Guillermo Del Toro to direct The Hobbit movie

[Guest]

[ferdinand_the_yak]

Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh as executive producers

http://www.smh.com.au/news/film/ipans-labyrinthis-del-toro-confirmed-as-director/2008/04/08/1207420378413.html

[m.o.b.]

Ian McKellen Reprising Gandalf In Hobbit

British actor Ian McKellen told Empire magazine that he will reprise the role of the wizard Gandalf in Guillermo del Toro's upcoming movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, the Reuters news service reported.

The 68-year-old star played the part in the hugely successful Lord of the Rings trilogy directed by Peter Jackson. Mexican filmmaker del Toro has been named to direct two films based on The Hobbit, which Jackson will produce and co-write.

"Yes, it's true," McKellen told Empire. "I spoke to Guillermo in the very room that Peter Jackson offered me the part, and he confirmed that I would be reprising the role. Obviously, it's not a part that you turn down; I loved playing Gandalf."

The studios have said that filming will begin in 2009, with tentative release dates set in 2010 for the first film and 2011 for the sequel

[LikORish-Spider]

I bet the HOBBIT movie "reprises" the interest in the LOTR cards and sets.

[Roz]

Woo! I'm so excited - PJ & Ian McK are on boaaaaard!

[sfmuggle]

Woo! I'm so excited - PJ & Ian McK are on boaaaaard!

I echo Roz's sentiment.  I never thought this film would ever see the light of day this soon but so very glad I'm wrong 

[ferdinand_the_yak]

I wonder if Ian Holm will reprise his role as Bilbo... he might be too old, but they did a decent attempt at a younger version of Bilbo when he found the ring (flashback scene)

[Roz]

Yeah, I'd love it if they could get WETA to do some magic on-the-fly airbrushing (after all, all 70 year olds in the newspapers look younger than  me these days thanks for some advance paintshop pro or other) - Ian Holm IS Bilbo now :S


orrrrrr.... what about Elijah

[ferdinand_the_yak]

Nah - can't do that Roz! Elijah IS Frodo now

[Roz]

Weeeeeelllll could it not be some family / non family resemblance?

[savage727]

I too echo everyone's thoughts here!     I sure hope Howard Shore is going to create the music for The Hobbit!