Tuesday, October 13

• Updates on The Hobbit from Ian McKellen

  In an interview with Empire, Gandalf — Ian McKellan, that is — provided an update on the status of The Hobbit and suggested that, despite all the recent threats to the project, everything is proceeding on schedule. On schedule for a slow-moving ent that is. Even McKellan seems amazed at the drawn-out production schedule:

  The scripts for the two [Hobbit] films will be delivered very soon. Then they'll be budgeted, and then they'll be cast. And they'll be going when they've always said they would be, which is next spring — March or April.

  Guillermo even told me at one point, "We're going to film for 383 days." He's got that artistic autism! Jackson's the same; they're very, very, very alike. They're also very different, but they've so much in common. They both can't stand Hollywood and have wonderful imaginations, and they're both obsessed with gore and fantasy. Both of them laugh a great deal. Guillermo's one of the most brilliant men I've ever met. His English vocabulary is way superior to mine.

  As far as casting goes, he warned fans not to expect too many familiar faces:

  Unfortunately, there won't be many of the actors going back, unless they're going to put masks on and be disguised as dwarves! Andy Serkis [Gollum] is, at the moment, I think, the only other actor who's doing this film.

  Of course, everyone is also expecting Hugo Weaving to reprise his role as Elrond, but still no word on that or who will play Bilbo yet.

  
  

  Posted 10/13/2009 by Bill

  Related: Ian McKellen | Andy Serkis | The Hobbit

Friday, September 4

• Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson Don Bowler Hats in New Image from Tintin Production

  It looks like Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson are trying to make a fashion statement promoting The Adventures of Tintin, the 3-D motion-capture trilogy they're both producing. The Spanish site Estrenos de Cine just published this photo, which they received from Sony Pictures.

  In the photo, the two directors don antiquated bowler hats, a particularly common article of clothing in the Tintin universe. We agree with the folks at Cinema Blend who say that it's rather bizarre seeing Jackson all lithe and trim. Maybe his former hobbit-esque physique was a very prolonged publicity stunt for Lord of the Rings. Either way, it doesn't stop us from getting excited about Tintin, which unfortunately isn't due in U.S. theaters until December 23, 2011.

  The story is based on the Belgian comic strip series that first appeared in the late 1920s. The comic follows Tintin, a Belgian reporter, and his sidekick dog Snowy as they embark on various adventures across the globe. Paramount and Sony, who are producing the movies, decided to release the first movie, Secret of the Unicorn, in international cinemas beginning in late October 2011, ahead of the domestic release. This is due to its familiarity abroad and its lack of exposure in the States. Spielberg will direct that movie, while Jackson will take over for the second.

  The current cast includes British star Jamie Bell in the title role and Daniel Craig as his nemesis. Also cast are Andy Serkis (Gollum in Lord of the Rings), Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Gad Elmaleh, Toby Jones, and Mackenzie Crook.

  You can check out the official English-language Tintin site for more pictures and videos from the production.

  
  

  Posted 09/04/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Daniel Craig | Mackenzie Crook | Nick Frost | Simon Pegg | Steven Spielberg | Peter Jackson | Gad Elmaleh | Jamie Bell | Toby Jones | Andy Serkis | Tintin

Friday, June 12

• Guillermo del Toro Confirms McKellen, Serkis, and Weaving Returning for The Hobbit

  Many fans are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Guillermo del Toro's vision of The Hobbit, due in 2012. For the uninitiated, The Hobbit is based on the J. R. R. Tolkien book of same name, which takes place before his Lord of the Rings trilogy.

  Several of The Hobbit's characters were featured in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies — leaving many to wonder if members of Jackson's cast would appear in del Toro's adaptation. According to the director himself, we can expect at least three familiar faces. In an interview with BBC Radio 5, he confirmed (around the 2:10:45 mark) that Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, and Hugo Weaving will reprise their roles as the wizard Gandalf, the treacherous Gollum, and the elf lord Elrond, respectively.

  No other casting decisions have been announced. The screenplay was written by del Toro and Jackson, along with Lord of the Rings co-writers Phillipa Boyens and Fran Walsh.

  
  

  Posted 06/12/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Hugo Weaving | Ian McKellen | Peter Jackson | Guillermo del Toro | Philippa Boyens | Fran Walsh | Andy Serkis | The Hobbit

Friday, May 29

• Steven Spielberg's Tintin Due in December 2011

  Steven Spielberg's The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn finally has a release date. Variety and The Hollywood Reporter confirm that the 3-D motion-capture feature, which went into production this past January, will arrive in U.S. theaters on December 23, 2011.

  The story is based on the Belgian comic strip series that first appeared in the late 1920s. The comic follows Tintin, a Belgian reporter, and his sidekick dog Snowy as they embark on various adventures across the globe. Paramount and Sony, who are producing the movies, decided to release Secret of the Unicorn in international cinemas beginning in late October 2011, ahead of the domestic release, due to its familiarity abroad and its lack of exposure in the States.

  The movie is the first in a series of three adaptations, with the second to be helmed by Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson. Spielberg and Jackson are also producing the series, along with Kathleen Kennedy. The current cast includes British star Jamie Bell in the title role and Daniel Craig as his nemesis. Also cast are Andy Serkis (Gollum in LOTR), Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Gad Elmaleh, Toby Jones, and Mackenzie Crook.

  You can check out the official English-language Tintin site, which includes pictures from the production and a video message from Spielberg and Jackson.

  
  

  Posted 05/29/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Kathleen Kennedy | Mackenzie Crook | Nick Frost | Simon Pegg | Steven Spielberg | Peter Jackson | Gad Elmaleh | Jamie Bell | Toby Jones | Andy Serkis | Tintin

Monday, January 19

• Dominic Monaghan in The Hobbit?

  When it comes to The Hobbit, the prequel to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, Ian McKellen returning as Gandalf or Andy Serkis returning as Gollum seems natural, considering their characters' involvement in the original J.R.R. Tolkein novel, but Dominic Monaghan and his fellow hobbits returning seems odd, since their characters were not even born when The Hobbit takes place. Still, that's precisely what Monaghan revealed to MTV: "They really want us to come back, and I think there's a really strong chance that we might be back."

  The return of Monaghan and company would have to include some serious re-writes, however. "We're not in 'The Hobbit,' no, but I think the idea in [Peter Jackson's and director Guillermo del Toro's] heads is that the trilogy of the Lord of the Rings films was so beloved by the fans that they're really keen to try to say thank you for the support that they gave to the Lord of the Rings movies and possibly bring back some of those characters that they know and love."

  Whether Monaghan and company will appear in The Hobbit or its sequel, which will link the movie to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, is uncertain.

  One thing that is is clear is that Serkis is ready to protect his "precious" again as Gollum: "I am going to really be looking forward to it," he told ComingSoon.net, "I mean the combination between [Del Toro] and Peter is extraordinary as well. I know they are writing at the moment."

  
  
  Next Showing: The Hobbit is scheduled for December 2011

  Posted 01/19/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Ian McKellen | Peter Jackson | Dominic Monaghan | Guillermo del Toro | Andy Serkis | The Hobbit | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers | The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring