THE HOBBIT (2012/2013): News, Rumors, Pics Till Release

[TheSeeker]

Peter Jackson commented on filming in 48 fps on his facebook page.

The news about us filming The Hobbit at 48 frames per second generated a lot of comments. Of course, it's impossible to show you what 48 fps actually looks like outside of a movie cinema, but there were several interesting and insightful questions raised.

We will be completing a "normal" 24 frames per second version—in both digital and 35mm film prints. If we are able to get the Hobbit projected at 48 fps in selected cinemas, there will still be normal-looking 24 fps versions available in cinemas everywhere.

Converting a film shot at 48 fps down to 24 fps is not a hugely difficult process, but it requires testing to achieve the best results. Some of this involves digital processes during post-production. We are also shooting the film a slightly different way, which is a question several of you asked. Normally you shoot a movie with a 180-degree shutter angle. Changing the shutter angle affects the amount of motion blur captured during movement. Reducing the shutter angle gives you the stroby (or jerky) "Saving Private Ryan" look.

However, we're going the other way, shooting at 48 fps with a 270 degree shutter angle. This gives the 48 fps a lovely silky look, and creates a very pleasing look at 24 fps as well. In fact, our DP, Andrew Lesnie, and I prefer the look of 24 fps when it comes from a 48 fps master.

More soon ....

Cheers,
Peter J

I'm looking forward to seeing how this looks, whether it's in 48 fps, 24 fps, 3D, or 2D.

[Worf2DS9]

We're definitely going back to Rivendell in this movie, but there's still no word on whether Hugo Weaving will be back as Elrond. What's up with that?

[AJBryant]

TheSeeker wrote:

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Peter Jackson commented on filming in 48 fps on his facebook page.

I'm looking forward to seeing how this looks, whether it's in 48 fps, 24 fps, 3D, or 2D.

Ya know, I think my shorts just got a little tighter...

[timothy]

is there any other movie that is shot in this 48fps. Because I have no clue as to what kind of movie I would be looking at it. and as for rivendale that is a given. have you not read the book.

[TheSeeker]

I think he was questioning whether the actor would be back, not the character.

[Samuel Walters]

^ Speaking of which, theonering.net has an article in which someone spotted Hugo Weaving in Wellington.

he has reported seeing Hugo Weaving here in Wellington this afternoon ... it’s probably a bit too hasty to assume that he’s here to be in The Hobbit, but I can’t think of any other reason why he would come here right now, just when they’re discussing Rivendell scripts. It’s certainly not for the weather (it’s howling a cold southerly gale out there at the moment).

Source

[TheSeeker]

Sounds promising!

[Argus Skyhawk]

Argus Skyhawk wrote:

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I assume it will also be released in a 24fps version so other theaters can also show it, right?

TheSeeker wrote:

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I was right!

[Samuel Walters]

Keep up the good work, Nostradamus.

[Worf2DS9]

Thanks for that tidbit on Weaving, Samuel Walters!

[Samuel Walters]

^ My pleasure. Speaking of casting rumors here are two more (one already fairly well-established, the other more recent):

Christopher Lee reprising his role as Saruman:

Farrell on his blog ... mentioned that Lee was ”getting ready to reprise his role as Saruman in Peter Jackson’s two-part production of The Hobbit”.While there is nothing on the video discussing The Hobbit nor is the statement itself a confirmation, the fact that Farrell recently spoke with Lee and chose this particular phrasing of words (without hedging) suggests this was part of their conversation and that Lee directly stated this. It could be a case of an over-zealous Tolkien fan reading too much into that statement but TORN followers may want to scour any future videos for tidbits of information. Source

Orlando Bloom reprising his role as Legolas:

“I’m going to bet on it,” [Bloom] said in an interview with MTV. “But I can’t really talk too much about it at the moment because it’s still sort of in the ether. But I would love to go back to work with Peter Jackson. It would be an honour.” Source

[Davros]

My problem with Saruman being in this movie is that I do not remember him ever being in the book. If you have to cut out parts of a book to make it into a movie, why add in parts that were never there?

[Samuel Walters]

Saruman being in the movie fits with the intent to include what happened when

Gandalf leaves the Dwarves and Bilbo at the borders of Mirkwood to attack Dol Guldur. The White Council confrontation with Sauron (The Necromancer) is heavily implied by the book -- it essentially happens "off screen" -- so including it in the film isn't all that different than including the scenes in which the Ents attack Orthanc in The Two Towers (an event never explicitly described in the book, even though we see it happen on screen in the movie). Since Saruman was, at that time, the leader of the White Council, it makes perfect sense to include him.

[Klaus]

^^that's what I assumed from the beginning in order to fill out 2 movies. And similarly, Legolas is Thranduil's son, so it would make sense to see him in the Elvenhalls in Mirkwood when the party is captured.

Which reminds me... is "Attercop!" going to be in the movie???

[Skywalker]

The only thing about Christopher Lee coming back is he's said that at his age, he doesn't want to fly all the way out to New Zealand. Maybe they'll bring the requisite cast up to England and film the White Council scenes up there.