Heh, that too.
Heh, that too.
Yeah, all they have to do is listen to what the fans have to say....Originally Posted by Unfound One
I really like that they're doing this... Now if they just listen to what the fans have to say, The Hobbit could be great.
...and ignore it.
Thankee kindly for that link.
Registers quick & all - asked my burning question!
More May Return for Hobbit
Rings stars in talks to rejoin Tolkien universe.
by Brian Linder
May 21, 2008 - Guillermo del Toro, director of both Hellboy films, is about to move on to another genre franchise, New Line's two-movie adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. Actors Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings, and Andy Serkis (Gollum), have already been in contact with the production about reprising their roles. And now there's word of another Rings star coming into the mix.
According to Variety, Viggo Mortensen has been approached about returning to Middle-earth as Aragorn. Tolkien fans will know that Aragorn isn't introduced until Fellowship of the Ring, but the second film in the Hobbit series will be a bridge to the Rings trilogy based on a variety of Tolkien source material.
The inclusion of Aragorn runs counter to what we previously heard from actress Liv Tyler who told us recently, "As far as I know, Arwen and Aragorn are not in The Hobbit, or definitely aren't in it. But I don't know yet."
Pre-production is about to begin on the project which Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens will write with Peter Jackson and del Toro overseeing.
"We will all be involved in the script in some fashion but the exact definition is about a week away, " del Toro told Variety. "I am all for keeping the actors who originated the parts, as much as availability and their willingness will allow."
Awesome!
Yes, if they include Aragorn in the script then definitely Viggo is needed. And if they do (incl. Aragorn) then they may well include Arwen, even briefly, too?
I could easily see where they would need Aragorn but not need Arwen as anything other than a reference point. There is plenty of Aragorn material that needn't involve her in any way.
The updates just keep on comin'!
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Hobbit Filming in 2010
GDT and Jackson dish deets on the LOTR prequels
by Stax
May 24, 2008 - The live chat "An Unexpected Party" was held today at Weta's website between fans and Guillermo del Toro, director of The Hobbit and its untitled sequel, and executive producer Peter Jackson. Del Toro and Jackson fielded fans' inquiries about the two projects, revealing a good deal about their plans for them.
"At this point in time the plan is to write [the screenplays] for the rest of this year and start early conceptual designs. 2009 will be dedicated to pre-production on both movies and 2010 will be the year we shoot both films back to back," Jackson told fans. "Post production follows one film at a time with The Hobbit being released December 2011, and (Film Two) release Dec 2012. That is the schedule in about as much detail as we have ourselves at the moment." Del Toro said the ratings for the two Hobbit movies would be the same as the Lord of the Rings trilogy, "an intense PG-13."
Casting buzz claims that LOTR veterans Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), and Andy Serkis (Gollum) have all been approached to reprise their respective roles for the films. Del Toro clarified the matter by saying, "No casting has started yet ... but some people have thrown their helmet into the ring."
Jackson went further. "No casting has commenced and won't until the scripts are written. We have had chats with one or two of the LOTR actors however but the casting will be driven largely by the writing and it is impossible to cast 13 dwarves without knowing their personality and characters. We anticipate we won't be in serious casting mode for these movies until well into next year."
The Oscar-winning LOTR filmmaker later wrote that, "apart from extreme circumstances, we would never recast a character who appeared in the LOTR trilogy. You can read The Hobbit and pretty much see which characters play a part. The unknown factor is Film Two, which we are still developing. If we wished to write one of the LOTR characters into the narrative of Film Two, we would only do that with that actors blessing, and willingness to take part. Otherwise we'd take the writing in another direction."
Del Toro and Jackson's attention is now dedicated to adapting The Hobbit for the screen and developing a second film from scratch along with LOTR co-screenwriters Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. Jackson said that "the second movie doesn't have a title yet and probably won't until we write the script. As you will see we have the incredibly boring name Film Two which I assure you will not last for very long. Bear with us."
When asked if del Toro's Hobbit, which is based on a children's book, would depart tonally from the dark LOTR trilogy, Jackson replied, "I personally feel The Hobbit can and should have a different tone. The 'tone' of these stories shouldn't be defined by the pressure our characters were under in LOTR. The world is a different place at the time of The Hobbit. The shadow is not so dark. However, what should stay the same is the reality of Middle-earth, and the integrity we bring to it as film makers."
Del Toro advised fans that, unlike in the LOTR movies, animal characters in his Hobbit will speak (as they do in the book). "I think it should be done exactly as in the book -- the 'talking beast' motif has to exist already to allow for that great character that is Smaug. It is far more jarring to have a linear movie and then -- out of the blue -- a talking Dragon."
Of Smaug, del Toro wrote that he "should not be 'the dragon in the Hobbit movie' as if it was just another creature in the bestiary. Smaug should be 'The DRAGON' for all movies past and present. The shadow he cast and the greed he comes to embody -- the 'need to own' casts its long shadow and creates a dramatic/thematic contunity of sorts that articulates the story throughout."
Hey, my question got asked in the top 20 questions!
I submitted it a week ago or so, but then couldn't make it online for the actual chat time.
Peter Jackson Now for Q13
WetaHost 13 - Hi. Do you intend to play this one by the Book (The Hobbit that is) and make it a very light childrens tale on film, or do you plan to stick with the much darker treatment- in keeping with the LotR films - particularly the latter ones. My personal preference would be for the latter - cannot see how eg. the Rivendell Elves could regress from their nobility in LotR to those "...Tra-la-la-la...." singing versions which were in the Hobbit Book. Thank you.
Guillermo del Toro We’ll see about the “Tra-la-la-“ later- but the book, I believe, in echoing the “loss of innocence” England experienced after WWI, is a passage form innocence to a darker, more somber state- The visual / thematic progression should reflect that in the camera style, color palette, textural choices, etc.
Peter Jackson As I said earlier, I personally feel that The Hobbit can, and should have a different tone. The "tone" of these stories shouldn't be defined by the pressure our characters were under in LOTR. The world is a different place at the time of the Hobbit. The shadow is not so dark. However, what should stay the same is the reality of Middle-earth, and the integrity we bring to it as film makers.
Cool Brian!!! I read those yesterday!
What do you feel about their response?
*edit*
One thing that I got from all of the Q&A is that it is pretty clear that the first of the two movies will be the entire Hobbit book...they will wrap it up within the first film. The second film will be and arch and will cover those "behind the scenes" things that were referenced in the book but we did not really read about.
Given Del Toro's visual style, I'm really looking forward to Mirkwood, as well as "Riddles in the Dark."
I wonder if both Del Toro and Jackson are going to write the script for the 2nd movie...or will it be all Jackson? Or all Del Toro?
Happy enough generally, though I'm not entirely certain of this "... those were happier/lighter times...." stuff. I mean, yes they were, but th eoverall tone still needs to be more LotR than 'Book-Hobbit' I think. From del Toro's answer I think we will (thankfully) NOT have a scene of Rivendell Elves singing "Tra-la-la-lally, down here in the valley...."
Yes, I'd say a lot of the actual writing by Walsh/Boyens, with a lot of influence exerted by the other 2.I think I read that Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens will be involved in writing the second film along with Del Toro and Jackson. I wonder if Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens will be involved in writing the first film as well.
Hobbit Star Wanted
Mr. Tumnus may play Bilbo Baggins.
by Jim Vejvoda
May 30, 2008 - Although director Guillermo del Toro and producer Peter Jackson recently said that casting on The Hobbit won't start in earnest until next year, the rumor mill is suggesting that the filmmakers already have the actor in mind for the lead role of Bilbo Baggins.
According to The One Ring and MSN, via British tabloid Daily Express, Scottish actor James McAvoy (soon to be seen in Wanted) is the frontrunner to play Bilbo. McAvoy is no stranger to fantasy films, having previously played "Mr. Tumnus" in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
"A number of names have been doing the rounds, including Daniel Radcliffe and Jack Black, but James (McAvoy) is the one the film's bosses really want," the Daily Mail's alleged insider told the paper. "They're expected to have talks soon so hopefully it could be confirmed in the not too distant future."
James McAvoy's credits include Atonement, Becoming Jane, Penelope, and The Last
From imdb.com:
Tolkien's Son Tries To Block Hobbit Movie
From wenn.com | See recent WENN news
28 May 2008 9:11 AM, PDT
Lord Of The Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien's son is desperately trying to stop a new movie version of his father's novel The Hobbit.
Christopher Tolkien wants the two-film adaptation blocked until his family are paid the $200 million (GBP100 million) he claims they are owed by New Line Cinema bosses from the big-screen adaptations of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
He will appear before a judge in California on 6 June in a bid to have The Hobbit movie "terminated", reports Britain's Sunday Times newspaper.
Guillermo del Toro will direct the new franchise, and Sir Ian McKellen will reprise his role as Gandalf. Shooting is due to begin in New Zealand later this year.
No, please.
i like james mcavoy for it
I heard that production is being haulted b/c Tolkien's son says that they haven't gotten all the money from the cartoon they were owed or something crazy like that? Has anyone else heard anything like that?
Gross. Jack Black would be horrible!No, please.
Though I like Harry Potter, Danny-boy isn't right for the part either.
I could see Mr. Tumnus though.
I can't remember exactly but I though Bilbo was older than Frodo was when he went on his own adventure. So, I think the actor should "look" older than Elijah did.
It's been awhile since I read the Hobbit last, so I don't remember exactly how old Bilbo was, but as far as casting, I agree Monte, older than Elijah Wood for sure.
Of course, in the books Frodo was 50 when he left on his adventure. PJ seemed to skip over the fact that 17 years pass between the birthday party for Bilbo (111th) and Frodo (33rd) and the beginning of the quest.
Also, if they cast Jack Black, it'd be impossible to take it even remotely seriously.
He did indeed skip over those years.It's been awhile since I read the Hobbit last, so I don't remember exactly how old Bilbo was, but as far as casting, I agree Monte, older than Elijah Wood for sure.
Of course, in the books Frodo was 50 when he left on his adventure. PJ seemed to skip over the fact that 17 years pass between the birthday party for Bilbo (111th) and Frodo (33rd) and the beginning of the quest.
Also, if they cast Jack Black, it'd be impossible to take it even remotely seriously.
I just finished my reread of LoTR and Hobbit recently (as I've mentioned) and I thought Frodo was a little younger than Bilbo was when they each set off on their respective adventures. Even if I'm wrong though...something tells me that Bilbo should still look older in the Hobbit film.
*edit*
Just like I said before about not casting the same Gandalf....if they cast Jack Black.....I WILL NOT SEE THIS MOVIE.
For those of you talking about Tolkien trying to stop this movie this is not exactly a new development. I had mentioned an article I saw about this back in February. See below:
Now, based on all the news surrounding this movie, I think that the studio has enough money and power that they are not seriously concerned about it though.
Awesome! I was sad when I thought it wasn't getting made
Exclusive: McAvoy Talks Hobbit
The man who could be Bilbo weighs in on the rumors.
by Jim Vejvoda
June 16, 2008 - IGN Movies caught up with actor James McAvoy yesterday at the Wanted press junket in Los Angeles and got the Scotsman to address the rampant rumors that he is director Guillermo del Toro and producer Peter Jackson's first choice to play the lead role of Bilbo Baggins in the long-awaited film version of The Hobbit.
McAvoy denied the rumors last week, but IGN got him to put his denial into context. The actor -- who is no stranger to fantasy films having previously played "Mr. Tumnus" in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe -- did not dismiss the chance to star in The Hobbit.
Watch his response for yourself in the embedded video clip:
(Heres a link to the original page if you want to see the video : http://movies.ign.com/articles/882/882146p1.html )
Guillermo del Toro has said that a casting announcement for The Hobbit could be made as early as this Christmas.
I'd be happy with whoever was cast, personally, as long as they could portray the character well, look the part, and give a sense of continuity with The Lord of the Rings. I'm sure many would agree.
But having said that, with Ian Holm out of consideration due to his age, or whatever, I think James McAvoy could do very well in the role. I saw a pic of him online that was in almost the same pose as Bilbo from The Lord of the Rings, and the resemblance was uncanny (just younger). Plus his performance as Tumnus made me think of a younger Bilbo Baggins as Ian Holm portrayed him as well--both the voice and even the way he talked, to a degree.
Doesn't mean I'll be disappointed if he doesn't get cast--I don't know enough actors to have anyone specific in mind yet.
An interview with Del Toro -
IGN: Hellboy II could be great training for your next big movie [The Hobbit].
GDT: I think that this is certainly a movie that fully prepared me to face a scope that is getting bigger and bigger it seems. Pan's Labyrinth was a modest $ 19 million, but nevertheless, the ambition technically and narratively was very big. We wanted to make creatures that were unforgettable, or memorable at least. The intention of The Hobbit is bigger than any other movie I've ever faced, and I'm fortunate enough to be coming out of the biggest movie I've made.
IGN: People know your films because of the look of your films. It's a signature look. Are you going to be able to carry your flair to this visually pre-established world?
GDT: I think the whole idea of The Hobbit movie is to almost make it freestanding on its own right. In the second movie, it's to create a look that naturally progresses and changes into the look of the trilogy. The first movie will stand on its own merit. We won't change the characters, we won't change the actors, and we will rigorously respect the guidelines established. I think you will see a lot of stuff you have never seen; not just outside the trilogy, but in the history of cinema.
IGN: What about the second film? What kind of stories will be told in that bridge film?
GDT: That's the film that has to be found and constructed carefully for many, many reasons, not just logistic ones. It has to feel relevant, connective, and seamless. That is the film that most belongs as a joining effort to the trilogy. That is the film we work the hardest on in the next six months. There are many more questions than there are answers. In my heart of hearts, I believe we found a way to do it. I'm not being coy, I'm not faking it. I don't want to spoil it. I really think we found it, but I'm not at liberty or at a place where I feel it should be discussed.
IGN: Are you going to be producing or overseeing any films while you work on The Hobbit?
GDT: I'm putting all that to bed before I move to New Zealand. In my life plans, before I got the call about The Hobbit, there was no room to move for half a decade somewhere else. Then that glorious monkey wrench came and I'm spending the rest of 2008 putting to bed all the other stuff. Hopefully, enough will be accomplished by July 2009 that I can fully dedicate myself to The Hobbit.
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