We’ve been keeping you updated on the progress of the new Lord of the Rings films, The Hobbit and a sequel to be titled later, and now we have some blurbs to pass on from the mouths of Peter Jackson and director Guillermo Del Toro.
Cinematical posted some highlights from an extensive online chat transcript over on Weta Holics, and if you want to read the entire thing, head over there.
But otherwise, here are the top news items from the chat:
- Both films (The Hobbit and its Untitled Follow-Up) will be shot back-to-back in 2010, with the first arriving December, 2011 and the second in December, 2012. As far as rating goes, they’re shooting for “an intense PG-13.”
- They will not begin casting until the scripts are written, but said Ian McKellan will “absolutely” return as Gandalf and Ron Perlman will return; most likely not as the voice of Smog.
- Howard Shore will return to score the films.
- On what exactly the second film will be about, del Toro said: “The idea is to find a compelling way to join THE HOBBIT and FELLOWSHIP and enhance the 5 films both visually an in their Cosmology. There’s omissions and material enough in the available, licensed material to attempt this. The agreement is, however, that the second film must be relevant and emotionally strong enough to be brought to life but that we must try and contain the HOBBIT in a single film.”
- They’re currently working on a Blu-ray version of all three Lord of the Rings films, but it won’t be out this year.
- No plans are being made to shoot the two films in 3D … yet.
The best news to me is that the Blu-Ray versions of the originals are being worked on, even if it’s still a long ways off. Also having Howard Shore back to do the music is outstanding.
The downside? 2011? Ugh…that is so unbelievably far off. It really reminds me of when I first heard that a Lord of the Rings movie was being made. I believe when I found out, the waiting period for it was around three years.
Such a bummer, but hopefully the length of time to get it done and bring it to theaters will make it worthy of the originals.
Hmmm I’m seeing a trend… 7 posts in a row by Mo… you go Boy!!
I’m with you, I hate seeing movies I want out now with a 2049 release date, there has to be a way to pump these out weekly instead of waitng 3 years to see it!!!
Man, all I can say is that the Hobbit better be as emotionally compelling as the first 3 films. I am so emotionally attached to the films, that I really need a “Lord of the Rings fix” every few months. Very exciting news!!!