Sounds like Guillermo Del Toro being courted for “The Hobbit” may have cast a bit of a cloud on the silver lining of optimism at Universal Studios. Check out this excerpt from a story at Variety.com:
U also was caught off-guard after they aggressively courted Guillermo Del Toro, the filmmaker behind “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “Hellboy.” The studio gave him a first-look deal, picked up a sequel to “Hellboy” with a budget of more than $80 million, and even bought the rights to his dream project, the H.P. Lovecraft epic, “At the Mountains of Madness.”
But U brass was stunned to suddenly see Del Toro emerge as the likely director of the next two “Hobbit” movies for New Line and MGM. That would lock him down for four straight years in New Zealand.
Langley acknowledges, “We’re in discussions with how to rectify that with Guillermo.”
Thanks to board member ‘Compa Mighty’ for the scoop. The full article can be found at Variety.com [Read More]
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Message Board member ‘And Back Again’ pointed us to the following story at Times Online:
A rare first edition of The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien is expected to raise £30,000 at auction. The last photograph of Tolkien is also being auctioned at Bonhams, London, on March 18. It was taken in 1973 by his grandson Michael in the Botanic Garden, Oxford, and shows him standing beside his favourite tree. A note on the back written by Priscilla, his daughter, says: “For Elaine with love from Priscilla.” The book is also dedicated to Elaine Griffiths, the friend who urged him to have The Hobbit published. Other lots include illustrations by Tolkien and a copy of Farmer Giles of Ham.
Read the full story at Times Online. [Read More]
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Ringer Chris sends along this intriguing spy report that seems to confirm that Howard Shore will be scoring ‘The Hobbit’ films:
Hi there! I was at the world premiere of the Fellowship of the Ring performed live to the film concert in Lucerne/Switzerland last night, at which Howard Shore was present. Before the concert there was a brief talk with him, during which he mentioned that “WE are going to start on the screenplay soon,” when asked about The Hobbit. Imagine my Ringer heart taking a leap of joy. At the signing taking place after the concert, I did ask, just be sure, if I had heard correctly, and Howard confirmed that yes, he will be scoring The Hobbit. He’s hopeful that New Line will work something out with the Tolkien Estate’s because, “It’s too important a project.” Let’s hope he’s right! I should not neglect to mention that the concert was amazing and conductor Ludwig Wicki, the 21st Century Orchestra and Choir, the Luzerner Saengerknaben choir and the soloists got a standing ovation for at least 5 minutes. I can’t wait for March 2009, when The Two Towers concert is tentatively scheduled.
Additional reports are coming in from the event with the same information, you can read more in the forums. [Forum]
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