Greetings all in the world of Tolkien fandom! I recently spoke with Guillermo Del Toro at a book-signing event in Westwood, California, for his new vampire book “The Strain” (co-authored by Chuck Hogan) and how it ties in with his work on “The Hobbit” films.
Here is the complete transcript of our conversation…
During an interview posted on the MTV Movie Blog, Guillermo Del Toro was asked if he would be interested in Peter Jackson directing a scene in “The Hobbit” should the LOTR director have an opportunity to do so. Del Toro agrees that Jackson has certainly earned that right but added a clarification by saying:
“We talked about it. I normally oppose fully the idea of second unit so my first instinct is no, we will not have second unit on this film,” Del Toro said of whether or not Jackson might at some point get behind the camera. “If there is a scheduling conflict or a problem of that sort, we may consider it, but right now the idea is I shoot everything.”
August 20th, 2008 by Calisuri
| Source: Variety
| Discuss
‘Frodo Franchise‘ author, Kristin Thompson, points us to Variety.com today with further official word that our favorite scribes have all signed on the dotted line, so to speak:
Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens have officially signed on to collaborate on “The Hobbit” and its sequel with director Guillermo del Toro. The announcement, from exec producers Jackson and Walsh and New Line president Toby Emmerich, came four months after del Toro confirmed he had signed on to direct both pics.
Read the full article at Variety.com and strap on your seatbelts - the funs is just getting started! [Variety.com]
August 19th, 2008 by Calisuri
| Source: IGN
| Discuss
There is a great article posted at IGN today that summarizes what we already knew about Guillermo del Toro’s intention to use more animatronics in the creation of the ‘Hobbit’ films. But Ringer Elven points out one small bit of information of which we did not have previous confirmation:
We naturally enquired if he planned on continuing with a CG Gollum: “Absolutely. I think that it worked perfectly on the [Lord of the Rings] trilogy and if it ain’t broke, why fix it?”
Gotta love the ‘Why fix it?’ attitude! Read the full article and discuss in our forums! [IGN]
After many years, TheOneRing.net is returning to Comic-Con! This year we are honored to be presenting a panel of ‘The Hobbit’ films:
Friday, July 25th 10:00-11:00 TheOneRing.net: The Hobbit— Middle Earth returns with the announcement that The Hobbit will be developed into a feature film directed by Guillermo del Toro and produced by Peter Jackson. The world’s largest Tolkien community, TheOneRing.net, takes you behind the scenes of the latest news, announcements, and rumors pertaining to the production of the new film. Chris Pirrotta (TheOneRing.net), Larry Curtis (TheOneRing.net), Cliff Broadway (TheOneRing.net), Kristin Thompson (The Frodo Franchise), and possible special guests present this early look at making The Hobbit happen! Room 32AB
We hope you can join us for our first panel in over 5 years! [Comic-Con]
Forummer Empedocles has found a video interview (divided in 12 parts) with Guillermo del Toro in Rotten Tomatoes. This particular one touches several interesting points ranging from his views on talking animals in The Hobbit, to how the power of the Ring will be shown in the movie.
Parts one through 6 are now up, the following 6 parts coming in the weekend. Part 5 of the interview seems like the one with most “new” information that concerns The Hobbit, so take a look! [Rotten Tomatoes interview index] [Interview part 5]
Forummer Sunflower has pointed us to this USA Today article, which contains interesting information. According to USA Today:
Del Toro will write the first film’s screenplay. Jackson, his filmmaking partner-wife, Fran Walsh, and their writing partner, Philippa Boyens, will work on the second. Then they plan to switch and rewrite each other.
This is the first time this format is mentioned, and it should be taken cautiously until Guillermo del Toro confirms it here in TheOneRing.net forums.
UPDATE: GDT tells us the screenwriting team will “initiate the process in parallel and then we would rewrite each other.” Follow the “Discuss” link below to find out what else he had to say.
As predicted by GDT last week, a ton of interviews and buzz about the Hobbit will precede the release of ‘Hellboy II: The Golden Army’ this coming Friday. To start off the week, Premiere magazine has just posted their interview with Guillermo del Toro for your reading pleasure. While the majority of the interview covers ‘Hellboy,’ GDT talks about his visual plan for ‘The Hobbit’ and the second film (F2), among other topics. Check it out! (adult language warning) [Check it out!]
TheOneRing.net will be providing a segment on this Sunday’s broadcast of ‘Fictional Frontiers with Sohaib,’ on WNJC 1360 AM, Philadelphia at 11AM ET. This week, Sohaib will be speaking with Calisuri about the latest news and rumors concerning ‘The Hobbit’ movies. And of course, we’ll be taking your calls and giving away some gift cards from Sideshow Collectibles. As always, the show is broadcast live via the internet via the WNJC website. Hope you can join us! [Fictional Frontiers] [Netcast] Join us in chat while the show goes on! [Live Chat]
SciFi.com caught up with director Guillermo del Toro at the Saturn Awards and talked to him a bit about the upcoming ‘Hobbit’ films. Del Toro had this to say about his adaptation of ‘The Hobbit:’
“I’m trying to be faithful,” del Toro said in an interview after accepting the George Pal Memorial Award at the Saturn Awards in Universal City, Calif., on June 24. “Like, when I was trying to create a screenplay about Tarzan and people asked me, ‘Is it going to be horror?’ I said, ‘No, no, no.’ The thing is, I’m trying to re-create on the screen the feeling I had when I was 11 in my bed reading the book. How excited I got. How great I thought it was. That’s what I’m trying to honor.”
Read the full article over at SciFi.com. [Read More]