Wk 1: Wk of Jan 10th: Dwarf training camp
Wk 2: Wk of 17th Jan
Wk 3: Wk of 24th Jan: Sir Peter Jackson admitted to hospital 25th Jan
Wk 4: Wk of 31st Jan
Wk 5: Wk of 7th Feb
11th Feb: Press conference
Wk 6: Wk of 14th Feb: Scheduled start of filming (delayed as a consequence of Sir Peter Jackson's health).
Wk 7: Wk of 21st Feb
22nd Feb: Sir Ian McKellen posts about arriving in Wellington.
22nd Feb: 12.51pm. Christchurch Earthquake.
25th Feb: Sir Ian writes "Partying with the dwarves" on his blog. Jon Callen only one absent.
Wk 8: Wk of 28th Feb
4th March: Sir Ian writes of his first meeting with Peter Jackson. He describes preliminary sketches of the dwarves' costumes.
Wk 9: Wk of 7th March:
13th March: Cricket match for Christchurch. The Hobbit cast present. RA photographed.
Gandalf watching cricket
Wk 10: Wk of 14th March
17th March: First rehearsal
Wk 11: Wk of 21st March: Powhiri. Start of filming 5 weeks after scheduled start.
Richard Armitage and cast at Powiri
Wk 12: Wk of 28th March
March 31st: Sir Ian reports about the re-emergence of Gandalf and the emergence of the dwarves in costume at the start of filming.
Wk 13: Wk of 4th April
4th April @ RobertKazinsky (Fili) twitter:
"17.5 hour day, exhausted and ready to do it all again tomorrow".
5th April: @RobertKazinsky (Fili) twitter:
"Being on set with Ian Mckellen is great and all, but being on set with Gandalf is way way better."
@Robert Kazinsky (Fili) twitter:
"sorry sorry, of course I mean SIR ian, Sir. As a rabid Tolkien fan myself, seeing SIR ian as Gandalf is like the pope meeting Jesus."
Wk 14: Wk of 11th April
13th April @ RK (Fili) tweets: "........... a day on set with PJ, Happiness".
14th April: Peter Jackson posts the "Start of Production" video.
Wk 15: Wk of 18th April
19th April: @RobertKazinsky (Fili) twitter:
"TROLLS! LEG IT!"
20th April: "Leg it! Is a British saying that would usually mean run away as fast as your little legs might carry you, as in, hoof it, leg it etc etc. "
22nd April Good Friday & Easter
24th April : Peter Jackson reports that Robert Kazinsky is leaving the production.
Wk 16: Wk of 25th April Anzac Day holiday/Easter Mon.
April 30th: Hugo Weaving on set of The Hobbit with Peter Jackson.
May 1st: Dean O'Gorman cast as Fili; Lee Pace cast as Thrandull.
Wk 17: Wk of 2nd May
Wk 18: Wk of 9th May:
11th May: Ian McKellen reports Martin Freeman has left NZ to film Sherlock. Sylvester McCoy in Wellington.
Wk 19: Wk of 16th May:
May 19th: Peter Jackson announces a break in filming in less than three weeks so that editing; visual effects and preparation for large scenes can commence. Casting of Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage and Conan Stevens announced.
22nd May: RiseUp Christchurch Telethon. Sir Ian McKellen appears on stage with Mark Hadlow. An ensemble of dwarves provide a video skit of their costumes. Sir Ian mentions filming with Hugo Weaving and Cate Blanchett. (ie White Council scenes).
Thorin in costume ..... I don't think
22nd May: Martin Freeman wins BAFTA. Mistakenly reveals Benedict Cumberbatch's casting in The Hobbit.
Wk 20: Wk of 23rd May:
May 28th: Peter Jackson announces that Orlando Bloom will reprise Legolas.
29th May: Message from Richard Armitage to fans reporting that he was about to leave Wellington for a short hiatus in filming.
Wk 21: Wk of 30th May:
30th May: Peter Jackson posts photo of "The White Council planning the attack on Dol Guldur" featuring PJ, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving and Sir Ian McKellen.
30th May: Warner bros. announces official titles of the two movies.
- "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey". Release Date: December 14th 2012
- "The Hobbit: There and Back Again". Release Date: December 13th 2013.
31st May: Sir Ian blogs about the casting of Benedict Cumberbatch.
Wk 22: Wk of 6th June
9th June: Sir Peter Jackson and film crew arrive in Queenstown, NZ . Links here and here. The first article mentions a hiatus/break for the actors until August. This article however states that sir ian Mckellen will be present at a charity screening of "This Prison Where I Live", although his twitter account has him located back in London. His new play "The Syndicate" will open on 21st July in the UK.
? Break in filming? How long?
Wk 23: Wk of 13th June.
15th June: RA in UK. Disturbance in the Richard Armitage fandom.
Jacob Kamara a fashion journalist based in London, who states that he "mostly writes about unconventional menswear", tweeted:
@ Jacob Kamara
Had great fun shooting Richard Armitage yesterday. Busy busy day today.
23rd June: "Hobbit First Look" - 3 photos from the film shoot published in EW.com
Wk 25: Week of 27th June.
June 30th: Described by Weta and Sir Peter Jackson as a "good luck charm", Empire Magazine is to have The Hobbit on its cover. Empire was invited on to the set barely a month into filming. Report will be in the August edition.
Thanks, Admin at RichardArmitageNet.com. Scans available on RichardArmitageNet.com: 1, 2, 3, 4,
Wk 26: Week of 4th July.
4th July: Article in Total Film Magazine entitled: "Richard Armitage talks The Hobbit"
8th July: Peter Jackson releases first pictures of NORI (Jed Brophy), ORI (Adam Brown) and DORI (Mark Hadlow) on his Facebook page.
9th July: Pictures released on Peter Jackson's Facebook page and Yahoo Movies of OIN (John Callen) and GLOIN (Peter Hambleton)
8th/9th July: Production video #2 released on Peter Jackson's Facebook page.
WK 27 Week of 11th July:
12th July: Peter Jackson publishes a link on his Facebook page to MSN Entertainment's Hitlist Blog featuring a picture of Fili (Dean O'Gorman) & Kili (Aidan Turner).
14th July: Photo of Bombur, Bofur and Bifur from StuffNZ site:
15th July: Photo of Balin and Dwalin released in TIME:
July 15th: Richard Armitage on being cast as Thorin quoted in Issue 8 of Project Magazine available on iPad and scanned at RichardArmitageNet.com
July 16th: Ian Holm & Christopher Lee were reported to be shooting scenes for 'The Hobbit' in the UK.
July 17th: TheOneRing.net was given the first picture of Thorin Oakenshield to unveil.
Wk 28: Week of 18th July:
July 19th: Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis in Paris for TinTin photo call. Orlando Bloom rumoured to be travelling to New Zealand shortly to begin reprising his role as Legolas in "The Hobbit". (From TheOneRing.net).
July 20th: RA in LA at Opening night of "Captain America, The First Avenger" Is heading N, S, E, or W (towards NZ)?
July 21st: Peter Jackson publishes his 3rd Production video.
July 21st : Peter Jackson sends a composite photo of the dwarves to TheOneRing.net
Wk 29: Week of 25th July:
29th July: Orlando Bloom in Sydney.
30th July: Stephen Fry tweets: "Flying from Cape Town to Jo'burg to Sydney to NZ tomorrow. Will be Tuesday by the time I land in Wellington. Hobbitry beckons."
31st July; Luke Evans states in an article for "Wales Online" "I start in a week’s time, and I’m there for a year.”
Wk 30: Week of 1st August
5th August: @stephen Fry: "Morning all. Dinner time here. Had a great day of costume and wig testing."
6th August: Tweet from Wellington resident: "Lunching @MaranuiSurfClub two tables away from #RichardArmitage AND #OrlandoBloom - sooo exciting.... soooo handsome!"
Wk 31: Week of 8th August
8th August: @Mr_Luke_Evans: "great day in wellington. its getting very exciting."
9th August: @Ryan Gage: "Having a great time here in beautiful NZ but saddened to hear of the rioting back home."
11th August: @Mr_Luke_Evans: "the stunt guys on this movie are awesome!!! just wanted to put that out there!!!"
Wk 32: Week of 15th August
15th August: @Stephen Fry: "Wellington is beside itself with delight. Snow falling in the nation's capital for the first time for 35 years they tell me."
15th August: @Stephen Fry: "NZ has, bless it, gone officially mad. First snow in Auckland since the 30s. Children running along with open mouths to taste the flakes :)"
15th August: @Mr_Luke_Evans: It's snowing in wellington and the crew have never seen it snow here. It's a very funny sight!!
17th August: @Stephen Fry tweets: "V v v busy day. But highly fun. I can say no more without violating 420 NDAs and binding oaths. Weather most peculiar at the moment."
19th August: @Ryan Gage: "I've had a fun first week but I'm looking forward to getting some deep sleeping done this weekend."
20th August: Peter Jackson writes an article about the Memphis3 on his facebook page here.
Filming recommenced according to this article
Wk 33: Week of 22nd August
22nd August: RA's birthday
23rd September: Evangeline Lily (Tauriel) in Wellington
24th August: Stephen Fry's birthday.
25th August: RA sends message to RichardArmitageOnline thanking his fans for birthday wishes. About Wellington, he writes:
" ..... there is nowhere I would rather be at this moment than exploring "Middle Earth" with my new family of Dwarves, Elves, Men, Wizard and Hobbit. What a gift to be here, in this place, at this time. I can't wait to share it with everyone. I am a very fortunate man."
27th August: Orlando Bloom leaves Wellington. Spotted at Sydney airport.
28th August: Stephen Fry leaves NZ: @Stephen Fry "Byebye kiwiland. You're a hard place to leave. Will miss flat whites and tua tua:"
Wk 32: Week of 29th August
30th August: Luke Evans tweets from South Island while on a short break. Orlando Bloom reportedly returns to NZ after promoting Three Musketeers in Sydney.
Wk 33: Week of 5th September:
5th September: Filming scheduled to resume.
5th September: Report in The Dominion Post has cast and crew heading to Nelson on South Island for filming in mid November/December. Melissa Booth, publicist stated that "she was unable to confirm locations as they were in the throes of filming."
8th September: Martin Freeman's Birthday in NZ.
10th September: Preview of Nina Gehl's exhibition for The Hobbit cast at the Page Blackie Gallery, Wellington.
Wk 34: Week of 12th September
13th September: Luke Evans leaves Wellington for UK: @Mr_Luke_Evans: "Quantas 27 hour flight here I come. London, I'll see you on the other side!!!"
Wk 35: Week of 19th September TOLKIEN WEEK
September 22nd: "Hobbit Day" Bilbo and Frodo Baggins' birthdays.
September 23rd: Casting call for extras at Wanaka, South Island NZ. Report about call for extras at Queenstown Events Centre.
September 24th: Casting call for extras at Twizel and Tekapo, South Island NZ.
September 25th: Auditions for extras to be held at the Oamaru Opera House, on South Island, North of Dunedin.
Wk 36: Week of 26th September
September 26th: Report in Otago Daily Times about Hobbit extras casting call at Oamaru Opera House. (Casting call was for townspeople and filming will be in Lake Pukaki-Twizel area November/December.
September 28th: Waikato Times report on the closure of Matamata to the public from October 5th to November 8th. (Confirming we won't be able to see it on our trip as our dates clash!)
September 28th: Larry Curtis from TORn reports that Howard Shore has started the score for The Hobbit.
September 30th: Sir Ian McKellen in New Zealand. (Mentioned in this article)
September 30th: Sir Peter Jackson interviewed by John Key, NZ PM. PJ reports that they are filming with goblins; dwarves on rocky cliff paths with thunder and lightening (? Chapter 4, "Overhill and Underhill"?) in the Wellington studios but will be on location in 2 -3 weeks. Filming will extend until halfway through next year.
September 30th: Legolas in Paris/UK.
Wk 37: Week of 3rd October
October 5th: Publicity for TinTin on Peter Jackson's Facebook. (New trailer) in preparation for Premiere on October 26th.
October 6th: UK Premiere of Three Musketeers with Orlando Bloom and Luke Evans present.
October 7th: @Mr_Luke_Evans tweets "See you soon back in NZ" before heading to Baltimore and then back to Wales!
October 7th: Article on "Hobbit spotting" in Matamata in the Waikato Times.
October 9th: Orlando Bloom mentions returning to New Zealand "soon" with his family in this interview.
Wk 38: Week of 10th October
October 11th: Interview from Digital Spy with Orlando Bloom with small mention of the Hobbit but his lips are fairly firmly sealed.
October 12th: Article in Waikato Times stating that Hobbit production-related people may be in the vicinity of Te Kuiti from October 20th to November 6th. (30th is a definite). Click on map (left) to enlarge.
October 13th: Stuff NZ reports fire engines at Hobbit studios - false alarm .. maybe firies wanted a glimpse of filming?
October 13th: One of the West Memphis 3 (Damien Echols) reportedly heading to NZ as the guest of Peter Jackson and may be offered a small part in the movie. (from Hollywoodnews.com)
October 15th: One year since New Line.Warner Bros. announced that The Hobbit was greenlit and that Peter Jackson would direct The Hobbit in two installments. (Thanks to TORn) and StuffNZ.
October 15th: Bofur (James Nesbitt) and Bombur (Stephen Hunter) in Auckland for Rugby World Cup semi-finals. No other cast sightings.
October 16th: Day 272 .... waiting for more news.
ON LOCATION?
Wk 39: Week of 17th October Matamata?
17th October: Report in the Otago Daily Times re. plans to install a 10,000 litre watertank near Arcadia station, Glenorchy, to water grasses and plants for 'The Hobbit'.
17th October: Report on "Red Epic Camera" to be used on the movie by Geek.com.
19th October: Report stating Elijah Wood in NZ filming. (unconfirmed).
19th October: James Nesbitt (Bofur) in news again stating he will break from filming to go to the Rugby World Cup finals.
20th October: Pelorus Bridge in Marlborough named as a location for filming between 6th and 16th December. Article in Stuff.co.NZ states the Pelorus River will feature in the barrel ride scene.
20th October: Icelandic Horses to be featured in 'The Hobbit' from Iceland Review online.
21st October: Article on Pelorus Bridge shoot. from Marlborough Express.
22nd October: Tweet from @Vaughndavis: "200 vehicles left Wellington for #hobbit shoots today, along with Peter Jackson's way sexy Gulfstream jet (photos later)" (Many thanks to RAnetdotcom for finding this).
23rd October 2011: Article in Dominion Post: "Hobbit crews to hit the road in convoys".
This time last year:
20th October 2010: The fight heats up to keep 'The Hobbit' filming in NZ. (Thanks to TheOneRing.net archives)
21st October/22nd October 2010 (AEST): The main cast (Bilbo and the dwarves) is announced!
Wk 40: Week of 24th October Matamata/ Mangaotaki/ Te Kuiti.
25th October: Film Crews at Matamata reports NZ Herald.
25th October: Otago Daily Times publishes photo of set at Arcadia Station near Glenorchy.
29th October: Blog report from Samdir over at the HDRF site on set at Mangaotaki. Many thanks for posting.
30th October: Official announcement that Wellington will host the world premiere of The Hobbit. Video of Sir Peter Jackson and John Key at Matamata. Article on Matamata in NZ Herald here.
Wk 41: Week of 31st October 1. Matamata/Mangaotaki/Te Kuiti/Waitomo 2. Queenstown & Lake Wakapitu area (set being built)
October 31st: Sir Peter Jackson turns 50!
Article in the Dominion Post.
October 31st: "Hobbit stars go Country" (Waikato Times) . Hobbit actors in Te Kuiti and Piopio.
October 31st: First blog post on "AintitCool.com" from Eric Vespe (Quint) on set at Matamata.
October 31st: Interview with Luke Evans in Moviefone. (Luke to return to NZ in 3 weeks and remain there until the middle of next year).
November 3rd: Hobbit production activity reported in Waikato Times at Wharepapa South (North of Auckland).
November 4th: Peter Jackson publishes the Hobbit Production Video #4.
Wk 42: Week of 7th November 1. Mt Ruapehu/Ohakune. 2. Matamata/Mangaotaki/Te Kuiti North Island. 4. Dunedin/Nelson - South Island. 5. Middlemarch/Ranfurly.
November 8th: Set activity close to Arcadia Station, near Glenorchy with mountain backdrop.
November 10th: Report on progress of set building at Arcadia Station near Lake Wakatipu in Stuff NZ. Close up pic of building in background.
November 10th: Report in the Wanganui Chronicle stating filming activity on location near Okahune and Mt Ruapehu.
November 10th: Report in the NelsonMail stating that Hobbit cast and crew will be in Golden Bay for a week before returning in December to film at Pelorus Bridge.
November 12th: Otago Daily Times reports that 320 cast and crew flew in to Dunedin on Thursday evening to start filming in the area.
November 12th: Hobbit crew and cast also spotted arriving at Nelson airport last night (Friday) for filming at Takaka Hill. (from Stuff NZ)
November 12th: Animals from wildlife reserve in Christchurch off to visit Glenorchy to star in The Hobbit. Thanks to TORn and Roheryn for this story.
November 13th: Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh spotted at Skyline Gondola Park at Queenstown by TORn member Glaurung. Many thanks to them for posting. Below: Photo of Queemstown Hill from Gondola Park taken November 8th.
November 13th: TORn member docdanz sends report that there is a "hive of activity" across the Taieri River from Middlemarch (South Island between Dunedin and Queenstown). Many thanks to TORn and docdanz for posting.
Photos taken just outside Middlemarch on November 6th
November 13th: Small snippet about The Hobbit in Sir Ian McKellen's blog.
Wk 43: Week of 14th November 1. Middlemarch/Ranfurly?Queenstown 2. Nelson
November 14th: Report #3 from The Hobbit set by Eric Vespe of AinititCoolNews.
November 14th: "Flotsam and jetsom Rumours in NZ" from TORn member The Beard reporting about filming near Nelson.
November 14th: "Mum's the word: it's riddles in the dark" - Otago Daily Times report on filming in Taieri region.
November 15th: "Hobbit spotting rife in Otago" Report in NZ Herald about filming in Otago Region (Strath Taieri)
November 15th: Report on Filmonic site quoting an interview with Andy Serkis who stated that the first Hobbit trailer would be out at Christmas time.
November 16th: Interview with Howard Shore - mention of Hobbit score.
November 17th: Orlando Bloom spotted in Queenstown - Otago Daily Times and New Zealand Herald.
November 17th: "Little seen of Hobbits" - Nelson Mail.
November 17th: Interview with Andy Serkis in Variety. Discussion about motion capture and acting performance/recognistion. Andy quoted as saying: "I'm currently doing 'The Hobbit,' and actors are coming on set and knocking performances out of the park."
November 17th: Peter Jackson, Sir Ian Mckellen, Orlando Bloom spotted dining out in Queenstown. From Mountain Scene.
November 18th: Report on "The Leader: Motueka News" about the filming at Takaka Hill near Nelson: "Hobbit folk try to keep a low profile" and "Rogue sightings of Hobbits" from The Marlborough Express.
November 19th: Report in Nelson Mail "Hobbit Cast and Crew due Back" stating that the crew (which was the second unit) would be joining the main unit at Ranfurly, near MiddleMarch. The Main unit would return in December.
November 19th: NZ Herald report on The Hobbit trailer debut.
Wk 44: Week of 21st November 1. Glenorchy, Queenstown. 2. Middlemarch/Ranfurly?3. Te Anau/Twizel.
November 21st: Article on The Hobbit in French Magazine: Studio Cine Live. Many thanks to RichardArmitageNet.com for scans. Quote from Richard Armitage:
"Richard Armitage (Captain America) plays the valiant heir of the Dwarves’ kingdom, Thorin Oakenshield. “When I auditioned for the role of Thorin, I’ve never imagined for a second that I would get the part”, says the British actor, “when I’ve learned the good news, I was incredulous. It was the same when I had to do make-up and costume screen-tests. However, when I finally met Peter Jackson, I indeed realised that I was going to explore the Middle Earth!”. When he was a young dwarf prince, Thorin witnessed the destruction of the realm of Erebor. Forced to exile, he became a strong fighter and a charismatic leader, whose only desire is to destroy the creature responsible for his people's misfortune. “Thorin feels a surpressed anger and I take advantage of this role to express my own dark side”, adds Richard Armitage. “It’s liberating! I pushed limits of my performance outside my “comfort zone”. I do not want to rest on my laurels”." (RichardArmitagenet.com)
November 21st: Interview with Benedict Cumberbatch regarding his preparation for the role of Smaug on Collider site.
November 22nd: Filming completed at Glenorchy. (Ref.)
November 23rd: Cast and crew moved to Te Anau. (Ref.)
November 23rd: "Sir Peter Jackson luges in Queenstown during his downtime" from Mountain Scene.
November 23rd: Interview with Bret McKenzie (Lindir) in The Hollywood Reporter.
November 23rd: Writer and photographer, Larry D Curtis (Mr Cere at TheOneRing.net) reported to be travelling to Queenstown and Wellington. While in Wellington, he will mark the 12 month countdown to the World Premier. Looking forward to his reports.
November 24th: Article in the Otago Daily Times about the Glenorchy site and loss of an old beech tree in a storm originally chosen for a scene. Set builders had to construct an artificial tree to replace it. Thanks to Otago Daily Time's James Beech for a great description of his visit to the set.
November 24th: Article in NZ Herald: "Sir Peter's great Southern Inspiration" . Filming at Arcadia Station near Glenorchy.
November 24th: Article in The Dominion Post reporting Sir Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh have bought Wellington's historic BATS Theatre building thus securing a permanent home for the theatre. Second article here.
November 24th: Eric Vespe from Ain'tItCoolNews publishes his Set Report #4. (Filming near TeKuiti/Mangaotaki - (week of 7th November approx).
November 24th: "Hobbit's hush-hush around Twizel area". Article forom Timaru Herald.
November 25th: "Hobbit crew big Spenders" Article on the Otago Daily Times by James Beech re. the benefits to the local community of hosting The Hobbit production cast and crew.
November 25th: NZ Herald "Hobbiton's Green Dragon tipped for Pulling Pints". Article on the permanency of the Hobbit holes and Pub at Matamata.
November 26th: "A Visitation of Hobbits". Editorial in the Otago Daily Times about the work of Peter Jackson, and the Hobbit filming in the Otago area.
Luke Evans due back in NZ for Bard the Bowman.
November 26th: Tweet from Luke Evans "New Zealand is gorgeous!! Good to be back!!"
November 26th: NZ Election: John Key is returned as PM. (Instrumental in changing labour laws and thus allowing the Hobbit filming to remain in NZ).
November 27th: Eric Vespe from Ain'tItCoolNews publishes his Set Report #5. In it he outlines a scene featuring Gandalf and Thorin. Of Richard Armitage's performance, he writes:
"Armitage does a great job with Thorin’s inner struggle. The look on his face isn’t someone locked into a decision. Gandalf urges him to seek Elrond’s help, for the good of the quest. Instead of playing it like a stone-faced general, Armitage does weigh his options and mostly in reaction to Gandalf’s words, not in his own dialogue.
In other words he conveys the struggle with his face, giving Thorin a depth I was anticipating. I’m sure the inclination would be for Armitage to play it stubborn and he does, but he layers it with some real emotion." from Quint on the set of The Hobbit Part 5 - Thorin's Dilemma
Wk 45: Week of 28th November 1. Twizel/Lake Pukaki?/ Tekapo/Queenstown
November 28th: Interview with Elijah Wood who stated that The Hobbit trailer would be shown before Tintin in the US.
November 29th: Sir Ian McKellen updates his Hobbit Blog with a post entitled "Moving On" where he describes his journey from Wellington to Matamata in order to start location shooting.
November 30th: "Orlando Spins our Wheels in Queenstown" from Mountain Scene. (Orlando Bloom mountain biking).
December 1st: "Secrecy surrounds Hobbit filming". Report in the Otago Daily Times about the shoot near Wanaka.
December 1st: First article published on TORn written by Larry D Curtis (Mr Cere) as he travels through New Zealand. "LOTR still found in the fabric of Queenstown".
December 1st: "Actors Journey to Middle Earth". NZ Herald
December 3rd: Interview with Martin Freeman's partner of 11 years, Amanda Abbington: "Abbington: Hobbit cast like family".
Wk 46: Week of 5th December 1. Nelson/Pelorus Bridge
December 5th: Hobbit cast and crew in Nelson area. "Hobbit cast crew mass for filming" Nelson Mail.
December 5th: "Interview with Howard Shore" Film Music Magazine.
December 6th: Article in Marlborough Express: "Hobbits elude us , but we get to set"
December 6th: Peter Jackson's documentary on West Memphis 3 to premiere at Sundance.
December 6th; Stars arrive in Nelson. Thanks to TheOneRing.net for story.
December 7th: " Stars land in Nelson for The Hobbit" - article in the West Australian.
December 7th: Article in TORn stating that rumours reporting a delay in The Hobbit release were untrue.
December 8th: "Hobbit stars back as movie gears up" - article from The Press NZ and Nelson Mail
December 9th: Article in Timaru Herald "Students get precious Insight" about filming in Twizel.
December 9th: "Hobbit stars touch down" - Marlborough Express.
December 11th: Report on TORn: "Hobbit Teaser Trailer shown at BNAT13 Film Fest". Description of how Eric Vespe of AICN took the trailer to BNAT for first showing.
Wk 47: Week of 12th December Pelorus Bridge. Nelson/Wellington.
December 13th: Article in "Tonight" on Australian Jodie Morrison, shoe and bootmaker for The Hobbit and Phantom of the Opera in Cape Town. She describes her work on the Hobbit production in article: "Shoemaker of the Opera"
December 14th: Filming ceases at Pelorus Bridge/Nelson area because of torrential rain. NelsonMail: "Rain puts early end to Hobbit".
December 14th: ONE YEAR UNTIL THE FIRST PUBLIC SCREENING OF "THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY" (not in Autralia though). Warner Brothers releases official synopsis. From IFC site. "The Hobbit Premiere Countdown begins with release of Official Synopsis"
December 14th: More on The Hobbit teaser trailer at TORn here.
December 15th: @EricVespe tweets: "Only two shooting days left and 6 days remaining in town"
December 16th: Interview with Stephen Fry where he talks about his role as Mayor of Laketown: Digital Spy.
Wk 48: Week of 19th December Day 336 Break in Filming
December 19th: @EricVespe (approx 3.00pm NZ time): "That's a wrap on The Hobbit for 2011. Felt like the end of a school year around the studio."
December 19th: Interview with Martin Freeman in TotalFilm: "Martin Freeman talks The Hobbit."
December 19th: Peter Jackson nominated for Golden Globe award for Tintin.
December 20th: Interview with Martin Freeman in Stuff.co.nz: "Freeman struggles with dirty scenes"
December 20th: "Martin Freeman feels no Hobbit pressure" - Sky News Australia.
December 20th: Set report #6 published on AICN. "Good Morning Koro".
December 2oth (Dec 21st: Australian & NZ Time): The Hobbit trailer is released on iTunes Trailers.
December 21st: Peter Jackson up for Auction for charity, Medecine Mondiale. TVNZ
December 21st: Interview with Andy Serkis in FilmNews.
December 21st: Tintin premieres in the USA. The Hobbit trailer to be shown at the screening.
December 22nd: Peter Jackson Reveals more about The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in exclusive interview. The Telegraph.com.au
December 22nd: Empie magazine publishes "the Hobbit teaser trailer breakdown"
December 23rd: Peter Jackson publishes Production Video #5 on Facebook.
December 24th: Message from Richard Armitage sent to RichardArmitageOnline. Of his work on The Hobbit and the year that has passed he states:
"It's been one of the most memorable years I have ever experienced, the big birthday (which I tried to ignore, by sleeping through it!) and the privilege to be in NZ working on The Hobbit has made this year unforgettable. The places we have been to and the things we have seen, have surpassed all my expectations." Thanks to RichardArmitageOnline
December 25th: "Martin Freeman and Andy Serkis Discuss Filming "Gollum's Cave" Scene in The Hobbit" Interview on ComicBookMovie.com site.
Wk 50: Week of 26th December. Break
December 27th: "Christopher Lee talks the Hobbit" Thanks to TORn for posting.
December 28th: Article in FilmNews.co.uk: "Peter Jackson thrilled with Hobbit setting"
December 28th: "Peter Jackson talks The Hobbit". Adelaide Now
December 29th: Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman comment on acting and audiences. "Cumberbatch: Audiences have to care". From the UK Press Association.
December 30th: "Otago stars in new 'Hobbit' video". Otago Daily Times.
December 30th: Orlando Bloom still in NZ. Article in Wairarapapa Times - Age
December 30th: "Martin Freeman suggests Hobbit love scene". Post on FilmNews.co.uk
Into 2012
Great to have this timeline. Will you be adding the report that RA was in South Africa April 13th filming scenes for Strike Back 2 (as reported on May 10th?)?
Posted by: Calexora | 06/04/2011 at 11:16 PM
Was he in SA though? If we read RK's tweets, they were filming TH scenes at the same time. I'm not sure how they could have done without Thorin ???? Unless PJ or another person was standing in for him while he was away.
Perhaps he borrowed PJ's private jet to get "there and back again" given that Wellington to Cape Town is a 30 hour flight :) :) (MTA: I wish smilies could be enabled here as I am debating with myself about whether this is physically possible or impossible ...lol)
Posted by: Mulubinba | 06/05/2011 at 07:24 AM
Thank you so much for the overview! Well, he DID apparently film some SB scenes, as they are in the trailer. And PJ said, when he announced that RK is leaving they they are filming Bilbo scenes at the moment. Very curious how long the "short hiatus" will be as well. IIRC Sir Ian is on stage till the end of September but he won't be needed for the scenes when Gandalf is absent.
Posted by: Jane | 06/05/2011 at 09:58 PM
Thanks Jane :). RA has a history of strong work ethic, so I'm sure if he was contracted to do some scenes of SB, he will have done so. The timing of the SB shoot was so tight though, (given the report) and healthwise, it must have been quite a stress for RA. I know how much jet lag can take its toll let alone the physicality of both the JP and the Thorin roles adding to the exhaustion. Little wonder that RA has not much time on his hands.
As for the hiatus, yes, Sir Ian is on stage until the end of Sept. (but he isn't needed for Mirkwood/LakeTown/Lonely Mountain); Sherlock airs in the UK autumn, so I assume that might finish filming around August/Sept?? Would autumn mean about October? I guess if we keep an eye on the schedules of the other actors, we might get an idea. I haven't seen any other work commitments for Aidan Turner, and James Nesbitt has based his family in NZ. School holidays here are in July, but they are only for 2 weeks, so, unless he leaves them in NZ to do some work away, I can't see him doing it for long. (Not that I know much about him ...lol). I'm going for a return sometime in August and at the latest early September. Enough for RA to do some JP hopefully .... but also to have a break!!!
Posted by: Mulubinba | 06/06/2011 at 06:50 AM
Oh Kili. There are a lot of unhappy Tolkien fans, but it bodes well for the Armitage Army's chances to ogle.
Posted by: KiplingKat | 07/13/2011 at 10:50 AM
Yes, I know!! I actually had to do a double take when I saw Aiden Turner with barely a dwarven feature about him. Being truthful, I was a bit dismayed as I am hopng for a good Thorin look but also one that makes him older and regal. He must not be slim like Kili, imo! The other cause of my dismay is that if they make Thorin look "hot", it will detract from RA's acting abilities, and this is a pivotal role for him in terms of proving he is more than just a good looking bloke. Very concerned!
Posted by: Mulubinba | 07/13/2011 at 11:28 AM
Wow, that's a pretty extensive list! You are truly a Hobbitologist, Mulubinba!
Posted by: Skully | 12/19/2011 at 03:51 PM
Lol to "Hobbitologist" Skully. Not sure I will ever be as expert on it as you are on Spooks :)
Posted by: Mulubinba | 12/20/2011 at 07:17 AM