Sounds like Guillermo Del Toro being courted for “The Hobbit” may have cast a bit of a cloud on the silver lining of optimism at Universal Studios. Check out this excerpt from a story at Variety.com:
U also was caught off-guard after they aggressively courted Guillermo Del Toro, the filmmaker behind “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “Hellboy.” The studio gave him a first-look deal, picked up a sequel to “Hellboy” with a budget of more than $80 million, and even bought the rights to his dream project, the H.P. Lovecraft epic, “At the Mountains of Madness.”
But U brass was stunned to suddenly see Del Toro emerge as the likely director of the next two “Hobbit” movies for New Line and MGM. That would lock him down for four straight years in New Zealand.
Langley acknowledges, “We’re in discussions with how to rectify that with Guillermo.”
Thanks to board member ‘Compa Mighty’ for the scoop. The full article can be found at Variety.com [Read More]
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Ringer Chris sends along this intriguing spy report that seems to confirm that Howard Shore will be scoring ‘The Hobbit’ films:
Hi there! I was at the world premiere of the Fellowship of the Ring performed live to the film concert in Lucerne/Switzerland last night, at which Howard Shore was present. Before the concert there was a brief talk with him, during which he mentioned that “WE are going to start on the screenplay soon,” when asked about The Hobbit. Imagine my Ringer heart taking a leap of joy. At the signing taking place after the concert, I did ask, just be sure, if I had heard correctly, and Howard confirmed that yes, he will be scoring The Hobbit. He’s hopeful that New Line will work something out with the Tolkien Estate’s because, “It’s too important a project.” Let’s hope he’s right! I should not neglect to mention that the concert was amazing and conductor Ludwig Wicki, the 21st Century Orchestra and Choir, the Luzerner Saengerknaben choir and the soloists got a standing ovation for at least 5 minutes. I can’t wait for March 2009, when The Two Towers concert is tentatively scheduled.
Additional reports are coming in from the event with the same information, you can read more in the forums. [Forum]
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The great folks over at the MTV Movie blog spoke with Elijah wood recently about the rumors of Guillermo Del Toro directing ‘The Hobbit’ movies. Here’s what Elijah had to say:
“I think [Guillermo’s] the perfect choice,” “Lord of the Rings” star Elijah Wood told MTV News. “I think he would certainly honor the previous work that Peter had done.”
Read the complete story over at the MTV Movie Blog. [Full Story]
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The Den of Geek has an interview with Andy Serkis in which Andy, like the majority of the other LOTR alum, express interest in ‘The Hobbit’ films:
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Den of Geek: …Would you be looking to get involved in The Hobbit?
Andy: Yeah, well if The Hobbit happens, and there’s reason to believe that it will, then I think I’m in with a chance! Gollum is very much part of The Hobbit, after all.”
He sure is Andy! We have a tough time believing their is anyone out there who thinks Andy should not return for a second stint at Gollum. [Read the Full Interview]
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The latest news in the director of ‘The Hobbit’ films saga comes from the mouth of Guillermo Del Toro himself, via an interview with EMPIRE magazine:
“I wish it was definite, but it isn’t,” he told us. “It’s still in talks, there are still a lot of ‘T’s to cross and ‘I’s to dot. It’s certainly not certain yet…But, as far as I’m concerned, [if it was definite] I would be packed in ten seconds”.
With the writer strike over things may be progressing quicker now, but we are sure the Tolkien Estate lawsuit can’t be helping! [Read Full Article]
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Kristin Thompson writes: We must have posted on the Wall Street Journal’s news about the Bewkes/New Line situation at about the same time. You might want to add a link to The Frodo Franchise, where I lay out what’s new in the story and give a link to the WSJ story itself. You might want just to add a link to the WSJ story. It’s a lot more detailed than the imdb summary suggests.
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