Force of Hobbit: SAG Warns Members Not to Work on LOTR Prequel

Actors' groups urge members not to work on the high-profile feature film

By Bruna Nessif Sep 26, 2010 1:46 AMTags
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Perhaps Bilbo Baggins' tale of wanderlust won't be leaving the Shire after all. Numerous international unions, including SAG and AFTRA, have sent out alerts advising members to ditch work on Peter Jackson's highly anticipated production of The Hobbit.

Here's what the unions had to say:

Members "are advised not to accept work on this non-union project," the guilds said in an email.

"The Alliance agreement for large-budget international studio films...provides for residuals that are equivalent to those under the SAG agreement. The residuals proposed by the producers of The Hobbit are less in every respect."

Complaint letters have been sent by various unions objecting to the fact that the film's producers have refused to sign union contracts for the J.R.R Tolkien adaptation.

Casting has begun on the Lord of the Rings perquel while MGM and Warner Bros. continue to seek financing and explore distribution options for the film currently slated for release in 2011. 

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