You can add Brad Dourif to the list of ‘LotR’ alumni who have expressed an interest in returning to Middle-earth.   Brad was at DragonCon a couple of weeks ago, and was asked if he would reprise his role as Grima Wormtongue in the second ‘Hobbit’ (or “bridge”) film should the writers find a way to include the character.  His response?  “Of course!”  Stay tuned to TheOneRing.net for more information!

082708_hobbitIt has been well documented that Guillermo del Toro will approach the original The Lord of the Rings cast to reprise their roles in Middle-earth should the script call for it. News comes today from the MTV Movie Blog that one such actor, John Noble, won’t be available:

“If they said, ‘Would you come and play Denethor again,’” Noble said, “I would have to say, ‘No, I’m doing [new J.J. Abrams television series] ‘Fringe’! And I certainly couldn’t play a younger Denethor or even Ecthelion now that I’m an older John. Not even with makeup.”

For the full story, jump on over to the MTV Movie Blog. [Read More]

con2008-header_logoThe phone rang early Friday morning, informing TheOneRing.net founder and Webmaster Calisuri that there was a line of around 150 people waiting to get into the 10 a.m. speculative panel on ‘The Hobbit’. Lines at the convention, which expects over 130,000 visitors each day of the event, are not uncommon. What was unusual Friday morning was that the San Diego Convention Center hadn’t even opened yet and there shouldn’t have a been a way for the people to get there at all, much less in line. Continue reading “There just isn’t enough ‘Hobbit’ to go around”

gandalf.jpgForummer diedye posted this piece of news from Empire:

Speaking at a special screening of The Dark Knight at London’s Imax cinema on Monday night, he [Ian McKellen] said: “Well, I haven’t had the contract yet but it’s everyone’s intention that I play Gandalf so yes, I will be returning to the role. Although it’s not until 2010, I’m very much excited about returning.

When asked about del Toro and the look of the movie, Sir Ian answered:

Well, if you’re not going to have Peter Jackson, who else can handle the job? To get an international film-maker of his standing who adores the original trilogy, well I don’t think you could possibly find a better replacement, I think the look will be very much as it was, Weta is still involved, it’s still the same workshops, the same designers, I’ll be there, Andy Serkis (now confirmed to return as Gollum) will be there and Peter Jackson will still be around – not that he’ll interfere too much – so it’ll seem like the old family is getting back together again.

So there you go, further confirmation of several things: no one has been officially cast yet (nothing is signed), Sir Ian and Andy Serkis are to return, everyone’s on board with Guillermo del Toro and the look of the movie is expected to be relatively similar to that of the trilogy. [Empire]

Comic-ConAfter 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]