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As "The Hobbit" inches closer towards a seemingly inevitable greenlight, it still faces its biggest hurdle yet, a demand from New Zealand unions for an agreement on wages and working conditions. The situation quickly got ugly with both Peter Jackson and the studios -- Warner Bros., MGM and New Line -- threatening to move the production from its long standing home. Well, speaking to New Zealand radio on Monday, "The Hobbit" co-writer and co-producer Philippa Boyens has indicated overtures have already come from other nations to host the production.
"Warner Brothers' studios are running the numbers on five to six different locations," Boyen said. "That's very real and that has put at risk the livelihoods of countless thousands of New Zealand industry workers."
"The dispute over job security and working conditions, in which New Zealand film workers have been backed by actors' unions in Canada, Australia and elsewhere, has thrown doubt on how stable our industry is in terms of industrial relations," Boyens said. "That is what is being put in jeopardy, not whether the production goes forward, but whether it's made here."
It certainly seems that the threats from both the director and studio were far from empty, so what nations are said to be in the running? Canada, Australia, Scotland, Ireland and the United States have all apparently thrown their hat in the ring, and offering producers money-saving incentives, to the bring $500 million, 3D production to their shores. Also remember that Jackson initially hinted at eastern Europe being a possible location -- it has emerged as a place to shoot action films on the cheap over the past few years -- and it's unknown at this time just which locations in particular Warner Bros. accountants are running numbers on at this time.
That said, earlier in the week, everyone involved seemed hopeful that a resolution for the union mess would be found, and certainly Warner Bros. would probably prefer not to have to spend millions to move/rebuild the nearly completed sets to another country entirely. But at this point, Warner Bros. are probably taking precautions and setting up some possible second and third options should they have to exercise it. It's another intriguing twist to the saga of "The Hobbit" that continues to unfurl even before the film gets in front of cameras. [The Province]
We know, we know. The ongoing saga of "The Hobbit" is getting tiring, but the long-gestating and endlessly delayed project seems closer than ever to actually moving forward and following reports late last week that the film was nearing a greenlight it makes sense that a deal for Peter Jackson to direct is close to being done.
The Wrap reports that the big issues of Peter Jackson’s directing fee and percentage of the gross for the film have been settled with a few more minor details still hanging. Essentially, the major sticking points have been cleared and the contract is all but signed on the dotted line. As for the imminent greenlight, according to an insider who spoke to The Wrap it might be a bit further off. “I wouldn’t stake my life that it will happen in the next two weeks,” they said.
The studios are obviously eager to get things rolling. $30 million has already been spent on pre-production, a cast is on hold, a tentative release date of December 19, 2012 is set but there is that pesky union issue that still needs to be ironed out. And of course, none of this can happen until Spyglass chiefs Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum finalize the deal to take over the management of MGM.
So, "The Hobbit" continues to inch closer and closer to finally getting underway. Here's hoping that nothing else gets in the way of the production that has faced a director change, studio bankruptcy, union trouble and even a fire.
>>> Deal For Peter Jackson To Direct 'The Hobbit' Rumored To Be Close To Final >>>
Remember earlier this summer when fans cheered during the TheOneRing's Comic Con panel when they announced that the upcoming "The Hobbit" films wouldn't be in 3D? It turns out the celebrations might have been premature.
According to the NY Times, as part of the behind-the-scenes dealmaking to get the film made, it looks like the 3D format is back on the table. The format has long been in discussions, with original director Guillermo Del Toro not particularly hot on the idea. However, with a pricetag of $500 million dollars, its no surprise that Warner Bros., New Line and MGM would be pushing for the format if only because it means revenues will get a slight boost thanks to inflated ticket prices. At this point we're too exhausted to care which direction they go in — Peter Jackson could make it a black-and-white 16mm silent comedy for all we care — we just want this film to finally get in front of cameras.
As for the nasty union spat that unfurled last week, that saw both Peter Jackson and the studios threatening to move the production away from New Zealand, the country's government has stepped in to try and help. Government ministers are eager to help resolve the dispute, save jobs and keep the production and the economic boost it brings in the country.
Prime Minister John Key said, "I would be greatly concerned if the Hobbit movies weren't made in New Zealand, this a $3 billion industry, it employs a lot of people, it's great for New Zealand, it's a great way for marketing New Zealand. If you can't make the Hobbit here frankly what movies are you going to make here?"
Meetings are beginning to take place — Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly has already met with Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh — and everyone involved is "hopeful" a solution will be found. Rumors circled late last week that the situation may already be close to being dealt with, as an official studio greenlight is apparently just days away.
Meanwhile, "The Hobbit" as cursed sentiment gained uninspired traction this weekend when news of a fire broke out in Jackson's Portsmouth Miniatures Studio which would have been used for the two films. Considering a green light seems imminent, talk of a "curse" seems more than a little hyperbolic. These guys even went so far as to openly speculate that "union thugs" burned down the place. And while it is one of many aggravating set-backs, it doesn't at all seem like the crisis many are making it out to be.
>>> 'The Hobbit' Rumored To Be Going 3D; New Zealand Government Offers To Mediate Union Spat >>>
Facing insurmountable odds, the LA Times reports that "The Hobbit" is only days away from getting an official green light to begin production from Warner Bros., New Line and MGM.
According to their sources, Peter Jackson is close to finalizing a deal that will see him direct both films in the two-part set, overseeing a production that will cost an estimated $500 million. Both parts will be shot together and the first film is being tentatively slated for a holiday 2012 release, with part two arriving in December 2013. But before you get too excited, the project still faces a few hurdles it will have to jump even if the switch is flipped.
First of all, MGM is bankrupt, and while they are said to be close to reaching an agreement with the over 100 debtors they owe money to, the project will need to find half of its financing. Spyglass Entertainment chiefs Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, who are widely expected to be taking over management duties at MGM, will have Barber approaching potential investors including 20th Century Fox or Warner Bros. themselves to put up the rest of the budget. Warner Bros. may potentially throw in additional funds in exchange for additional distribution rights in various territories.
As for the very public, and ugly, union battle? The LA Times says that the situation is close to being resolved and even some lingering rights issues with the Tolkien Estate are said to have been cleaned up to allow everything to move forward without delay.
All that said, January is the magic date that filming will need to begin. If it doesn't start in the first quarter of 2011, the project will most likely be delayed again, and we would imagine, Peter Jackson, who has stoically stood by the film in its darkest hours, would probably move on.
There are a lot of little gears that need to be oiled for the machinery on "The Hobbit" to get rolling, but it looks like the once creaking project is bubbling back to life. As we reported this summer, Jackson has already quietly been taking meetings and watching tapes and we would guess he already has his talent selected and agents will be ready to sign deals once production is given the thumbs up. Sylvester McCoy and Martin Freeman have already been strongly rumored to be joining the cast.
So, hope is still alive, Middle Earthers. Not all is lost yet on "The Hobbit."
>>> 'The Hobbit' Rumored To Get An Official Studio Greenlight Within The Next Few Days >>>
This is now officially getting ugly. With things finally getting in place for the troubled "The Hobbit" to start shooting in January, late last week the Screen Actors Guild officially notified their members not to accept any jobs on what they are calling a non-union shoot. Over the weekend Peter Jackson personally responded to the charges pointing out the NZ Actor's Equity who are leading the charge only represent, at best, 10% of the actors on the island but also that plans to try and negotiate minimum guarantees go directly against New Zealand's labor law which "prohibits engaging in collective bargaining with any labour organization representing performers who are independent contractors."
The studios — Warner Bros., New Line Cinema and MGM — have now thrown down the gauntlet, and are echoing the sentiments shown by Jackson. In a statement released to the press, the studios take issue with the production being called "non-union" revealing that they do have collective bargaining agreements in place and underscore that "the fact remains that there cannot be any collective bargaining with MEAA on this New Zealand production, for to do so would expose the production to liability and sanctions under New Zealand law."
And in what may be a final blow to the New Zealand film industry, the studios aren't going to wait around to see who blinks first revealing "it is our general policy to avoid filming in locations where there is potential for work force uncertainty or other forms of instability. As such, we are exploring all alternative options in order to protect our business interests."
And while it may be massively expensive to move the production off the island of New Zealand, where sets are more or less completed and ready to go, it will probably be more costly to begin production only to face numerous work stoppages or disruptions. We're guessing at this point, everyone is willing to spend a few more million to make sure that filming can get underway with no issues once MGM get their house in order.
But no one looks good in this, though in our opinion, the SAG are coming off as bullies so far. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and if the production really does move from Jackson's home base of New Zealand, if that will affect his decision to direct the films. But with everyone planting their flags firmly in the ground, it doesn't look like an issue that will go away quietly. [Variety]
>>> Warner Bros, New Line & MGM Respond To Unions Over 'The Hobbit,' Threaten To Move Production From New Zealand >>>
Just as MGM is looking more likely to have found a way out of its financial quagmire, yet another hurdle has been thrown up in the long delayed/gestating production of "The Hobbit."
On Friday afternoon, the Screen Actors Guild sent out an alert advising members not to accept work on the supposedly "non-union" production of "The Hobbit." The move comes in the wake of the FIA (The International Federation Of Actors) responding to New Zealand Actors' Equity and its umbrella The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance who are trying negotiate minimum guarantees on wages, working conditions, residual payments and cancellation payments for all actors involved with the potential film.
By Sunday, Peter Jackson had responded by way of a lengthy 1800 word statement. In essence, Jackson believes that the move is a power grab by the MEAA and moreover, that the New Zealand Actor's Equity who are supposedly fighting for the rights of Kiwi actors, actually only has a membership of roughly 100 members on an island of nearly 2000 thespians. In Jackson's eyes, this broad move is nothing more than a hijacking of his film to further whatever agendas both the MEAA and NZ Actor's Equity have. Jackson is angered that this relatively small group (who are technically, not even registered as a union) is potentially in a position to seriously disrupt work on the film (and cost numerous jobs) and he hints that if the issue continues to be pushed, "The Hobbit" will move production to Eastern Europe, but more importantly, future high profile films will be discouraged from shooting in New Zealand.
So what happens next? On Tuesday, the NZ Actors' Equity is calling a meeting of actors on try and bring the studio and filmmakers to the negotiating table. But as Jackson notes, it's not just as easy as everyone agreeing on a number as New Zealand's labor laws also complicate matters as the "law prohibits engaging in collective bargaining with any labour organization representing performers who are independent contractors."
Needless to say, bloggers will be getting a crash course in international labor law after spending a year getting to know the ins and outs of bankruptcy proceedings. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and if Jackson (whose statement was prepped and delivered without consulting Warner Bros. or New Line Cinema) really will pick up and leave New Zealand to finally get this film made.
>>> SAG Tells Its Members Not To Work On 'The Hobbit,' Peter Jackson Threatens To Move Production To Eastern Europe >>>
As "The Hobbit" inches closer towards a seemingly inevitable greenlight, it still faces its biggest hurdle yet, a demand from New Zealand unions for an agreement on wages and working conditions. The situation quickly got ugly with both Peter Jackson and the studios -- Warner Bros., MGM and New Line -- threatening to move the production from its long standing home. Well, speaking to New Zealand radio on Monday, "The Hobbit" co-writer and co-producer Philippa Boyens has indicated overtures have already come from other nations to host the production.
