Where exactly is Middle Earth? Firmly planted in New Zealand, if the country's prime minister has anything to say about it.
In the latest development in the fight over unionization of actors on "The Hobbit," Prime Minster John Key has offered to have government officials mediate the dispute between director-producer Peter Jackson and the union seeking to organize the production.
Government mediation of a unionization dispute is unusual in New Zealand, but in this case, the stakes for the country are high.
"I would be very, very concerned if (the production) moved offshore," Key said. Underscoring the risk to the local film industry, he added, "If you can't make 'The Hobbit' here, frankly, what movies are you going to make here?"
It remains unclear where the movie will be shot. Jackson said late last week that Warner Bros., which is financing the two-part film "to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars,...
In the latest development in the fight over unionization of actors on "The Hobbit," Prime Minster John Key has offered to have government officials mediate the dispute between director-producer Peter Jackson and the union seeking to organize the production.
Government mediation of a unionization dispute is unusual in New Zealand, but in this case, the stakes for the country are high.
"I would be very, very concerned if (the production) moved offshore," Key said. Underscoring the risk to the local film industry, he added, "If you can't make 'The Hobbit' here, frankly, what movies are you going to make here?"
It remains unclear where the movie will be shot. Jackson said late last week that Warner Bros., which is financing the two-part film "to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars,...
- 10/3/2010
- by By Jonathan Handel
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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