Sylvester McCoyIt was a year ago, right around Comic-Con 2009 when the rumors where swirling all over the interwebs that Doctor Who (David Tennant) was going to be cast as Bilbo Baggins. That never seemed quite right and then the actor denied it. Did the world just have the wrong Dr. Who? Screenrush says Dr. Who IS going to be cast as Bilbo but the right man is Sylvester McCoy, not Tennant, which makes a lot more sense. The story is starting to pick up steam around the web but Screenrush is way out front on this one and did the work to get an official “no comment” from an agent. McCoy, at 66, was thought to be a major contender for Bilbo in Peter Jackson’s LOTR trilogy and his casting would be a major sign that casting is skewing a little older this time around as studios feel less of a need to scramble for certain viewer demographics. Tennant never seemed right, but McCoy? Well, screenrush.co.uk could be on to something. And of course, we will check every source to try and confirm but until there is a greenlight, we suspect nothing will be official. In fact, he could be up for Thorin or another roll instead of Bilbo.

“The Hobbit” still has not been officially greenlighted, but director Peter Jackson is in Los Angeles this week quietly meeting with actors. The casting trip, which also included stops in New York and the U.K., underscores the progress being made on a complex series of deals to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel to the big screen.

Sources say Jackson’s pact with Warner Bros. to direct the two-part “Hobbit” adaptation is close to done, but the sticking point continues to be the dire financial situation at MGM, which holds half the rights to the property. More..

From www.smh.com.au When The Diary’s Hobbiton correspondent, Steve Meacham, spoke to Sir Ian McKellen, he made sure to ask him about – what else? – the possibility of his reprising Gandalf in a film adaptation of The Hobbit. ”I’m waiting to hear when the Hobbit is going to be made,” McKellen said. ”We don’t know who is going to direct it. Peter Jackson is currently the producer and he’s currently casting it. I’ve just been to Wellington where I met a lot of people who have been working on it for a year now. The sets are being built. The costumes are being designed. The creatures are being designed. It is all ready to go. Continue reading “More Gandalf Magic”

We have been spreading unofficial rumors that TheOneRing.net would be presenting a panel at Comic-Con but the official website confirmed it today: At 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, July 22, in room 7AB founder Calisuri, the incomparable Quickbeam and fan advocate MrCere will present the latest unofficial new about ‘The Hobbit’ movies and everything else there is time for. Guests possible but not promised. If you haven’t heard, returned tickets are now available to the general public from the previously sold out Comic-Con. TORn will also be sharing space with Weta at the Dark Horse booth (#2615) and selling really cool shirts! We hope to see you there.

Guillermo del Toro popped up at the Saturn Awards and Collider corned him for an interview about all kinds of things including his involvement with “The Hobbit” and his future projects while Deadline’s report that Peter Jackson is negotiating to take over directing duties of the Hobbit are lighting up the internet.

The Saturn Awards honor the best in science fiction, fantasy and horror which means del Toro is right at home and while walking the press line he stopped and talked about past present and future on video for about 20 minutes. He still hopes to make an announcement at or around Comic-Con about his next project and he talks a about working with Jackson, Fran Walsh, Phillipa Boyens, Weta Workshop, Alan Lee and John Howe. He even talks about his man cave and says his Comic-Con experience is like Sarah Jessica Parker in a shoe store. And, his is pretty funny! (“I dress like bleep, I drive an old car and I spend all my money on crazy art or toys.”)

TheOneRing.net has yet to get a confirmation of the Jackson report but Deadline is pretty solid and we promise to update as soon as we get official word one way or another. GDT compared talking about “The Hobbit,” to speaking about a girlfriend the day after a painful breakup.

Guillermo del Toro Talks THE HOBBIT, HELLBOY 3, FRANKENSTEIN, AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS, SATURN AND THE END OF DAYS from ColliderVideos on Vimeo.

Moviehole is relaying a report from The Herald-Sun that Australian actor Simon Westaway has auditioned for the role of lead dwarf Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit.  

Oakenshield, being the leader of his people, was determined to reclaim the treasure stolen by Smaug.

Westaway has played Mick Gatto on the first season of TVs “Underbelly” and had roles in Terry Malick’s The Thin Red Line, Happy Feet and Babe: Pig in the City.

The paper adds that Cate Blanchett is expected to reprise her role as Galadriel in the film.  What do TORN readers think?  Add your comments on the message boards!