We have highlights from an online chat where Peter Jackson and Guillermo Del Toro answered a bevy of questions regarding their upcoming films. We get the following highlights thanks to our friends over at cinematical:
* Both films (The Hobbit and its Untitled Follow-Up) will be shot back-to-back in 2010, with the first arriving December, 2011 and the second in December, 2012. As far as rating goes, they’re shooting for “an intense PG-13.”
* They will not begin casting until the scripts are written, but said Ian McKellan will “absolutely” return as Gandalf and Ron Perlman will return; most likely not as the voice of Smaug.
* Howard Shore will return to score the films.
* On what exactly the second film will be about, del Toro said: “The idea is to find a compelling way to join THE HOBBIT and FELLOWSHIP and enhance the 5 films both visually an in their Cosmology. There’s omissions and material enough in the available, licensed material to attempt this. The agreement is, however, that the second film must be relevant and emotionally strong enough to be brought to life but that we must try and contain the HOBBIT in a single film.”
* They’re currently working on a Blu-ray version of all three Lord of the Rings films, but it won’t be out this year.
* No plans are being made to shoot the two films in 3D … yet.
Pearlman has a great voice for the legendary gold hoarding dragon, and think it fitting that Guillermo is bringing a favorite of his on board the cast. I fuckin’ love dragons and am pumped to see what kind of beast they are able to create for this film.
Howard Shore did a great job scoring the previous LOTR films, and although it’s no surprise to see him back – I’m glad to hear the news that he’s been locked down. Having the same composer for all of the films will create a thread of sound that ties the series together.
Of the above snippets, I am most interested in the film that will serve as a connector from the Hobbit to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Using fragments of Tolkien’s work and artistic license, they will attempt to craft their own story in another man’s world. I am not opposed to this, I believe in the ability of these gentlemen and think it will be an enjoyable film; but if a mistake is to made in the series – it will be here.
International Friends; what are your thoughts on the above news items?
