Warner Bros. just issued a press release announcing the start of production on The Hobbit and its as-yet untitled sequel with Peter Jackson returning to Middle Earth in Wellington, New Zealand. Filming will take place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.
The two films, with screenplays by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro (who was originally slated to direct the picture) and Peter Jackson, will be shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology.
The cast includes Martin Freeman in the title role as Bilbo Baggins and Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf. The Dwarves are played by Richard Armitage (Thorin Oakenshield), Ken Stott (Balin), Graham McTavish (Dwalin), William Kircher (Bifur) James Nesbitt (Bofur), Stephen Hunter (Bombur), Rob Kazinsky (Fili), Aidan Turner (Kili), Peter Hambleton (Gloin), John Callen (Oin), Jed Brophy (Nori), Mark Hadlow (Dori) and Adam Brown (Ori).
While there were rumors of Orlando Bloom returning for the film, on top of McKellen, the only confirmed actors reprising their roles from The Lord of the Rings trilogy are Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Andy Serkis as Gollum and Elijah Wood as Frodo. Jeffrey Thomas and Mike Mizrahi also join the cast as Dwarf Kings Thror and Thrain, respectively. Further casting announcements are expected.
The press release also offers the first official synopsis of the film. It reads as follows:
The Hobbit follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellen), Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakensheild (Richard Armitage). 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 (Andy Serkis).
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.
The Hobbit is expected to hit theaters in December 2012 with the sequel following a year later.
Along with this news the first images have been added to the gallery including the title art, a look at the cast as well as one more look at Peter Jackson on the set of the production. You can browse all four images right here.
The images come courtesy of Peter Jackson’s Facebook page and the film’s official Facebook page.
