Exclusive: Del Toro Gives Hobbit Update On the original cast and that law suit
We caught up with Guillermo Del Toro but a few minutes ago and asked him for an update on the current situation with The Hobbit. Many sites have been reporting that his deal to direct is signed and sealed and just waiting for an end to the writers' strike before it's announced. But that’s not so, he says.
“I wish it was definite, but it isn’t,” he told us. “It’s still in talks, there are still a lot of 'T's to cross and 'I's to dot. It’s certainly not certain yet…But, as far as I’m concerned, [if it was definite] I would be packed in ten seconds”.
Many will know that earlier this week the Tolkien estate announced that they are suing New Line for money they say is owed them from the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which could potentially mean the studio loses the rights to make The Hobbit.
“I heard that, but I’m quite zen about those things,” Del Toro continued. “Since that news broke, I have not exchanged a single phone call with my lawyer or my manager or anyone. They talk about it and I have received some emails, but, as far as I’m concerned, until I’m on board I should not worry about it. I read about it, but there’s nothing I can do about it. This week seems to be the lawsuit week in Hollywood”.
Finally, if, fingers crossed, he does put pen to paper to direct The Hobbit and its sequel, we asked him if he’d bring back any of the Lord of the Rings cast whose characters appear in The Hobbit, like Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen.
“Yeah, absolutely. I’ve been pretty much incredibly open about the things that I love and don’t love in the past. I’ve turned down huge franchises in the past because there are parts of that world I don’t gel with. The reason I took Blade 2 is because I love the characters that Stephen Norrington created and the actors he used. That times ten is the reason why I’m interested in The Hobbit”
There may be lots of bizarre typos and randomly inserted symbols in stories in the near future, as we'll be typing with fingers crossed that this will finally happen.
To read more on The Hobbit and the rest of the directors upcoming movies, read our exclusive interview with Del Toro here.
Del Toro, eh? I can live with that. I mean sure, I'd prefer to see Peter Jackson back on the bill, as I'm sure everyone else would, but Del Toro's also got a good head on his shoulders and providing he keeps with the spirit of LOTR, I'm eager to see what he comes out with. ... Read More
1) That picture of Del Toro could be from a Kubrick movie
2) "We caught up with Guillermo Del Toro but a few minutes ago" -- Don't you just smile when you can type that, Olly?
O, and 3) Del Toro would be the best choice, besides Jackson, to do The Hobbit. Yay! ... Read More
I like GdT, even if I wish that Jackson was directing. I'm sure it won't be much worse. I hope this lawsuit gets settled sharpish, it would suck if New Line lost the rights. Oh and by the way, why do you keep using that Freddy Krueger-style photo of him? ... Read More
...but I can't help hoping this lawsuit ties everything up until Peter Jackson has finished with Tin Tin so he can direct it himself. I had my fingers crossed the writer's strike might help in that regard, but now that's over, I'll be keeping an eye on what the Tolkien estate does next. But if Jackson really can't do it, Guillermo is a perfect second choice. On another side note, something I've been thinking about: Del Toro has said he's keen to maintain continuity with the other films, but he n... Read More
I loved Pan's Labyrinth and enjoyed Hellboy and Blade 2, and The Devils Backbone was one of the best ghost stories I'd seen.... but i know what to expect from this guy if he makes the Hobbit. Im not feelin excited about the prospect of him making it. Why not get someone a bit more unpredictable, like Alfonso Curan or beg Spielberg to make it. ... Read More
Y'know, Del Toro isn't the God everyone seems to want us to bow down to, but I'm quite happy he's taking the helm if Jackson can't do it. I'd still prefer Jackson, but I'll still eagerly anticipiate Del Toro's Hobbit. ... Read More
I was thinking to myself that there had been no Del Toro new this week. Would be unsettling if there wasn't at least one update/production announcemnt/interview. ... Read More
i watched hellboy the other day,and all i can say is NOOOOOOOO,SLOPPY ACTING,AND MEDIOCRE DIRECTION.blade 2 was a 3 star at best,and pans labyrinth bored the shit out of me.i hope this is all net roumor.jackson should get lovely bones out of the way,sod tin tin and do the hobbit instead. ... Read More
At least we'll get something slightly new and different - don't get me wrong, The Lord of the Rings trilogy is untouchable, but there's over nine hours of it already. This way we'll get a film with the same DNA, but slightly fresh, like Fellowship was back in 2001 when no one expected it. ... Read More
