With the recent news, from the somewhat questionable source at The Sun, that Martin Freeman has declined to be a lead in two ‘Hobbit’ films, it is time to talk Bilbo Baggins.
While we have no information (yet) if Freeman actually turned down the role, we can say with absolute certainty that he was the first choice to step into the hairy Hobbit feet as early as last year. Developing and keeping good sources means that sometimes secrets must stay secret but since Freeman has been outed now, we can definitively declare that ‘The Sun’ article is absolutely talking about the right actor and so the rest of the story may well have merit. Continue reading “Martin Freeman was ‘first choice’ for Bilbo”
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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.
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Ain’t It Cool News sat down with Guillermo del Toro to talk about his upcoming projects and other topics, including The Hobbit. As in other interviews, Guillermo expressed disappointment over his departure but reiterated his confidence in ultimately making the correct decision.
However, he did mention there is still involvement in The Hobbit. Not directing, of course. And he would still love to see Peter Jackson take the reins. Del Toro says he’s still “an active writer” as well as “an active partner in their quest” to get The Hobbit made. He also remarked that while he is in favor of 3D overall, he felt it would be inappropriate for The Hobbit. He said “it needed to be consistent with the trilogy” and that if used it could take “a little bit away from the classicism of the tale”.
You can read the entire interview here.
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In an article by Australia’s Herald Sun about the re-release of James Cameron’s Avatar in 3D later this month and his upcoming producing role on GDT’s next directorial project At The Mountains Of Madness, there’s some very interesting information on James Cameron’s thoughts on GDT directing The Hobbit.
“I was telling him for a long time to get out of that thing because there is only room for one captain on the ship,” Cameron says. “Instinctively I knew that Peter was going to take over and do the movie. Guillermo, to his credit, didn’t listen to me and wanted to do continue and had some great designs – and I have seen all the designs. Of course he would have done a spectacular job, but don’t we want to see Peter do it? He should do it and Guillermo should do his thing. That’s what I told both of them – you should just stay in your corners.“
Speaking of the designs for The Hobbit, it might be good to recall that in an interview with James Cameron by Ain’t It Cool News last August on the then to-be-released Avatar, there was mention of James Cameron having seen WETA’s designs for The Hobbit. A snippet from that article reads:
Cameron mentioned that he’d seen some of their [WETA’s] design work on THE HOBBIT and that it really is the original trilogy world created by Weta and Peter Jackson, but with a slight influence of Guillermo del Toro’s style. Cameron said the two styles mix perfectly together.
Back then, GDT used to frequent our message boards, and joined in our discussion about the AICN article. Here’s what he had to say:
For what is worth: Jim and I have been dear friends for over 17 years now. But that has not prevented us being very critical of each other’s work through the years. Just so you know- he would NEVER declare anything like this if he didn’t feel that way. What he saw were very strong designs and maquettes: GOBLINS and their environment, SMAUG (fully designed but without final color / texture), SPIDERS OF MIRKWOOD, MIRKWOOD, STONE TROLLS, WARGS, IRON HILL DWARVES, GUNDABAD ARMY, THRANDUILL’S THRONE ROOM etc, etc and he was delighted. This for me, as his friend, and as a filmmaker, meant a whole lot. You will / may disagree at the end of the process but, I assure you, this IS his opinion.
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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.
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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.
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