Actor Ian McKellen (X-Men) will return to the Shire in his familiar role as the great wizard Gandalf the Gray in the upcoming trilogy of films to be based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.”
McKellen, now 68, made the announcement in the latest edition of Empire Magazine.
The last time we saw him in Tolkien’s universe was in the “Lord of the Rings” (LOTR) trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson.
For the Hobbit films Jackson will stay out of the center seat, at least for the first one and second one, and famed “Pan’s Labyrinth” filmmaker Guillermo del Toro will direct entries one and two. Jackson will act as the film’s producer.
“Yes, it’s true,” McKellen said. “I spoke to Guillermo in the very room that Peter Jackson offered me the part and he confirmed that I would be reprising the role. Obviously, it’s not a part that you turn down, I loved playing Gandalf.”
“The Hobbit” will enjoy the same gorgeous scenery as the LOTR because all three of the films will also be shot on locations throughout New Zealand.
The shooting schedule is all set for next year with film number one slated for release sometime in 2010 and the second in 2011. All three movies will be filmed back-to-back as was done with the LOTR.
I believe there are only two films set to be made?
Jim, I was of that impression as well.
I can just about see it as being a two parter, but stretching it to three might be pushing it a bit!
woot! cool news!!
darcy
I hope they also get Ian Holm to play Bilbo again. No reason why they can’t since Bilbo “hadn’t aged a day” at the beginning of LOTR since the last time Galdalf saw him, which would have been The Hobbit storyline.
Two now with a possible third by 2012 or 2013. Some of that decision depends on the ultimate future of the scaled back New Line and how well the first two are received. Jackson has indicated that there is enough story there for three if that should become necessary.
“Two now with a possible third by 2012 or 2013.”
Thanks Sam.
a trilogy for the hobbit?
that has to be the stupidest idea o have ever heard.
it is a single children’s novel.
as for lord of the rings that was six books + appendices and could have easily been six films.
I heard that the final Hobbit movie (whether that’s the second or third) will be used as a “bridge” to connect the story of “The Hobbit” to the story of “The Lord of the Rings”. I’m not sure if that’s been changed.
@skyjedi: I couldn’t agree more. The story would be perfect for a 2½-3h movie, but that’s it. It is a children’s story, and Tolkien never intended it to be anything more.
And as for writing an original script to bridge the 60 year gap between The Hobbit and LOTR – well, that’s just sacrilege, and I will lose all respect for Peter Jackson if they do that…
I don’t think they are saying it will be an original script. Tolkien wrote plenty of material to bridge that gap. He would be taking things that where discussed but never “shown” per se, and adding them to the movie.
Three books actually makes a lot of sense. For one, it will be all there can reasonably be of the original published Tolkein works. Second, If you think about it, the Hobbit was already two books – easily divided into the journey to Rivendell and the second from Rivendell to the battle of five armies and the end. Although, from a real action standpoint (and cliff-hanger), it might be necessary to push the split back to the imprisonment with the elves.
And there’s all sorts of new story to be placed between the end of the Hobbit and the beginning of the Fellowship of the Ring – there are enough hints, anecdotes, etc. in the tales told by Gandalf and Aragorn to fill that space for some truly epic story-telling – arguably even better and bigger than the real Hobbit story.