for best supporting actor in Sherlock but also to film the second season of the show. After previously not sure whether he would be appearing in the prequels to Lord of the Rings, Sir Christopher Lee has agreed to be part of the films. Perhaps they will film the White Council in the UK against blue screen. Only eluded to in the LOTR it is Jackson's intention to show The White Council of Gandalf, Galadriel and Saruman meeting and deciding to attach the evil Mirkwood fortress of Dol Goldur. They drive out the Necromancer (known in LOTR as Sauron) and presumably he will resemble a wraith more than the eye in the trilogy. In the Hobbit it is a meeting of the White Council that keeps Gandalf from accompanying Bilbo on his journey to the Lonely Mountain. It sounds like Peter Jackson will fill in some gaps between The Hobbit and LOTR as well as connect the series of films. As we already know Elijah Wood will return as well as Ian Holm who played the older Bilboo. Just guessing but perhaps there is a kind of epilogue at the end of the Hobbit that would lead gently into LOTR.