Don't Be Shocked If The Hobbit Vacates New Zealand

I have a theory on where this nasty public squabbling over the New Zealand actors' union over The Hobbit originated.

As word seeped around the greenlight was slowly, but surely, approaching the productions, some geniuses upstairs thought they could strong-arm Warner Brothers & Peter Jackson to meet the terms of whatever they demanded in order to avoid yet another massive headache – especially as things were finally turning around for the project and with all work done on the films already set up there. The problem is the studios and Jackson weren't willing to bargain, and here we are.

So congratulations are in order to those responsible for this mess. You've cost many hard-working people in New Zealand steady, good-paying work over the next couple of years on the two Hobbit movies. Yes, that looming boycott has been nipped in the bud, but it doesn't resolve where The Hobbit will film.

At this stage, I'd be shocked if Warner Brothers (who will make the final decision) decide to stay put there after how ugly this got dragged out in the press. Judging by the multiple interviews Jackson and screenwriter/producer Philippa Boyens have given to the Kiwi press recently (one below and the other here), they know this is where it's headed.

So where might they go for a new Middle Earth? It's not a secret that other countries are vying to succeed where New Zealand fucked up, and it appears the most likely new location would be London and the WB-owned Leavesden Film Studios (home to all the Harry Potter films) according to producer/screenwriter/Jackson's wife Fran Walsh in an interview conducted with Radio New Zealand National.

Ultimately, what does this latest round of bullshit mean for Hobbit fans anxiously awaiting the films? More delays on its start-date and confirmation of the obvious that it's not hitting 2012.