Hobbit Producer Praises Richard Armitage’s Performance

KPOPSTARZ
By Staff Writer | March 24, 2014 12:56 PM EDT

"The Hobbit: There and Back Again" co-creator Philippa Boyens expressed surprise by the reaction of the audience in huge cliffhanger at the end of part 2. The writer also praised the acting of Richard Armitage in the last and concluding film.

She told Empire in its April issue that the ending "felt so natural that I got a shock when the audience got a shock! If you can imagine what transpires next and what's coming, it's quite a huge chunk of storytelling," she said.

When asked to comment on the acting of Richard Armitage (who plays Thorin Oakenshield), Philippa Boyens only has this to say:

"Richard Armitage is extraordinary, as Thorin descends into madness," she said

During the same interview, she joked that "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" will not push through.

"I can legitimately say right now that the third film doesn't exist. (Director) Pete's cutting it," series producer and co-writer Philippa Boyens said in an interview on the March 27 issue of Empire magazine.

Before fans of "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" should react violently, the producer was only kidding.

What actually happened was that they already had a rough assembly, so to speak, of the shape of the film and the performances.

"I am excited, because one of the storylines I care a lot about is the Thorin one," she added.

"The Hobbit: There and Back Again" will reportedly be released on December 17, 2014.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.kpopstarz.com/articles/85147/20140324/the-hobbit-there-and-back-again-richard-armitage.htm

'The Hobbit': Ian McKellen Says Goodbye to Gandalf (Photo) 11:06 AM PDT 6/28/2013 by Rebecca Ford (THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER)

Goodbye, Gandalf.

Ian McKellen has played Gandalf, the wise wizard in Peter Jackson's Tolkien films, since The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring began filming in 1999.

But now the English actor has finally wrapped up his role as the iconic wizard, having completed work on the final film in Jackson's Hobbit trilogy, There and Back Again.

The director posted a photo of himself with McKellen on set in New Zealand.

READ MORE: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/hobbit-ian-mckellen-says-goodbye-577258

Richard Armitage Dishes on Battle of Five Armies in 'Hobbit: There and Back Again' ACES SHOW BIZ

The Thorin Oakenshield depicter predicts the epic battle will be a manic fight in the air, while another cast member Andy Serkis claims, 'It's going to be intense beyond belief.'

"The Hobbit" has just released the first installment of the trilogy, but one of its actors, Richard Armitage, is already raving about the epic Battle of Five Armies in the third film, "The Hobbit: There and Back Again". While the intense sequence hasn't been shot just yet, he envisioned what it would be like.

"It's been put aside until next year, thankfully," Armitage jokingly said of the filming. "It's this big thing looming over us. I'm predicting about ten weeks for the shoot because it's an extensive battle and each character is going to have their 'hero' moment on the battlefield. It's a manic fight in the air - the eagles are fighting bats - and on the ground, and I can't wait to see what Pete does with that."

Actor and second-unit director Andy Serkis, who will handle the big fight sequence, hints that "it's going to be intense beyond belief. It's going to be extraordinary - that's all I can say." The epic battle sequence will see the Men, the Elves, the Dwarves and the Eagles, all fighting for the future of Middle-earth.

Read more: http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/00056650.html#ixzz2GAZI25HR

First Look at Legolas in ‘The Hobbit: There and Back Again (SCREEN RANT)

1 day ago by Ben Moore

Though The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey doesn’t hit theaters until next week, reviews are already starting to pop up – and they’re not exactly “glowing.” Some of the criticisms (48fps aside) have been that it’s overstuffed, overlong, and that it includes too many references to Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings.


READ MORE: http://screenrant.com/the-hobbit-legolas-photo/

FIRST LOOK: ORLANDO BLOOM & LUKE EVANS IN THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN (THE DAILY BLAM)

BY PIETRO FILIPPONI
PUBLISHED: DECEMBER 6, 2012 - 10:30AM
in Film Movie News Lord of the Rings The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Warner Bros Fantasy

The first film of director Peter Jackson's upcoming fantasy trilogy stars Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, Ian McKellen as Gandalf, and Andy Serkis as Gollum and is scheduled for theatrical release December 14, 2012.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released on December 14, 2012. The second film, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, will be released on December 13, 2013, and the third film, The Hobbit: There and Back Again, will be released worldwide on July 18, 2014.


Although no official publicity materials for the second film have been released, Entertainment Weekly has debuted the first promo still from the third film which features the return of Orlando Bloom to the role of Legolas and introduces Luke Evans (The Three Musketeers, Immortals) as Bard the Bowman:

READ MORE: http://www.dailyblam.com/news/2012/12/06/first-look-orlando-bloom-luke-evans-in-the-hobbit-there-and-back-again

THE HOBBIT: Release dates for all three films announced

BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — "Hobbit" fans need only wait seven months between the second and third installments of Peter Jackson's highly anticipated trilogy.

Warner Bros. Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures announced Friday the final film in the series will be called "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" and released worldwide on July 18, 2014. The title was taken from the second installment, which will now be called "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug."

Here's how it all breaks down:

— "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,' Dec. 14, 2012.
— "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug." Dec. 13, 2013.
— "The Hobbit: There and Back Again," July 18, 2014.


read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jQ2xQQKwx2fVGZ33RjGYz9wJdD1w?docId=755ceb08f0ba49f4bbc88867627eda8a

As 'The Hobbit' Splits Into Trilogy, When Will The Dragon Show Up? By Max Eddy on August 22, 2012 2:08 PM EDT (DIGITAL TIMES)

Earlier this week, a fan blog posted an excerpted interview with Benedict Cumberbatch, who will voice the dragon Smaug in the upcoming trilogy of films The Hobbit, which raises questions about when this central character will actually appear in the films.

If you want to be completely surprised by the forthcoming of adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's novel brought to the screen by The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, you'd best stop reading here. What follows are not exactly spoilers, but refer to how the movies will be presented.

Cumberbatch, a fan-favorite who portrayed Sherlock Holmes in the hit series Sherlock, was one of many interesting casting decisions made by Jackson as work on The Hobbit began in earnest. Cumberbatch will be joining such familiar faces as Ian McKellen, who will be reprising his role as Gandalf the Grey. Additionally, Martin Freeman who played Dr. Watson alongside Cumberbatch on Sherlock will lead the cast as Bilbo Baggins.

In the excerpted interview, Cumberbatch reveals that Smaug -- or at least, his vocal contribution to Smaug -- might not appear in the first film at all. The interview was conducted by Anne Richardson and appeared on the Cumberbatchweb blog.


READ MORE: http://www.idigitaltimes.com/articles/10919/20120822/hobbit-benedict-cumberbatch.htm

Richard Armitage from the Peter Jackson blogs (video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELkGdGsYhfo&sns=fb

bccmee2

Richard Armitage: Images from his fan meeting

I had thought these were from the Michigan films set, but I was wrong, as usual.  Read the comment below.  The account of this meeting can be found here:

 http://doihaveablog.wordpress.com/2012/08/16/hello-richard-armitage/

Do I have a Blog?

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Richard-Armitage-MrThornton-al-Sofa-and-Carpet/113665221991270

This looks like they're at the filming of his movie about the tornado.  Anyone know for certain?

Richard Armitage: Breakout Movie Stars of Fall 2012 Published: August 13, 2012 @ 6:37 pm (THE WRAP)

RICHARD ARMITAGE

How He’ll Spend the Fall: Treasure hunting with Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.”

Upcoming: Two more sequels to “The Hobbit” and an untitled tornado thriller from New Line Cinema.

Why He’s Ready to Break Through: Another well-known name in England hoping for his U.S. breakthrough, the dashing British actor has starred in several hit BBC America series, including "Robin Hood" (he played the evil Guy of Gisborne) and "MI-5."


READ MORE: http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/5-breakout-movie-stars-fall-2012-51446

The Hobbit in 48 fps will be getting a limited release By: Anthony Garreffa (TWEAK TOWN)

It looks like The Hobbit, which is now a trilogy by the way, will only be shown in limited amounts of cinemas in 48 fps. Variety reports that according to a source familiar with Warner's release plans for the first Hobbit movie, is that the HFR version will only hit select locations, and maybe not even major cities.

Though, people who have had the pleasure of eyeballing the 48 fps version of the movie have said that it now looks much better than the test footage shown at CinemaCon back in April, which had not "undergone post-production polishing" and received a mixed reception from viewers. Warner's wants to protect the HFR format, where they'll be going into a limited release for the HFR version of the movie, hoping that they'll be able to test the marketplace and expand the HFR release for the second, and third Hobbit movies.


READ MORE: http://www.tweaktown.com/news/25229/the_hobbit_in_48_fps_will_be_getting_a_limited_release/index.html

Richard Armitage bits at Comic Con Press conference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSq2FkxsDoQ&feature=related

Richard Armitage:The Hobbit’s Thorin Oakenshield tells us what happens when you get a dwarf drunk (109) Meredith Woerner

The Hobbit's Richard Armitage plays the stoic Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the dwarves and a very strong presence throughout The Hobbit. But how will this lofty, Lordly character play with today's movie audiences? We asked, and Armitage answered — plus find out what other songs we'll be hearing from Armitage in the movie!

Is [The Hobbit] going to be a little bit more musical than The Lord Of The Rings?

Richard Armitage: Yeah, yeah, and there are other songs in it [besides the one we've already heard]. Which I was kind of hoping for. But I thought, "are they gonna shy away from that?" But I think the culture of the dwarves, the dwarves are kind of raucous dirty, filthy beasts. And when they party, they party hard. So there are a few drinking songs in there.

What makes a good drunk?

A smelly dwarf — and boy, do we smell.

SEE THE GREAT 109 INTERVIEW VIDEO HERE

Sherlock' star Martin Freeman confirms series three dates (DIGITAL SPY) Published Wednesday, Jul 18 2012, 4:30am EDT | By Morgan Jeffery

Sherlock star Martin Freeman has confirmed filming dates for the third series.

The actor - who plays John Watson - revealed that three new episodes will be shot over four months in early 2013.


Speaking at a Comic-Con press conference to promote his role in The Hobbit films, Freeman said: "[We film] in January until about April, I think."

He added: "It's a pleasure for us to do. We love it!"


READ MORE: http://www.digitalspy.com/british-tv/s129/sherlock/news/a393866/sherlock-star-martin-freeman-confirms-series-three-dates.html

http://www.scoop.it/t/benedict-cumberbatch/p/2195913308/sherlock-star-martin-freeman-confirms-series-three-dates?_tmc=i2dJ6PbXcb2hQVHEu3mfP1y8xbJxbTIhnHqCoN455Co

Richard Armitage, Martin Freeman: Cast of The Hobbit interviewed by Entertainment Weekly Comic Con (YOUTUBE)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSgSZHW0q-0

The Hobbit' movie news: May be a trilogy, third film from JRR Tolkien's notes THE HOBBIT MOVIEJULY 15, 2012BY: RYAN ARCIERO (THE EXAMINER)

‘The Hobbit’ movie: A possible Part 3 using written notes of Middle-earth from JRR Tolkien

After the successful “Hobbit” panel at Comic-Con 2012 in San Diego this week, Peter Jackson still had some more secrets to tell of everyone’s favorite hairy-footed friends.

“Screen Rant” first reveals this Saturday that Jackson did confirm there were several book scenes he was not able to adapt into the movie because of time and space issues.

With the main filming of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” finished—the second prequel installment is titled “The Hobbit: There and Back again”—the director may now make a third film from JRR Tolkien’s unpublished books.

According to “HitFix,” who first received word on a possible trilogy for “The Hobbit” films, this is Jackson’s official statement:

“We’ve been certainly talking to the studio about material we cannot shoot … I’d like to shoot a bunch more material. There’s so much good stuff in the appendices that we haven’t been able to squeeze into these movies. That’s a discussion we’re currently having.”

At Comic-Con 2012, “Lord of the Rings” director Peter Jackson was able to spill a couple more secrets to his Middle-earth fans:

“It’s still premature. We have an incredible source of material, and we do have the rights to many of JRR Tolkien’s notes, and I have been talking to the stuido about other things we haven’t seen that might make into a [third] film.”

READ MORE: http://www.examiner.com/article/the-hobbit-movie-news-may-be-a-trilogy-third-film-from-jrr-tolkien-s-notes

Comic-Con fans journey to Middle Earth with Hobbit (THE SUNDAY TIMES)

Peter Jackson, Martin Freeman, Philippa Boyens, Sir Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Richard Armitage and Elijah Wood speak at the The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey panel 2012 Comic Con on Saturday, July 14, 2012 in San Diego, California. -- PHOTO: AP

SAN DIEGO (REUTERS) - Director Peter Jackson took loyal fans at Comic-Con on a journey back to Middle Earth on Saturday with footage of his upcoming film fantasy The Hobbit, calling the new epic 'made by fans, for fans'.

Many die-hard loyalists from Jackson's Lord Of The Rings series waited overnight at the giant pop culture showcase in San Diego to attend a panel where Jackson was joined by actors Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, script writer Philippa Boyens and surprise guest Elijah Wood.

The panel opened with a 15-minute behind-the-scenes video featuring interviews with the cast and crew as well as footage from scenes featuring explosions and fights, which the audience welcomed with deafening screams.

READ MORE: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Lifestyle/Story/STIStory_822537.html

Richard Armitage, Martin Freeman: Comic-Con crowd goes crazy for 'Hobbit' footage By DAVID GERMAIN AP Movie Writer Posted: 07/14/2012 05:00:55 PM PDT Updated: 07/14/2012 05:12:23 PM PDT (MERCURY NEWS0

SAN DIEGO—If reaction to "The Hobbit" footage at Comic-Con is any indication, Peter Jackson has another couple of blockbusters on his hands.

The crowd attending Jackson's "Hobbit" preview at the fan convention Saturday went wild over a 12-minute reel the filmmaker and his colleagues screened.

Broken into two films, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" and "The Hobbit: There and Back Again," the 3-D epic is Jackson's prequel to his "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, whose finale won 11 Academy Awards, including best picture and director.

"An Unexpected Journey" arrives in theaters Dec. 14, with "There and Back Again" following in December 2013.

The films are based on J.R.R. Tolkien's prequel novel, which chronicles how tiny hobbit Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) acquired the ring of power that causes all the ruckus in "The Lord of the Rings," Jackson's three-part adaptation of Tolkien's fantasy saga.

Along with Jackson and Freeman, "The Hobbit" panel at Comic-Con featured "Lord of the Rings" co-stars Ian McKellen, who reprises his role as the wizard Gandalf, and Andy Serkis, who is back as twisted ring-keeper Gollum. Also on hand was Richard Armitage, who plays the dwarf Thorin Oakenshield.

Jackson showed 12 minutes of footage that included a chillingly comic exchange between Bilbo and Gollum; a tender moment between McKellen's Gandalf and Cate Blanchett, reprising her role as elf queen Galadriel; and the pivotal moment when Bilbo discovers The Ring.

READ MORE: http://www.mercurynews.com/entertainment/ci_21077550/comic-con-crowd-goes-crazy-hobbit-footage

THE HOBBIT: Seven New (Low-Res) Character Posters For THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY A series of new character posters for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey have been spotted by ComingSoon.net at this year's San Diego Comic-Con. They feature Galadriel, Fili, Bifur, Kili, Ori, Bombur and Nori. Josh Wilding - 7/11/2012 (COMIC BOOK MOVIE)

1

STARRING: 

Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins 

Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey 

Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield 

Andy Serkis as Gollum 

Hugo Weaving as Elrond 

Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug 

Luke Evans as Bard the Bowman 

Christopher Lee as Saruman the White 

Cate Blanchett as Galadriel 

Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins 

Orlando Bloom as Legolas 

RELEASE DATE: December 14th, 2012.

SEE THE REST: http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/JoshWildingNewsAndReviews/news/?a=63519

Richard Armitage: New Line Tornado Project Pulls In 'The Hobbit' Star Richard Armitage, Teen Sex Comedy 'Premature' Adds Craig Roberts & Alan Tudyk NEWS BY CHARLIE SCHMIDLIN | JULY 12, 2012 5:41 PM (THE PLAYLIST)

Two teen-centered films from New Line and FilmNation have been quietly picking up steam as of late, and while neither production packs tremendous star power under its respective wings, our latest casting report shows they've decided to pull in some fine character actors and fresh talent instead.

After more than a year donning hours-worth of make-up every day in order to play Thorin Oakenshield in “The Hobbit,” actor Richard Armitage (“MI-5”) must be pretty thrilled to be starring next as a flesh-and-blood human, this time in an untitled New Line disaster flick. He'll join Sarah Wayne (“The Walking Dead”), as well as newcomer Alycia Debnam-Carey in the film, which follows a group of high school teenagers who contend with the immediate aftermath of a devastating tornado. Helming the film is director Steve Quale (“Final Destination 5”), working from John Swetnam's script, and while no word has been revealed on the approach Quale will take (let the words “found footage” stay far, far away), having an actor as accomplished as Armitage in your arsenal definitely won't hinder proceedings. [Deadline]

READ MORE: http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/new-line-tornado-project-pulls-in-the-hobbit-star-richard-armitage-teen-sex-comedy-premature-adds-craig-roberts-alan-tudyk-20120712