The Grey Pilgrim sent MTV’s interview with Guillermo del Toro our way where the communicative director had yet more to say about some “Hobbit” movies he is working on. The MTV writer Shawn Adler (with reporting by Josh Horowitz) is one of the few mainstream writers that knows that Middle-earth has a lowercase “earth” and like our own Xoanon asks some questions with real background knowledge. I think I detect a Tolkien fan. Anyway, addressing several of the same issues that have been discussed on our own forums such as GDT’s feelings about high fantasy and casting, we give you MTV. Click Here.

Guillermo Del Toro 2In an exclusive interview with TheOneRing.net, Guillermo del Toro talks about Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Howard Shore, Animatronics vs CGI, the ‘tone’ of the upcoming ‘Hobbit’ films and much more!

We had the opportunity to chat with Guillermo del Toro this morning from his current HQ in London. He’s hard at work putting the finishing touches on ‘Hellboy II: The Golden Army’ and taking interviews from news outlets about that film, and the recent announcement that he’ll be doing ‘The Hobbit’ and a subsequent Hobbit sequel down the line.

First things first, YES, that is him on our message boards, he told me he intends to post there as often as he humanly can. And yes, he is as cool and approachable as he sounds. Take a look at my interview! Continue reading “Guillermo del Toro Chats with TORN About ‘The Hobbit’ Films!”

Guillermo del Toro and Peter JacksonVariety and Stuff.co.nz are reporting that the deal is done, and fan-favorite director Guillermo del Toro will take on the ‘Hobbit’ films!

From Variety.com: [Full Story]

In a major step forward on “The Hobbit,” Guillermo del Toro has signed on to direct the New Line-MGM tentpole and its sequel.

The widely expected announcement came Thursday afternoon jointly from exec producers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, New Line president Toby Emmerich and Mary Parent, the newly named chief of MGM’s Worldwide Motion Picture Group.

Del Toro’s moving to New Zealand for the next four years to work with Jackson and his Wingnut and WETA production teams. He’ll direct the two films back to back, with the sequel which will deal with the 60-year period between “The Hobbit” and “The Fellowship of the Ring,” the first of the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

New Line is overseeing development and will manage production. Both pics are being co-produced and co-financed by New Line Cinema and MGM, with Warner Bros. distributing domestically and MGM handling international.

From Stuff.co.nz: [Full Story] (Image above courtesy of Stuff.co.nz)

The official announcement was made in Hollywood by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson – who will co-produce The Hobbit – fellow producer Fran Walsh, and executives from New Line Cinema and MGM.

Jackson and Walsh said del Toro was “a genuine storyteller” of outstanding ability.

“A true original, Guillermo is a cinematic magician who has never lost his child-like sense of wonder. He understands that the fantastic must be grounded in the real and that all stories are only ever a reflection of ourselves,” say Jackson and Walsh.

“We have long admired Guillermo’s work and cannot think of a more inspired filmmaker to take the journey back to Middle-earth. We are delighted ‘The Hobbit’ is in such trustworthy hands.”


Don’t know what to do with yourself? Jump into the forums or into Barliman’s chatroom to talk with Tolkien fans throughout the world! [Forum] [Barlimans Chat]