Hold on to your hats kids, it looks like Guillermo del Toro is directing The Hobbit. Not just one, but BOTH of the upcoming Lord of the Rings prequels!
We’ve known for some time that it was either going to come down to Guillermo del Toro or Sam Raimi, and it looks like for one reason or another, Guillermo del Toro is going to be the one heading back to the Shire! The folks at Yahoo News give us this:
Guillermo del Toro is in talks to direct back-to-back installments of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” which is being co-financed by New Line and MGM.
Few filmmakers have the cachet that del Toro has, as well as a deep love for the source material, an assured grasp of fantasy filmmaking and an understanding and command of geek culture as well as its respect. Del Toro has built that goodwill through such films as the Oscar-nominated “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Hellboy,” “Blade 2” (which was made by New Line) and “The Devil’s Backbone.”
All I can say is.. WOW! This is probably the ideal situation. I’ve personally been very big on the idea of either a Raimi or perhaps a Frank Darabont vision of middle earth, but in reality there probably isn’t anyone better for this particular job on the face of the earth than Guillermo del Toro (with the understanding that Jackson wasn’t going to do it himself). del Toro has a visionscape for an imagination and knows how to completely NAIL the idea of darker fantasy without it seeming childish at the same time (Pan’s Labyrinth is one of the best fantasy/fairy tale movies I’ve ever seen).
This is terrific news! So what do you think? Excited to see del Toro take the reigns, or was there another director you were really hoping for?
Nice this is sweet!
I am awesome
honestly, im not sure about this. i love del Toro’s work, but i feel with this story anyone othrer than peter jackson will just fall short of what he could of done. i know the reason jackson gave for why he isn’t directing, but i’d rather wait 10 years to see them and see them done flawlessly than have anyone else do it. no matter who they get, I’ll always be wondering what i’m missing without peter jackson directing,
It is for the best that Jackson doesn’t do this. He did the hell out of the 3 Lord of the Rings movies, putting everything he had into them and did great.
Just like the new Batman movies, a fresh start will be extremely successful as Del Toro is a visionary.
After Pan’s Labyrinth, Del Toro is my favorite director, screw Peter Jackson, Del Toro will go Spanish Civil War on him.
This is fantastic news, both in choice of directors and that the project is going forward. Pan’s Labyrinth was an incredible film that firmly established del Toro’s “fantasy cred”.
@probitionate… I really hope you’re trying to be funny with a satirical invocation of über-geek qasi literary criticism. If so, I offer a meager chuckle, if not… wow.
@Sir Jig-A-Lot… “Lord of the Rings saga has had it’s run while HP has not”?!? uh…what? Do you have any sort of defensible context for this statement? I think this is pretty damn subjective and ought to be qualified as such. I’d much rather see The Hobbit made than any more formulaic Harry Potter movies, but that’s just my opinion.
I hope McKellan is still up for doing Gandalf…tough to think of anyone better!
Two installments? hhhmm…Hopefully that means that they’re able to squeeze alot of the events from the story into the movies. Del Toro’s Gandalf better be a badass. I hope his Middle Earth looks different from Jackson’s
Ok everyone… It seems you are all quite happy that the Hobbit is finally being made… And since we are all HUGE FANS of the LOTR trilogy how can we not be happy… I’m stoked…
However…
There’s a few lies I’ve read on the net stating that Peter Jackson was too busy to make the Hobbit (which is complete utter bull shit & propaganda)…
Jackson & New Line Cinema are in a Law Suit over disputed monies that Jackson is claiming that New Line Cinema have short paid him for the “Fellowship of the Ring”… So he claims… Hence he knocked back New Lines Offer to him to have him Direct the Hobbit until the lawsuit was sorted out.
I am extremely excited that the Hobbit is going ahead… But let’s not forget, none of this would be possible & neither “New Line” nor “MGM” would have the opportunity to back these films if it wasn’t for the great imagination & directing ability of Peter Jackson…
10 points for Peter Jackson & Lets hope Del Toro won’t let us down & the great job the Peter Jackson began…
No, Kristina—! It will be Herimone that slaps Harry Potter! LOL
What about Harry Potter? i don’t think that Del Toro is going to do both. And what about Peter Jackson is he going to be involved in the project in any way or not?
And finally what about H.P. Lovecraft’s Mountains of madness Del Toro said that he whants to do it but when?
Darren, I don’t need to see Harry go emo and slap Hermoine.
Afterthought:
Sam Raimi for Harry Potter!
he’s a great director but I would like to see him directing Harry Potter 7.
If this becomes fully offical, it would be great … great producer, great director, great story … how many great things can you have in one movie?
– … out
Does this mean that he won’t be doing the last Potter movie? Aww… I was looking forward to that. I think he’d be better suited for Potter, honestly, but I guess The Hobbit is a good fit, too.
Yes! YES!!!
This is a dream come true!! I am so happy.
del Toro is going to make The Hobbit kick so much ass!!
I’m so glad PJ made the right choice and didn’t go with Raimi. I personally think Sam Raimi is overrated.
It’s funny but the first thought through my head was “what’s poor Sam Raimi going to do now?”, because i really want him to get away from Spider-man. This is fantastic news though. There is no better director to honour the foundations PJ laid but bring his own uniqueness to it.
But who will direct Harry Potter 7(s) now?
Great news!Guillermo del Toro is a terrific director and pans labyrinth is one of the best movies i’ve ever seen.
This is great news, I loved Hellboy and Pans Labrynth was an amazing fantasy movie.
The Hobbit is totally different than LotR so to have another director doing the Hobbit seams ideal.
To see Del Torro’s version of Middle Eart will be very fun, I really can’t wait!
if this is true this is freakin sweet…..i remember seeing the old hobbit cartoon and del toro is a master of fantasy like that…..after seeing pan, this will no doubt be amazin
..he has some experience on the genre (In the Name of the King: A Dungeon Siege Tale)
I think I’ll be stoked when they start announcing films based on the *good* stories from Tolkien, those from the First and Second ages. Everything else pales in comparison.
Uwe Boll!!!!
PERFECT!! at least we can be certain del toro wont screw this up!! which is the best feeling!
craig
Perfect, just perfect.
I’m stoked, or at least I WAS until I looked at the post again.
Says Yahoo News/Reuters.
So says Gio Campea.
“In talks” is far different than actualy “having” the job. However, the way I see it?
If Del Toro is the director, I love it.
If Sam Raimi is the director, I love it.
If Neil Blomkamp is the director, hang yourself.
yes sing it from the roof tops fuck me what a great way to start the day let me say it again FUCK yes thank you for starting my day off right
@ Seve L – i just think the Rings saga has had it’s run. HP hasn’t. Guillermo would bring the Potter series to a nice finish. i don’t mind him doing the Hobbit thing as i think he’d do a kickass job as long as it’s after Deathly Hallows.
call me selfish ;-)
As soon as I read the title, I said “What? Jackpot!”
I’m very excited.
@ Sir Jig-A-Lot and townes
I think Burton’s vision for a Hobbit movie would be too dark for something being headed up by Peter Jackson. If anything I think Jackson would want someone who might share his vision and Del Toro is about the closest (in my eyes at least).
Then again it’s all a matter of preference, I didn’t see the Hobbit as a dark book. But you may have and others might as well.
yup. i say go with Burton for The Hobbit & let Del Toro do the Deathly Hallows.
This is the best thing that could happen to the hobbit!
It’s gonna kick ass!
Awesome.
This is great news and I think a perfect fit for Lord of the Rings! Maybe we can start seeing more good fantasy type movies like this…perhaps even a Drizzt movie!
YES YES YES YES YES, but yeah I’m hoping he’ll still be able to do the last (2 I hope) Deathly Hallows movies.
All around the world…at this VERY moment…millions of film fans are creaming their pants over this news.
I actually predicted on MOVIE MOAN that Raimi would end up getting the job for HOBBIT. But it’s good to be wrong sometimes!
HOLY FUCKIN SHIT!
i was already exited, now i am officially STOKED for The Hobbit!
Tim Burton
Does this get in the way of him directing a two part Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows movie? Because, honestly, I would rather have him direct HP than The Hobbit.
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About the best news you could hear from this project. I prefer Del Toro rather than Raimi, but either woiuld have been great.
That has got to be the best news I have heard in a while. I love Del Toro. He is perfect for the Hobbit.