Ringer Spy Elven was kind enough to transcribe the ‘To be Continued’ interview from last week where I discussed our exclusive chat with ‘Hobbit’ director Guillermo del Toro. Take a look! Read the rest of this entry »
Empire Magazine caught up with Sir Ian McKellen at the UK Premiere of Speed Racer at which he had this to say:
“Yes, it’s true,” he said. “I spoke to Guillermo in the very room that Peter Jackson offered me the part and he confirmed that I would be reprising the role. Obviously, it’s not a part that you turn down, I loved playing Gandalf.”
The other great tidbit of news is that we have a timeline for the script development - about 6 weeks. Make sure to read the full story and intereview at EMPIRE! (Thanks to Mr. Platt for the heads up!) [Read More]
The Grey Pilgrim sent MTV’s interview with Guillermo del Toro our way where the communicative director had yet more to say about some “Hobbit” movies he is working on. The MTV writer Shawn Adler (with reporting by Josh Horowitz) is one of the few mainstream writers that knows that Middle-earth has a lowercase “earth” and like our own Xoanon asks some questions with real background knowledge. I think I detect a Tolkien fan. Anyway, addressing several of the same issues that have been discussed on our own forums such as GDT’s feelings about high fantasy and casting, we give you MTV. Click Here.
In an exclusive interview with TheOneRing.net, Guillermo del Toro talks about Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Howard Shore, Animatronics vs CGI, the ‘tone’ of the upcoming ‘Hobbit’ films and much more!
We had the opportunity to chat with Guillermo del Toro this morning from his current HQ in London. He’s hard at work putting the finishing touches on ‘Hellboy II: The Golden Army’ and taking interviews from news outlets about that film, and the recent announcement that he’ll be doing ‘The Hobbit’ and a subsequent Hobbit sequel down the line.
First things first, YES, that is him on our message boards, he told me he intends to post there as often as he humanly can. And yes, he is as cool and approachable as he sounds. Take a look at my interview! Read the rest of this entry »
Astute TORn message board member Gethsemane has noticed something particularly exciting on Ian McKellen’s official website. Looking through the Cinema section on the ‘2000’s’ film listing page, he noticed:
2010 - THE HOBBIT
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Role: Gandalf
This is unlikely a typo, as Sir Ian McKellen is known for his very active and up-to-date website. Now we just have to wait for the official announcement! [McKellen.com]
From “The Independent”: Mop that perspiring brow, Middle Earthlings. Sir Ian McKellen ends a saga that had become as protracted as the blockbusting Lord Of The Rings film trilogy: will he return as the benevolent wizard Gandalf in the keenly-anticipated adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit? Sir Ian tells Pandora that he has reached advanced discussions, leaving only the paperwork to complete before he can dust off his wizard’s robes: “It is sort of finished business really. I think I will be in the film.” Speaking at a gala dinner for the gay rights charity Stonewall, he added: “The first film will be released in 2011 and the second in 2012. The first is The Hobbit, and the second connects the story to the [sequel] Lord Of The Rings, it brings it all together.” Thanks to David for the link. Read More
Celebrity guests including Lord of the Rings star Sir Ian McKellen, rugby great Sean Fitzpatrick and Flight of the Conchords comedian Rhys Darby were among those at a memorial service for Sir Edmund Hillary at Windsor Castle today. New Zealand opera singer Jonathan Lemalu sang the aria Lord God of Abraham, described by Prime Minister Helen Clark as a “very special performance by one of our most talented young singers”. Miss Clark said a karanga by Mereana Hond was “very, very emotional” and “very moving”. Celebrities and friends attend Sir Ed memorial
From Gigwise.com: Sir Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, will make a cameo appearance in the new Guillemots video. The English actor, who admits to being a fan of the group, filmed his guest spot earlier this week.
“A young relative of mine, who’s a fan of the Guillemots took me along to a concert of theirs in London and I really took to them, I really liked the music,” Sir Ian told Sky News.
Thanks to board member diedye for the link. Read More
Things are looking up for those of us who are hoping to see Sir Ian McKellen return to the role of Gandalf in The Hobbit. Many of you have pointed us to the Q&A Sir Ian posted on his blog today:
“Q: Have you been approached yet by Peter Jackson or anyone else about reprising your wonderful role as Gandalf for the two upcoming “Hobbit” movies. I read that principal photography begins in 2009, and I can’t imagine those movies without you!
A: Encouragingly, Peter and Fran Walsh have told me they couldn’t imagine The Hobbit without their original Gandalf. Their confidence hasn’t yet been confirmed by the director Guillermo del Toro but I am keeping my diary free for 2009!”
It seems a given to LOTR fans, but maybe there are actually some people out there who still think Ian McKellen can be replaced as Gandalf in the upcoming ‘Hobbit’ films. As of last night, according this to this report from Ringer Philip, Ian McKellen has not been contacted to reprise his role as everyone’s favorite wizard. Check out Phil’s report and then feel free to make your voice heard in our message boards and other various venues. Read the rest of this entry »