Guillermo Del Toro is one busy director. Even though he is in the midst of preproduction for The Hobbit, the director is also concurrently developing a stop-motion movie with the Jim Henson Co.
The project is a retelling of the Pinocchio fairy tale, but this time with a darker theme.
The project, to be produced by JHC, will have Del Toro executive produce. The directors for the film are Gris Grimley and Adam Parrish King.
Del Toro talks Hobbit
Guillermo Del Toro gave more updates on the upcoming The Hobbit movies.
Del Toro said that casting for the movie has not yet started. He said that until the script is finished they can’t begin casting because the whole vision changes every time the story changes.
He also said that more creatures will be explored in the two Hobbit movies. Del Toro already said that he wants to do two muscle-driven radio-controlled suits.
Del Toro said that he is quite excited about making Smaug especially since it will be a chance to do a great looking dragon.
Del Toro’s pick for Frankenstein
Guillermo del Toro is just so freaking red hot right now. He’s got all these wonderful projects lined up for him and the awesome thing is that he hasn’t let down both his fans and critics yet. That is talent for you.
Del Toro’s imagination is just so out of this world wild that anything he puts his opinions on will get a lot of mileage among film buffs, sci-fi/fantasy geeks and even the general media. During the Hellboy II premiere, Del Toro was asked about his vision for the Frankenstein film that he plans on doing. And he dropped the bomb, so to speak.
Del Toro wants Doug Jones to play Frankenstein’s monster.
Jones has been a perennial Del Toro performer, having worked for him as early as Mimic. He currently plays Abe Sapien in the Hellboy series. Del Toro justifies his choice, saying that he has always related to the Berni Wrightson version of the Frankenstein monster–“lanky, long and gorgeous in a tragic way.” He feels that Jones has those same qualities and will do a great job as the monster.
He declined to give his choice for Dr. Frankenstein though, adding that if he did, people will know what he plans to do.
‘The Hobbit’ preproduction underway
According to Variety, The Hobbit is currently in the midst pre-production. A lot of people who were involved in the Lord of The Rings trilogy are back for this movie as well as the planned sequel. Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens will be writing the script with the assistance of both Peter Jackson and director Guillermo del Toro.
It was reported that three actors from the Trilogy have also been contacted to reprise their roles, namely, Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis.
Middle Earth fans are probably scratching their heads because of Mortensen’s involvement since Aragorn is not in The Hobbit. There are rumors that Aragorn’s story may be delved into in the planned sequel.
McKellen could play Gandalf in Hobbit prequels
Sir Ian McKellen did a fantastic job in bringing the wizard Gandalf to life in the Lord of The Rings trilogy movies. In fact, he was so good that he even snagged an Oscar nomination for his work in The Two Towers. Director Peter Jackson also thinks the same way and if it were up to him McKellen would reprise his Gandalf role for the recently approved production of the LOTR prequel The Hobbit.
Sir Ian himself is quite excited about the idea of reprising his famous role. In a recent e-post he signified his interest in playing Gandalf once again and said that he is encouraged by pronouncements from both Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh (both produced the LOTR movies as well as The Hobbit) that they cannot imagine any other actor playing Gandalf. The Hobbit prequel will be divided into two movies and will reportedly be helmed by Guillermo del Toro. Filming is supposed to begin by next year with the two movies to be shown in 2010 and 2011.
Hopefully, McKellen does get the coveted role. He has done a great job and he should continue doing it. Besides, his involvement will also help in the continuity of all the movies.