Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit to be shot using 30 next generation RED digital cameras

Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit film adaptations will be shot in 3D using RED Digital Cinema’s EPIC Digital Cameras, according to Videomaker. The EPIC camera features 5K resolution, can shoot up to 120 frames per second, and has a new HDRx mode for the highest possible dynamic range of any digital cinema camera ever made. Taking everything they had learned from building their first camera, RED designed the EPIC from scratch and has produced a smaller, lighter camera that is an order of magnitude more powerful.

The Hobbit will be among the first productions in the world to use the EPIC and at least thirty cameras will be required by the 3D production.

The Hobbit – which is based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel – will start shooting in New Zealand early next year, based on a script by Jackson, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro (who was originally attached to direct), and Fran Walsh. The film stars Michael Fassbender, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellen, David Tennant, Richard Armitage, Saoirse Ronan, Andy Serkis, Leonard Nimoy, James Nesbitt, Brian Blessed, Aidan Turner, Graham McTavish, Robert Kazinsky, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Peter Hambleton, Adam Brown and Mark Hadlow.

The Hobbit: Part 1 is expected in theaters in December of 2012, and The Hobbit: Part 2 is scheduled for release in December of 2013.