I’m pretty sure that a lot of people are eagerly anticipating the film adaptation of The Hobbit. Count me in as one of those people. I’m a huge Tolkien fan so It’s already a given but with the adaptation to be directed by Guillermo del Toro, who is one of my favorite directors, my excitement for the movie has doubled.
The initial release schedule for The Hobbit was already pegged for December 2011, and that’s just a little less than two years away. But then, this is Hollywood and schedules are sometimes meant to be broken. According to Warner Bros., it looks like The Hobbit will only be ready by the last quarter of 2012. A full year after the initial 2011 scheduled release.
Where does the movie — two of them, actually — stand in terms of its work schedule? The script for the second film is still being finished by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Del Toro. Only after this has been submitted and approved would a budget for both movies be locked in along with the start of casting.
Looks like we’re in for a longer wait, Tolkien fans.
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.
‘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.