There are lots of reasons to attend Comic-Con or even follow along at home as the San Diego Comic-Con becomes the very center of the popular-culture universe including a good dose of Tolkien-related material. The 2008 SDCC has a “Hobbit-centric” flavor and kicks off today (Wednesday) has plenty to keep the Middle-earth enthusiast busy including TORn’s very own sneak-peek of the forthcoming pair of movies centered around “The Hobbit.” Read on for everything you need to know about SDCC 08! Read the rest of this entry »
July 22nd, 2008 by Compa_Mighty
| Source: Empire
| Discuss
Forummer diedye posted this piece of news from Empire:
Speaking at a special screening of The Dark Knight at London’s Imax cinema on Monday night, he [Ian McKellen] said: “Well, I haven’t had the contract yet but it’s everyone’s intention that I play Gandalf so yes, I will be returning to the role. Although it’s not until 2010, I’m very much excited about returning.
When asked about del Toro and the look of the movie, Sir Ian answered:
Well, if you’re not going to have Peter Jackson, who else can handle the job? To get an international film-maker of his standing who adores the original trilogy, well I don’t think you could possibly find a better replacement, I think the look will be very much as it was, Weta is still involved, it’s still the same workshops, the same designers, I’ll be there, Andy Serkis (now confirmed to return as Gollum) will be there and Peter Jackson will still be around - not that he’ll interfere too much - so it’ll seem like the old family is getting back together again.
So there you go, further confirmation of several things: no one has been officially cast yet (nothing is signed), Sir Ian and Andy Serkis are to return, everyone’s on board with Guillermo del Toro and the look of the movie is expected to be relatively similar to that of the trilogy. [Empire]
From Maxim and World Entertainment News: Guillermo Del Toro has promised Lord Of The Rings fans his franchise prequel The Hobbit will be very different from his directing predecessor Peter Jackson. Jackson directed the three original films, but has given up his director’s chair for Del Toro. But Del Toro has refused to follow in Jackson’s footsteps, vowing to give movie fans something new. He tells Maxim magazine, “If I thought it was about following (Jackson), I wouldn’t be doing it this way. “It’s a matter of raising on it. I think The Hobbit has a peculiar sprit in relation to not only the trilogy, but also to Tolkein’s work. “It’ll have respect for what’s been done, but also its own individuality.”
After many years, TheOneRing.net is returning to Comic-Con! This year we are honored to be presenting a panel of ‘The Hobbit’ films:
Friday, July 25th 10:00-11:00 TheOneRing.net: The Hobbit— Middle Earth returns with the announcement that The Hobbit will be developed into a feature film directed by Guillermo del Toro and produced by Peter Jackson. The world’s largest Tolkien community, TheOneRing.net, takes you behind the scenes of the latest news, announcements, and rumors pertaining to the production of the new film. Chris Pirrotta (TheOneRing.net), Larry Curtis (TheOneRing.net), Cliff Broadway (TheOneRing.net), Kristin Thompson (The Frodo Franchise), and possible special guests present this early look at making The Hobbit happen! Room 32AB
We hope you can join us for our first panel in over 5 years! [Comic-Con]
In a bittersweet note, forummer DiveTwin reports this note that appeared in Cinematical:
Lee isn’t interested in filming in New Zealand again because it is simply too far away, for too long of a time. You can hear the tiredness in his voice — and perhaps a bit of regret too.
That doesn’t mean Lee isn’t interested in being in The Hobbit at all, however! He’ll appear in the film as long as he can stay in London, and there’s a character he’s quite keen to play. Or rather, voice.
Cinematical gives a link to the original Rushprint.no video interview in which Mr. Lee talks about Return of the King, Saruman not appearing in The Hobbit, him not returning to New Zealand and his offer to voice Smaug. [Cinematical] [Rushprint.no]
Message board member Dive Twin found an interesting article from Kent News in which Andy Serkis said he’s very keen to reprise his role as Gollum:
“Nothing is signed and sealed,” he said. “Gollum and Gandalf are in The Hobbit and whoever says I am in it for sure is assuming it has all been done and dusted. “But you never know in this industry. It would be fantastic to play Gollum again. He is a wonderful character and I enjoyed playing him in the Lord of the Rings. There’s more to be got out of him and more fun to be had.”
We think it would be fantastic for you to play Gollum again too, Andy! Read More
July 12th, 2008 by Altaira
| Source: AICN
| Discuss
Quint at Aint it Cool News interviewed Guillermo Del Toro recently about, you guessed it, Hellboy and The Hobbit. As GDT mentioned here on our message boards, there isn’t really anything new: “I have never been asked so many questions about a project that hasn’t been started or a script that is not written…once you run out of answers you run out of answers,” Del Toro tells Quint. Still, it’s a great read and it’s exciting to hear Del Toro talk about The Hobbit in any context. Thanks to several of you for alerting us to the interview. Read More
TheOneRing.net will be providing a segment on this Sunday’s broadcast of ‘Fictional Frontiers with Sohaib,’ on WNJC 1360 AM, Philadelphia at 11AM ET. This week, Sohaib will be speaking with Xoanon about the latest news and rumors concerning ‘The Hobbit’ movies. And of course, we’ll be taking your calls and giving away some gift cards from Sideshow Collectibles. As always, the show is broadcast live via the internet via the WNJC website. Hope you can join us! [Fictional Frontiers] [Netcast] Join us in chat while the show goes on! [Live Chat]
A number of critics I was sitting near, exclaimed at the end of “Hellboy 2: The Golden Army,” that this movie was an audition as well as proof of how good Guillermo del Toro’s version of “The Hobbit,” could be. I certainly hope it was neither. Going to the zoo and expecting the polar bear and the zebra to look and behave alike will leave viewers puzzled and unhappy with both animals. Read the rest of this entry »
Loading ...
There are lots of reasons to attend Comic-Con or even follow along at home as the San Diego Comic-Con becomes the very center of the popular-culture universe including a good dose of Tolkien-related material. The 2008 SDCC has a “Hobbit-centric” flavor and kicks off today (Wednesday) has plenty to keep the Middle-earth enthusiast busy including TORn’s very own sneak-peek of the forthcoming pair of movies centered around “The Hobbit.” Read on for everything you need to know about SDCC 08! Read the rest of this entry »
Anna writes: 
TheOneRing.net will be providing a segment on this Sunday’s broadcast of ‘Fictional Frontiers with Sohaib,’ on WNJC 1360 AM, Philadelphia at 11AM ET. This week, Sohaib will be speaking with Xoanon about the latest news and rumors concerning ‘The Hobbit’ movies. And of course, we’ll be taking your calls and giving away some gift cards from Sideshow Collectibles. As always, the show is broadcast live via the internet via the WNJC website. Hope you can join us! [
