NZ parliament passes legislation, Lions Gate sues Icahn over his MGM-related meddling

http://www.kristinthompson.net/blog/?p=1869

Parliament passes legislation to assure Hobbit stays in New Zealand

The law designed to change labor practice so as to keep the Hobbit production in New Zealand has passed, 66 to 50. TVNZ has an account here. Stuff.co.nz reported:

The Employment Relations (Film Production Work) Amendment Bill was moved under urgency yesterday afternoon and has passed its third and final reading this afternoon.

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The New Zealand Herald has a column on the fallout from the actors’ dispute:

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http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010/10/28/39906-lions-gate-sues-icahn-alleging-double-game/

Lions Gate sues Icahn, alleging `double game’

October 28th, 2010 by Altaira | Source: bloomberg.com | Discuss | 0 Comments and 0 Reactions

The MGM, Lions Gate drama continues. The latest from Bloomberg.com: Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. is suing billionaire Carl Ichan over the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. studio deal in federal court in New York, alleging the financier was “secretly plotting” to merge the studios. In the lawsuit, Vancouver-based Lions Gate, the studio whose films include “Crash” and “Precious,” alleges that Icahn realized by June that Lions Gate was in advanced negotiations with two unidentified studios. Aware that the deals might dilute his stake in Lions Gate, Icahn “took drastic and improper action,” the studio said.

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HOBBITON IS BEING BUILT TO STAY THIS TIME!!!

http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/4289149/New-Hobbiton-set-there-to-stay

New Hobbiton set there to stay

CHRIS GARDNER - Waikato Times
Last updated 05:00 30/10/2010

The new Hobbiton movie set will become forever enshrined in the Matatmata landscape when the film crews leave, with permanent materials being used for a "bigger and better" version of the Middle Earth village than seen in The Lord of the Rings.

Brett Hodge, owner of Matamata Post and Rails, which has supplied the timber for The Hobbit duology since construction began in February, told the Waikato Times that Sir Peter Jackson's company Three Foot Six was building the home of the Hobbits to last. [...]

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And the article mentions Vic from Red Carpet Tours! :D


Also:

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010/10/29/39944-new-linewbmgm-hobbit-statement/

New Line/WB/MGM Hobbit Statement

October 29th, 2010 by xoanon 0 Comments and 1 Reaction

New Line, Warner Bros and MGM are pleased to have concluded successful discussions with the New Zealand government this past week. We’d like to thank Prime Minister Key, his Cabinet and the other dedicated New Zealand officials for their support and cooperation, which helped assuage our concerns and enabled us to keep The Hobbit in its proper home of New Zealand.

We’d also like to express very special appreciation to Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and the people of New Zealand for their tireless support of The Hobbit and their commitment to maintain and grow their vibrant film industry. Filming is scheduled to begin in February 2011 and we look forward to returning to Middle-earth.


http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010/10/29/39930-gdt-has-incredible-heartache-over-the-hobbit/

GDT Has “Incredible Heartache” Over The Hobbit

October 29th, 2010 by Earl | Source: ContactMusic | Discuss | 0 Comments and 0 Reactions

It’s been five months since GDT departed The Hobbit, but now that the movie has finally been greenlit and is on schedule for a February 2011 shoot, there’s little doubt he still feels the loss of what might have been. [...]