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.

Guillermo Del Toro 2In 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! Continue reading “Guillermo del Toro Chats with TORN About ‘The Hobbit’ Films!”

gandalf.jpgAstute 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]

Elijah WoodSeveral clips of Elijah Wood’s appearance last week on Britain’s Friday Night Project are now available on YouTube. If you remember, the staff of the Friday Night Project contacted TORn early last week in search of Tolkien Fans for the audience. Elijah definitely has a good time as the show’s guest host, takes a lot of good natured ribbing, and talks at length about both The Lord of the Rings movies and one of his latest projects, The Oxford Murders, set to open this year. Check out the clips and see if *you* could pass the “who knows the most about the guest host” quiz! Thanks to Garfeimao for the link. Watch the clips

cate_blanchett.jpgCate Blanchett and playwright husband Andrew Upton welcomed Ignatius Martin Upton into the world yesterday. Initial reports were that the Sydney-based mother and child were both well. The baby boy weighed in at just over eight pounds (3.6kg). Blanchett and her husband, who have shared co-artistic director responsibilities at the Sydney Theatre Company since January, already have two sons: Dashiell, 6, and Roman, 3. The NIDA graduate will next be seen alongside Harrison Ford as Agent Irina Spalko in the fourth film of the highly anticipated Indiana Jones franchise, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The film opens nationally on May 22. Read More