Looks like The Hobbit has gone

[James Deuce]

I wonder how Jennifer Ward-British-Leyland feels now??

Thrilled that she used Robyn Malcolm as a human shield, no doubt.

[spacemonkey]

Indeed. Tax people for watching Outrageous Fortune to claw the money back.

I think it would be fitting if the OF set crew all went out on strike demanding more pay and residuals like the ones Peter Jackson was offering.

[Winston001]

The ownership, financing, and control of the two Hobbit films is much more complex than I thought. The production will be shared by New Line Cinema and Metro Goldwyn Meyer. Warner Bros will look after domestic US distribution - which begs the question of why they are in NZ at all?

The answer is MGM is stonkered - bankrupt. Warners are trying to buy it so protecting this movie is good business, but you can also see why cutting costs on an enormous project makes sense. I'm now surprised The Hobbit has been saved. Great news.

[JimO]

I wonder how Jennifer Ward-British-Leyland feels now??

she probably feels pretty good, all warm and squishy

[James Deuce]

The answer is MGM is stonkered - bankrupt. Warners are trying to buy it so protecting this movie is good business, but you can also see why cutting costs on an enormous project makes sense.

Absolutely (I forgot to mention that part) and MGM owe billions too. Warner Bros. have turned down merger and sale offers from MGM recently and some pundits suspect that Warner Bros. will try and mitigate that debt before they take on board any financial aspects of a deal with MGM.

NZ is "just" the scenery after all, hence why moving it to the UK would have made sense for Warner Bros. Weta can still do their stuff, it's just film crew and actors who would have paid the price if it had moved.

[Zimsar10]

Hi guys,

For anyone who is interested, I have compiled a comprehensive, multimedia report on The Hobbit Fiasco.

I have explained, why, in my honest opinion, how The Hobbit was nearly completely derailed & furthermore, I have included videos/articles about:

• The Hobbit Rally Promotion
• The Hobbit Rally - Wellington coverage
• John Key's FULL Announcement - RE: The Hobbit
• An article from the Waikato Times & also The National Business Review

This makes it easy to find everything you require, in one place

All of which can be viewed below on my blog:

http://grantisnz.wordpress.com/2010/...hobbit-fiasco/

[Paul in NZ]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainm...ectid=10684235

I guess the left really hate sir peter

[oldrider]

True! Matt is a moron and while Kiwi's riled against the Aussie inference then, how will it go now that they have beaten the All Blacks again!

[Zimsar10]

True! Matt is a moron and while Kiwi's riled against the Aussie inference then, how will it go now that they have beaten the All Blacks again!

WTF! That is Australia's first win in the last 11 matches (The AB's won 10 straight) between them & the All Blacks!

You make it sound like it's a regular occurrence, when that couldn't be further from the truth.

[spacemonkey]

You make it sound like it's a regular occurrence, when that couldn't be further from the truth unless it's a world cup year.

Fixed for moar accuracy!

[Zimsar10]

Fixed for moar accuracy!

That remains to be seen! Since we are hosting the RWC next year - it's probably our best ever chance of winning it again & we have a superb record at Eden Park.

Go The All Blacks!

Now - here are some VERY interesting - up to date - stats on the entire All Blacks History of Rugby, proving we have the BEST Test record of any Rugby Team in the World:

http://www.nzallblacks.net/All_Blacks_Statistics