Peter Jackson wants to use same Kiwi location for 'The Hobbit'

Wellington, May 26 : If he gets his way, Peter Jackson will be heading back to the same New Zealand locations where the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy was shot for 'The Hobbit' and its sequel.

At a record-breaking one-hour "live chat" on the Internet with the films' director, Guillermo del Toro, in London, Jackson, the films' executive producer told 5500 fans that he was hoping the movies would get the permission of the landowner where the 'Lord of the Rings' movies were shot.

"We hope, with the permission of the land owner, that we will rebuild Hobbiton bigger and even better than what it was for Lord of the Rings in exactly the same location," Stuff.co.nz quoted him, as saying.

"It is unlikely we will need any locations outside of New Zealand which has always been the perfect Middle-earth."

If permission is granted, then it would mean rebuilding the elaborate Hobbiton village on a farm in Matamata, which is now a tourist attraction.

Though the set has been returned to its natural state, but 17 of the 37 hobbit holes and some structures have been left.

Del Toro also revealed that every single actor of the original cast was being asked to reprise their role.

"Unequivocally, every single actor that originated a role in the trilogy will be asked to participate and reprise it," del Toro said.

"If health, availability or willingness become obstacles - only in that case recasting would be considered," he said.

Added Jackson: "Apart from extreme circumstances, we would never recast a character who appeared in the Lord or the Rings trilogy."

ANI