Official The Hobbit thread

[Boom]

False.

 

[Ponyboy]

None of this is official. Ian McKellen hasn't officially even signed on yet... And he's the main actor in the film. I would know.

 

[Boom]

I hate the idea of Elijah Wood in The Hobbit.

That better ?

But both TheOneRing.Net and Deadline have confirmed Wood's involvement. Take that for what it's worth.

And McKellen not being confirmed yet is truly annoying to say the least.

 

[Ponyboy]

yeah what I meant was, I would know... as in, I'd tell you otherwise if it's not something that's completely off limits to discuss. The idea that's being toyed with is that Elijah Wood is being told the story by Bilbo rather than Frodo reading it. It's not all in "There And Back Again"... you're forgetting that Frodo goes over the sea to rejoin Bilbo.

 

[Boom]

Are you saying you're involved with the project?

 

[Ponyboy]

McKellen has yet to sign a contract my friend. God's honest truth. He's been here to NZ and discussed the matter when he was doing a play here in town (can't recall the name of it... Waiting on God or something)... But never signed any papers. That's not to say he won't jump on the wagon when the time comes.

 

[Boom]

I know. I meant it's absolute ******** that WB is taking so long to sign McKellen.

And I believe you're referring to Waiting for Godot.

 

[Ponyboy]

That's the one. He was here for several days. Bernard Hill and Viggo Mortensen were here at the same time. I also am under the impression that Andy Serkis hasn't signed on either... I believe it's just Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving. There is currently no particular role for Frodo but Wood has agreed to do it if so, so the OneRing is right in that aspect. That's all I can say.

 

[Boom]

I know Blanchett is signed, but I've heard nothing regarding Weaving's status. We also have no clue what they plan to do with Saruman - assuming he's in the White Council scene (which he should be).

And to my knowledge, McKellen was in NZ for Godot months ago. Considering they start shooting in a month, I expected him and Serkis to have been signed by now.

And if they went with the "Bilbo tells Frodo the story" route, I'm assuming it'll be an aged Martin Freeman as opposed to an Ian Holm return. That'll sure as hell piss off the continuity people.

 

[Ponyboy]

Yes, well unfortunately you cannot please everyone. And if you played that game, the films would never get made. For us here, getting Ian McKellen back was the linch pin. Without him as Gandalf, the whole thing is stunted from the get-go.

Weaving is back and I've heard nothing otherwise. Not 100% on his paperwork. I know that McKellen hasn't signed anything. Viggo agreed to come back if needed.

Saruman is indeed part of the White Council however Sir Christopher adamantly refuses to come to New Zealand to film. This is a huge letdown in terms of the White Council scenes... It lent itself to showing Saruman's nobility prior to his downfall, as well making his treachery all the more heinous (in terms of the prior films we made).

Ian Holm has not been asked to return to my knowledge... Although there were talks of him narrating, and I've not heard or seen anything to indicate that he's involved.

 

[Octoberist]

The only way I can see Lee going back to the role is to do two things:

1.) Film the White Council scenes in the UK, though it could be a headache.

2.) Film the White Council scenes in New Zealand and include a BODY DOUBLE for Saruman for wide shots. Then Lee can shoot his scenes in the UK for any close-ups. This maybe include the 4 options, or a combination: recreating the set partially in the UK, greenscreen work, CGI his face over the double's head Benjamin Button style, or super-imposing himself onto the scenes. Again, it's a pain.

I just don't know how they can handle the White Council stuff without Saruman. I mean, if Saru's not present, then wouldn't that be suspicious on his part.

 

[Octoberist]

Yes, well unfortunately you cannot please everyone. And if you played that game, the films would never get made. For us here, getting Ian McKellen back was the linch pin. Without him as Gandalf, the whole thing is stunted from the get-go.

Weaving is back and I've heard nothing otherwise. Not 100% on his paperwork. I know that McKellen hasn't signed anything. Viggo agreed to come back if needed.

Saruman is indeed part of the White Council however Sir Christopher adamantly refuses to come to New Zealand to film. This is a huge letdown in terms of the White Council scenes... It lent itself to showing Saruman's nobility prior to his downfall, as well making his treachery all the more heinous (in terms of the prior films we made).


Ian Holm has not been asked to return to my knowledge... Although there were talks of him narrating, and I've not heard or seen anything to indicate that he's involved.

I'm sure Ian is coming back, especially knowing everyone else (needed) from the old cast is back.

I don't know what's the hold-up. Maybe he's asking for more money due to his age and his commitment; "If they want me to bust my arse again, now in my 70s for this epic, it gonna cost them!".

Or maybe it's because he's still ill informed about that 'union strike' and still has left a bad taste in his mouth.

 

[Ponyboy]

I don't know what's the hold-up. Maybe he's asking for more money due to his age and his commitment; "If they want me to bust my arse again, now in my 70s for this epic, it gonna cost them!".

Or maybe it's because he's still ill informed about that 'union strike' and still has left a bad taste in his mouth.

It was mostly the union strike. Also because the shoot almost went off shore, he was waiting for that to be completely resolved. The shoot is actually going to begin within the next 6 weeks and it can begin without McKellen. I know he's not back in NZ yet as of today.

 

[Octoberist]

Have you heard anything about Michael Fassbender, and his possible participation? I'm sure it's for Bard and because of that, like Ian, he doesn't have to be the set on day one.

 

[Octoberist]

Wants some more casting news? Octoberist is here to feed you:

Andy Serkis is signed out while Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee, and Ian Holm are working out deals. Hugo Weaving isn't mentioned (YET).

I'm told that Andy Serkis has closed his deal to bring back Gollum in The Hobbit, the two films that Peter Jackson will direct in New Zealand starting in February. Serkis will join returning cast members Cate Blanchett and Elijah Wood. Wood's participation was made official last week after Deadline first revealed his negotiations. According to sources, others who appeared in The Lord of the Rings poised to return at this point include Ian McKellen (who's still working out a deal to return as Gandalf in a major role), Christopher Lee is in talks to reprise the wizard Saruman, and Ian Holm to return as an older version of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman is playing that title role in the two new movies).

There was no confirmation from the Serkis' camp, but the character certainly fits a small but important role in the storyline of the JRR Tolkien book. Bilbo is on an epic quest with Gandalf and 13 dwarves led by their King, Thorin Oakenshield, to reclaim the Lonely Mountain and strike down the talking dragon Smaug (I'd heard last year Bill Nighy was a possible to voice Smaug, but have heard nothing since). During that journey, Bilbo wanders into Gollum's lair and finds the Ring of Power. Serkis will likely be there early in the shoot. The chamelon actor, who has become a fixture in Jackson's movies, will do reshoots for The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn. Serkis plays Captain Haddock in the film, a collaboration between Jackson and Steven Spielberg. Spielberg directed the first Tintin film, but it's being posted at Jackson's New Zealand facilities. The Hobbit, a partnership between Warner Bros and MGM, is now being fully financed by Warner Bros, which will distribute worldwide.

http://www.deadline.com/2011/01/andy-serkis-signed-to-reprise-gollum-in-the-hobbit/

 

[Doctor Jones]

Yes!

Great to hear Holm and Lee are working out deals!

 

[marvelrobbins]

Andy serkis bringing gollum back officially Is good news.And hearing Christopher Lee and
Ian Holm working out deals to return Is great news.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

*happy dance*

 

[Boom]

If they do manage to get Lee and Holm back, I imagine their scenes will be among the first ones shot.

 

[Octoberist]

Ian is officially back:

Ian McKellen has signed on to return as wizard Gandalf in The Hobbit, the two-pic adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkien novel being directed by Peter Jackson. The dealmaking on Hobbit for a slew of Jackson veterans from his Lord of the Rings trilogy has been coming fast and furious and comes on the heels of Andy Serkis finally inking his deal to reprise Gollum.

The Hobbit book introduced Gandalf and Gollum, with both characters going on to become part of literature’s most popular characters. Gandalf sets the adventure going in the story and appears throughout the novel. Gollum appears in a chapter that has gone on to be one of the most memorable in all of fantasy literature.

Elijah Wood signed his deal to return as Frodo last week, and Cate Blanchett will play Galadriel once again. Orlando Bloom has an offer to return as elf archer Legolas, though it’s too early to tell if a deal will be made. McKellen, who was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Gandalf, has spent recent years doing mostly voice work for film and TV, although he did star in the remake of AMC's The Prisoner. His last major film role was in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand.

Hobbit starts shooting Feb. 14 in New Zealand.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/blogs/heat-vision/ian-mckellan-set-return-gandalf-69960

 

[Whiskey Tango]

So happy Mckellen is on board.

Gods, anyone else remember when Sean Connery was being considered for Gandalf? Seems really weird to think of that now.

 

[Boom]

FINALLY.

 

[Ponyboy]

For me, getting Sir Christopher back as Saruman is nearly as important as McKellen. I can't imagine it being recast, but having said that, no one else is even being considered for that part...

 

[CGHulk]

FINALLY.

Dude that was me a few seconds ago!

All we now is Serkis and Weaving, all is good in Middle Earth!

 

[Ponyboy]

Serkis and Weaving are on board.