"We're still working on the script, and of course it's going to be directed by Guillermo [del Toro]," Jackson said in an exclusive interview with SCI FI Wire. "That's going really well, and in fact we've already delivered the first script to the studio, and they really liked it, so now we're working hard on the second script, and that's going to keep us pretty busy until the end of this year."

*****

Jackson is well known as being a very hands-on filmmaker. So just how involved will he be during The Hobbit's shoot next year? "Well, I'm not intending to be on the set every day looking over his shoulder," he said with a laugh. "It's Guillermo's movie, and he'll be filming it, not me. The reason he's directing it is because I'm a big fan of his movies, and I know he'll do a fantastic job. I know he's the right guy for the project, and I love his amazing sense of visual and imagery. So I won't be interfering with his approach."

Del Toro is also collaborating with Jackson and his team on writing The Hobbit. "We're all on the same page [about the project], and it all starts with a good script," Jackson said. "We're big believers in structured screenplays, and the thing with our screenwriting partnership, with Fran and Philippa, is that we don't have a traditional screenplay deal with the studio. We don't have two drafts and a bunch of revisions. We refuse to put that into our contracts, as we continually rewrite and refine the scripts as we go."

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Ian McKellan Talks The Hobbit

Ian McKellan told reporters that he definitely will be involved in The Hobbit film. He was just heading off to dinner with director Guillermo del Toro.

"I'm having supper with Guillermo del Toro this evening," McKellan said in a group interview on Jan. 8 in Universal City, Calif. "You're asking me about 12 hours too early."

Preproduction on The Hobbit is underway. "I've been promised I am [going to be involved]," McKellan said while promoting his upcoming AMC miniseries The Prisoner. "And as Guillermo del Toro's directing it, I should be so lucky. And in New Zealand, a place I love, so it's almost an ideal job for me."

Though it may have been too long since McKellan's last book report to quote specific passages from The Hobbit, he still can't wait to speak wizard again. "He's got the best lines, hasn't he?" McKellan asked.

We can't wait to see McKellan reprise his role as the wizard Gandalf once again.

Posted on January 9, 2009
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Guillermo del Toro Wants Original LOTR Actors for Hobbit Movie

Guillermo del Toro wants the original Lord of the Rings cast to reprise their roles in The Hobbit trilogy that the will be directing.

Sure, not all of their characters appear in The Hobbit, but with a second, transitional film that takes place in the years between the two novels, could we possibly see Aragorn, Frodo, Galadriel, and the rest back for another go round? To hear the actors themselves say it, the answer was a resounding yes.

Well, it's time to put down the pipe weed, Viggo, dust off those ears, Cate, practice your archery Orlando, and get ready to walk around barefoot, Sean and Elijah -- you're about to get asked to go "back again."

"I want to be very clear about this. I am not going to recast any actor that is willing and able to work with us," recently announced Hobbit director Guillermo Del Toro told MTV News. "It would be my hope to bring back the same actors to play the parts. The casting on the trilogy was perfect."

Does that mean he has no intention of re-casting Bilbo as well? Well, not exactly. For Guillermo's ideas on who should play Bilbo, make sure you head over to Movies Main, where the talented director talked at length about his plans for The Hobbit, including chatter on Smaug, Riddles in the Dark, and more.

Variety reports that negotiations are already underway with Viggo Mortensen. Presumably he'd show up in the second and third films, although he was patrolling the Shire as a Ranger back then and hunting for Smeagol. The timelines will have to be juggled a bit, no doubt. We wonder who will play a young Bilbo?

Posted on May 21, 2008
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Is Peter Jackson Back on Board for The Hobbit?

We hardly dare to hope that this is really true, but The L.A. Times is reporting that New Line is once again speaking to Peter Jackson about the possibility of directing The Hobbit.

Eager to move ahead with "The Hobbit," New Line has quietly been trying to mend fences with "Rings" filmmaker Peter Jackson, who has sued the company over his share of profits from the first "Rings" films. When asked if it was true that company insiders had been in talks with Jackson's reps, Shaye replied, "Yes, that's a fair statement. Notwithstanding our personal quarrels, I really respect and admire Peter and would love for him to be creatively involved in some way in 'The Hobbit.' "

Fans want Jackson in the director's chair for The Hobbit and no one else. Shaye needs to make it happen. Grovel if need be, but make it happen.

Posted on August 13, 2007
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