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The Hobbit (film series)

2012-09-02T20:12:35Z

96.245.129.210: /* Plot */

{{Currentevent}}
{{disambig-more|The Hobbit|[[The Hobbit (disambiguation)]]}}
{{Film infobox
| image=[[File:New Line Cinema - The Hobbit films logo.jpg|250px]]
| name=The Hobbit
| director=[[Peter Jackson]]<ref name="HBTitles">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.thehobbitblog.com/?p=2563|articlename=Titles and Release Dates Announced|dated=31-May-2011|website=[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ The Hobbit Blog]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref> [[Andy Serkis]] (Second Unit Director)<ref name="HBAndy"/>
| producer=Peter Jackson [[Fran Walsh]] [[Carolynne Cunningham]] [[Philippa Boyens]] (Co-Producer) [[Ken Kamins]] (Executive Producer) [[Zane Weiner]] (Executive Producer)<ref name="HBTitles"/>
| writer=[[Guillermo del Toro]] Peter Jackson Fran Walsh Philippa Boyens<ref name="HBTitles"/>
| narrator=
| starring=[[Martin Freeman]] [[Ian McKellen]] [[Richard Armitage]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/> ''[[The Hobbit films#Confirmed cast|See cast section below for more]]''
| music=[[Howard Shore]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
| cinematography=[[Andrew Lesnie]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
| editing=
| studio=[[New Line Cinema]] [[MGM]] [[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros. Pictures]]<ref name="HBTitles"/>
| distributor=[[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros. Pictures]]<ref name="HBTitles"/>
| released='''''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''''': 14 December, 2012 '''''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug''''': 13 December, 2013 '''''The Hobbit: There and Back Again''''': 18 July, 2014<ref name="HBTitles2">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.thehobbitblog.com/the-hobbit-trilogy-titles-and-release-dates/|articlename=The Hobbit Trilogy titles and release dates|dated=2-September-2012|website=[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ The Hobbit Blog]|accessed=2-September-2012}}</ref>
| runtime=
| country=New Zealand United Kingdom United States
| language=English
| budget=
| website=[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ Official Blog]
| imdb_id=0903624
}}
''[[The Hobbit films|The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'', ''[[The Hobbit films|The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'', and ''[[The Hobbit films|The Hobbit: There and Back Again]]'', known collectively as '''''The Hobbit''''', are three forthcoming live-action films based upon [[J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien's]] [[1937]] [[The Hobbit|novel of the same name]].<ref name="HBTitles"/><ref name="HBTitles2"/> The three films are being directed by [[Peter Jackson]] and are conceived as prequels to Jackson's earlier project, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]''.<ref name="PJCasting1"/><ref name="PJFilmThree"/>

[[Martin Freeman]] has been cast to play the films' title role of [[Bilbo Baggins]].<ref name="PJCasting1"/> Meanwhile [[Richard Armitage]] will portray [[Thorin|Thorin Oakenshield]],<ref name="PJCasting1"/> while [[Benedict Cumberbatch]] has been cast as [[Smaug]].<ref name="PJCasting4"/> Several cast members from ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'' will reprise their roles, including [[Ian McKellen]] as [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]], [[Cate Blanchett]] as [[Galadriel]], [[Andy Serkis]] as [[Gollum]], and [[Elijah Wood]] as [[Frodo]].<ref name="PJCasting1"/>

Filming in [[New Zealand]] began on [[21 March]], [[2011]] and ended on [[6 July]], [[2012]];<ref name="BBCNews1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12803125|articlename=Hobbit filming finally under way|dated=21-March-2011|website=[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ BBC News Online]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref><ref name="PJFilming"/> '''''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''''' is due to be released in the United States and the United Kingdom on [[14 December]], [[2012]], with '''''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug''''' set for [[13 December]], [[2013]], and '''''The Hobbit: There and Back Again''''' set for [[18 July]], [[2014]].<ref name="HBTitles"/><ref name="HBTitles2"/>

[[Peter Jackson]] initially planned to produce two films, but following the conclusion of principal photography, and on seeing early cuts of these films, he decided that he wanted 'to tell more of the tale'. Therefore on [[30 July]], [[2012]], Jackson announced that 'two films will become three'.<ref name="PJFilmThree"/><ref name="FilmThreePR">{{webcite|author=[[New Line Cinema]], [[MGM|Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios]], and [[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros. Pictures]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/notes/the-hobbit/peter-jacksons-long-awaited-filmed-adaptation-of-the-hobbit-to-be-a-trilogy/413954741973470|articlename=PETER JACKSON’S LONG-AWAITED FILMED ADAPTATION OF THE HOBBIT TO BE A TRILOGY|dated=30-July-2012|website=Facebook|accessed=30-July-2012}}</ref>

==Plot==
''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'', ''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'', and ''The Hobbit: There and Back Again'' are expected to follow [[The_Hobbit#Synopsis|the plot]] from [[J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien's]] ''[[The Hobbit]]''. The stories presented in all three films will, however, include events, locations and characters not found within the novel upon which the films are based, drawing from tales written by J.R.R. Tolkien elsewhere.

According to a [[Warner Bros.]] press release for ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'':
{{Blockquote|The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.
 
''Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever… Gollum.''
 
''Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities … A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.''|[[Warner Bros.]] Press Release<ref name="WBPressRelease1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.warnerbroscanada.com/index.php/coming-soon/the-hobbit/|articlename=THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY|website=[http://www.warnerbroscanada.com/ Warner Bros. Canada]|accessed=9-Feb-2012}}</ref>}}

A plot description of the second, ''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'', and third film, ''The Hobbit: There and Back Again'', has not yet been released.

==Development==
===Directorship===
The Hobbit as a movie has been anticipated by many fans since the release of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy|The Lord of the Rings]]''. Even before the pre-production began there had been and are still possible issues which could delay the production of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit. In early 2005 it came to the public attention that Jackson was suing [[New Line Cinema]].<ref name="BBCNewsPJSues">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4312463.stm|articlename=Director sues over Rings profits|dated=2-Mar-2005|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref> This cast doubt on whether or not The Hobbit would ever be made. Jackson later told fans that, due to the dispute, he would neither direct nor produce the film.<ref name="BBCNewsPJSues" /> In late 2007 it was confirmed that Jackson would not direct, but ''would'' be an executive producer for two Hobbit movies.<ref name="BBCNewsPJProducer">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7150644.stm|articlename=Jackson to produce Hobbit movies|dated=18-Dec-2007|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref> It was later announced that [[Guillermo del Toro]] would direct the films, and that Jackson will be an active 'executive producer' with the possibility that he would help direct some scenes if necessary.<ref name="BBCNewsGdTDirector">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7366375.stm|articlename=Del Toro to direct Hobbit movies|dated=25-April-2008|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref>

However, on [[30 May]] [[2010]] it was revealed that del Toro could no longer commit himself to direct ''The Hobbit'' films, citing the continued delays in production in his reasoning.<ref name="BBCNewsGdTDirectorLeave">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10204138|articlename=Guillermo del Toro 'leaves' as director of The Hobbit|dated=1-June-2010|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref> Peter Jackson later announced that he would direct both films.<ref name="NZHPJDirector">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10681008|articlename=The Hobbit gets green light, Jackson to direct|dated=16-Oct-2010|website=[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ NZ Herald News]|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref>

===The Tolkien Estate's legal action against New Line Cinema===
{{Blockquote|The estate has [...] asked for a court order giving them the ability to terminate any rights the studio have to make films based on other Tolkien works, including The Hobbit.|BBC News Online<ref name="BBCNewsTELegal"/>}}
Production of ''The Hobbit'' films was held up by the [[Tolkien Estate|Tolkien Estate's]] legal action against [[New Line Cinema]]. The Estate should have received 7.5 per cent of all profits from the films under the agreement made by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] with United Artists in [[1969]]. Crucially, they also sought to stop the production of ''The Hobbit'' films until the case was settled.<ref name="BBCNewsTELegal">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7240421.stm|articlename=Rings film studio sued for $150m|dated=12-Feb-2009|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref> The legal row was finally settled in September [[2009]] after the Tolkien Estate successfully sued New Line Cinema for breach of contract and fraud, receiving a reported $220 million in compensation.<ref name="BBCNewsTELegalSettle">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8245300.stm|articlename=Legal path clear for Hobbit movie|dated=8-September-2009|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref>

===Industrial dispute in New Zealand===
Even before the issue of the directorship had been settled, and before the project was given the go-ahead by the studios, the International Federation of Actors (IFA) told actors to actively avoid participation in the production of ''The Hobbit'' films.<ref name="BBCIndustrial1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11414204|articlename=Union tell actors to avoid Hobbit films|dated=26-September-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> The IFA issued this "Do Not Work Order", on [[24 September]], [[2010]], on the basis that the studios refused to engage in union-negotiated contracts.<ref name="FIADNW">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.aftra.org/4AB692BB8467439D83C12A8A2C44B077.htm|articlename=FIA Do Not Work Order: 'The Hobbit'|dated=24-September-2010|website=[http://www.aftra.org/ The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists]|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> Meanwhile the studios argued that they could not make an agreement with a trade union under New Zealand law.<ref name="BBCIndustrial1"/>

[[Peter Jackson]] subsequently warned that the dispute could lead to a huge delay and that production could easily transfer to Easter Europe.<ref name="BBCIndustrial2">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11417340|articlename=Peter Jackson threatens Hobbit shutdown|dated=27-September-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> John Key, the incumbent Prime Minister of New Zealand, weighed in on the dispute saying that he hoped the dispute would not force ''The Hobbit'' production to move overseas. He also announced that the New Zealand government had gotten involved in the discussions.<ref name="BBCIndustrial3">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11465248|articlename=Hobbit movie 'should stay in New Zealand' says PM|dated=4-October-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref>

Whilst the studios announced that filming would begin the following February,<ref name="BBCIndustrial4">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11560411|articlename=The Hobbit to begin filming in February next year|dated=17-October-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> the dispute remained unsettled. With the studios seriously considering moving the production abroad, large numbers of New Zealanders protested in Auckland, [[Wellington]], and Christ Church.<ref name="BBCIndustrial5">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11617860|articlename=New Zealanders rally behind Hobbit shoot|dated=25-October-2012|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> A settlement was finally reached on [[27 October]], [[2010]], with the Prime Minister himself announcing the news, hoping to prevent the loss of jobs in New Zealand and to reinforce the country's Tolkien tourism industry.<ref name=BBCIndustrial6>{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11633724|articlename=The Hobbit will be made in New Zealand, PM confirms|dated=27-October-2012|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> As part of the agreement, the New Zealand government passed legislation which clarified that film industry workers are independent contractors rather than employees.<ref name="BBCIndustrial7>{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11649734|articlename=Hobbit legislation passed in New Zealand|dated=29-October-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> Filming finally began on [[21 March]], [[2011]].<ref name="BBCNews1"/>

===Film Three===
At [[Wikipedia:San Diego Comic-Con International|San Diego Comic-Con International]] 2012, [[Peter Jackson]] revealed that he hoped to film more material (based on [[The Appendices]]) in [[2013]]; this led to speculation that there could be a third "Hobbit" film. These rumours gained substance following media reports that Jackson was in discussion with [[Warner Bros.]] about the notion of an additional film.<ref>{{webcite|author=Ben Fritz, Steven Zeitchik and Nicole Sperling|articleurl=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-hobbit-third-movie-jackson-20120724,0,2208206.story|articlename=|dated=24-July-2012|website=[http://www.latimes.com/ Los Angeles Times]|accessed=26-July-2012}}</ref>

On [[30 July]], [[2012]], [[Peter Jackson]] announced that there would indeed be a third "Hobbit" film. After watching the early cuts of the first two films, Jackson, [[Fran Walsh]] and [[Philippa Boyens]] decided that they wanted to take a chance to tell even more of the story.<ref name="PJFilmThree">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/notes/peter-jackson/an-unexpected-journey/10151114596546558|articlename=An unexpected journery|dated=30-July-2012|website=Facebook|accessed=20-July-2012}}</ref> He argued,

{{Blockquote|We know how much of the story of [[Bilbo Baggins]], the Wizard [[Gandalf]], the Dwarves of [[Erebor]], the rise of the [[Sauron|Necromancer]], and the Battle of [[Dol Guldur]] will remain untold if we do not take this chance. The richness of the story of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', as well as some of the related material in the appendices of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', allows us to tell the full story of the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and the part he played in the sometimes dangerous, but at all times exciting, history of Middle-earth.|[[Peter Jackson]]<ref name="PJFilmThree"/>}}

On [[31 August]], [[2012]], it was revealed that the titles of the second and third films would be ''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'' and ''The Hobbit: There and Back Again'' respectively. The release of the first and second film remained unchanged, whilst the third film is due for release on [[18 July]], [[2014]].<ref name="HBTitles2"/>

==Filming==
[[File:New Line Cinema - Peter Jackson Filming.jpg|thumb|right|Peter Jackson on the last day of principal photography.]]Back-to-back filming for ''The Hobbit'' films began [[21 March]], [[2011]].<ref name="BBCNews1"/> All location filming was done at sites across [[New Zealand]], and most on-set filming took place at [[Stone Street Studio]], [[Wellington]].<ref name="ProductionVideo7">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151028043926807|articlename=THE HOBBIT, Production Video #7|dated=6-June-2011|website=FB|accessed=6-June-2012}}</ref> Filming also took place at Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom in [[July]], [[2011]]. Using their F Stage and N&P Stages, the production filmed scenes with [[Christopher Lee]] who could not fly to New Zealand.<ref name="Pinewood1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/our-studios/uk/news/hobbit-pinewood|articlename=The Hobbit at Pinewood|website=[http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/ Pinewood Studios]|accessed=02-August-2012}}</ref><ref name="ProductionVideo3">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150326323406807|articlename=THE HOBBIT, Production Video #3|dated=21-July-2011|website=FB|accessed=02-August-2012}}</ref>

Principal photography ended on [[6 July]], [[2012]], after 266 days filming.<ref name="PJFilming">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151062342726558&set=a.10150238899061558.364437.141884481557&type=1|articlename=We made it!|dated=6-July-2012|website=FB|accessed=6-July-2012}}</ref>

==Technical details==
===3D===
[[File:John Howe and Alan Lee - 3D concept art.png|thumb|left|3D concept art by [[John Howe]] and [[Alan Lee]].]]
''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'', ''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'', and ''The Hobbit: There and Back Again'' are being filmed in 3D using [[Wikipedia:Red Digital Cinema Camera Company|RED Epic]] cameras. A rig designed by [[Wikipedia:3ality Technica|3ality Technica]] is being used in the filming of the three films; here two cameras and a mirror are used in order to achieve an intraocular effect similar to that of a human's (the distance between the eyes). This is how the depth required for 3D film is achieved.<ref name="ProductionVideo4">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150451523596807|articlename=THE HOBBIT, Production Video #4|dated=4-Nov-2011|website=FB|accessed=10-Feb-2012}}</ref>

Most of [[John Howe|John Howe's]] and [[Alan Lee|Alan Lee's]] concept art has continued to be produced in 2D. However, they have collaborated on 3D pieces using the simple red and blue 3D effect.<ref name="ProductionVideo4"/>

===48 frames per second===
Breaking with conventional filming techniques, ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'', ''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'', and ''The Hobbit: There and Back Again'' are being filmed by capturing 48 frames per second (FPS). This is twice the normal 24 frames per second and is much closer to how the human eye works, which can see 60 frames per second. This makes the film look far more realistic. When describing what people thought when they saw clips of ''The Hobbit'' shown at 48 frames per second, Peter Jackson said that it's 'like the back of the cinema has had a hole cut out of it where the screen is and you're actually looking into the real world'.<ref name="ProductionVideo4"/>

Additionally, the ''The Hobbit'' films are being filmed at a 5K resolution. This is substantially larger than the conventional 1080 HD resolution. The films are being filmed digitally onto 128 GB memory cards that fit into the RED Epic camera.<ref name="ProductionVideo4"/>

One of the drawbacks of filming 48 frames per second at 5K resolution is that the make-up, prosthetic, prop, set, and costume departments have to work differently. For example, the make-up and prosthetic departments have to redden up the faces of the actors much more than usual because otherwise their skin colour will turn up yellow on the final film. Furthermore, real hair has to be used in order to achieve an authentic look when it moves around.<ref name="ProductionVideo4"/>

Ten minutes of footage was shown at 48 FPS during the [[Warner Bros.]] presentation at [[Wikipedia:CinemaCon|CinemaCon]] [[2012]]. The reaction was mixed. The ''Los Angeles Times'' described the picture as 'hyper-realistic' and the Associated Press described 'vivid, with grass blades, facial lines and soaring mountains appearing luminous and pronounced. The actors looked almost touchable, as if they were performing live on stage'. However, an anonymous projectionist said that '[i]t looked like a made-for-TV movie'.<ref name="BBC48FPS">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17836380|articlename=Peter Jackson unveils new Hobbit footage|dated=25-April-2012|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref><ref name="LAT48FPS">{{webcite|articleurl=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2012/04/cinemacon-hobbit-frame-rate-depp-gatsby.html|articlename=CinemaCon: Footage of 'The Hobbit' draws mixed reaction|dated=24-April-2012|website=[http://www.latimes.com/ ''Los Angeles Times'']|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref>

==Games and merchandise==
===Video games===
In [[2011]] the ''Los Angeles Times'' reported that [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]] would release a video game based on ''The Hobbit'' in [[2012]], before the release of ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''.<ref>{{webcite|author=Ben Fritz|articleurl=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/18/business/la-fi-1018-ct-warner-interactive-20111018/2|articlename=Warner's approach to video games is paying off|dated=18 October 2011|website=Las Angeles Times|accessed=2 March 2012}}</ref>

===Lego===
On [[17 December]], [[2011]], it was announced that the [[Lego|Lego Group]] had received the rights to create Lego sets based on ''The Lord of the Rings'' and ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''. The first sets on The Hobbit are scheduled to be released in the end of 2012.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://aboutus.lego.com/en-us/news-room/2011/december/warner-bros-consumer-products-and-the-lego-group/|articlename=Building sets based on THE LORD OF THE RINGS™ Trilogy and the Two Films Based on THE HOBBIT|dated=16 December 2011|website=lego.com|accessed=2 March 2012}}</ref>

==People involved==
*Production - [[New Line Cinema]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*United States Distribution - [[Warner Brothers]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*International Distribution - [[MGM]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Director - [[Peter Jackson]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Second Unit Director - [[Andy Serkis]]<ref name="HBAndy">
{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.thehobbitblog.com/?p=2234|articlename=Andy Serkis to serve as Second Unit Director|dated=8-April-2011|website=[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ The Hobbit Blog]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
*Producers - [[Peter Jackson]], [[Fran Walsh]], and [[Carolynne Cunningham]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Co-Producer - [[Philippa Boyens]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Executive Producers - [[Ken Kamins]] and [[Zane Weiner]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Writers - Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Guillermo del Toro<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Director of Photography - [[Andrew Lesnie]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Production Designer - [[Dan Hennah]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Conceptual Designers: [[Alan Lee]] and [[John Howe]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Composer - [[Howard Shore]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Make-up and Hair Designer - [[Peter King]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Costume Designers - [[Ann Maskrey]] and [[Richard Taylor]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Design and production of weaponry, armour, and prosthetics - [[Weta Workshop]] overseen by [[Richard Taylor]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>

===Confirmed cast===
[[File:New Line Cinema - cast.jpg|right|thumb|'Bilbo' and the 'thirteen dwarves' (N.B. Rob Kazinsky has since been replaced by Dean O'Gorman to play Fíli).<ref name="PJCasting2"/>|400px]]
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Actor !! Role
|-
| [[Richard Armitage]] || [[Thorin]]<ref name="PJCasting1">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150168211921558|articlename=Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit|dated=20-March-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[John Bell]]<ref name="WBPressRelease1"/> || [[Bain]]<ref name=Bell>{{webcite|author=Evie Bowman|articleurl=http://news.mymiddleearth.com/2012/07/03/exclusive-qa-with-hobbit-actor-john-bell/|articlename=EXCLUSIVE! Q&A WITH HOBBIT ACTOR JOHN BELL|dated=03-July-2012|website=MEN|accessed=04-July-2012}}</ref>

|-
| [[Cate Blanchett]] || [[Galadriel]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Orlando Bloom]] || [[Legolas]]<ref name="PJCasting5">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/PeterJacksonNZ/posts/10150265634081558|articlename=Ten years ago,...|dated=27-May-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Jed Brophy]] || [[Nori]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Adam Brown]] || [[Ori]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[John Callen]] || [[Óin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Billy Connolly]] || [[Dáin Ironfoot]]<ref name="BBCCasting1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16960081|articlename=Billy Connolly lands dwarf role in The Hobbit|dated=9-Feb-2012|website=BBC|accessed=9-Feb-2012}}</ref>
|-
| [[Benedict Cumberbatch]] || [[Smaug]]<ref name="PJCasting4"/>
|-
| [[Luke Evans]] || [[Bard]]<ref name="PJCasting4"/>
|-
| [[Martin Freeman]] || [[Bilbo Baggins]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Stephen Fry]] || The [[Master of Lake-town]]<ref name="PJCasting3">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150257180211558|articlename=Casting News for The Hobbit|dated=19-May-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ryan Gage]]<ref group="note">[[Ryan Gage]] was initially cast as [[Drogo Baggins]] (see: {{webcite|author=Earl|articleurl=http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2011/07/14/46113-ryan-gage-tweets-about-hobbit-costume-fitting/|articlename=Ryan Gage Tweets About Hobbit “Costume Fitting”|dated=02-Aug-2012|website=TORN|accessed=02-Aug-2012}}).</ref> || [[Alfrid]]<ref name="PJCasting3"/>
|-
| [[Mark Hadlow]] || [[Dori]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Peter Hambleton]] || [[Glóin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Ian Holm]] || Older [[Bilbo Baggins]]<ref name="PJCasting6">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150232032911558&id=141884481557|articlename=One comment that...|dated=22-April-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Barry Humphries]] || [[Great Goblin|Goblin King]]<ref name="PJCasting4"/>
|-
| [[Stephen Hunter]] || [[Bombur]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[William Kircher]] || [[Bifur]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Christopher Lee]] || [[Saruman]]<ref name="TelegraphCasting">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8311016/Christopher-Lee-will-star-in-the-Hobbit-prequel.html|articlename=Christopher Lee will star in the Hobbit prequel|dated=08-Feb-2011|website=[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ The Telegraph]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Evangeline Lilly]] || [[Tauriel]]<ref name="PJCasting4">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150286515141558|articlename=The Hobbit Casting Update|dated=19-June-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Sylvester McCoy]] || [[Radagast|Radagast the Brown]]<ref name="IMCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Ian McKellen]]|articleurl=http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/hobbit-movie/110510.htm|articlename=2 Elves and another Wizard|dated=10-May-2011|website=[http://www.mckellen.com/ Ian McKellen's website]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ian McKellen]] || [[Gandalf]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Bret McKenzie]] || [[Lindir]]<ref name="IMCasting"/>
|-
| [[Graham McTavish]] || [[Dwalin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Mike Mizrahi]] || [[Thráin II|Thráin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[James Nesbitt]] || [[Bofur]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Dean O'Gorman]] || [[Fíli]]<ref name="PJCasting2">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150239464391558|articlename=Casting news!|dated=30-April-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Lee Pace]] || [[Thranduil]]<ref name="PJCasting2"/>
|-
| [[Mikael Persbrandt]] || [[Beorn]]<ref name="AFTONBLADETCasting">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/film/article13349150.ab|articlename=Persbrandt den bäste för jobbet|dated=30-April-2011|website=[http://www.aftonbladet.se/ AFTONBLADET]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>

|-
| [[Andy Serkis]] || [[Gollum]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Conan Stevens]]<ref group="note">[[Conan Stevens]] was initially cast as [[Azog]] (see: {{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150257180211558|articlename=Casting News for The Hobbit|dated=19-May-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}).</ref> || [[Bolg]]<ref name="TORNBolg">{{webcite|author=MrCere|articleurl=http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/04/22/55228-exclusive-hobbits-conan-stevens-chats-with-torn/|articlename=Exclusive: ‘Hobbit’s’ Conan Stevens chats with TORn|dated=22-April-2012|website=TORN|accessed=02-Aug-2012}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ken Stott]] || [[Balin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Jeffrey Thomas]] || [[Thrór]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Aidan Turner]] || [[Kíli]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Hugo Weaving]] || [[Elrond]]<ref name="IMCasting"/>
|-
| [[Elijah Wood]] || [[Frodo Baggins]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
|}

==Trailer==
{{VideosHD|9PSXjr1gbjc}}

==Promotional posters==
{{Gallery
|title=Promotional posters of ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''
|height=300
|width=200
|lines=2
|File:New Line Cinema - The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey poster.jpg|The first promotional poster.
|File:New Line Cinema - The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey poster 2.jpg|The second promotional poster.
}}

==Gallery==
{{Seealso|:Category:Images from The Hobbit films}}
{{Gallery
|title=Pictures from the production of ''The Hobbit'' films
|height=200
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:New Line Cinema - Bilbo Baggins in Bag End.jpg|[[Martin Freeman]] as [[Bilbo Baggins]] in [[Bag End]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Gandalf the Grey.jpg|[[Ian McKellen]] as [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Gandalf in Bag End.jpg|Gandalf in Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Peter Jackson in Bag End 1.jpg|[[Peter Jackson]] on the set of Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Martin Freeman and Peter Jackson.jpg|Martin Freeman and Peter Jackson on the set of Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Peter Jackson in Bag End 2.jpg|Peter Jackson on the set of Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - the Dwarves.jpg|The thirteen [[Dwarves]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Nori, Ori and Dori.jpg|[[Nori]], [[Ori]] and [[Dori]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Óin and Glóin.jpg|[[Óin]] and [[Glóin]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Fíli and Kíli.jpg|[[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Bombur, Bofur and Bifur.jpg|[[Bombur]], [[Bofur]] and [[Bifur]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Balin and Dwalin.jpg|[[Balin]] and [[Dwalin]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Thorin.jpg|[[Thorin]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Bilbo with the Dwarves.png|Bilbo Baggins with the Dwarves.
|File:New Line Cinema - Bilbo and Sting.jpg|Bilbo Baggins with [[Sting]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Bifur, Dwalin, Bilbo, Bofur and Óin in Bag End.png|Bifur, Dwalin, Bilbo, Bofur and Óin in Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Packing the Dwarves.jpg|The Dwarves being packed into barrels.
|File:New Line Cinema - Kíli, Fíli, Dori, Nori.jpg|Kíli, Fíli, Dori, and Nori.
|File:New Line Cinema - Gollum in his cave.jpg|Gollum in his cave.
|File:New Line Cinema - Gandalf in Hobbiton.jpg|Gandalf in Hobbiton
|File:New Line Cinema - Galadriel in The Hobbit.jpg|[[Galadriel]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Elrond and Thrór's Map.jpg|Elrond looking at [[Thrór's Map]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Dwalin and Balin.jpg|Dwalin and Balin in Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Attercop!.jpg|Bilbo fighting [[spiders]].
}}

==Production videos==
{{Videos
|JOhk3HE_-YY
|5D74bwYowHQ
|vRakEgN0AbQ
|KCW72JwsO4I
|jjpZeIQUox0
|A42zC_3LQsM
|vfJDurmMWgo
|6OZijZoUyh0
}}

==See also==
*''[[The Hobbit]]''
*[[The Hobbit (1966 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1966 film)]]
*[[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
*[[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]
*[[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1979 radio series)]]
*[[:Category:Images from The Hobbit films|Images from ''The Hobbit'' films]]
**[[:Category:Images from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey|Images from ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'']]

==External links==
*[http://www.thehobbit.com/index.html TheHobbit.com] (official website)
*[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ TheHobbitBlog.com] (official blog)
*[http://www.facebook.com/PeterJacksonNZ Peter Jackson's Facebook page]

{{References|n}}

{{Films}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''The Hobbit'' films}}
[[Category:Films]]
[[de:Der Hobbit (Film)]]
[[fi:Hobitti (2010)]]

The Hobbit (film series)

2012-09-02T19:37:41Z

96.245.129.210: /* Plot */

{{Currentevent}}
{{disambig-more|The Hobbit|[[The Hobbit (disambiguation)]]}}
{{Film infobox
| image=[[File:New Line Cinema - The Hobbit films logo.jpg|250px]]
| name=The Hobbit
| director=[[Peter Jackson]]<ref name="HBTitles">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.thehobbitblog.com/?p=2563|articlename=Titles and Release Dates Announced|dated=31-May-2011|website=[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ The Hobbit Blog]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref> [[Andy Serkis]] (Second Unit Director)<ref name="HBAndy"/>
| producer=Peter Jackson [[Fran Walsh]] [[Carolynne Cunningham]] [[Philippa Boyens]] (Co-Producer) [[Ken Kamins]] (Executive Producer) [[Zane Weiner]] (Executive Producer)<ref name="HBTitles"/>
| writer=[[Guillermo del Toro]] Peter Jackson Fran Walsh Philippa Boyens<ref name="HBTitles"/>
| narrator=
| starring=[[Martin Freeman]] [[Ian McKellen]] [[Richard Armitage]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/> ''[[The Hobbit films#Confirmed cast|See cast section below for more]]''
| music=[[Howard Shore]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
| cinematography=[[Andrew Lesnie]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
| editing=
| studio=[[New Line Cinema]] [[MGM]] [[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros. Pictures]]<ref name="HBTitles"/>
| distributor=[[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros. Pictures]]<ref name="HBTitles"/>
| released='''''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''''': 14 December, 2012 '''''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug''''': 13 December, 2013 '''''The Hobbit: There and Back Again''''': 18 July, 2014<ref name="HBTitles2">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.thehobbitblog.com/the-hobbit-trilogy-titles-and-release-dates/|articlename=The Hobbit Trilogy titles and release dates|dated=2-September-2012|website=[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ The Hobbit Blog]|accessed=2-September-2012}}</ref>
| runtime=
| country=New Zealand United Kingdom United States
| language=English
| budget=
| website=[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ Official Blog]
| imdb_id=0903624
}}
''[[The Hobbit films|The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey]]'', ''[[The Hobbit films|The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug]]'', and ''[[The Hobbit films|The Hobbit: There and Back Again]]'', known collectively as '''''The Hobbit''''', are three forthcoming live-action films based upon [[J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien's]] [[1937]] [[The Hobbit|novel of the same name]].<ref name="HBTitles"/><ref name="HBTitles2"/> The three films are being directed by [[Peter Jackson]] and are conceived as prequels to Jackson's earlier project, ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]''.<ref name="PJCasting1"/><ref name="PJFilmThree"/>

[[Martin Freeman]] has been cast to play the films' title role of [[Bilbo Baggins]].<ref name="PJCasting1"/> Meanwhile [[Richard Armitage]] will portray [[Thorin|Thorin Oakenshield]],<ref name="PJCasting1"/> while [[Benedict Cumberbatch]] has been cast as [[Smaug]].<ref name="PJCasting4"/> Several cast members from ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'' will reprise their roles, including [[Ian McKellen]] as [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]], [[Cate Blanchett]] as [[Galadriel]], [[Andy Serkis]] as [[Gollum]], and [[Elijah Wood]] as [[Frodo]].<ref name="PJCasting1"/>

Filming in [[New Zealand]] began on [[21 March]], [[2011]] and ended on [[6 July]], [[2012]];<ref name="BBCNews1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-12803125|articlename=Hobbit filming finally under way|dated=21-March-2011|website=[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/ BBC News Online]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref><ref name="PJFilming"/> '''''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''''' is due to be released in the United States and the United Kingdom on [[14 December]], [[2012]], with '''''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug''''' set for [[13 December]], [[2013]], and '''''The Hobbit: There and Back Again''''' set for [[18 July]], [[2014]].<ref name="HBTitles"/><ref name="HBTitles2"/>

[[Peter Jackson]] initially planned to produce two films, but following the conclusion of principal photography, and on seeing early cuts of these films, he decided that he wanted 'to tell more of the tale'. Therefore on [[30 July]], [[2012]], Jackson announced that 'two films will become three'.<ref name="PJFilmThree"/><ref name="FilmThreePR">{{webcite|author=[[New Line Cinema]], [[MGM|Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios]], and [[Warner Bros.|Warner Bros. Pictures]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/notes/the-hobbit/peter-jacksons-long-awaited-filmed-adaptation-of-the-hobbit-to-be-a-trilogy/413954741973470|articlename=PETER JACKSON’S LONG-AWAITED FILMED ADAPTATION OF THE HOBBIT TO BE A TRILOGY|dated=30-July-2012|website=Facebook|accessed=30-July-2012}}</ref>

==Plot==
''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'', ''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'', and ''The Hobbit: There and Back Again'' are expected to follow [[The_Hobbit#Synopsis|the plot]] from [[J.R.R. Tolkien|J.R.R. Tolkien's]] ''[[The Hobbit]]''. The stories presented in all three films will, however, include events, locations and characters not found within the novel upon which the films are based, drawing from tales written by J.R.R. Tolkien elsewhere.

According to a [[Warner Bros.]] press release for ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'':
{{Blockquote|The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers.
 
''Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever… Gollum.''
 
''Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities … A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.''|[[Warner Bros.]] Press Release<ref name="WBPressRelease1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.warnerbroscanada.com/index.php/coming-soon/the-hobbit/|articlename=THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY|website=[http://www.warnerbroscanada.com/ Warner Bros. Canada]|accessed=9-Feb-2012}}</ref>}}

A plot description of the second, ''The Hobbit: There and Back Again'', and third film has not yet been released.

==Development==
===Directorship===
The Hobbit as a movie has been anticipated by many fans since the release of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy|The Lord of the Rings]]''. Even before the pre-production began there had been and are still possible issues which could delay the production of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit. In early 2005 it came to the public attention that Jackson was suing [[New Line Cinema]].<ref name="BBCNewsPJSues">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4312463.stm|articlename=Director sues over Rings profits|dated=2-Mar-2005|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref> This cast doubt on whether or not The Hobbit would ever be made. Jackson later told fans that, due to the dispute, he would neither direct nor produce the film.<ref name="BBCNewsPJSues" /> In late 2007 it was confirmed that Jackson would not direct, but ''would'' be an executive producer for two Hobbit movies.<ref name="BBCNewsPJProducer">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7150644.stm|articlename=Jackson to produce Hobbit movies|dated=18-Dec-2007|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref> It was later announced that [[Guillermo del Toro]] would direct the films, and that Jackson will be an active 'executive producer' with the possibility that he would help direct some scenes if necessary.<ref name="BBCNewsGdTDirector">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7366375.stm|articlename=Del Toro to direct Hobbit movies|dated=25-April-2008|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref>

However, on [[30 May]] [[2010]] it was revealed that del Toro could no longer commit himself to direct ''The Hobbit'' films, citing the continued delays in production in his reasoning.<ref name="BBCNewsGdTDirectorLeave">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10204138|articlename=Guillermo del Toro 'leaves' as director of The Hobbit|dated=1-June-2010|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref> Peter Jackson later announced that he would direct both films.<ref name="NZHPJDirector">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10681008|articlename=The Hobbit gets green light, Jackson to direct|dated=16-Oct-2010|website=[http://www.nzherald.co.nz/ NZ Herald News]|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref>

===The Tolkien Estate's legal action against New Line Cinema===
{{Blockquote|The estate has [...] asked for a court order giving them the ability to terminate any rights the studio have to make films based on other Tolkien works, including The Hobbit.|BBC News Online<ref name="BBCNewsTELegal"/>}}
Production of ''The Hobbit'' films was held up by the [[Tolkien Estate|Tolkien Estate's]] legal action against [[New Line Cinema]]. The Estate should have received 7.5 per cent of all profits from the films under the agreement made by [[J.R.R. Tolkien]] with United Artists in [[1969]]. Crucially, they also sought to stop the production of ''The Hobbit'' films until the case was settled.<ref name="BBCNewsTELegal">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7240421.stm|articlename=Rings film studio sued for $150m|dated=12-Feb-2009|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref> The legal row was finally settled in September [[2009]] after the Tolkien Estate successfully sued New Line Cinema for breach of contract and fraud, receiving a reported $220 million in compensation.<ref name="BBCNewsTELegalSettle">{{webcite|articleurl=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8245300.stm|articlename=Legal path clear for Hobbit movie|dated=8-September-2009|website=BBC|accessed=11-Feb-2012}}</ref>

===Industrial dispute in New Zealand===
Even before the issue of the directorship had been settled, and before the project was given the go-ahead by the studios, the International Federation of Actors (IFA) told actors to actively avoid participation in the production of ''The Hobbit'' films.<ref name="BBCIndustrial1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11414204|articlename=Union tell actors to avoid Hobbit films|dated=26-September-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> The IFA issued this "Do Not Work Order", on [[24 September]], [[2010]], on the basis that the studios refused to engage in union-negotiated contracts.<ref name="FIADNW">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.aftra.org/4AB692BB8467439D83C12A8A2C44B077.htm|articlename=FIA Do Not Work Order: 'The Hobbit'|dated=24-September-2010|website=[http://www.aftra.org/ The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists]|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> Meanwhile the studios argued that they could not make an agreement with a trade union under New Zealand law.<ref name="BBCIndustrial1"/>

[[Peter Jackson]] subsequently warned that the dispute could lead to a huge delay and that production could easily transfer to Easter Europe.<ref name="BBCIndustrial2">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11417340|articlename=Peter Jackson threatens Hobbit shutdown|dated=27-September-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> John Key, the incumbent Prime Minister of New Zealand, weighed in on the dispute saying that he hoped the dispute would not force ''The Hobbit'' production to move overseas. He also announced that the New Zealand government had gotten involved in the discussions.<ref name="BBCIndustrial3">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11465248|articlename=Hobbit movie 'should stay in New Zealand' says PM|dated=4-October-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref>

Whilst the studios announced that filming would begin the following February,<ref name="BBCIndustrial4">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11560411|articlename=The Hobbit to begin filming in February next year|dated=17-October-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> the dispute remained unsettled. With the studios seriously considering moving the production abroad, large numbers of New Zealanders protested in Auckland, [[Wellington]], and Christ Church.<ref name="BBCIndustrial5">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11617860|articlename=New Zealanders rally behind Hobbit shoot|dated=25-October-2012|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> A settlement was finally reached on [[27 October]], [[2010]], with the Prime Minister himself announcing the news, hoping to prevent the loss of jobs in New Zealand and to reinforce the country's Tolkien tourism industry.<ref name=BBCIndustrial6>{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-11633724|articlename=The Hobbit will be made in New Zealand, PM confirms|dated=27-October-2012|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> As part of the agreement, the New Zealand government passed legislation which clarified that film industry workers are independent contractors rather than employees.<ref name="BBCIndustrial7>{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11649734|articlename=Hobbit legislation passed in New Zealand|dated=29-October-2010|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref> Filming finally began on [[21 March]], [[2011]].<ref name="BBCNews1"/>

===Film Three===
At [[Wikipedia:San Diego Comic-Con International|San Diego Comic-Con International]] 2012, [[Peter Jackson]] revealed that he hoped to film more material (based on [[The Appendices]]) in [[2013]]; this led to speculation that there could be a third "Hobbit" film. These rumours gained substance following media reports that Jackson was in discussion with [[Warner Bros.]] about the notion of an additional film.<ref>{{webcite|author=Ben Fritz, Steven Zeitchik and Nicole Sperling|articleurl=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-hobbit-third-movie-jackson-20120724,0,2208206.story|articlename=|dated=24-July-2012|website=[http://www.latimes.com/ Los Angeles Times]|accessed=26-July-2012}}</ref>

On [[30 July]], [[2012]], [[Peter Jackson]] announced that there would indeed be a third "Hobbit" film. After watching the early cuts of the first two films, Jackson, [[Fran Walsh]] and [[Philippa Boyens]] decided that they wanted to take a chance to tell even more of the story.<ref name="PJFilmThree">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/notes/peter-jackson/an-unexpected-journey/10151114596546558|articlename=An unexpected journery|dated=30-July-2012|website=Facebook|accessed=20-July-2012}}</ref> He argued,

{{Blockquote|We know how much of the story of [[Bilbo Baggins]], the Wizard [[Gandalf]], the Dwarves of [[Erebor]], the rise of the [[Sauron|Necromancer]], and the Battle of [[Dol Guldur]] will remain untold if we do not take this chance. The richness of the story of ''[[The Hobbit]]'', as well as some of the related material in the appendices of ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'', allows us to tell the full story of the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and the part he played in the sometimes dangerous, but at all times exciting, history of Middle-earth.|[[Peter Jackson]]<ref name="PJFilmThree"/>}}

On [[31 August]], [[2012]], it was revealed that the titles of the second and third films would be ''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'' and ''The Hobbit: There and Back Again'' respectively. The release of the first and second film remained unchanged, whilst the third film is due for release on [[18 July]], [[2014]].<ref name="HBTitles2"/>

==Filming==
[[File:New Line Cinema - Peter Jackson Filming.jpg|thumb|right|Peter Jackson on the last day of principal photography.]]Back-to-back filming for ''The Hobbit'' films began [[21 March]], [[2011]].<ref name="BBCNews1"/> All location filming was done at sites across [[New Zealand]], and most on-set filming took place at [[Stone Street Studio]], [[Wellington]].<ref name="ProductionVideo7">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151028043926807|articlename=THE HOBBIT, Production Video #7|dated=6-June-2011|website=FB|accessed=6-June-2012}}</ref> Filming also took place at Pinewood Studios in the United Kingdom in [[July]], [[2011]]. Using their F Stage and N&P Stages, the production filmed scenes with [[Christopher Lee]] who could not fly to New Zealand.<ref name="Pinewood1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/our-studios/uk/news/hobbit-pinewood|articlename=The Hobbit at Pinewood|website=[http://www.pinewoodgroup.com/ Pinewood Studios]|accessed=02-August-2012}}</ref><ref name="ProductionVideo3">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150326323406807|articlename=THE HOBBIT, Production Video #3|dated=21-July-2011|website=FB|accessed=02-August-2012}}</ref>

Principal photography ended on [[6 July]], [[2012]], after 266 days filming.<ref name="PJFilming">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151062342726558&set=a.10150238899061558.364437.141884481557&type=1|articlename=We made it!|dated=6-July-2012|website=FB|accessed=6-July-2012}}</ref>

==Technical details==
===3D===
[[File:John Howe and Alan Lee - 3D concept art.png|thumb|left|3D concept art by [[John Howe]] and [[Alan Lee]].]]
''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'', ''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'', and ''The Hobbit: There and Back Again'' are being filmed in 3D using [[Wikipedia:Red Digital Cinema Camera Company|RED Epic]] cameras. A rig designed by [[Wikipedia:3ality Technica|3ality Technica]] is being used in the filming of the three films; here two cameras and a mirror are used in order to achieve an intraocular effect similar to that of a human's (the distance between the eyes). This is how the depth required for 3D film is achieved.<ref name="ProductionVideo4">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150451523596807|articlename=THE HOBBIT, Production Video #4|dated=4-Nov-2011|website=FB|accessed=10-Feb-2012}}</ref>

Most of [[John Howe|John Howe's]] and [[Alan Lee|Alan Lee's]] concept art has continued to be produced in 2D. However, they have collaborated on 3D pieces using the simple red and blue 3D effect.<ref name="ProductionVideo4"/>

===48 frames per second===
Breaking with conventional filming techniques, ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'', ''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'', and ''The Hobbit: There and Back Again'' are being filmed by capturing 48 frames per second (FPS). This is twice the normal 24 frames per second and is much closer to how the human eye works, which can see 60 frames per second. This makes the film look far more realistic. When describing what people thought when they saw clips of ''The Hobbit'' shown at 48 frames per second, Peter Jackson said that it's 'like the back of the cinema has had a hole cut out of it where the screen is and you're actually looking into the real world'.<ref name="ProductionVideo4"/>

Additionally, the ''The Hobbit'' films are being filmed at a 5K resolution. This is substantially larger than the conventional 1080 HD resolution. The films are being filmed digitally onto 128 GB memory cards that fit into the RED Epic camera.<ref name="ProductionVideo4"/>

One of the drawbacks of filming 48 frames per second at 5K resolution is that the make-up, prosthetic, prop, set, and costume departments have to work differently. For example, the make-up and prosthetic departments have to redden up the faces of the actors much more than usual because otherwise their skin colour will turn up yellow on the final film. Furthermore, real hair has to be used in order to achieve an authentic look when it moves around.<ref name="ProductionVideo4"/>

Ten minutes of footage was shown at 48 FPS during the [[Warner Bros.]] presentation at [[Wikipedia:CinemaCon|CinemaCon]] [[2012]]. The reaction was mixed. The ''Los Angeles Times'' described the picture as 'hyper-realistic' and the Associated Press described 'vivid, with grass blades, facial lines and soaring mountains appearing luminous and pronounced. The actors looked almost touchable, as if they were performing live on stage'. However, an anonymous projectionist said that '[i]t looked like a made-for-TV movie'.<ref name="BBC48FPS">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17836380|articlename=Peter Jackson unveils new Hobbit footage|dated=25-April-2012|website=BBC|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref><ref name="LAT48FPS">{{webcite|articleurl=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2012/04/cinemacon-hobbit-frame-rate-depp-gatsby.html|articlename=CinemaCon: Footage of 'The Hobbit' draws mixed reaction|dated=24-April-2012|website=[http://www.latimes.com/ ''Los Angeles Times'']|accessed=31-July-2012}}</ref>

==Games and merchandise==
===Video games===
In [[2011]] the ''Los Angeles Times'' reported that [[Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment]] would release a video game based on ''The Hobbit'' in [[2012]], before the release of ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''.<ref>{{webcite|author=Ben Fritz|articleurl=http://articles.latimes.com/2011/oct/18/business/la-fi-1018-ct-warner-interactive-20111018/2|articlename=Warner's approach to video games is paying off|dated=18 October 2011|website=Las Angeles Times|accessed=2 March 2012}}</ref>

===Lego===
On [[17 December]], [[2011]], it was announced that the [[Lego|Lego Group]] had received the rights to create Lego sets based on ''The Lord of the Rings'' and ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''. The first sets on The Hobbit are scheduled to be released in the end of 2012.<ref>{{webcite|author=|articleurl=http://aboutus.lego.com/en-us/news-room/2011/december/warner-bros-consumer-products-and-the-lego-group/|articlename=Building sets based on THE LORD OF THE RINGS™ Trilogy and the Two Films Based on THE HOBBIT|dated=16 December 2011|website=lego.com|accessed=2 March 2012}}</ref>

==People involved==
*Production - [[New Line Cinema]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*United States Distribution - [[Warner Brothers]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*International Distribution - [[MGM]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Director - [[Peter Jackson]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Second Unit Director - [[Andy Serkis]]<ref name="HBAndy">
{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.thehobbitblog.com/?p=2234|articlename=Andy Serkis to serve as Second Unit Director|dated=8-April-2011|website=[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ The Hobbit Blog]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
*Producers - [[Peter Jackson]], [[Fran Walsh]], and [[Carolynne Cunningham]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Co-Producer - [[Philippa Boyens]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Executive Producers - [[Ken Kamins]] and [[Zane Weiner]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Writers - Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Guillermo del Toro<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Director of Photography - [[Andrew Lesnie]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Production Designer - [[Dan Hennah]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Conceptual Designers: [[Alan Lee]] and [[John Howe]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Composer - [[Howard Shore]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Make-up and Hair Designer - [[Peter King]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Costume Designers - [[Ann Maskrey]] and [[Richard Taylor]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
*Design and production of weaponry, armour, and prosthetics - [[Weta Workshop]] overseen by [[Richard Taylor]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>

===Confirmed cast===
[[File:New Line Cinema - cast.jpg|right|thumb|'Bilbo' and the 'thirteen dwarves' (N.B. Rob Kazinsky has since been replaced by Dean O'Gorman to play Fíli).<ref name="PJCasting2"/>|400px]]
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#CCCCCC"
! Actor !! Role
|-
| [[Richard Armitage]] || [[Thorin]]<ref name="PJCasting1">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150168211921558|articlename=Production begins in New Zealand on The Hobbit|dated=20-March-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[John Bell]]<ref name="WBPressRelease1"/> || [[Bain]]<ref name=Bell>{{webcite|author=Evie Bowman|articleurl=http://news.mymiddleearth.com/2012/07/03/exclusive-qa-with-hobbit-actor-john-bell/|articlename=EXCLUSIVE! Q&A WITH HOBBIT ACTOR JOHN BELL|dated=03-July-2012|website=MEN|accessed=04-July-2012}}</ref>

|-
| [[Cate Blanchett]] || [[Galadriel]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Orlando Bloom]] || [[Legolas]]<ref name="PJCasting5">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/PeterJacksonNZ/posts/10150265634081558|articlename=Ten years ago,...|dated=27-May-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Jed Brophy]] || [[Nori]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Adam Brown]] || [[Ori]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[John Callen]] || [[Óin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Billy Connolly]] || [[Dáin Ironfoot]]<ref name="BBCCasting1">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16960081|articlename=Billy Connolly lands dwarf role in The Hobbit|dated=9-Feb-2012|website=BBC|accessed=9-Feb-2012}}</ref>
|-
| [[Benedict Cumberbatch]] || [[Smaug]]<ref name="PJCasting4"/>
|-
| [[Luke Evans]] || [[Bard]]<ref name="PJCasting4"/>
|-
| [[Martin Freeman]] || [[Bilbo Baggins]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Stephen Fry]] || The [[Master of Lake-town]]<ref name="PJCasting3">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150257180211558|articlename=Casting News for The Hobbit|dated=19-May-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ryan Gage]]<ref group="note">[[Ryan Gage]] was initially cast as [[Drogo Baggins]] (see: {{webcite|author=Earl|articleurl=http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2011/07/14/46113-ryan-gage-tweets-about-hobbit-costume-fitting/|articlename=Ryan Gage Tweets About Hobbit “Costume Fitting”|dated=02-Aug-2012|website=TORN|accessed=02-Aug-2012}}).</ref> || [[Alfrid]]<ref name="PJCasting3"/>
|-
| [[Mark Hadlow]] || [[Dori]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Peter Hambleton]] || [[Glóin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Ian Holm]] || Older [[Bilbo Baggins]]<ref name="PJCasting6">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10150232032911558&id=141884481557|articlename=One comment that...|dated=22-April-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Barry Humphries]] || [[Great Goblin|Goblin King]]<ref name="PJCasting4"/>
|-
| [[Stephen Hunter]] || [[Bombur]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[William Kircher]] || [[Bifur]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Christopher Lee]] || [[Saruman]]<ref name="TelegraphCasting">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8311016/Christopher-Lee-will-star-in-the-Hobbit-prequel.html|articlename=Christopher Lee will star in the Hobbit prequel|dated=08-Feb-2011|website=[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/ The Telegraph]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Evangeline Lilly]] || [[Tauriel]]<ref name="PJCasting4">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150286515141558|articlename=The Hobbit Casting Update|dated=19-June-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Sylvester McCoy]] || [[Radagast|Radagast the Brown]]<ref name="IMCasting">{{webcite|author=[[Ian McKellen]]|articleurl=http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/hobbit-movie/110510.htm|articlename=2 Elves and another Wizard|dated=10-May-2011|website=[http://www.mckellen.com/ Ian McKellen's website]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ian McKellen]] || [[Gandalf]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Bret McKenzie]] || [[Lindir]]<ref name="IMCasting"/>
|-
| [[Graham McTavish]] || [[Dwalin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Mike Mizrahi]] || [[Thráin II|Thráin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[James Nesbitt]] || [[Bofur]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Dean O'Gorman]] || [[Fíli]]<ref name="PJCasting2">{{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150239464391558|articlename=Casting news!|dated=30-April-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>
|-
| [[Lee Pace]] || [[Thranduil]]<ref name="PJCasting2"/>
|-
| [[Mikael Persbrandt]] || [[Beorn]]<ref name="AFTONBLADETCasting">{{webcite|articleurl=http://www.aftonbladet.se/nojesbladet/film/article13349150.ab|articlename=Persbrandt den bäste för jobbet|dated=30-April-2011|website=[http://www.aftonbladet.se/ AFTONBLADET]|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}</ref>

|-
| [[Andy Serkis]] || [[Gollum]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Conan Stevens]]<ref group="note">[[Conan Stevens]] was initially cast as [[Azog]] (see: {{webcite|author=[[Peter Jackson]]|articleurl=http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=10150257180211558|articlename=Casting News for The Hobbit|dated=19-May-2011|website=FB|accessed=21-Dec-2011}}).</ref> || [[Bolg]]<ref name="TORNBolg">{{webcite|author=MrCere|articleurl=http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/04/22/55228-exclusive-hobbits-conan-stevens-chats-with-torn/|articlename=Exclusive: ‘Hobbit’s’ Conan Stevens chats with TORn|dated=22-April-2012|website=TORN|accessed=02-Aug-2012}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ken Stott]] || [[Balin]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Jeffrey Thomas]] || [[Thrór]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Aidan Turner]] || [[Kíli]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
| [[Hugo Weaving]] || [[Elrond]]<ref name="IMCasting"/>
|-
| [[Elijah Wood]] || [[Frodo Baggins]]<ref name="PJCasting1"/>
|-
|}

==Trailer==
{{VideosHD|9PSXjr1gbjc}}

==Promotional posters==
{{Gallery
|title=Promotional posters of ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey''
|height=300
|width=200
|lines=2
|File:New Line Cinema - The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey poster.jpg|The first promotional poster.
|File:New Line Cinema - The Hobbit - An Unexpected Journey poster 2.jpg|The second promotional poster.
}}

==Gallery==
{{Seealso|:Category:Images from The Hobbit films}}
{{Gallery
|title=Pictures from the production of ''The Hobbit'' films
|height=200
|width=250
|lines=2
|File:New Line Cinema - Bilbo Baggins in Bag End.jpg|[[Martin Freeman]] as [[Bilbo Baggins]] in [[Bag End]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Gandalf the Grey.jpg|[[Ian McKellen]] as [[Gandalf|Gandalf the Grey]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Gandalf in Bag End.jpg|Gandalf in Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Peter Jackson in Bag End 1.jpg|[[Peter Jackson]] on the set of Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Martin Freeman and Peter Jackson.jpg|Martin Freeman and Peter Jackson on the set of Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Peter Jackson in Bag End 2.jpg|Peter Jackson on the set of Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - the Dwarves.jpg|The thirteen [[Dwarves]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Nori, Ori and Dori.jpg|[[Nori]], [[Ori]] and [[Dori]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Óin and Glóin.jpg|[[Óin]] and [[Glóin]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Fíli and Kíli.jpg|[[Fíli]] and [[Kíli]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Bombur, Bofur and Bifur.jpg|[[Bombur]], [[Bofur]] and [[Bifur]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Balin and Dwalin.jpg|[[Balin]] and [[Dwalin]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Thorin.jpg|[[Thorin]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Bilbo with the Dwarves.png|Bilbo Baggins with the Dwarves.
|File:New Line Cinema - Bilbo and Sting.jpg|Bilbo Baggins with [[Sting]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Bifur, Dwalin, Bilbo, Bofur and Óin in Bag End.png|Bifur, Dwalin, Bilbo, Bofur and Óin in Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Packing the Dwarves.jpg|The Dwarves being packed into barrels.
|File:New Line Cinema - Kíli, Fíli, Dori, Nori.jpg|Kíli, Fíli, Dori, and Nori.
|File:New Line Cinema - Gollum in his cave.jpg|Gollum in his cave.
|File:New Line Cinema - Gandalf in Hobbiton.jpg|Gandalf in Hobbiton
|File:New Line Cinema - Galadriel in The Hobbit.jpg|[[Galadriel]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Elrond and Thrór's Map.jpg|Elrond looking at [[Thrór's Map]].
|File:New Line Cinema - Dwalin and Balin.jpg|Dwalin and Balin in Bag End.
|File:New Line Cinema - Attercop!.jpg|Bilbo fighting [[spiders]].
}}

==Production videos==
{{Videos
|JOhk3HE_-YY
|5D74bwYowHQ
|vRakEgN0AbQ
|KCW72JwsO4I
|jjpZeIQUox0
|A42zC_3LQsM
|vfJDurmMWgo
|6OZijZoUyh0
}}

==See also==
*''[[The Hobbit]]''
*[[The Hobbit (1966 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1966 film)]]
*[[The Hobbit (1977 film)|''The Hobbit'' (1977 film)]]
*[[The Hobbit (1968 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1968 radio series)]]
*[[The Hobbit (1979 radio series)|''The Hobbit'' (1979 radio series)]]
*[[:Category:Images from The Hobbit films|Images from ''The Hobbit'' films]]
**[[:Category:Images from The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey|Images from ''The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey'']]

==External links==
*[http://www.thehobbit.com/index.html TheHobbit.com] (official website)
*[http://www.thehobbitblog.com/ TheHobbitBlog.com] (official blog)
*[http://www.facebook.com/PeterJacksonNZ Peter Jackson's Facebook page]

{{References|n}}

{{Films}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''The Hobbit'' films}}
[[Category:Films]]
[[de:Der Hobbit (Film)]]
[[fi:Hobitti (2010)]]

The Shire

2012-08-22T16:20:30Z

96.245.129.210: /* Films */

{{Rewrite}}
{{Location
| image=[[File:Ted Nasmith - Green Hill Morning.jpg|250px]]
| name=The Shire
| type=Region
| location=[[Eriador]]
| inhabitants=[[Hobbits]]
| realms=[[Arnor]] [[Reunited Kingdom]]
| description=
| climate=
| othernames=[[Sûza]] ("Shire" in [[Westron]])<ref name="AppF">{{App|F}}</ref>
| etymology=See [[The Shire#Etymology]]
| created={{TA|1601}}<ref name="FRHobbits">{{FR|Hobbits}}</ref><ref name="AppB2">{{App|B2}}</ref> (Year 1 in [[Shire Reckoning]]<ref name="FRHobbits"/>) {{SR|1452}} - [[Westmarch]] added to the Shire<ref name="AppB5">{{App|B5}}</ref>
| destroyed=
| events=[[Battle of Greenfields]] [[Battle of Bywater]]
}}

'''The Shire''' was a region in [[Eriador]] inhabited by [[Hobbits]].

==Boundaries==
The original boundaries of the Shire - listed clock-wise from due north - were as follows:
*the moors in the north;
*the [[Baranduin|Brandywine]] river in the east;
*the marshes in the south;
*and the [[Far Downs]] in the west.<ref name="FRHobbits"/>

{{navigation
| title=Boundaries of the Shire
| north-west=
| north=Northern Moors
| north-east=
| west=The [[Far Downs]]
| east=The [[Baranduin|Brandywine River]]
| south-west=
| south=South Marshes
| south-east=
}}

In {{SR|1452}}, [[Aragorn|King Elessar]] gave the [[Westmarch]] to the [[Shire-hobbits]] as a gift. This extended the western boundaries of the Shire to the [[Tower Hills]].<ref name="AppB5"/> [[Buckland]], to the east of the Brandywine, remained an independent region occupied by [[Hobbits]].

==Geography==
[[File:Map Middle-Earth A Part of the Shire.jpg|thumb|500px|right|''[[A Part of the Shire]]'' by [[Christopher Tolkien]]]]
From the west to the east, the Shire originally measured 40 leagues (120 [[Númenóreans|Númenórean]] miles) from the [[Far Downs]] to the [[Brandywine Bridge]]. From the north to the south, it measured 50 leagues (150 Númenórean miles) from the northern moors to the marshes in the south.<ref name="FRHobbits"/><ref group="note">[[Karen Wynn Fonstad]] has calculated the total area of the Shire to be about 21,400 square miles, slightly smaller than a country such as [[Wikipedia:Croatia|Croatia]]. See [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]], ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'', revised edn (London: HarperCollins, 1991), p. 69</ref>

The Shire is described as a small but beautiful and fruitful land, beloved by its inhabitants. The Hobbits had an extensive agricultural system in the Shire, but did not proceed with industrialization. Various supplies could be found in the Shire, including cereals, fruit, wood and [[pipe-weed]] (a favourite treat of Hobbits).

The Shire was quite densely populated in parts with many villages and a few towns, but it still was open enough to allow for wide forested areas and marshes.

==History==

The Shire was a fertile and well-tilled part of [[Arnor]], but deserted during the waning days of the Kingdom when it was known as the splinter-realm of [[Arthedain]]; where the Shire was, it had been the hunting grounds of the [[King of Arnor]]. The [[Hobbits]] (who lived in [[Dunland]] and parts of depopulated [[Cardolan]] and [[Rhudaur]]) got official permission from King [[Argeleb II]] at Norbury ([[Fornost]]) to settle the lands. This was finally done in [[Third Age 1601]] (Year 1 in Shire Reckoning) by Hobbits from [[Bree]], led by the brothers [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]].

[[File:Ted Nasmith - One Morning Long Ago.jpg|thumb|left|250px|''One Morning Long Ago'' by [[Ted Nasmith]].]]
By 30 years later, almost all of the Hobbits of Middle-earth could be found in the Shire, which they divided in 4 [[farthings]], themselves occupied by villages and folklands.

The Hobbits considered themselves as subjects of the [[Kings of Arthedain|King]], and sent some support troops to the great battles Arnor fought against [[Angmar]]. After the fall of Arnor, the Shire remained a minor but independent political unit and the title of [[Thain]] was established to fill the absence of a Kingship.

Its small size, relative lack of importance, and brave and resilient Hobbit population made it too modest an objective for conquest. More important was that the Shire was guarded and protected by the [[Dúnedain]] [[Rangers of the North]] (and [[Gandalf]]), who watched the borders and kept out intruders. The only strangers to enter the Shire were the [[Dwarves]] traveling on the [[Great East Road]] that ran through the Shire to and from their mines in the [[Blue Mountains]], and the occasional [[Elves]] on their way to the [[Emyn Beraid]] or the [[Grey Havens]].

However Shire faced its adversities since it was inside the range of the [[Great Plague]] of {{TA|1636}} and the [[Battle of Greenfields]] ({{TA|2747}}) and of course the [[Long Winter]] ({{TA|2758}}) soon followed by the [[Days of Dearth]] ({{TA|2760}}) and the [[Fell Winter]] ({{TA|2911}}).

In {{TA|2340}} the [[Oldbucks]] of the [[Marish]] because of overpopulation, crossed the [[Brandywine]] and founded [[Buckland]].

During the [[War of the Ring]] the Shire was first visited by the Nine [[Nazgûl|Ringwraiths]] and then, while the Rangers were off to the War, the Shire was defenseless. It was captured by [[Saruman]] and [[Lotho Sackville-Baggins]] who lead evil [[Men]]. It was liberated with the help of [[Frodo Baggins|Frodo]], [[Samwise Gamgee|Sam]], [[Meriadoc Brandybuck|Merry]] and [[Peregrin Took|Pippin]] after the end of the War through their victory at the [[Battle of Bywater]].

But the damage which Saruman caused by forced industrialization was undone by the Hobbits' efforts. The Shire was restored with soil from [[Lothlórien]], given to Sam by [[Galadriel]]. {{TA|3021}} was considered to be the most productive and prosperous year in their history.

With [[Aragorn]]'s return as the King of [[Arnor]] and [[Gondor]], the Shire became in {{FoA|17}} a Free Land, protected enclave inside the [[Reunited Kingdom]]. He is known to have issued an order that forbade the entrance of full-sized [[Men]] into the Shire. In {{FoA|32}} King Aragorn granted Buckland officially as a part of the Shire named [[Eastmarch]], and also extended the land westwards to [[Emyn Beraid]]; this land was named [[Westmarch]].

==Administration==
[[File:fotr0059.jpg|250px|left|thumb|The Shire in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'']]Initially, The Shire was a part of Arthedain. The Hobbits considered themselves as subjects of the King and only after the fall of Arnor, the Shire became an independent political unit led by the '''[[Thain]]''' from ''[[Tuckborough]]'' who was the head of the important [[Took Family|Took clan]]. While nominally the Thain ruled over the four [[Farthings]], in practice authority was so decentralized that the title was seen as more of a formality and ceremonial.

Official of the Shire was the '''[[Mayor of Michel Delving|Mayor]]''' of [[Michel Delving]] in the [[White Downs]] (by extension seen as the [[Mayor of the Shire]]). The Mayor's chief duties were serving as postmaster of the Shire's [[Messenger Service]], charging the [[Watch]] and presiding at fairs

Finally, the '''[[Master of Buckland]]''' at ''[[Bucklebury]]'' controlled [[Buckland]].

The sole law enforcement officials in the Shire were the [[Shirriffs]]. Their job was to protect the Shire from trespassers more than anything. There were three in each Farthing, and were distinguished from "civilians" by a feather worn in their caps. The [[Bounders]] were the land's border-guard, charged with turning back unwanted people or beasts, and their number varied according to need.

The Shire was originally divided in four Farthings (''[[Northfarthing]]'', ''[[Southfarthing]]'', ''[[Eastfarthing]]'', and ''[[Westfarthing]]''), but [[Buckland]] and later the [[Westmarch]] were added to it. Within the Farthings there are some smaller, unofficial divisions such as family lands: the [[Took Family|Tooks]] nearly all live in or near [[Tuckborough]] in [[Tookland]], for instance. In many cases a Hobbit's last name indicates where their family came from: [[Samwise Gamgee]]'s last name derives from ''[[Gamwich]]'', where the family originated. Outside the Farthings, Buckland itself was named for the [[Oldbucks]] (later [[Brandybuck Family|Brandybucks]]). See further ''[[Regions of the Shire]]''.

==Etymology==
A "shire" ([[Old English]] ''scír'') is an organised region with a "[[Michel Delving|county-town]]".<ref name="Nomen"/>

[[J.R.R. Tolkien|Tolkien]] notes that in English, OE ''scír'' replaced the Germanic word for district ''gē'', and in English was reduced to an element for a few old place-names, like [[wikipedia:Surrey|Surrey]] (from ''Suðer-ge'' "southern district").<ref name="Nomen">{{HM|N}}, p. 775</ref>

==Inspiration==
{{quote|Though a Tolkien by name, I am a Suffield by tastes, talents, and upbringing, and '''any comer of that county [Worcestershire] (however fair or squalid) is in an indefinable way 'home' to me, as no other part of the world is.'''|[[Letter 44]]}}
On Tolkien's maps, the Shire is located at about the same position as England is on modern European maps and has been cited as an example of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_England#Deep_England Deep England] ideology (though, of course, England is on an island while the Shire is inside the continent). Throughout the narrative, Tolkien also implies numerous points of similarity between the two, such as weather, agriculture and dialect. One can also see England as Tolkien's source of inspiration for the Shire in its very name.

According to [[Paula Marmor]], the hobbit brothers [[Marcho]] and [[Blanco]] names are related to horses, parallel to [[Wikipedia:Hengest|Hengest]] and [[Wikipedia:Horsa|Horsa]], legendary leaders who brought the Saxons to Britain. Hengest was the founder of [[Wikipedia:Kent|Kent]] whose geography is similar to the Shire (North Downs above, hills to the west, water to the east and marshes to the southeast)<ref>''[[An Introduction to Elvish]]'', An etymological excursion among the Shire Folk</ref>.

The industrialization of the Shire was based on Tolkien's witnessing of the extension of the Industrial Revolution to rural Warwickshire during his youth, and especially the deleterious consequences thereof. The rebellion of the hobbits and the restoration of the pre-industrial Shire may be interpreted as a prescription of voluntary simplicity as a remedy to the problems of modern society.

==Portrayal in adaptations==
{{Gallery
|title=Pictures of the Shire in adaptations
|height=150
|width=200
|lines=2
|File:Fotr0066.jpg|The Shire in ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''
|File:Map_-_Shire.jpg|Map of the Shire from ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]''
}}
==Films==
'''2001-3: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'':''''''
:Shire scenes were shot on location in Matamata, New Zealand. Following the shooting, the area was returned to its natural state, but even without Hobbit holes it became a prime tourist attraction.

'''2012-3: [[The Hobbit films|''The Hobbit'' films]]:'''
:Shire scenes were shot at the same place where shooting of ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy]]'' took place. Unlike the previous time, Hobbiton was constructed out of permanent materials, with intention of lasting for decades.

==Games==
'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (video game)|Vivendi's The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''
:The first three levels of the game take place in the Shire, from [[Frodo]] leaving [[Bag End]] up until the entrance into the [[Old Forest]].

'''2003: ''[[The Hobbit (2003 video game)|''The Hobbit'' (2003 video game)]]'':'''
:The Shire is the first level of the game. Unlike the original story, Bilbo has to perform various side-quests before he ever reached [[Green Dragon]].

'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''
:The Shire is a battleground appearing in Evil campaign and skirmish mode.

'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''
:The Shire is one of the major regions of the game, represented almost in its entirely - of the original map by Christopher Tolkien only some parts of West Farting and South Farting are not represented. Also, part of the North Farting is placed within the borders of [[Evendim]] region for gameplay purposes. The Shire is inhabited by hundreds of non-playable characters, involved in hundreds of quests.

'''2009: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: Conquest]]'':'''
:The Shire is one of game's battlegrounds, razed by Sauron's forces in the Evil campaign.

==See also==
*[[:Category:Images of the Shire|Images of the Shire]]
*[[Thain|Thains of the Shire]]

{{References|n}}

[[Category:Eriador]]
[[Category:The Shire]]

[[de:Auenland]]
[[fi:Kontu]]
[[fr:encyclo:geographie:regions:eriador:comte]]

Shire-reckoning

2012-08-22T15:52:54Z

96.245.129.210:

The '''Shire-reckoning''' ([[Gondor Sindarin]]: '''''Genediad Drannail'''''<ref>{{SD|Epilogue}}</ref>) was the calendar system used by the [[Hobbits]] in [[the Shire]] and (eventually) in [[Bree]].

When the [[Hobbits]] were still a [[Wandering Days|wandering]] people, their calendaric unit was not a 'week' , but a 'month', governed more or less by the [[Moon]]. However, through contact with alien peoples (perhaps the [[Dúnedain of Arnor]]) they adopted the notion of weeks which formed the [[Shire Reckoning]]. It was based on the [[King's Reckoning]] but with several minor alterations to fit their customs.<ref>{{HM|AD}}</ref>

The calendar featured 12 months, all 30 days long, plus 5 or 6 named days added to round out 365 days (or 366 for leap years). Two of the named days were [[Yuledays]]; one was the first day of the year and the other was the last day of the year. Between June and July were the Lithedays. In regular years (not leap years) there were three: 1 Lithe, [[Mid-year's Day]], and 2 Lithe. In leap years (every fourth year except in the last year of a century) an extra [[Overlithe]] Day was added after Mid-year's Day. All of the named days were major holidays (and a reason for feasting) with Overlithe being a day of special merrymaking. The two Yuledays were actually a portion of Yuletide, which included the last three and first three days of each year.

One innovation introduced by the [[Shire-hobbits]] was the '''Shire-reform'''. In the time of Thain [[Isengrim Took II|Isengrim II]] they arranged that Mid-year’s Day (and the Overlithe) would not have a weekday name, which stopped the shifting of weekday names in relation to dates. This change made the first day of the year always correspond to the first day of the week, and the last day of the year always correspond to the last day of the week. Over time, since the same date in any year had the same weekday name as in any other year, the Shire-folk ceased to record the weekday in letters and diaries. Since no month began on a Friday this arrangement also birthed a jesting idiom in the Shire: "On Friday the first" referred to a non-existent day or one on which impossible things would occur (the full expression was "on Friday the first of [[Summerfilth]]").

In the New Reckoning of King Elessar, the year 1 of the Fourth Age the year began on March 25, old style. The Hobbits mostly ignored the change and so for them {{FoA|1}} was just 1422.

In Bree, Year 1 corresponded to {{TA|1300}}, however the Shire-reckoning counted as Year 1 the year that colonization of the Shire began, corresponding to {{TA|1601}}.

The twelve months of the [[Shire Calendar]] were: [[Afteryule]], [[Solmath]], [[Rethe]], [[Astron]], [[Thrimidge]], [[Forelithe]], [[Afterlithe]], [[Wedmath]], [[Halimath]], [[Winterfilth]], [[Blotmath]], and [[Foreyule]]. Solmath was usually pronounced and sometimes written as Somath. Thrimidge was often written Thrimich and Blotmath was pronounced as Blodmath or Blommath.

The seven weekdays of the Shire Calendar (at the time of the [[War of the Ring]]) were [[Sterday]], [[Sunday]], [[Monday]], [[Trewsday]], [[Hevensday]] (or Hensday), [[Mersday]], and [[Highday]]. The last day of the week, Highday, was the chief day, a post-noon holiday and time for evening feasts.

{{references}}
*{{App|Shire}}
*{{App|Calendars}}

[[Category: Middle-earth Calendars]]