While nothing has been officially signed just yet, it sounds like a lock that Hellboy 2 director and all around cool guy Guillermo del Toro will take over the directorial reigns from Lord of the Rings trilogy mastermind Peter Jackson and helm the two planned Hobbit films for New Line. Today’s announcement in the trades comes after much speculation, beginning last December when Jackson and New Line finally settled their disagreements over profit participation for the prior billion-dollar grossing Tolkien adaptations. Other directors that have been tossed around for the Hobbit projects include Spiderman 3’s Sam Raimi and Children of Men’s Alfonso Cuaron.
Each film is said to have a lavish budget of $150 million, and filming is scheduled to begin simultaneously on both in 2009, with a release in 2010 for The Hobbit, and 2011 for the untitled mystery meat film that is rumored to connect The Hobbit to The Lord of the Rings. Can you imagine what del Toro might pull out of his brain and realize on screen with $300 million? Sheeesh.
All in all, I feel this is the best choice, almost like it was meant to be.
January 28th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
YES.
This best be true… although this means he can’t make The Deathly Hallows…
January 28th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
After seeing Pan’s Labyrinth I can see only great things for the Hobbit if del Torro is chosen. His imagination and creativity will bring a new vision on Middle Earth.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Color me pleased. Raimi so did not deserve the franchise.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:23 pm
Hey Hunter. What was meant to be would have been Peter Jackson. del Toro was killer in Pan’s Labyrinth, but what can he “Pull from his brain” to mix it up. Most people who’ve read the book several times and loved it, would like him to stick to the books keen edge. HOWEVER, if you mean what he can pull from his brain for visually stunning effects and beauty, I’m with you.
I just feel like you want him to turn this classic into something dark and twisted, and adding his own zany ideas. But tell me this, do you think Peter Jackson would have done just as gorgeous of a job? Or is he “OUT” now because Return of the King was out Sooooooo long ago? And del Toro is the new Golden Boy? And finally, do you think Ian Holm should return as Bilbo and Ian Mackellen as Gandalf.
Please don’t give me the trendy west coast Peter Sciretta answer.
ZL
January 28th, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Awesome
Both Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro make very real fantasy, its a great choice.
Just no things with eyes in strange places…..wait the spiders…oh well.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
This was a great decision by Peter Jackson and Co. They might as well hand over the Oscars right now, these movies are going to be spectacular.
January 28th, 2008 at 2:33 pm
the balance is maintained
January 28th, 2008 at 2:42 pm
I’d rather Guillermo direct the two Deathly Hallows movies. This is upsetting.
January 28th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Woah woah woah!
Wait a minute. GDT in my eyes is the only person other than Peter Jackson that would handle this type of sophistication it needs. Of course GDT would be aware that there would be die hard fans walking into the movie with movie authenticity checklists. what GDT will give you will be more than what you will see in any illustrations. He will bring that world to life.
“into something dark and twisted”
Well, my nephew and niece still have LOTR nightmares from the Peter Jackson films thank you very much. I think GDT knows how to evoke beauty, and wonder in all aspects of his films.
He’s already mentioned the storyline would almost go unchanged. Hobbit fans are just afraid of anyone reimagining the story. Well, let me say this:
You should be glad it’s GDT doing it and not some scrub director. You guys are getting the best of both worlds in PJ producing and GDt directing. Be happy. I can’t wait for ATMOm to be realized.
January 28th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I could care less for Harry Potter, this is terrific news.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
del Toro is a fine choice for the visuals, but I think it’s pretty clear that the “best choice to direct The Hobbit” would be Peter Jackson.
Emphasis on best.
January 28th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
@zachy legend
No, sorry if you misunderstood. I meant that it will be sweet to see what GDT is able to do visually with $300 million - sets, creatures, sfx, atmosphere, et al. I’m quite sure GDT and PJ will be remain faithful to the book and Tolkien, as they should be. Of course the second Hobbit film will give GDT free reign creatively.
And to answer your question. Not sure if this is the “West Coast” answer you were dreading, but PJ could def direct these films if he wanted to. Are you kidding? However, I actually prefer to see GDT’s vision, as I do think it will be “darker and creepier” and more mystical than PJ’s. PJ had three films to see his vision through and did a terrific, legendary job, but I wouldn’t be as interested in his Hobbit as I am del Toro’s, to be honest. And yes, I’d expect the Ians to return if applicable, as they should. Continuity should not cease with ROTK. And yes, ROTK was far too friggin’ long, almost ruined it for me. Is that the West Coast answer? If so, did the best I want to do. ;)
January 28th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
this is great news! Raimi did NOT deserve these, he still needs to redeem himself for SM3. I was just hoping for GDT or Alfonso Cuaron for this or The Deathly Hallows - either director for either set of films, and with this one almost settled, i’m hoping they hand TDH films over to Cuaron. GDT on the Hobbit films and Cuaron on TDH films and i’ll be in nerd heaven!
January 28th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
It’s ridiculous to say that Raimi needs to “redeem” himself after SM3….. the first and second SM movies were infinitely better than Blade 2 or Hellboy, though both of those movies had fine creature effects, but I don’t think he (like Tim Burton) is as good of a storyteller.
I think del Toro is a perfectly fine choice, but I’ve been holding out a sliver of hope that Jackson would end up directing The Hobbit. He’s clearly the best possible person for the job.
January 28th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
^ clearly Sam Raimi
January 28th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
Guillermo del Toro is a fine choice (although I’d prefer Peter Jackson, but ah well). What bothers me is the whole two movies idea. The Hobbit plus some other mystery movie? What’s that all about? If it isn’t The Silmarillion or Lost Tales, or other original work of licensed Tolkein material, then I’m skeptical to say the least. What will it be, fan fiction? Sheesh, no thanks. This second movie sounds to me like an excuse to exploit Tolkein’s beloved material, instead of a reason to honor it and respect fans by delivering what they want. And last I checked, when Tolkein fans were given what they wanted, the studio made nearly $3 BILLION WORLDWIDE. That’s all the proof you need that the studio can have it’s cake an eat it, too. I trust Jackson, but to New Line execs: keep your corporate d*ck in your pants! Don’t ruin this!
January 28th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
This is a great pair-up. Jackson and GDT? Hell yes!
GDT’s attention to character and world detail mixed with Jackson’s big “scope” of picture style will compliment each other. I was very worried Raimi would have got it. While I think Raimi is a competant director. He’s still a very B-movie type of guy. Even his Spider-Man films have that B-movie (but with a huge budget) feel to it.
Plus GDT will add cool-looking “fairies” to the LOTR world ;)
January 28th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
I’m with Randal on this one..
. ” Those fuckin’ hobbit movies were boring as hell. All it was, was a bunch of people walking, three movies of people walking to a fucking volcano”
:p
January 29th, 2008 at 12:40 am
He’s the only man for the job. I can’t wait. Specially since GDT has a background in visual effects.
January 29th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
While I think this is the best choice to continue Peter Jackson’s vision - in fact both Directors are similar in tone and feel - especially their use of practical over visual effects - it does mean that GDT will not get to shooting “At the Mountains of Madness” any time soon! I really wanted to see GDT do Lovecraft…
January 29th, 2008 at 2:19 pm
GDT Hobbit
An excellent choice to follow Jackson.
January 30th, 2008 at 3:44 am
guillermo del toro!!! we are not worthy!!!although peter jackson would of course be the number one chice ,i think gollum,bilbo,and gandalf are in store for one HELL of a ride!!! ARRIBA DEL TORO!!!eres un orgullo para todos nosotros!!! y gracias!!!
January 30th, 2008 at 3:44 am
*choice
February 5th, 2008 at 1:01 am
Del Toro is the superior choice. Jackson did a wonderful job on his movies but he didn’t exactly stick to the story. He seems to have some kind of love affair with elves and a certain lack of respect for dwarves. The elves in the LOTR novels aren’t as “cool†as they are in the movie, nor are they as serious. They prance and dance and sing a whole lot more. In the books, Gimli is much more stoic and serious. In the movies, he’s almost a buffoon relegated to a position of comic relief. Even Bombur isn’t that much of a clown.
My point is that in The Hobbit, the dwarves have to be respected. Dwarves such as Thorin, Balin and Dwalin must be revered… and should not be involved in drinking contests or making jokes about dwarf tossing.
Hopefully, the same creative team is in place, including Weta Workshop and the relevant individuals. Hopefully, Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis are available. Hopefully someone realizes that Ian Holm is much too old to play an almost “boy†hobbit who is still on the verge of manhood.
March 17th, 2008 at 3:14 am
i am a descendent of celtas, i am little as a hobitt, y will love to be part of the movie this is my adress..
hobitt power!!
March 17th, 2008 at 3:15 am
i am a descendent of celtas, i am little as a hobitt, y will love to be part of the movie this is my adress..
hobitt power!!
chawkowsky@hotmail.com