We recently got our hands on what we think is some authentic Bilbo casting and production information which seemed to contradict something we knew with absolute certainty: The Hobbit production wanted Martin Freeman for Bilbo and has since as long ago as last year. Seemingly at odds with that fact was apparently concrete casting details about Bilbo and actors still giving audition tapes. Was the role sewn up or not?
A spy has provided an exclusive clue or two about what the role of Bilbo will be like and even a plot detail and a production outline but we were reluctant to report it because of apparent contradictions, but with all the recent Freeman news, it now fits in context. And yes, you have to read on. This is news you must work for, at least a little bit. Continue reading “Exclusive: Bilbo the Brave? Hobbit casting details”
Posted in:
Share:
Hobbit fans have been waiting for years to see progress on the movie version of Tolkien’s classic novel The Hobbit. Or at least word on what final decision will be made. There is now hope that some answers may be forthcoming.
Stuff.co.nz posted an interview with Peter Jackson mentioning that Warner Bros was “making progress untangling the MGM situation, so we should have certainty with The Hobbit sometime soon”. A decision on whether Jackson would direct the film has not been reached but that verdict likely would be part of any potential announcement.
According to the article, Jackson is anxious to finalize everything in order to “map out a five-year plan for projects that will keep many people very busy”. That would be happy news for the movie industry in New Zealand and the very enthusiastic fan base.
You can read the entire article here.
Posted in:
Share:
Writer and director Peter Briggs spent a little time at the Weta booth during Comic-Con and just as in previous interactions with the TORn staff, he was friendly and funny. Now rumors are circulating that he may be involved in a film with Weta called “Panzer 88.” The premise of the film, talked about by Briggs at a panel during the convention, sounds perfect for Richard Taylor and his team. It reportedly depicts “a German tank crew on the run from a malevolent supernatural entity in the snowy Russian wastes.” Bloody-disgusting.com has a well-written speculative piece on what could be keeping the Peter Jackson / Richard Taylor effects company busy. See the story here.
Posted in:
Share:
Michael Cieply at the New York Times has written a nice piece about how resistance against 3D is forming in Hollywood. He used many sources from Comic-Con and says that filmmakers may carry more clout with studios than people who cough up money to see films. He also quotes a TORn article and our own webmaster in the story that talks about an issue important to film fans world wide.
Posted in:
Share:
It almost seems that the San Diego Comic-Con becomes the center of the entertainment Universe for a few days. Maybe it does. We were there presenting a panel, meeting fellow fans, conducting trivia, grooming sources, hanging out and watching the celebration of popular arts. Despite pen stabbings, incredible (or impossible) lines and vexing shuttle buses, it remains an incredible experience.
TORn was among the very first panels to kick the week off and it helped produce a torrent of film industry folks and fans who wanted to touch base on ‘The Hobbit’ films.
So here is a rundown from the TORn perspective of what went on. Continue reading “Comic-Con wrap up and notebook”
Posted in:
Share:
As we all know from his elequent recent departure from The Hobbitproduction, Guillermo del Toro still has very strong feelings regarding the future of these films.
“As a fan, I hope those movies get made,” del Toro mentioned to an audience at ComicCon during a Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark presentation. He added “And I hope to God Peter Jackson directs them. They’re beautiful and they’re needed in the world.”
The situation at MGM is believed to be the main obstacle for getting The Hobbit off the ground. But the production could ramp up reasonably quickly with del Toro noting that 98 percent of the first movie is already designed along with approximately half of the second one.
You can read the entire article at Entertainment Weekly.
Update: thanks to message board member Theodred for finding a short clip of an interview with Guillermo at Comic Con where he discusses this topic. View the video at mtv.com.
Update: There is another exclusive interview with Guillermo del Toro discussing the same topic, including additional comments on The Hobbit. Read the entire article at Deadline | Hollywood.
Posted in:
Share:
