Tag: The Hobbit

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Guillermo del Toro Making a Cameo

Del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth), who is getting ready to direct the two Hobbit films, revealed that he would be briefly appearing in the first film.

In an interview on German television, the director said that he would be featured in The Hobbit, and that he won’t have a major role, but rather a small cameo in the skin of a monster.

On the official film Website, TheOneRing.com, del Toro added, "I had a hand on the design of the creature and I will personally sculpt the appliances that will be applied on my face and hands. I used to sculpt the creatures for Necropia (my FX company) and I miss it a bit. I will have a line or two and die quickly."

However, we still don’t know which creature the filmmaker will portray.

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MGM Hangs Onto The Hobbit

MGM’s precarious financial situation has foreshadowed some fear for its productions, such as The Hobbit. Fortunately, the studio has been able to secure finances to keep its projects afloat.

MGM president Steve Cooper requested a delay for interest payments on the studio’s debts, and his wish was granted. Furthermore, MGM can now move forward with The Hobbit, which should now be able to go through with production for at least one year.

Needless to say, MGM’s profitable franchises, such as The Hobbit, Pink Panther and James Bond, provide the company with considerable market value.

For The Hobbit, two films are in the works in partnership with New Line Cinema. The first, directed by Guillermo del Toro, will open in December 2011. Del Toro is currently writing the script with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, and the deadline for the first screenplay is set for the end of November.

The studio will resume its payments on December 15 for its debt of over 50 million dollars, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

 

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The Hobbit May Finally Get the Green Light

Fans will be happy to learn that two films based on The Hobbit will be moving forward.

In February 2008, the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien and Harper Collins Publishers sued New Line Cinema, claiming that the studio did not pay 7.5% of the revenue from the Lord of the Rings trilogy per their contract.  The studio only paid $62 000, which was the upfront fee, while the film franchise generated 6 billion dollars.

Moreoever, the plaintiffs challenged certain expenses of the studio for advertising.  A court decision was expected that would result in the end of New Line’s film rights to J.R.R. Tolkien projects.

However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, an agreement was reached to the satisfaction of all parties.  The terms of the agreement have not been revealed, though the Tolkien heirs had requested $220 million for The Tolkien Trust, an organization that supports causes around the world.

Now, the studio can release two new films based on The Hobbit, the first of which is expected to be released in 2011.

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Hugo Weaving Joins The Hobbit

Weaving will join actors Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen on the set of The Hobbit.

The three stars will resume the roles they played in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, those being the characters Elrond, Gollum and Gandalf.

The Hobbit, which is based on the 1937 J.R.R. Tolkien novel, will be adapted to film by Guillermo del Toro, who confirmed that the acting trio is on board for the next instalment.

The story is set to be split into two films, the first opening in December 2011, and the second in December 2012.

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Screenwriter Chosen for The Hobbit

Jackson and Del Toro took it upon themselves to write the scripts for the next two Hobbit films.  The schedules of the two men were lighter and they certainly possess the necessary knowledge of Tolkien’s world to be able to write the screenplays.

Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, who participated in the screenplay of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, will join the two men to adapt the story of The Hobbit for cinema.

This time, the adventure is set before the time of The Lord of the Rings, when Bilbo Baggins hunts for a treasure and finds the ring.

As previously announced, Jackson will resume his producing role and Del Toro will be directing the two films.

Shooting is expected to begin in New Zealand in fall 2009. New Line and MGM hope to release the first installment on December 2011, and the second, one year later.

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Will Orlando Bloom Return to The Hobbit?

According to FemaleFirst, several actors from The Lord of the Rings may be starring in The Hobbit under the direction of Guillermo Del Toro. 

Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Viggo Mortensen and Elijah Wood have all said that they are interested in returning to their roles.  According to Del Toro, it’s completely possible. 

However, there may be some issues to consider.  Del Toro explained to MTV, "The thing is that here and there in the book, in the existing book, there are places to have them almost casually, in secondary roles that are not that important but that would be incredibly enhancing as cameos go."

Two films are planned for The Hobbit, and the director feels that there will be more room for the characters to expand in the second installment.  Del Toro added that the screenplay still hasn’t been written, so it’s premature to make any commitments at this point.

In the meantime, Orlando Bloom fans will have to wait until next year to see him on the silver screen in the film New York, I Love You.

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James McAvoy Denies Rumours

According to FemaleFirst, Scottish actor James McAvoy denies that he has been asked to play the main character, Bilbo Baggins, in The Hobbit.

Recently, a rumour got out that he was the chosen favourite to star as the famous Hobbit in director Guillermo del Toro’s next two films.

McAvoy, who is currently filming The Last Station, said, "I’m a huge fan of the Tolkien saga, everything to do with Middle Earth. But no, there’s no truth in the fact that they’ve approached me yet."

After the riveting success of the trilogy, The Lord Of The Rings, The Hobbit is predestined to triumph as well. Pre-production is set to begin at the end of the year in New Zealand.

James McAvoy can next be seen in the film Wanted on June 27, opposite Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman.

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James McAvoy May Join The Hobbit

According to FemaleFirst, actor James McAvoy is first in line to play Bilbo Baggins in the upcoming film, The Hobbit.

According to a source, the star is currently in talks with the studio.  Daniel Radcliffe and Jack Black have also been rumoured as possible candidates for the role, but producers are hoping to sign the Atonement star.  McAvoy also starred in the film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe.

Director Guillermo del Toro is refusing to comment on rumours regarding who will get the role, but he revealed, "I can tell you it’s down to a few names that we all agree upon. For our first choice we all said the same name, it’s completely magical."

James McAvoy will next be seen in the film Wanted, also starring Morgan Freeman and Angelina Jolie.  The film opens in theatres on June 27.

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Viggo Mortensen May Join The Hobbit

According to Variety, director Guillermo del Toro said that he would like to cast the actors from the original Lord of the Rings trilogy to play the three characters appearing in The Hobbit.

Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), Ian McKellen (Gandalf) and Andy Serkis (Gollum) have been asked to join the cast.  McKellen and Serkis have already expressed their willingness to be part of the new project.

Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, who worked on the trilogy’s screenplay, are currently writing the screenplays for the next two films under the supervision of del Toro and Peter Jackson.

Viggo Mortensen is now filming the drama The Road with Charlize Theron. The film is set to be released on November 26.

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Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis in The Hobbit

In an interview published on the official J.R.R. Tolkien fan site, Guillermo Del Toro confirmed that Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis would resume their roles as Gandalf and Gollum in the two films from The Hobbit series.

The Mexican filmmaker is also talking about having Ian Holm play the character Bilbo Baggins once again. Holm’s participation has not been confirmed.

Del Toro mentioned that he has several people in mind for the cast, but he definitely wanted Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis’ participation.

The director said that he was very enthusiastic about taking on the new project. He will start filming in New Zealand once he is finished promoting the film Hellboy2: The Golden Army.