Richard Armitage, Martin Freeman, Luke Evans - The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug Sneak Peek

HOBBIT MOVIE GUY

Richard Armitage hopes "The Hobbit" film will stand ‘test of time’ March 19, 2013 | 2:30 p.m. (LA TIMES)

For his turn as dwarf king Thorin Oakenshield in Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” actor Richard Armitage drew inspiration from a very different regal figure created not by J.R.R. Tolkien, but rather William Shakespeare.

“I was in a production of ‘Macbeth,’” Armitage told Hero Complex on the occasion of the film’s release last December. “So I went back to all my notes about ‘Macbeth,’ because I just felt there was something about that character unwinding that was relevant to Thorin unwinding in this story.”

Thorin, of course, plays a key role in the first of Peter Jackson’s planned three-part adaptation of Tolkien’s beloved 1937 children’s novel, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” which makes the trek to Blu-ray and DVD this week.

Audiences have a new opportunity to enjoy Armitage’s performance as the mighty warrior who joins forces with an initially reluctant Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) to reclaim his homeland and the treasure that’s been stolen by the dragon Smaug.

READ MORE: http://herocomplex.latimes.com/movies/hobbit-star-richard-armitage-hopes-film-will-stand-test-of-time/

Martin Freeman: Making First "Hobbit" Film Was "Huge" The first installment of Peter Jackson's new Tolkein trilogy arrives on Blu Ray

As “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” – the first installment director Peter Jackson’s long-awaited film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkein’s beloved prequel to “The Lord of the Rings” saga – makes its way to Blu-ray, Bilbo Baggins himself – in the form of actor Martin Freeman (“Sherlock”) – looks back at the opening chapter, recalling the journey from green screen sound stages to a full-fledged Shire.

What was the experience of making one of these films with Peter? 
 I think I probably did myself a favor and tried not to do too much imagining about what it might be. I think whatever you conjure up nothing ever is what you imagine it to be. Whether it’s your trip here or your trip home, nothing is ever how you’re going to imagine it. So I suppose I was expecting the unexpected. The only thing I knew it would be was huge. I knew it would feel big, and I was right there. It did feel big. But outside of that, I had a feeling of what Pete was like as a director, but I didn’t have direct experience of him. I knew a couple of the actors but not well. It was really stepping into a different territory. Very often, you’re at least familiar with a few people from around, but I’ve never been to New Zealand before. So it was really much a fresh slate really. I didn’t know Ian [McKellen]. I didn’t know most of the people on it, by a long shot.

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Richard Armitage: Peter Jackson doesn't understand the word 'no' (FAN SHARE)

BY: ELIZABETH DARRELL

Richard Armitage has become a global star thanks to the Hobbit. While he may not yet be a household name, many are predicting Armitage to follow in the path of Viggo Mortenson, especially because their characters are so similar.

Armitage recently discussed his role in the Hobbit, and explained that working with Peter Jackson was a dream come true. He also added that Peter's directing style was different to everyone he's worked with in the past, and that Jackson didn't seem to understand when someone said 'no'. He says, "The thing about Peter Jackson is that he just doesn't understand the word 'no'. Even when you're on your knees vomiting into a bucket about to pass out, he'll be like, 'Do you have another take in you?' And it's not in an egotistical or demanding way, it's just he throws down the gauntlet and people pick it up."

He adds, "I knew before I started there would never be another film like this for me.... It ticks every box I could ever want as an actor. And then working with Peter Jackson, who takes you to a new place in terms of work. It's probably the most important piece of work I'll ever do."

Read more: http://www.fansshare.com/news/richard-armitage-peter-jackson-doesn-t-understand-word-no/#ixzz2NWT1dBjRp

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” Crosses One Billion Dollars and Still Climbing (HERALD ON LINE)

BURBANK, CALIF. — “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” has surpassed the billion dollar milestone at the worldwide box office. The joint announcement was made today by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema; Gary Barber, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios; Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures; and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.

To date, the blockbuster has earned $301.4 million domestically. With its recent release in China, where it has grossed $37.3 million in 10 days, the film has earned a staggering estimated $700 million internationally, for a global total of $1 billion to date. “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” becomes only the 15th film in history to exceed one billion dollars worldwide.


In making the announcement, Fellman stated, “We could not be more proud to have reached this amazing benchmark. Together with our partners at MGM and New Line, everyone at Warner Bros. congratulates Peter Jackson and his entire cast and crew on the extraordinary success of this film.”

Read more here: http://www.heraldonline.com/2013/03/03/4662171/the-hobbit-an-unexpected-journey.html#storylink=cpy