Gollum / SmeagolThere 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]

Guillermo Del Toro HobbitRinger forum member Elven reports:

“Ive just got home from an early screening of Hellboy II The Golden Army hosted by PopcornTaxi at the Greater Union Cinema in Sydney, where Guillermo did a telephone Q & A from Berlin after the film…The last question though related to the Hobbit – and Guillermo said that although there was nothing to add at the moment – he can say that scripting has started – and he described the process as something ‘beautiful.‘”

Discuss this exciting news in our message board where news hits fast and furious! [Message Boards]

Del ToroMessage board member Woodyend found an interesting article from the Scottsman which (as usual) touches on The Hobbit amid comments on Hellboy II: “People know that, even in the nicest ways, I am allergic to ideas and memos,” Del Toro sighs. […] As for the freedom issue, he believes that he and Jackson, who will executive produce the prequels, “have a great understanding”. “We both know that The Hobbit, as a book and as an entity, is very different from the trilogy, but that the second movie needs to meld into the trilogy. So I believe I’m going to have full autonomy to rule that world within the parameters and confines that we mutually have agreed are necessary to preserve.” Read More

Ian McKellen RapsFrom wharf.co.uk: He’s been seen in Shakespeare, The Simpsons and the Shire – but now Sir Ian McKellen is branching out into garage music. The venerable actor recorded a Shakespearean sonnet onto a beat created by members of the Limehouse Youth Club. He was invited to the Limehouse Causeway club to launch an open art competition in association with the Narrow Street Fete. He said: “What they did there was great. Shakespeare is all based on beat, rhythm and rhyme, and all those things that rappers deal with.”

Having completed a sell-out run as King Lear, he’s returning to the role of Gandalf in JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit, directed by Guillermo Del Toro. It is set to hit cinemas in 2010. He said: “People are always telling me how much they loved the films. “Fortunately Tolkien wrote another book and Gandalf is in it. I’m delighted.” Thanks to message board member diedye for finding the story. Read More

Peter Lyon, the man responsible for translating John Howe’s visions into LOTR’s workable weapons props, says he is looking forward to working on the Hobbit.The comment came in a reply to a recent fan mail, where he said that, all going well, he was looking forward to “completing the circle” to that part of his life. Lyon did not say whether his involvement was confirmed, but his words do sound hopeful!
Thanks to Josh for the news.