Boston University mourned three study-abroad students killed in New Zealand while visiting locations where “The Lord of the Rings” movies were filmed.

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3 Boston University students die in New Zealand

It’s official: Orlando Bloom will reprise his role as Legolas in The Hobbit, the two-part prequel to The Lord of the Rings trilogy, director Peter Jackson announced Friday. Jackson credited Bloom with creating a “legendary” character, and then…

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Orlando Bloom Returns for The Hobbit

First Official Photos from the Set of ‘The Hobbit’ After tracking this project for years, we’re happy to finally let you all know that The Hobbit has officially started production. Shouts! Cheers! High-fives! And in honor of the epic two-parter directed by Peter Jackson (who’s the man responsible for the previous Lord of the Rings trilogy), they’ve released two set photos to Facebook. Both show Jackson hanging out in that all-too-familiar Hobbit house, which should feel comforting for those itching for more Lord of the Rings action. Check out both photos and let us know what you think. The Hobbit, Part 1 is scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 19th, 2012.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Cameras started rolling Monday on director Peter Jackson’s production of “The Hobbit,” following months of delays on the prequel to his Oscar-winning “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

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Cameras roll on ‘The Hobbit’ in New Zealand, ending long delays to ‘Lord of the Rings’ prequel

It’s taken longer than we had hoped, but the end result is still the same: Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis have officially signed on to reprise their Lord of the Rings roles for Peter Jackson’s two-part Hobbit prequel. In the first three Lord of the Rings movies, McKellen played the wizard Gandalf, while Serkis voiced the devilishly ring-addicted Gollum. Those actors from the original trilogy who’ve also signed on to reprise their roles include Elijah Wood and Cate Blanchett, with Orlando Bloom also in talks. Additionally, Deadline reports that Christopher Lee is in talks to reprise his role as the evil wizard Saruman, while Ian Holm may also sign back on to play an older version of Bilbo Baggins, while Martin Freeman will be playing the younger version of Bilbo.

As Peter Jackson begins to assemble his troops for two more Lord of the Rings films – this time based on the prequel book The Hobbit – all everyone seems to be concerned with is which cast members from the first three films will return for these two. Already, we’re seeing word that Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Cate Blanchett and Orlando Bloom will be returning in some capacity, and now the latest rumors surrounds Frodo himself, Elijah Wood. TheOneRing.net claims they can confirm that Wood will indeed play a role in the films, but not a major part like in the original trilogy. Here’s how they explain it: “As readers of “The Hobbit” know, the tale of “The Downfall of The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit or There and Back Again,” are… Read More Read Comments

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Elijah Wood Returning for ‘The Hobbit’

Oscar-winning-actress Cate Blanchett will reprise her Lord Of The Rings role for the film’s prequel, The Hobbit.

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Blanchett joins The Hobbit cast

After two months of negotiations, and $500 million in new incentives, Warner Brothers and the government of New Zealand finally agreed that Peter Jackson’s prequel to The Lord of the Rings will continued to be filmed in New Zealand. After an argument…

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‘Hobbit’ Movie to Stay in New Zealand

An industrial pay dispute by an acting union may result in Warner Bros relocating the filming of The Hobbit from New Zealand, where the landscape has been used in the Lord of the Rings movies, to England.

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Why Hobbit filming may move to UK

The Office actor Martin Freeman will play Bilbo Baggins in two-part Lord of the Rings prequel The Hobbit, director Peter Jackson announces.

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Office to Middle Earth: Freeman to play Bilbo

New Zealand may soon learn what happens when they go against the fellowship of Peter Jackson. Warner Brothers has threatened to leave New Zealand for filming of the two-film Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hobbit, due to a dispute with the union Actors’…

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Hobbit to Change Filming Location?

You can now breathe easily Lord of the Rings fans, for Druidry, the ancient belief that worships deities that assume different forms in nature, was recognized as a religion in Britain for the first time on Saturday and granted charitable status. “There…

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Britain Recognizes Druidry As Religion

Seven global actors’ unions tell their members not to take roles in the big-budget Lord of the Rings prequel The Hobbit.

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Actors told to avoid Hobbit films