Warner Bros., New Line Cinema and MGM have announced that The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has surpassed the $500 million benchmark at the worldwide box office.

To date, the blockbuster has earned an estimated $179.7 million in the USA. In addition, on the heels of its record-breaking release in Australia — the biggest Boxing Day opening of all time — the film has grossed an estimated $344 million internationally. The global total is $523.7 million, and steadily climbing. Continue reading “The Hobbit hits half a billion”

NWF is teaming up with Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM) for the Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” the first in a trilogy of films adapting the enduringly popular novel The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. “As the education partner for the film, we hope the popularity of the books and its themes of courage and nature’s beauty will inspire moviegoers and Tolkien fans to do something to make our Earth a greener place.” So, far, the collaboration includes an official NWF movie poster you can download, and suggestions for outdoor activities and ‘greening’ your own Shire.  Read More…

Today marks the day the New Zealand Post, in an exclusive arrangement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products, Warner Bros. Pictures, and the filmmakers, releases commemorative stamps and coins for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

New Zealand Post’s spokesman for stamps and coins Simon Allison says:

We’re the only country in the world with the rights to produce these highly collectable coins, featuring iconic characters from what is sure to become a classic series of films. 

The items announced today are appropriate mementoes of the film, and fit in with the mythology of Middle-earth – New Zealand. We’re committed to honouring the legacy of Sir Peter’s films, by creating stamps and coins of the highest quality.

Hit the break for hi-res pictures of the stamps and coins, and the world exclusive press release for the same, courtesy of our friend Emma over at New Zealand Post.

Continue reading “New Zealand Post Releases “Hobbit” Stamps and Coins… Ian McKellen Gives Seal Of Approval”

A press release with some precious details about the debut of the new ‘Hobbit’ trailer has been handed to us and while we thought we knew it all, there are tidbits that whet the appetite. This trailer, coming approximately three months before the film lands in wide release in theaters, will likely be the first specific look at the first of the three films, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s book The Hobbit, celebrating its 75th anniversary. It may give us clues about what to expect as it tries to sell the film to a mainstream audience.

Most interesting from the release is the phrase: “The new trailer is set to debut on broadcast and online media on September 19, 2012, then roll out in theaters around the world throughout the day.” So the obvious news is that the trailer will be broadcast, but where? Where online? And what films will it roll out with in theaters? There are several films scheduled for release on the 21st, including “Dredd,” “House at the End of the Street,” and Warner Bros., own, “Trouble with the Curve,” but none on the 19th. This probably means theaters have the trailers today with instructions to add them to existing films starting Wednesday. If that is true, each theater will have the option, so those wishing to watch the trailer on the big screen should call local movie houses.

TORn will update with any specifics but for now, here is the full press release: Continue reading “Official: ‘Hobbit’ trailer on broadcast, online, in theaters”

Hollywood Reporter and various other outlets are reporting that July 18, 2014 will be the release date for the third Hobbit film.

In addition, they report that Warner Bros has announced that the third film will be renamed The Hobbit: There And Back Again.

The second film, to be released on December 13, 2013 will be called The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, president of International Distribution said in the press release: “The Hobbit: There and Back Again will be an action spectacle and an emotional conclusion for this already much-anticipated trilogy. Opening in the summer will maximize playability for what promises to be an event film for fans the world over.”

EDIT: I think that the second title Desolation of Smaug means that it will conclude with the demise of Smaug at the hands of Bard the Bowman. Highlight to see spoilery speculation.