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McKellen And Serkis Ready Willing And Able To Rock The Hobbit
We have further confirmation today from the mouths of McKellen and Serkis that they are ready to rock the Hobbit. We get the following scoop from our friends at cinematical:
TheOneRing.net has gotten word from Del Toro that, “all bureaucracy pending,” McKellen is on board to play Gandalf, and Andy Serkis is happy to again lend his body to Gollum. Further confirmation of McKellen’s intention to return comes from McKellen’s official website (which he maintains himself), where he includes The Hobbit in his filmography. And Serkis seems to have done the same.
In the interview, Del Toro also makes the promising announcement that he plans to treat Peter Jackson’s films “as canon,” with the only major changes being greater use of animatronics (rather than pure CGI) and a subtly different color palette.
This is no surprise, and we have heard it before – but additional confirmation is always welcome. I think having the same actors play Gandalf and Gollum will be a great way to add cohesion with the trilogy; and it will be a hit with fans. I know I was quite pleased to hear that McKellen was on board, and think it was an obvious decision to make.
Del Toro calling Jackson’s trilogy “cannon” is a statement that is loaded with respect. Del Toro has no desire to blaspheme the series. He will build upon the work of Jackson with the intent of making it gel flawlessly to the trilogy. With Jackson still onboard as a producer, it’s not like Del Toro had a choice – but it’s nice to hear him speak these words, and I cannot foresee any problems between the two.
I’m interested in seeing the finished work from the hands of these powerful collaborators. After the Hobbit is done I wonder if we will see more projects with Jackson producing and Del Toro directing. Will this be the next generation’s Spielberg/Lucas?
I really think Del Toro was an outstanding choice for this film. I loved the LOTR trilogy and am looking forward to more adventures in middle earth. This film can’t come soon enough.
”with the only major changes being greater use of animatronics”
Oh my god, 1 phrase has never made me more happy.
CGI is just used far too liberaly these days. Even when the outcome is garanteed to look horrible, they still use it. I have far greater respect for someone capable of deciding when to do CG, and when to use animatronics then someone who just uses CG all the time, no matter how good it looks, it often just doesn’t always look right (cough lucas cough)
You said it Seb!
Indeed; a perfect example would be the first time we see the Alien Queen in ‘Aliens’. When that thing pops it’s face slowly out of it’s hood and roars….IT IS REAL. You never doubt the thing is alive and it still freaks me out a billion viewings later.
I hope to get the same effect the first time we see Smaug.
I am looking forward to this one! I can’t wait!
Mark Salinas, MN
Can’t wait for theis. McKellan and Sirkis both have The Hobbit 2010 down as confirmed roles on their respective websites. This is great news indeed. Hopefully they’ll be able to get all the characters involved in The LOTR to reprise their roles in The Hobbit. Even more will be involved from The LOTR cast if they include The White Council segment in Mirkwood as part of the 2nd Film. We could get a look at Saruman when he was Head of The White Council.
That would be bitchin!
does anyone know about the status of Ian Holm getting on board??
I know i heard him say a couple of years ago he wouldnt want to be in the Hobbit. But now with GDT on board im hoping his mind is changed.
I know hes old but with todays CGI and makeup it would be easy for him to be in it. I dont know if i could handle a new Bilbo :(
plus they gotta bring back Hugo Weaving to play Elrond!!
Del Toro mentioned that he would like to have ian on board, even if it was only for a small role. It would be good to have him the the 2nd movie when the character would be older anyway, near the time of The LOTR’s movies.