The Hobbit, two movies... Guillermo del Toro (2010)

Elijah Wood Confirms Dual Hobbit Movie Details

Now that everything is settled with Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema and The Hobbit is moving forward, details are slowly (but surely) starting to come together. Our friends over at MTV caught up recently with Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood and got all sorts of exciting details out of him about The Hobbit, since he is, of course, good friends with Peter Jackson. One of the most exciting tidbits he spoke about was how the two Hobbit films would work, and being a huge Tolkien fan myself, I'm somehow even more excited.

"I haven't spoken to [Peter Jackson] directly about it [but] I've e-mailed him, and as far as I know the two films that they're doing, one will be 'The Hobbit' and another will take place between the 60 years that happened between 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings,'" the once and future Frodo enthused to MTV News, possibly confirming rumors that the second planned film would not be a Part II, but instead a narrative bridge.

It was first mentioned way back in 2006 that the book would be "split" into two films, one to come out in 2010, and the other in 2011. However, details as to what exactly this meant haven't been discussed until now, but it is at least confirmed that two Hobbit films will be made. As Elijah Wood describes above, it may be that the first film will be the entire book, and the second a continuation of The Hobbit that leads into Lord of the Rings.

As much as I'd like to believe every last word that the guy who played Frodo has to say, there could have easily been some miscommunication. Either way, Elijah does say that he'd love to return if the "narrative bridge" second film did actually happen and it involved Frodo in some way. His enthusiasm to return to the world of Middle Earth is certainly prevalent: "If I'm asked to go back and revisit that character and it makes sense, I would love to. I would absolutely love to."

As for what exactly the second film might involve, even Elijah is unsure. There is certainly no actual story told between the two books, give or take a few references in later books about conversations and journeys with Bilbo and the death of Frodo's parents. However, I'm slightly worried that the Hollywood machine might drum up a filler story and stuff it to the gills with unnecessary plot points. Either way it turns out, Elijah says he would certainly be glad to return.

"Nothing was really written with Frodo involved in it. That was sort of an ancillary tale outside of 'Lord of the Rings.' I can't imagine that they [Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens] would write great reams of information regarding my character," he said of necessary invention outside of Tolkien’s established canon. "But if [Frodo] should show up, it would actually be the perfect way to revisit because it could be small enough that I could go back and have a nice sort of reunion with the memories that I have of the experience."

And as for the "Return of Peter Jackson" (albeit only as a producer) and his settlement with New Line Cinema, even Elijah is excited. It's comforting to know that the star of the Lord of the Rings series is adamant about making sure The Hobbit turns out as great as Lord of the Rings and is directly connected to that universe that Jackson originally created.

"It's a great triumph [that Peter is involved.] I think that's really important that the same team that worked on the [earlier] films [work on 'The Hobbit'], the same effects team, that it be shot in New Zealand. I think that it's important that Ian McKellen is cast as Gandalf, just so that there's a synergy between the films," he insisted. "I think people want it to exist in the same world. So at least now we are assured that it will be done through that same lens, which is great. It's exciting."

I could not agree more with what he has said. I might even boycott this film if Ian McKellen isn't cast as Gandalf, but we still have quite a while. Until more details are revealed, including an actual director, we'll always be here to bring you the latest rumblings on The Hobbit. I know it's one of my own most anticipated films coming up in the next decade and we'll be sure to keep all of the fans up-to-date as well.

sounds........hopefull I gues...

don't like the idea of a Hollywood-written film that makes a bridge between Tolkien's masterpieces though...

The one scheduled in 2010 will be made by Guillermo del Toro

pornologic wrote:

sounds........hopefull I gues...

don't like the idea of a Hollywood-written film that makes a bridge between Tolkien's masterpieces though...

let's hope for the best and prepare for the worst..

thuur