“The Hobbit” still has not been officially greenlighted, but director Peter Jackson is in Los Angeles this week quietly meeting with actors. The casting trip, which also included stops in New York and the U.K., underscores the progress being made on a complex series of deals to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novel to the big screen.
Sources say Jackson’s pact with Warner Bros. to direct the two-part “Hobbit” adaptation is close to done, but the sticking point continues to be the dire financial situation at MGM, which holds half the rights to the property. More..
Calling his decision to walk away from directing The Hobbit “the biggest heartbreak of my life professionally”, Guillermo del Toro is getting ready to bounce back.
Del Toro plans to attend Comic-Con to be part of a preview for Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, a horror film he both produced and co-wrote. He clearly still likes to excite his fans and noted “We’re gonna announce a few things at Comic-Con that are surprises. But I’m probably going to announce my next directing project right after Comic-Con. It’s a pretty big one.” That should perk up the ears of those who love his movies.
While del Toro truly was saddened to leave The Hobbit (possibly to Peter Jackson’s direction), he did tell Entertainment Weekly that “at the same time, I’m entirely at peace with it.” Read the entire article here.
From www.smh.com.au When The Diary’s Hobbiton correspondent, Steve Meacham, spoke to Sir Ian McKellen, he made sure to ask him about – what else? – the possibility of his reprising Gandalf in a film adaptation of The Hobbit. ”I’m waiting to hear when the Hobbit is going to be made,” McKellen said. ”We don’t know who is going to direct it. Peter Jackson is currently the producer and he’s currently casting it. I’ve just been to Wellington where I met a lot of people who have been working on it for a year now. The sets are being built. The costumes are being designed. The creatures are being designed. It is all ready to go. Continue reading “More Gandalf Magic”
Garfeimao writes: While Guillermo may no longer be directing the Hobbit, he is much beloved, so TORn readers attending comic con may be interested in the fact that he will be appearing at the Gentle Giant booth on Saturday, July 24 to promote the new line of Pan’s Labyrinth figures. Ooh, and check out those figures, the Faun is amazing.
Meanwhile, not officially announced yet by Comic-Con but TheOneRing.net will be kicking off the annual popular culture mega-event known as Comic-Con in San Diego Thursday morning. And the good news is, turned in tickets are NOW AVAILABLE until they sell out again any minute! Click right here immediately and plan to have fun with us Thursday, July 22, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. room 7AB. More..
It’s here! KING KONG 360 3-D opens TODAY at Universal Studios Hollywood! To launch the highly-anticipated, next-generation attraction featuring the famed 25’ tall gorilla, Hollywood stars, and TORn’s very own Quickbeam, gathered at the premiere to be the first visitors to take the ride. Peter Jackson, appeared 3-D via an enormous HD flat screen monitor to introduce the ground-breaking 3D technology that is employed in the new attraction. Check out TheOneRing.net’s unfettered access to the attraction, the park and the folks on the red carpet!
And if you are in Los Angeles soon, don’t forget to take the Universal Studios backlot tour to see KING KONG 3-D for yourself! [Learn More]
Universal City, CA — “King Kong 360 3-D” created by Peter Jackson, the world’s largest most intense 3D experience, made its debut today on the famed Universal Studios HollywoodSM Studio Tour, combining a ground-breaking use of Surround Digital 3D film and thrilling visceral effects to create a next-generation theme park experience. Continue reading ““King Kong 360 3-D” Star Studded Premiere”