Be Part of the Hobbit Cast

Here's something I almost missed. Hobbit fans have a good chance of appearing in the film according to its director.

“I believe as the film comes to happen, in either of the two films, [fans] have a good chance of being there... Sleep with a lot of people if you can! That’s a very good piece of advice. But don’t bribe anyone. It will be wasted money... We will set some rules and some contests and some fans will definitely get the chance of being extras. Go and apply for those roles!”

Hey. Maybe I should go apply. I definitely will if they cast Angelina Jolie and her kids as elves. I would love to appear with Angie in a movie. Hehe.

Guillermo del Toro Picture

Here's a photo of Guillermo del Toro in case you, like me, were wondering what he looks like. I didn't realize that he's almost like Peter Jackson.

But then I also didn't know that Paris Hilton is not Perez Hilton is not Pareez Hilton. Argh. Showbusiness.

MTV Interview with Guillermo Del Toro

I'm late in posting this but its better late than never. From mtv.com:

Q: In the past year, I've spoken with Viggo Mortensen, Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin and Orlando Bloom, and all of them say they want back in. Who should wait by the phone? — MTV News

Del Toro: They said that? I'm a f---ing fan of all of them! The thing is that here and there in the book, in the existing book, there are places to have them almost casually, in secondary roles that are not that important but that would be incredibly enhancing as cameos go. But it is the second movie that is the treasure trove of possibilities. I believe the second movie will be present as an opportunity of enthusiasm and creation. I frankly look forward to that one so much. I really want us to prove that we have a solid concept for that, but the promise of that land is absolutely mind-boggling! I can't wait to mount on the horse and ride, and I hate horses!

Q: When can we hope to hear the title of [the second "Hobbit" film]? — Blueman

Del Toro: When we know where we are going to take it. We are going to have the big pow-wow about story and script, and start those processes officially after taking notes and readings and talking. Then we'll know. Funnily enough, I think the title is incredibly delicate on the second film because it will immediately tell you what it is. It cannot be "The Hobbit 2" because that sounds like "Electric Boogaloo"! [Laughs]

Q: You've repeatedly mentioned your desire to include Ian Holm, but given a lot of circumstances, it seems unlikely to me that he would return for all the action. Would you use him as a narrator, or in a framing device? Something like him reading "There and Back Again" to young hobbits? — MTV News

Del Toro: If Ian Holm is able and willing and in health and in disposition, I would love more than anything to use him. ... I think a lot of people don't take into account the inevitable physical exertion that making two movies back-to-back entails.

So that said, I think that there are many possibilities to keep Ian Holm involved in the movie. I will be as tricky as I can to keep him involved. A narration would be one resource I would absolutely embrace. But as I said before, I believe he created a beautiful, memorable character. He owns it, and we have to honor that. If there is any recasting for the younger part and so forth, it will permeate that decision and affect it. At the end of the day, the answer is we will keep him as involved as humanly and physically possible.

Q: What's the best advice Peter Jackson gave to you about this process? — MTV News

Del Toro: To lose weight! He said to me, "Lose weight, man, because you are not going to survive it if you are that fat!"

Q: Tolkien was a man of deep faith. Do you foresee exploring any theological or spiritual themes in making "The Hobbit" movie ? — K. Cassidy

Del Toro: I believe "The Hobbit" is a narrative that contains characters that are very symbolic of certain human traits. Obviously, pride and greed are easily found in Smaug the Dragon. Then the humble, sort of a sturdy moral fiber that Bilbo has very much represents the idea that Tolkien had about the little English man, the average English man. The dwarves represent other qualities, the elves represent other qualities and, like, in any fairy tale or fantasy narrative that is worth it, all these characters conform to a view of the world that is spiritual, ethical and moral. I think that this morality, this spiritual tale, will play a [large] part in the movie.

Q: I am wondering if you have given any thought to ways you might incorporate some of Tolkien's insights via his paintings and sketches? — Arathorn Jax

Del Toro: I think Tolkien has a great sense of design in his paintings. He has this fusion between medieval illuminations, art nouveau and art deco. It's a very strange fusion. Obviously, there is a guideline there to be followed — up to a point! I do intend to use some of the cues that he laid out that were not used in the trilogy. They will be another influence [I use]; they will not be a dogma just to follow verbatim.

I would so love to see some of the old cast back in The Hobbit. Including them in some cameo roles is a great idea. Zac Efron in a cameo role as an elf would be good too :-)

Guillermo Del Toro on The Hobbit

Via Channel 4:

I tried to get into 'Lord Of The Rings' because that's what my friend recommended, but I couldn't. But 'The Hobbit' grabbed me. I identified with Bilbo - it spoke to me about how the world is out there and how Bilbo led this cloistered existence. How he was dragged from being a little prissy guy into this fabulous adventure with an amazing band of dwarves. The novel starts innocently and it ends - I wouldn't say tragically - but it ends on a very bittersweet note. Sort of the experience of England after World War I - it's the story of losing your innocence but gaining manhood. It's a really fascinating look into that. What's more, it's incredibly easy to like. It's the only one of Tolkien's books that has a facile and engaging personality.

Guillermo, in case you're still looking for actors to cast, may I recommend Ben Barnes. It would be fun if you make him one of them dwarves. Of course you can also make him and elf but I don't think there's a substantive role for an elf in the book. Although, maybe you can expand an elven role for him, huh?

The Hobbit in Two

Argh. That Peter Jackson. Not only is he going to make me wait for years before he shows us The Hobbit. He's also going to cut the movie into two parts according to Channel 4. Argh. Argh. I know. I know. Peter is a genius and all but really it would be better to make just one movie.

Anyways, if there are going to be two movies, I hope it won't take another four years (what is it, the Olympics?) before they release the second installment.

Confirmed: Sir Ian McKellen is Gandalf

There were speculations that Ian McKellen will be reprising her role as Gandalf. Now those speculations are speculations no more. The actor has confirmed that the role was indeed offered to him and that he has accepted the offer.

via digitalspy:
"Well, I haven't had the contract yet but it's everyone's intention that I play Gandalf so yes, I will be returning to the role," McKellen told Empire. "Although it's not until 2010, I'm very much excited about returning."

I'm excited too, Sir Ian. But 2011 [the targeted date of movie release] is such a long wait. What will Hobbit fans be doing between now and then? I guess we'll have to settle for America's Got Talent and its Elvis impersonators, eh?