NEWSMAKERS | Cameras roll on ‘The Hobbit’ films

NEWSMAKERS

Cameras roll on ‘The Hobbit’ films

WELLINGTON, New Zealand

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

Hollywood studio funding problems, a threatened actors’ boycott and ulcer surgery for Jackson have plagued pre-production on the $500 million, two-movie project.

The director posted a studio news release on his website Monday saying production has commenced in New Zealand on the much-anticipated project.

British actor Martin Freeman will star as hobbit Bilbo Baggins alongside Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett and Orlando Bloom in twin movies of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy novel about a short, hairy-footed hero.

The films are expected to take up to two years to make, with the first timed for release in late 2012.

“The Hobbit” is a prequel to “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy by Tolkien that Jackson helmed to blockbuster film success in 2001-03, winning best-picture and best-director Oscars for the finale.

Pianist Williams battling cancer

LOS ANGELES

“Autumn Leaves” and “Born Free” pianist Roger Williams is battling pancreatic cancer.

The 86-year-old entertainer known as the “Pianist to the Presidents” because of his many presidential performances writes in an e-mail message to friends that he started chemotherapy last week.

He says doctors told him the tumor cannot be removed because of its size. When chemotherapy shrinks the tumor to an operable size, Williams says surgeons will remove it.

Williams says he’s not canceling any upcoming concerts. He performed Sunday at Del Webb’s Sun City retirement resort in Palm Desert, and his personal assistant says the concert was sensational.

Sitcom vets return in new shows

NEW YORK

Count Fran Drescher of “The Nanny” and Wayne Knight of “Seinfeld” among TV veterans returning in new sitcoms.

TV Land network announced that Drescher will be back on the air with “Happily Divorced.” She will star as a florist who deals with dating after finding out her husband is gay. The network said Monday that “Happily Divorced” will premiere June 15.

A second new sitcom, “The Exes,” stars Knight as one of three divorced men who share an apartment across the hall from their divorce attorney, played by Kristen Johnston of “3rd Rock from the Sun.” It is slated to debut next winter, along with a second season of “Retired at 35.”

Hollywood writers, studios reach deal

LOS ANGELES

The union representing more than 12,000 writers of Hollywood-made movies and TV shows has agreed to a tentative deal with the studios.

The three-year agreement reached Sunday by the Writers Guild of America follows similar pacts reached in the last several months by two actors unions and the directors union. It locks in 2 percent wage increases for each year of the deal. West and East Coast branches will need to approve the deal before it is sent to members for ratification.

Vindicator wire services