Peter Jackson

THE HOBBIT to Star Billy Connolly as Dwarven Warrior

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: February 8th, 2012 at 4:57 pm

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe there is a vast array of characters available for actors to portray. Some, like Evangeline Lilly’s elf, Tauriel, are created specifically for The Hobbit, while some actors, like Benedict Cumberbatch (War Horse), lend their performance and voice to a mythological creature. Then there is Billy Connolly (Boondock Saints) who gets to play one of the most fearsome and storied dwarves in all of Tolkien’s tomes. The Scottish actor will play Dain Ironfoot, cousin to Thorin Oakenshield (played by Richard Armitage) and a power-player in dwarven royalty. Having brought Connolly on as Ironfoot, director Peter Jackson commented on how this latest addition has completed the cast. Hit the jump to see what he had to say.

Peter Jackson-produced Documentary WEST OF MEMPHIS Unveils Breakthrough New Evidence in West Memphis Three Case

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 20th, 2012 at 12:37 pm

The trial, conviction, and release of the West Memphis Three have been well covered on many fronts over the past 16 years. The documentary trilogy Paradise Lost was tantamount to the eventual release of Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin, and Jesse Misskelley, who were convicted of murdering three young boys in 1994. While the State of Arkansas released the trio through a legal loophole that maintained their guilt (thus protecting the state from a multi-million dollar wrongful conviction lawsuit), the killer remains at large. A new documentary produced by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Echols called West of Memphis premiered at the Sundance Film Festival today and revealed a breakthrough in evidence against one of the victims’ stepfathers, who has been the primary person of interest since new DNA testing connected him to the crime. Hit the jump to find out what evidence may finally exonerate the West Memphis Three.

New Image from THE HOBBIT; Peter Jackson and Co-Writer Philippa Boyens Talk About the Production

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: January 14th, 2012 at 11:35 am

A new image from The Hobbit has surfaced online today.  It is especially heroic, depicting Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins covered in dirt, wielding a sword Sting, a determined growl on his face.  [Update: Commenter Deepak pointed out that Freeman's hand is around Sting, "the blade that glows blue when Orcs are close."  My Hobbit knowledge doesn't run that deep, but it sounds noteworthy.]  In case you needed any, this is more evidence to me that Freeman is an inspired choice for the part.

Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Andy Serkis, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, and Stephen Fry also star.  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey opens on December 14, 2012 followed by The Hobbit: There and Back Again on December 13, 2013.  Hit the jump for the full image in high resolution, plus quotes from director Peter Jackson and co-writer Philippa Boyens on the story and production.

First Trailer for Peter Jackson-produced West Memphis Three Documentary WEST OF MEMPHIS

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 13th, 2012 at 11:19 am

The first trailer for the documentary West of Memphis has gone online. Produced by Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, the film takes a new look at the circumstances surrounding the West Memphis Three. If you’re unfamiliar with the case, three teenagers were convicted of murdering three young boys in West Memphis, Arkansas in 1994 with virtually no evidence. They were recently freed through a complicated legal maneuver (saving the life of Damien Echols, who was on death row), but the true killer remains at large and the Arkansas legal system is refusing to admit their mistake.

The case has been well covered by the Paradise Lost trilogy of documentaries, so I was curious as to why Jackson felt the need to produce yet another documentary. This trailer makes clear that Jackson and director Amy Berg’s intent is to clear the names of the West Memphis Three and bring to justice the real murderer of the three boys from West Memphis. It’s engaging stuff, and I can’t wait to check the full film out once it’s released. Hit the jump to watch the trailer. West of Memphis will premiere at the upcoming Sundance Film Festival.

Christopher Lee Talks THE HOBBIT, HUGO and DARK SHADOWS

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: December 29th, 2011 at 4:34 pm

In a Christmas address by the incomparable Christopher Lee, the actor remarked on his completed works of 2011 (including a tongue-in-cheek clarification of his role in The Wicker Tree). More notably, Lee also touched on his role in Hugo and his working relationship with director Martin Scorsese, his own personal vitality (Lee will turn 90 in 2012) and his work in Dark Shadows with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. Oh and you might have been wondering about his reprisal of the role of Saruman in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit movies. Not to worry as Lee goes into some detail about his involvement and it’s safe to say the actor’s work has been completed on both films. Hit the jump to check out the video.

New Production Video for THE HOBBIT Takes Us Behind-the-Scenes of Location Shooting

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 23rd, 2011 at 12:25 pm

Director Peter Jackson continues to give fans an incredibly insightful peek into the production on his two-part The Hobbit adaptation with yet another production video. While the last behind-the-scenes look focused on the 3D aspect of shooting (it’s a must-see and I highly suggest you check it out), the latest video gives us a look into the logistics of location shooting. Jackson and Co. are currently towards the end of a seven-week location shoot schedule, which will provide the director with plenty of gorgeous New Zealand vistas that he’ll transform into Middle Earth.

We get a look into the ridiculously herculean task of moving the entire production unit around the country of New Zealand, and we also get to see quite a bit of shooting. In addition to watching Jackson work, we get a peek at Andy Serkis who’s directing second-unit on the pics, and we get to see Elijah Wood return to Hobbiton. Hit the jump to check out the latest production video. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey arrives December 14th, 2012, while The Hobbit: There and Back Again will hit theaters on December 13, 2013.

First Trailer and Poster for THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 20th, 2011 at 6:51 pm

Finally, the first trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has been released. Peter Jackson returns to direct the adventure of young Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) who sets out on an adventure with a company of dwarves. This trailer really is like a warm embrace from an old friend. While most trailers this far out from release show very little in the way of footage, Jackson shows off a great deal. Freeman looks excellent as Bilbo, the dwarves are fantastic (they sing!), and the tag brought a big smile to my face. While a year is a very long time to wait, this snippet is a swell look into the wonder to come.

Hit the jump to check out the trailer. The film also stars Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Andy Serkis, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, and Stephen Fry.  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released on December 14, 2012.

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN Review

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: December 20th, 2011 at 2:36 pm

The Indiana Jones franchise is and will always be one of the giants of the adventure genre.  We should accept that when it comes to adventure, Steven Spielberg will never top Raiders of the Lost Ark, but in his defense, neither will anyone else.  Sadly, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull felt cartoony and done out of obligation rather than any sense of desire to revive the character.  Spielberg picks up a fresh adventure franchise by adapting Hergé‘s internationally beloved Tintin comics, but The Adventures of Tintin manages to feel even more like a weightless cartoon.  All the beats are correct and there’s no need to compromise or carry the baggage of Dr. Jones’ previous efforts, but Spielberg and producer Peter Jackson (who was a de facto co-director on the film) fall into the traps of using motion capture and 3D without understanding how to best utilize either technology.  Tintin presumes to be a grand adventure but there’s no sense of danger and even if there were, there would be no reason to care about whether our heroes escape from it.

Confirmed: First Trailer for THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY Attached to THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 16th, 2011 at 11:53 am

The journey back to Middle Earth is about to begin. Since a fair amount of people usually trek to their local movie theater during the holidays—both with their families and to escape from their families—it’s usually during this time that we get our first look at some of the big movies set to come out next year. The new Dark Knight Rises trailer is expected to play in front of Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, and now Warner Bros. has confirmed that the teaser trailer for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be attached to screenings of The Adventures of Tintin.

We previously reported that the first trailer for The Hobbit might be playing in front of Sherlock Holmes, but it appears WB has decided to pair it with the Jackson-produced Tintin instead. While we’ve seen bits and pieces of The Hobbit through Jackson’s video production diaries, I can’t wait to see our old friends back up on the big screen. Tintin opens in 3D on December 21st, and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits theaters a year from now, on December 14th, 2012. Hit the jump to head back in time and watch the teaser trailer for 2001′s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Over 10 New Images from THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 9th, 2011 at 11:42 am

Paramount has released a small batch of new images from Steven Spielberg’s The Adventures of Tintin. While many Americans may be scratching their heads, Tintin is based on one of the most popular comic book series in Europe. The film has already opened overseas and has been doing fantastic business thus far. I’m very much looking forward to finally getting the chance to check it out, as it’s Spielberg’s first foray into motion-capture. Word on the street is that Tintin plays like the Indiana Jones sequel Spielberg never made, and plans are already very much in the works for producer Peter Jackson to direct the sequel.

Hit the jump to check out the images, which also include a couple of behind-the-scenes shots of Spielberg and Jackson. The film stars Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost. The Adventures of Tintin opens in 3D on December 21st.

Producer Kathleen Kennedy Talks JURASSIC PARK 4, a 3D Re-Release for JURASSIC PARK, and the TINTIN Sequel

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 4th, 2011 at 1:35 pm

If you’re unfamiliar with the name Kathleen Kennedy, I assure you you’re very familiar with her work. Kennedy has been one of Steven Spielberg‘s producing partners since Raiders of the Lost Ark, and is responsible for producing films like Schindler’s List, Jurassic Park, The Sixth Sense, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and many many more. Most recently she worked with Spielberg on the director’s two December releases War Horse and The Adventures of Tintin. Steve is currently in New York for the War Horse junket and he got the chance to speak with Kennedy, who gave updates on a number of high profile projects.

While we’ll have the full interview up shortly (as well as updates on other upcoming projects), we wanted to share with you what she had to say about a Tintin sequel, Jurassic Park 4 and the possiblity of a 3D re-release for Jurassic Park today. Kennedy confirmed that they’re working on another entry in the Jurassic Park franchise, revealed that Universal has approached them about a 3D re-release of the original Jurassic Park, and said they’ve already set things in motion for a sequel to Tintin, which could feasibly be released by Christmas 2014 or summer 2015. Hit the jump to see what she had to say.

New TV Spot for THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 11th, 2011 at 9:55 am

Steven Spielberg‘s The Adventures of Tintin has been picking up acclaim both at home and abroad.  The movie screened at the AFI Festival last night to rave reviews, and the movie has racked up over $123.4 million overseas as it continues to expand into foreign countries.  Tintin is being hailed as the true sequel to Indiana Jones, and the latest TV spot is another piece of evidence to support that audacious claim.

Hit the jump to check out the TV spot.  The film stars Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and Daniel Craig.  The Adventures of Tintin opens in 3D on December 21st.

New Behind-the-Scenes THE HOBBIT Video Blog Explores the Movie’s 3D; Provides Brief Looks at Scenes from the Film

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: November 4th, 2011 at 7:15 am

In the latest video blog for The Hobbit, writer-director Peter Jackson says, “Shooting The Hobbit in 3D is a dream-come-true.  If I had had the ability to shoot The Lord of the Rings in 3D, I certainly would have done it.”  Even if you’re not a fan of 3D, this new video blog does a great job of explaining all the aspects of the technology including the benefits of shooting at 48 frames per second.   There are also cool bits like the concept art being done in 3D and how various departments have to change their approach to accommodate 3D and 48fps.  Even if you’ve seen documentaries like this before, this one is still worth your time because it provides brief looks at scenes from the movie.  There are short glimpses of a dwarf battle, Gandalf leading the party, and a first look at the psychedelic forest of Mirkwood, and other moments that make me excited to return to Middle-Earth.

Hit the jump to check out the video blog, and look forward to the next one where they’ll be moving off the soundstage and shooting on location.  The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released on December 14, 2012.  The Hobbit: There and Back Again will hit theaters on December 13, 2013.

Peter Jackson Says He’ll Direct the Next ADVENTURES OF TINTIN After He Finishes THE HOBBIT; Spielberg Confirms Script for Sequel Is Already Written

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 25th, 2011 at 9:10 am

In one of the most exciting collaborations in a great while, Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson teamed up on this fall’s The Adventures of Tintin. Spielberg directed the film as his first foray into motion-capture, with Jackson onboard as a very hands-on producer. The plan, if audiences flock to this first Tintin, has always been to make a trilogy of films based on Herge’s beloved characters, with Jackson directing the second installment. Anthony Horowitz was hired to pen the sequel last year, and now Jackson has confirmed that the Tintin follow-up is planned to be his next film after he finishes The Hobbit. Hit the jump for more.

New Featurette and Interview for THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN; Plus a Brief Look at Peter Jackson’s Fake Screen Test to Play Captain Haddock

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: October 19th, 2011 at 9:45 am

A new featurette for The Adventures of Tintin has gone online along with an interview with director Steven Spielberg and producer Peter Jackson.  In the featurette, Spielberg explains how he was introduced to Tintin and he calls his movie “Unapologetic, shameless adventure,” as if there was anything to apologize for or be ashamed about adventure.  But the best moment in the featurette by far is the screen test for Snowy (Tintin’s dog) that also allowed Jackson to come on and fake audition for the role of Captain Haddock even though the whole movie is motion capture (Andy Serkis plays the role in the movie).  I saw the whole screen test at Comic-Con and it was one of the highlights of Hall H.  Hopefully, they’ll include the full screen test on the Blu-ray.

Hit the jump to check out the featurette along with Spielberg and Jackson talking about they met, how they came to work together on Tintin, and how this movie was his first true collaboration.  The Adventures of Tintin opens in 3D on December 21st.

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