Guillermo del Toro will enter pre-production on the two-film big screen adaptation of The Hobbit after Hellboy II: The Golden Army hits theaters in July. Variety reports that Warner Bros has already had “preliminary contact” with three actors from Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy about reprising their roles for the upcoming prequels:
- Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn)
- Ian McKellen (Gandalf)
- Andy Serkis (Gollum).
Guillermo promises that he is doing everything in his power to bring all the original team back.
“We will all be involved in the script in some fashion but the exact definition is about a week away,” del Toro told the trades. “I am all for keeping the actors who originated the parts, as much as availability and their willingness will allow.”
Basically, del Toro knows he needs to please the fans, first and foremost. It should be noted that on May 24th, WETA will be hosting a one-hour live online chat with Jackson and del Toro to answer the 20 most asked fan questions/concerns. Smart move.
Previously
Serkis lists The Hobbit on his upcoming production calendar on his official website and last month McKellen confirmed to Empire Magazine that he will return.
“Yes, it’s true. I spoke to Guillermo in the very room that Peter Jackson offered me the part, and he confirmed that I would be reprising the role. Obviously, it’s not a part that you turn down; I loved playing Gandalf.”
No word on Ian Holm who played an older Bilbo Baggins in Fellowship, will likely be recast as he is getting too old (76) to play the part.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
I’m glad that this sounds they are taking lots of care and trying to really build this right.
Looking forward to this, even if it’s a far ways off
May 20th, 2008 at 11:12 pm
What possible part could Viggo Mortensen play if the Character Aragorn is not in “The Hobbit”.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:14 pm
Craig: From what I understand, the second film bridges the gap between The Hobbit and Fellowship.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
it’s gonna feel like a family reunion! (the good kind of course) this is just great news to hear.
May 20th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Kinda Sad about Ian Holm, he was drop dead perfect for the role the first go around. But, it does excite me that they are bringing the cast back.
May 21st, 2008 at 1:51 am
@ Craig
What Peter said. I read that the movie following the Hobbit is all new material whereas the first movie will actually be based on the existing book [The Hobbit]. Knowing that it makes complete sense that Viggo would be coming back. I really hope they do get all of the original players because it adds a sense of reality to the world that is Middle Earth ;)
May 21st, 2008 at 4:18 am
Aragon in the Hobbit? Wow, this sounds like a disaster already.
May 21st, 2008 at 9:29 am
@Chimera: Not all-new per se, it’s firmly based on all the texts and notes Tolkien wrote but never published, about that particular period. Aragorn running around in the woods with the Rangers of the North (the hiking club… er, secret society protecting the bloodline of the heir to the throne of Gondor that spawned the name of the occupational title from D&D) is what I really want to see!
May 21st, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Why is Aragorn in this version of the Hobbit? He doesn’t belong, and it shouldn’t work because of how much time passes between the Hobbit and the LotR. That would make Aragorn well over 150 by the time of the LotR…
This way lies madness!
May 21st, 2008 at 2:19 pm
@ Ed: As far as I understand, they’re shooting The Hobbit and the tie-in prequel back-to-back. So Aragorn is probably not in The Hobbit, but in the second one. And Aragorn was close to 300 years when he died, I believe; he was Dúnedain, a race of Men distantly related to the Elves, and as such enjoyed a much longer life-span than common Men. Gods, that I know this stuff is disconcerting…
May 21st, 2008 at 4:47 pm
@ JBQ
Oh, I know that. I was just referring to the fact, like you mentioned, that the second movie won’t be from anything that you can find published. I’m sure that they’ll come up with a suitable transition between the two. Why disconcerting? I’m probably worse than you when it comes to knowing Middle Earth trivia ;)
@Ed
JBQ is right. Aragorn isn’t exactly human when it comes to your typical lifespan so it totally works.
May 31st, 2008 at 11:10 am
Great news RE Hobbit, loved LOTR waited 27 years for the Trilogy hope the Hobbit comes close.
Great to hear about Sir Ian coming back to do Gandalf, I was dubious when he was given the part in the first film but he absolutely nailed it. Hobbit “BRING IT ON”
August 15th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
It’s great that some of the cast will be back, but hey lets give some other Actors a chance. Has anyone noticed only a central core of say less than 50 Hollywood/England actors get roles these days. What ever happened that good English Actor Lewis Collins, why isn’t he in work, he should up there in lights too.