Del Toro in talks to direct Hobbit movies

Posted on January 29, 2008
Filed Under Directors

One of my absolute favourite movie projects is slowly coming together. I’ve already posted about the upcoming adaptation of Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” a couple of times so instead of me paying some  more tribute (well deserved mind you) to Tolkien’s delightful novels and Peter Jackson’s beautiful adaptation I’ll present you with the latest update on “The Hobbit”:

The Hollywood Reporter says that Guillermo del Toro is in talks to direct back-to-back installments of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” Apparently Del Toro’s name was on a short list of directors who could tackle the project, one of the most anticipated literary adaptations of the past decade. Del Toro has built that goodwill through such films as the Oscar-nominated “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Hellboy,” and ”Blade 2“.

Because of other commitments, that included “The Lovely Bones” and “Tintin,” Jackson could not take on writing and directing roles, opting instead to become an executive producer with approval over creative elements of the pair of films. Neither New Line nor MGM, both rights-holders to the film, wanted to risk alienating fans of the trilogy by making an adaptation that didn’t have Jackson’s involvement. 

Principal photography for the films, which will be shot simultaneously, is tentatively set for 2009. The production budget is estimated at $150 million per film. The release of the first film is slated for 2010 and the second in 2011.

Because of the strike, no writer has been hired to adapt Tolkien’s classic, though that process will be fast-tracked once it’s resolved. Del Toro and Jackson will oversee “Hobbit’s” writing.

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