The Hobbit To Leave New Zealand?

Hollywood executives have confirmed they are searching for a new location for The Lord Of The Rings prequel The Hobbit in the wake of a dispute with New Zealand actors' unions.

All three previous The Lord of the Rings movies were filmed in the country by director Peter Jackson. He will produce the prequel and has urged union executives to reconsider their planned boycott. Relocation would seriously harm New Zealand's entertainment industry.

The movie execs refuse to sign a deal with local unions amid allegations of "unfair treatment" of performers. Organisations in America, Canada and Britain have all backed the boycott.

Executives at the movie studios behind The Hobbit have now spoken out to condemn criticism of Jackson and his film crew, insisting they are "exploring all alternative options" to make sure filming goes ahead as planned.

The joint statement from New Line, Warner Bros. and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) reads, "(We) are concerned by the recent allegations of unfair treatment of actors in New Zealand... we believe that in this case the allegations are baseless and unfair to Peter Jackson and his team in Wellington who have been tireless supporters of the New Zealand motion picture community.

"Motion picture production requires the certainty that a production can reasonably proceed without disruption and it is our general policy to avoid filming in locations where there is potential for workforce uncertainty or other forms of instability. As such, we are exploring all alternative options in order to protect our business interests."

The union dispute is the latest production delay drama to hit The Hobbit in recent months. The film is currently on hold due to ongoing financial problems at MGM. Director Guillermo Del Toro quit in May due to the lengthy delays.

Previous The Hobbit Coverage:

Guillermo del Toro Reveals the Reasons Behind 'The Hobbit' Delays

'The Hobbit' News: WETA's Richard Taylor on 3D Hobbit | Time-Warner Tops MGM Bids

Production on THE HOBBIT Pushed to Mid-Summer 2010

MGM on the Verge of Bankruptcy |'The Hobbit' & James Bond in Jeopardy

'THE HOBBIT' (Part I): MGM Studios CASTING information in New Zealand, LA and London

Production on THE HOBBIT Pushed to Mid-Summer 2010

Guillermo Del Toro's Monster Cameo Appearance in 'The Hobbit'

'The Hobbit' News: WETA's Richard Taylor on 3D Hobbit | Time-Warner Tops MGM Bids

Production on THE HOBBIT Pushed to Mid-Summer 2010

MGM on the Verge of Bankruptcy |'The Hobbit' & James Bond in Jeopardy

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