Hobbit Help

Will Peter Jackson make The Hobbit? When will he make it? With whom will he make it? This gives you a fair idea as to the kind of e-mails we get on a daily basis here in the Empire Online office. So, in a bid to educate and inform, here's the official line on Jackson's future movements through Middle-earth, which may or may not take place at a time in the not-too-distant future. Will Peter Jackson make The Hobbit? "I'd be interested in doing it because I think it would give continuity to the overall chapter," he told reporters recently, indicating that, if nothing else, he certainly is willing. Jackson did point out that he hadn't officially been asked however and that no concrete plans have been made. When will he make it? Well, if he does then it won't be for a while. His next project is the hugely ambitious remake of King Kong, which is to be shot in New Zealand next year and will doubtless take more than a little while to complete. Even if negotiations kicked off sharpish, you're probably not looking at a start date until some time in 2005. Who will he make it with? Ian Holm is probably a little old to play a younger Bilbo without the aid of CG trickery but that doesn't mean an entirely new cast will be called for - Jackson recently said that he'd happily re-cast some of the more 'ageless' characters who appear in both stories. Ian McKellen's Gandalf is one example and the director said that Liv Tyler's Arwen could also make a return. Needless to say Andy Serkis' voice would once again be lent to the cave-dwelling Gollum, who loses his preciousss to Bilbo in the film. So there you have it. It may happen (no promises, mind) but not for a while and when it does we might see some familiar faces. Beyond that, what the future holds for Middle-earth is anyone's guess. Now leave us alone.