Del Toro does Hobbit! | Movie News

Del Toro does Hobbit!
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by: Dave Davis Apr. 24, 2008

For reals this time! Seriously! I mean it!

After months of discussion, speculation and almost-theres, New Line, MGM and Peter Jackson have officially announced that our beloved Guillermo del Toro will handle the live-action adaptation of THE HOBBIT, as well as a second film bridging Bilbo Baggins' tale with Jackson's LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy.

The downside? Don't expect to see AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS anytime soon, or any of the other dozen or so projects Guillermo has discussed in the past few years. As Variety says, he's not gonna be around for a while: "Del Toro's moving to New Zealand for the next four years to work with Jackson and his Wingnut and WETA production teams. He'll direct the two films back to back, with the sequel which will deal with the 60-year period between THE HOBBIT and FELLOWSHIP".

So there you have it.

Source: Variety

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Extra Tidbit: Since the role of Bilbo will likely be re-cast, who's best suited for the job?

24 discussions Expand all
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Paulie
10:07PM on 04/26/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Bilbo re-cast? Ian Holm did such an amazing job with his role that I can't for a second imagine anyone better. However, if he's too old by now, I guess there's no other option. Bilbo is supposed to be more agile in The Hobbit afterall.
Bilbo re-cast? Ian Holm did such an amazing job with his role that I can't for a second imagine anyone better. However, if he's too old by now, I guess there's no other option. Bilbo is supposed to be more agile in The Hobbit afterall.
 
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Malaguy
1:52PM on 04/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
yes!
It's about fucking time! While Hellboy wasn't the best it could be, due to studio interference, (the Dir Cut was way better) and I was kinda 'eh' about Pan's Labyrinth, HB II looks badass. Either way, the man obviously has talent, so I think this could work out for the best.
It's about fucking time! While Hellboy wasn't the best it could be, due to studio interference, (the Dir Cut was way better) and I was kinda 'eh' about Pan's Labyrinth, HB II looks badass. Either way, the man obviously has talent, so I think this could work out for the best.
 
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Stratburst
12:44PM on 04/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Not necessarily. In LOTR, Gandalf told Bilbo that "You haven't aged a day." With that in mind, they might just decide to go with Ian Holm as Bilbo again.
Not necessarily. In LOTR, Gandalf told Bilbo that "You haven't aged a day." With that in mind, they might just decide to go with Ian Holm as Bilbo again.
 
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Arvindh
11:31AM on 04/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
NOT SO SURE...
So far I'm the only guy here who's not sure if I should be excited or not about this news. Not only am I not a hge fan of Pan's Labyrinth (actually I kinda didn't like the flick at all)(no wait, I kinda actually hated the thing), but I also don't like Hellboy all that much either. LOTR movies are my favorite to date, and although I know Del Toro's probably the best shot next to Peter Jackson,...
So far I'm the only guy here who's not sure if I should be excited or not about this news. Not only am I not a hge fan of Pan's Labyrinth (actually I kinda didn't like the flick at all)(no wait, I kinda actually hated the thing), but I also don't like Hellboy all that much either. LOTR movies are my favorite to date, and although I know Del Toro's probably the best shot next to Peter Jackson, I'm not so sure if this movie will turn out to be all that it should be. That's just my opinion.
 
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FrogSimmons2
10:13AM on 04/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
morgan freeman!!!
great news! good for del toro...



MORGAN FREEMAN as Bilbo! can't go wrong.
great news! good for del toro...



MORGAN FREEMAN as Bilbo! can't go wrong.
 
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nodirectionhome
9:50AM on 04/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
joe pesci should play bilbo; just need a little spackle and some paint to make him look younger.
joe pesci should play bilbo; just need a little spackle and some paint to make him look younger.
 
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corran horn
9:27AM on 04/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
McAvoy for Bilbo
SO delighted by this news. As for who could play Bilbo, my choice is James McAvoy. Not only does he have the talent, he also looks the part. However, they might have to age him a little.
SO delighted by this news. As for who could play Bilbo, my choice is James McAvoy. Not only does he have the talent, he also looks the part. However, they might have to age him a little.
 
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Trans-Warp
7:08AM on 04/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Time to dust off that old LotR special edition dvd box... Alright, maybe it's a bit premature. Regardless, way to go Del Toro!
Time to dust off that old LotR special edition dvd box... Alright, maybe it's a bit premature. Regardless, way to go Del Toro!
 
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porkchopexpress
6:36AM on 04/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Thank fuck for that!!! Best news of the year, I'm so excited a bit of wee came out. I'm loving the idea of Martin Freeman for Bilbo and I know McKellen expressed interest in returning. What a great day!! : )
Thank fuck for that!!! Best news of the year, I'm so excited a bit of wee came out. I'm loving the idea of Martin Freeman for Bilbo and I know McKellen expressed interest in returning. What a great day!! : )
 
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theotherness
5:57AM on 04/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I seriously was hoping for AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS sooner, but hey, if this helps Mr. Del Toro get the greenlight for the funding it would take, it would be awesome.



Incidentally, however, this in itself should be...ridonkulously f*cking AWESOME!
I seriously was hoping for AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS sooner, but hey, if this helps Mr. Del Toro get the greenlight for the funding it would take, it would be awesome.



Incidentally, however, this in itself should be...ridonkulously f*cking AWESOME!
 
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plkrtn
4:20AM on 04/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
4 years??
Great decision.

But 4 years? Thats strange considering they play to have the 2nd film out in 2011.... Working on Halo possibly?
Great decision.

But 4 years? Thats strange considering they play to have the 2nd film out in 2011.... Working on Halo possibly?
 
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BekindRewindme
2:15AM on 04/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Martin Freeman
Snowboy is right. Martin Freeman would be great as Bilbo!
Snowboy is right. Martin Freeman would be great as Bilbo!
 
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X-KID
12:21AM on 04/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
back to middle earth
This is the best news I've heard today, I admire Guillermo for taking on such a time consuming task of bringing these two films to the big screen,but they'll be awsome flicks, and I'll be there to watch them, if I'm still alive till then, otherwise I'll have to come back from the dead, wait, that means no Hell Boy III untill 2015?
This is the best news I've heard today, I admire Guillermo for taking on such a time consuming task of bringing these two films to the big screen,but they'll be awsome flicks, and I'll be there to watch them, if I'm still alive till then, otherwise I'll have to come back from the dead, wait, that means no Hell Boy III untill 2015?
 
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wrtrvc
12:04AM on 04/25/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Awesome news

I can't wait to see what he does with the spiders and the dragon.

The big question though -- will he keep the line "It smells like Elves!" and the scene with singing Elves popping out from behind trees?
Awesome news

I can't wait to see what he does with the spiders and the dragon.

The big question though -- will he keep the line "It smells like Elves!" and the scene with singing Elves popping out from behind trees?
 
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Alexmonty
11:47PM on 04/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
So it's unanimous, Del Toro is the best choice (Sorry Raimi you blew your chance). The Hobbit needs someone who adds magic and creativity to the story's transition to the film.



As for the other projects, We just have to be a little more patience. The more success he achieves in this big budget money-maker film for the studio, the more liberty he'll have to make his films the way...
So it's unanimous, Del Toro is the best choice (Sorry Raimi you blew your chance). The Hobbit needs someone who adds magic and creativity to the story's transition to the film.



As for the other projects, We just have to be a little more patience. The more success he achieves in this big budget money-maker film for the studio, the more liberty he'll have to make his films the way he wants.
 
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The Attorney
11:03PM on 04/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I agree with xrats
I think del toro's creatures will be a little more out there. Look at it this way as well: for the most part del toro hasn't had HUGE budgets for his films so just imagine what he may be able to do with +$100 million.



I must admit I haven't read the book so I'm not sure what "creatures" are involved but I'm sure they will be darker in tone and bizarre.
I think del toro's creatures will be a little more out there. Look at it this way as well: for the most part del toro hasn't had HUGE budgets for his films so just imagine what he may be able to do with +$100 million.



I must admit I haven't read the book so I'm not sure what "creatures" are involved but I'm sure they will be darker in tone and bizarre.
 
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xrats
10:55PM on 04/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Excellent news, the 2nd best director for the project besides Jackson. Though I'll love to see del Toro's interpretation of this world. I'm sure some of the monsters will be a little more out there.



Big question though, is McKellen coming back?
Excellent news, the 2nd best director for the project besides Jackson. Though I'll love to see del Toro's interpretation of this world. I'm sure some of the monsters will be a little more out there.



Big question though, is McKellen coming back?
 
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FenderBoy
9:48PM on 04/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
YES!!!
So excited. Seriously, I just had a LoTR marathon (don't get the chance to do that often since each film is 4 hours long!) and have been dying to hear the official word. Can't wait to go back to Middle-Earth, see Ian McKellan as Gandalf, and I totally think Martin Freeman is the perfect choice for Bilbo
So excited. Seriously, I just had a LoTR marathon (don't get the chance to do that often since each film is 4 hours long!) and have been dying to hear the official word. Can't wait to go back to Middle-Earth, see Ian McKellan as Gandalf, and I totally think Martin Freeman is the perfect choice for Bilbo
 
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Vnqshr
9:19PM on 04/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
don't get me wrong, I love Del Toro, and can't wait to see what he does with The Hobbit, but part of me wishes he would just continue with his other projects like At The Mountains of Madness and the apocalyptic movie he talked about at ComicCon. I just feel that Jackson could do them, and give DelToro a chance to do his own stuff...but yes...Freeman would be a great Bilbo.
don't get me wrong, I love Del Toro, and can't wait to see what he does with The Hobbit, but part of me wishes he would just continue with his other projects like At The Mountains of Madness and the apocalyptic movie he talked about at ComicCon. I just feel that Jackson could do them, and give DelToro a chance to do his own stuff...but yes...Freeman would be a great Bilbo.
 
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Snowboy
9:17PM on 04/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
WOOHOO
That just made my day much better.



And Martin Freeman would be an excellent choice for Bilbo.
That just made my day much better.



And Martin Freeman would be an excellent choice for Bilbo.
 
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Jack_Torrance
8:23PM on 04/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I really hope del toro can pull these off. and yes, cast martin freeman right now! he could hide the ring in a jello mold...
I really hope del toro can pull these off. and yes, cast martin freeman right now! he could hide the ring in a jello mold...
 
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gatorfan34
8:06PM on 04/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
IQuitMrWhite
Martin Freeman would be an excellent choice
Martin Freeman would be an excellent choice
 
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IQuitMrWhite
7:55PM on 04/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
well, we all knew it was going to happen. glad to hear it's final.

Bilbo: Martin Freeman from Hitchhiker's and the British Office
well, we all knew it was going to happen. glad to hear it's final.

Bilbo: Martin Freeman from Hitchhiker's and the British Office
 
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spikeshinizle
7:50PM on 04/24/2008 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Awesome.
These films are going to kick some serious ass. We've all known that Del Toro was on board for a while, but it's still great to have official announcement.

It's also awesome to hear that he's devoting such a large amount of time to it.
These films are going to kick some serious ass. We've all known that Del Toro was on board for a while, but it's still great to have official announcement.

It's also awesome to hear that he's devoting such a large amount of time to it.
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