New Zealand calls on Hobbit makers to pay back $56 million subsidy

rt.com...

"Now the first movie has grossed more than $1 billion, Warner Brothers should repay the NZ$67 million subsidy the movie moguls sucked from Kiwi taxpayers," The Guardian quotes Peters as saying.

"How many of [these jobs] will exist once the final film has premiered and how many of these jobs actually went to New Zealanders?" he asked. "There is no doubt now that the deal with the movie industry was more about lining pockets than creating jobs."

So apparently New Zealand agreed to the subsidy only after good old Warner Brothers threatened to move filming to central Europe. Whats up with this? Force the taxpayers of a foreign country to pay you to film a movie in their country so you can make over $1 billion in the theaters? Then add on all the lawsuits for illegal downloads? They just can't stop can they?

Seems like an altogether different kind of ring got destroyed...


I've not seen the movie yet, I'll probably wait until all three are out, then wait until the dvd's are out... Then another year or so until blu-ray 1 version is out. Then, a year later, when they finally release the ultra HD version, with included cut scenes. Only then will I buy.

I feel completely raped the amount of money they've had from me from the first 3 films. (3 movie's at theatres, $70ish, dvd box set was about $60 when I first got it, then the bluray was another $50 - just gets all too much)

reply to post by Qumulys


To be honest, I fell asleep.

It was looooong.

maybe I was tired also, but still.. oO

reply to post by Qumulys


[SNIP] .

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That seems really low... quite degrading actually. They threatened to film in Europe if NZ didn't subsidize them... They filmed lotr trilogy there, for good reason (it's a beautiful location), and then pull a ridiculous stunt like this?

I find this to be disturbing yet somehow typical of the industry.

Its too bad about the kind of company that makes this, but it was the very best movie I've ever seen in my life, from the best novel I've ever read in my life. Well my dad read it to us at 3, then the teacher at 6 or 7, then I many times. And the lord of the rings once through,and watched countless times. It was subperb. Wonderful story and tells us in metaphor alot about the orcs and sauron, our leaders basically, and the last cycle to this one, our history abit there too.

I hope they get this straightened out and do right by NZ, because I was enchanted at the breathtaking scenery and now consider that country the most beautiful on earth, and would love to vacation there if Im ever so blessed in this lifetime. I'd love to live there for a year and destress.

reply to post by Agarta


How much in tourism is being made by these movies?

How many local people are making money off these movies?

I am just asking, as I also believe the taxpayer should benefit from these films. The Movie studio "decided" to film on location. What a beautiful location indeed......

reply to post by sonnny1


I honestly can't answer those questions although they are good ones. I would assume, at least as far as them making money off of the movie, it isn't much or they wouldn't be asking for the money back. As for tourism I'm not sure that they would get any less if the movies were not filmed there as the "Lord of the Rings" was and is complete consequently people already have a desire to visit or not and I don't think that 2 more movies is going to hurt or help at all, but that's just my opinion.

reply to post by Agarta


I hear you. I did find this though.



New Zealand is now minting Lord of the Rings money

A shire of four million, then? Not quite. Broadly, New Zealanders are behind Jackson's project, and appreciative of what the films have done for the film and tourism industries (the combined value of the Lord of the Rings trilogy to the New Zealand economy is estimated at more than NZ$700m, or £350m). But reports of "Middle-earth fever" are misplaced. The novelty of the scale and ambition of the Lord of the Rings project has dissipated, and for the most part enthusiasm is muted.

Hobbit tourism scatters more of Tolkien's magic across New Zealand For millions, the Lord of the Rings films turned the country into Middle-earth. As the premiere of a second trilogy approaches, tour operators are ready for another bonanza

who will feed the hobbits now that jacksons gone

reply to post by Unity_99


nice

Originally posted by sonnny1
reply to post by Agarta

 

I hear you. I did find this though.

New Zealand is now minting Lord of the Rings money

A shire of four million, then? Not quite. Broadly, New Zealanders are behind Jackson's project, and appreciative of what the films have done for the film and tourism industries (the combined value of the Lord of the Rings trilogy to the New Zealand economy is estimated at more than NZ$700m, or £350m). But reports of "Middle-earth fever" are misplaced. The novelty of the scale and ambition of the Lord of the Rings project has dissipated, and for the most part enthusiasm is muted.

Hobbit tourism scatters more of Tolkien's magic across New Zealand For millions, the Lord of the Rings films turned the country into Middle-earth. As the premiere of a second trilogy approaches, tour operators are ready for another bonanza

Those coins look very cool although extremely expensive. I guess I was wrong about the tourism thing. It is sad that people only want to visit someplace when it is cool to do so. Myself? I would live there if I could.

Edit to add: Sorry for the late reply, I found another article from the first link you posted and had to write a new thread about it www.abovetopsecret.com...

reply to post by Agarta

NZ is a beautiful place.. I'd like to go there someday. A canceled tv series called Legend of the Seeker was shot there, and it shows some of the landscapes. Really a magical location.

Most of us here in middle earth don't mind the tax breaks that were given to Warner Brothers.
Winston Peters is a publicity seeker who will say and do anything to get pres coverage .