GEARING UP FOR ‘THE HOBBIT’

Yesterday, executive producer Peter Jackson and director Guillermo del Toro answered some man Q&A online about The Hobbit and its announced sequel. Here’s the condensed version (or highlights if you will):

Guillermo has begun sketching designs. He plans to write and begin early conceptual work for the rest of the year. 2009 will be pre-prod on both movies and 2010 will be shooting year for both films back to back “with a small break to breathe and to reconstruct certain sets and have time to reassess”

Casting has not begun yet and plans are for it not to happen till the scripts are written. Del Toro insists that:

“Unequivocally, every single actor that originated a role in the Trilogy will be asked to participate and reprise it. If Health, availability or willigness become obstacles - and only in that case recasting would be considered. [Ian Holm will be utilized] in some fashion for sure but the difficulty of the role will be better assessed after [the screenplays are completed].”

Del Toro revealed that he also has plans for Ron Perlman (surprise surprise), but it will not be as the voice of Smog.

The two films will be PG-13, shot @ 2:35:1 aspect ratio (like the Trilogy) on film. Howard Shore is in talks to return to compose the score. Much of the original production team will be brought back supplemented by choices from del Toro.

Middle-earth will return to its home on location in New Zealand with real set construction preferred over green screen. They plan on rebuilding Hobbiton “bigger and even better” in the same location.

As for the special effects, del Toro plans…

“to mix CGI and PHYSICAL in such a way that your eye wonders which is which- keep you mind busy but NEVER allowing for the weaknesses of either tool to take over. … Imagine a physical creature with a radio controlled muscle / facial system but with partial CGI replacement on the head or mouth, etc and you’ll start to get the idea…”

Del Toro described his vision:

“The book, I believe, in echoing the “loss of innocence” England experienced after WWI, is a passage form innocence to a darker, more somber state- The visual / thematic progression should reflect that in the camera style, color palette, textural choices, etc.” “I hope that Mirkwood can be pretty scary but not graphic, I hope Riddles in the dark has an element of fear and suspense and to be deeply atmospheric but still allow the ingenious, engaging contest to take place. And Smaug should be all shock and awe when he unleashes his anger so, it will be pretty intense but not gorey.” “The world must feel like the same world [as the one showed in Jackson's films]. The aspect ratio, music, essential established costume and production design trademarks but I would love to bring a lot of new flavours to the table. THE HOBBIT is, in essence, an overture to a massive Symphonic work so main themes are reprised but new modulations and new colors are introduced, thematically and texturally.” “I am all for trying to preserve every idiosyncrasy the novel has- the very things that seem “unfilmable” and that - in my mind- will make it thrilling as a film.”

The second film doesn’t have a title yet, and won’t until the script is written. del Toro says

“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.” Jackson says “If we wished to write one of the LOTR characters into the narrative of Film Two, we would only do that with that actors blessing, and willingness to take part. Otherwise we’d take the writing in another direction.”

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