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'Hobbit' films green lighted; location TBD

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Peter Jackson, the director of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King," hams it up for photographers as he arrives for the 76th Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre, February 29, 2004, in Los Angeles. "The Lord of the Rings" The Return of the King" won 11 Oscars Sunday night, tying with "Titanic" and Ben Hur" for the most Oscars ever won by a single film. The movies honors included the best director trophy for Jackson. .UPI/Jim Ruymen 
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Published: Oct. 16, 2010 at 1:02 PM

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 16 (UPI) -- J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" has been green lighted as a two-part film with principal photography to begin in February 2011, film executives said.

"The two films based on 'The Hobbit' are now greenlit and will begin principal photography in February 2011, under the direction of Peter Jackson," New Line President Toby Emmerich, Warner Bros. President Alan Horn and MGM co-Chief Executive Officer Steve Cooper said in a joint statement.

It's not clear, however, if the prequels to the blockbuster "Lord of the Rings" franchise also will be filmed in New Zealand. A labor dispute between Jackson and local labor groups remains unresolved. New Zealand Actors' Equity has placed a "do not work" order on the production, which is refusing to recognize jurisdiction for local unions, the Hollywood Reporter said.

Jackson said Warner Bros. is looking at five other locations around the globe to produce "The Hobbit" if no agreement is reached in New Zealand.

Topics: Alan Horn, J.R.R. Tolkien, Peter Jackson
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