NZ Says "Hobbit" Deal 'A Day Of Shame'

Despite several set-backs to Warner Bros, trying to set up production of "The Hobbit" in New Zealand, with labour unrest triggered by local actors unions, demonstrations by workers across the country, and a mysterious fire that destroyed a part of director Peter Jackson's Weta Digital Studios in Wellington, the studio has agreed to stay the course, cutting a tax deal with the NZ government.

According to new reports, following the NZ parliament passing 'emergency' legislation, bypassing usual parliamentary committees, to ensure that 2 back-to-back "Hobbit" films would be lensed in the country, almost half of New Zealand's Members of Parliament, have now called the studio/government deal a 'day of shame', with one holding up a redesigned national flag with the Warner Bros logo in one corner.

"What is the government going to do next -- give in to any multinational that asks for a labor standard to be diluted in return for some form of investment?", said NZ opposition MP Charles Chauvel.

Meanwhile, if you've never read author J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit", check out the 1991 graphic novel adaptation by David Wenzel, illustrating the story of 'Bilbo Baggins', a quiet 'hobbit' whose life is turned upside down when he joins the wizard 'Gandalf' and thirteen dwarves on a quest to reclaim their stolen treasure.

"The Hobbit" is scheduled to start filming February 2011...