Production on the two-part prequel for J.R.R. Tolkien’s THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY and THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN has wrapped today, according to director Peter Jackson. Jackson made the announcement on his Facebook page, as well as his intent on being at Comic Con, stating:
We made it! Shoot day 266 and the end of principal photography on The Hobbit. Thanks to our fantastic cast and crew for getting us this far, and to all of you for your support! Next stop, the cutting room. Oh, and Comic Con! Cheers,
Peter J
Production began on the prequel(s) in March 2011 and since then Jackson has shared some great production video blogs, posters, a teaser trailer, and screened some footage of the film, which was shot at a whopping 48 fps. The frame rate is twice that of the normal frame rate. Many reacted to the footage with disappointment and likened it to looking like an HD TV show. However, Jackson was not deterred, saying “At first it’s unusual because you’ve never seen a movie like this before. It’s literally a new experience, but you know, that doesn’t last the entire experience of the film; not by any stretch.”
We’ll all see for ourselves when THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY opens on December 14, 2012, followed by next year’s THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN, opening on December 13, 2013.