Ian McKellen

Two More Images from THE HOBBIT

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 29th, 2011 at 8:38 am

Last week, we showed you the first official images from Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit.  Now two more images from the film have gone online.  The images provide another look at Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Ian McKellan reprising his role as Gandalf the Grey.  Looking at all of these images, I’m curious to see if Jackson will retain the visual style he used for The Lord of the Rings trilogy or if he’ll modify it since the events of The Hobbit take place before LOTR.

Hit the jump to check out the new images.  The two-part film is currently shooting in New Zealand and also stars Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom, Andy Serkis, Luke Evans, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, and Stephen Fry. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be released on December 14^th, 2012, with The Hobbit: There and Back Again hitting theaters on December 13^th, 2013.

Confirmed: Orlando Bloom Will Reprise His Role as Legolas for THE HOBBIT

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 27th, 2011 at 10:23 am

Back in December, we reported that Orlando Bloom might reprise his role as Elven sharpshooter Legolas for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit.  Today on his official Facebook page, Jackson confirmed that he had Legolas bow:

Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas. I’m excited to announce today that we’ll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I’m thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older—and he doesn’t! I guess that’s why he makes such a wonderful elf.

Bloom is the latest Lord of the Rings cast member to join The Hobbit.  While Gandalf (Ian McKellen), Elrond (Hugo Weaving), and Gollum (Andy Serkis) actually appear in J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel, Jackson has apparently made room for Legolas, Galadriel (Cate Blanchett), old Bilbo (Ian Holm), and Frodo (Elijah Wood).  Hit the jump for the synopsis of the novel.  The two-part 3D film is set for December 2012 and December 2013.

Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, Gillian Anderson, and Mark Williams to Star in 18th Century Zombie Film THE CURSE OF THE BUXOM STRUMPET

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: May 18th, 2011 at 8:40 am

It looks like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies isn’t the only period-piece/zombie flick mash-up in town.  ScreenDaily reports that Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, Gillian Anderson, and Mark Williams (Arthur Weasley from the Harry Potter films) are attached to star in Matthew Butler’s The Curse of the Buxom Strumpet.  The film is based off Butler’s 2010 short comedy E’gad Zombies, which also starred McKellen.  The plot of Buxom Strumpet, co-written by Tori Hart, is about the “inhabitants of a small seaside town who are struck down with a deadly illness.”  No details are provided on that deadly illness, but I imagine it involves glassy eyes, coming back to life, and a hunger for human flesh.

While I’m a fan of this cast, I’m still not sold on the appeal of these movies beyond the novelty they provide.  I can understand Butler using the premise for a short film, but I’m worried that the joke becomes stale when stretched out to feature length.  Hit the jump to read a synopsis of E’gad Zombies and to see a trailer for the short.

Production Officially Begins on Peter Jackson’s THE HOBBIT; Plus Two New Images and the Official Synopsis

by Dave Trumbore    Posted: March 20th, 2011 at 9:30 pm

Though the two-film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel The Hobbit has been fraught with delays and difficulties, Warner Bros. has announced that production has finally started.  There were concerns that The Hobbit would leave New Zealand due to a labor strike, but the 3D movies will indeed be shot consecutively against the familiar backdrops from The Lord of the Rings.  As a prequel to the award-winning trilogy, The Hobbit takes place in Middle-earth 60 years prior to Frodo receiving The Ring. Instead, the two-part adaptation will follow Frodo’s Uncle Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman) as he is swept up in a quest of his own.

Hit the jump for the full press release, synopsis and two production images.

Ian McKellen Talks About 3D Costume Tests for Martin Freeman in THE HOBBIT

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: March 8th, 2011 at 9:17 pm

Director Peter Jackson is set to begin filming The Hobbit later this month after months and months of pre-production.  Ian McKellen stopped by the production offices during final preparations, which basically amount to 3D test footage of star Martin Freeman in costume as Bilbo.  But McKellen’s prose livens the story.  A taste:

“I was visiting old friends in the Stone Street offices and heard Martin Freeman was just round the corner by the permanent greenscreen, done up as Bilbo, testing his costume in front of the 3D cameras.  Indeed, there he was in the open air, mostly oblivious to the camera, though turning this way and that as required.”

Read the full missive after the jump.

Filming on THE HOBBIT Scheduled to Begin on March 21st

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: February 6th, 2011 at 9:13 pm

On May 30, 2010, we reported that director Guillermo del Toro was leaving The Hobbit because there was no start date in site.  On March 21st, 2011—295 days later—filming on The Hobbit is set to begin with Peter Jackson now at the helm.  The financial mess that kept the film from going in front of cameras has been abated and the movie has a full cast lined up and ready to shoot what will be a two-part film in 3D.  Part 1 of The Hobbit is set for December 2012 and Part 2 is slated for December 2013.  The One Ring reports that “[March 21st] has been chosen following practical considerations of the filming schedule requirements, actor availability and the NZ seasons. Shooting will take place at Stone Street Studios in Miramar and on location around New Zealand.

Hit the jump for a synopsis of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel.  The Hobbit stars Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, James Nesbitt, Aidan Turner, Jed Brophy, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, Mikael Persbrant, Sylvester McCoy, and Elijah Wood.

Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen Join THE HOBBIT

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 10th, 2011 at 5:04 pm

Hot off the heels of the news that Elijah Wood will be reprising his role as Frodo in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit movies, Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen are now set to reprise their roles of Gollum and Gandalf the Wizard, respectively, from The Lord of the Rings trilogy.  In addition to the casting of Serkis, Deadline reports that Christopher Lee (Saruman) and Ian Holm (old Bilbo Baggins) are also in talks to return to Middle Earth once again.

THR broke the news of McKellen’s return, and reports that the offer for Orlando Bloom to return as Legolas is still out, but it’s not yet known if a deal can be made before the film starts shooting. Production on both 3D films is set to begin in February in New Zealand. Martin Freeman stars as young Bilbo Baggins, with Cate Blanchett and Hugo Weaving also confirmed to appear. The Hobbit Part I is scheduled to be released in December 2012, with The Hobbit Part II set to follow in December 2013.

Elijah Wood to Cameo in THE HOBBIT? Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Orlando Bloom In Talks As Well

by Jeff Ames    Posted: January 6th, 2011 at 9:00 pm

Will Elijah Wood be in The Hobbit? According to Deadline the answer might be a resounding yes. File this under rumor for now, but supposedly conversations have opened up between the Lord of the Rings star and Warner Bros. regarding a possible Frodo cameo. Not surprisingly, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Orlando Bloom are said to be in talks to join Martin Freeman and the ever expanding cast in the much anticipated return to Middle Earth. Of course, every Hobbit fan knows of Gandalf’s and Gollum’s importance to the prequel story, but the tale occurred long before Frodo was a wee lad so where he’ll figure into the proceedings remains anyone’s guess.

In related news from earlier today, Warner Bros. will oversee worldwide distribution of The Hobbit and cover the entire cost of the prequels, which is said to exceed $500 million. How’s that for a Hobbit’s tale?

The first Hobbit film, directed by Peter Jackson, is scheduled for December 2012; part two will follow in December 2013.  Hit the jump for a synopsis from of J. R. R. Tolkien’s book.

Orlando Bloom Near Deal to Reprise Role as Legolas in THE HOBBIT Films

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: December 8th, 2010 at 3:49 pm

After the news that Cate Blanchett is set to reprise her role as Galadriel in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit films, one might think that the next bit of official casting news would include the return of Ian McKellen or Andy Serkis. A bit surprisingly, Deadline reports that Orlando Bloom is currently close to reaching a deal to return as Legolas in The Hobbit. While his character doesn’t appear in the J.R.R. Tolkein book, his father does. Nevertheless, this is fantastic news to LOTR fans, as Bloom brought a much-welcomed “bad-assness” to the role. The report states that McKellen (Gandalf), Serkis (Smeagol/Gollum), and Hugo Weaving (Elrond) are expected to return, but talks between their respective agents and the studio haven’t been completely worked out yet.

We recently told you that Jackson will shoot the films in 3D using the new RED EPIC cameras, and announced that Howard Shore would be officially returning to score The Hobbit films. Expect more information and casting announcements in the coming weeks, as the production start-date draws closer. The Hobbit Part 1 & 2 will be released in 3D on December 2012 and December 2013 respectively.

THE HOBBIT to Begin Filming in January? JAMES BOND 23 Shooting Next Summer or Fall?

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: September 14th, 2010 at 10:47 am

Don’t mark your calendars just yet, but it looks like The Hobbit and the next James Bond film may be getting back on their feet.  As we previously reported, MGM’s financial difficulties had put both their flagship franchises into limbo.  However, in last month we learned that Spyglass Entertainment was in the process of making a deal to erase MGM’s debt and take ownership of the troubled studio.

Regarding The Hobbit, Ian McKellen told The Bolton News [via /Film] that he was set to reprise his role as Gandalf in January.  This is coupled with the news that MGM and New Line are actively in the process of trying to sign Martin Freeman to play Bilbo Baggins.  Hit the jump for the good word regarding 007.

Peter Jackson Begins Casting for THE HOBBIT; Doesn’t Matter Because of MGM Situation

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: July 13th, 2010 at 5:12 pm

Production on The Hobbit is a bit of a paradox right now.  Everything that’s happening isn’t happening.  Peter Jackson’s deal to helm the film is “close to done” according to Heat Vision and he is currently in Los Angeles meeting with actors to star in the film.  Exciting, right?  Unfortunately, it doesn’t really matter until there’s a resolution to the financial problems of MGM, who co-owns the rights to The Hobbit.  This is why Guillermo del Toro left the project after two years of pre-production: because there was no start date in sight.  Warner Bros. desperately wants to take full ownership of the property so it can get moving.  While this would likely mean that Warner Bros. would have to fund the full project, it would at least pull The Hobbit (which is set to be split into two movies) out of limbo.

And then there are the issues of when this film would fit into Jackson’s schedule and getting particular actors from Lord of the Rings to reprise their roles.  Hit the jump for more on why The Hobbit is happening and not happening.

Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, James McAvoy, Ian McKellen, and Natalie Portman Might Join Tom Tykwer’s CLOUD ATLAS

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: June 16th, 2010 at 9:52 pm

Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, James McAvoy, Ian McKellen, and Natalie Portman have been offered roles in Tom Tykwer’s adaptation of David Mitchell’s novel Cloud Atlas.  The book spans thousands of years, several genres, and has six leading characters.  In their article, The Playlist notes that the material appears to be un-filmable.  But that hasn’t stopped Tykwer before.  He managed to tackle Perfume: The Story of a Murderer when author Patrick Süskind thought that only Stanley Kubrick or Milos Forman would have the skill to do it.  Production Weekly notes that production is gearing up for a spring 2011 start, so the cast has plenty of lead time to put this in their schedule should they decide to sign on.

Twyker is also writing the adaptation and the Wachowski Siblings are producing.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of the novel.

Ian McKellen Says THE HOBBIT Starts Filming in June – Weta Planning on 3D HOBBIT

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: March 17th, 2010 at 10:05 am

According to Ian McKellen, Guillermo del Toro’s The Hobbit is on track to start filming this June.  The plan is to film both Hobbit movies at the same time with cameras rolling for a year.  Here’s what McKellen posted on his website:

THE HOBBIT’s, two films, start shooting in New Zealand in June.  Filming will take over a year. Casting in Los Angeles, New York City and London has started.  The script too proceeds.  The first draft is crammed with old and new friends, again on a quest in Middle Earth.  The director Guillermo del Toro is now living in Wellington, close to the Jacksons’ and the studio in Miramar.

But what is unclear is will The Hobbit be shot and/or released in 3D.  I think with the way things are going, it’s pretty clear 3D is happening…and according to Weta, they’re planning for 3D.  Hit the jump for more:

AMC’S THE PRISONER Miniseries to Start Airing on November 15th

by Ramses Flores    Posted: September 30th, 2009 at 8:12 am

AMC is currently airing my two favorite shows (“Breaking Bad” and “Mad Men”) and I’m  convinced they’re the best things on TV not named “LOST”.  It’s because of this that AMC has made me take notice of anything they choose to do in the future.  Their next television project is a six-part miniseries reinterpretation of the 1960′s cult classic, “The Prisoner”, and stars Jim Caviezel and Ian McKellen.

THR tells us that the miniseries will start airing Sunday Nov. 15 and then AMC will air two episodes each night over three consecutive nights   The original British series followed a British former secret agent who is held prisoner in a mysterious seaside village where his captors try to find out why he abruptly resigned from his job.  I’ve had people recommend  the supposedly trippy series over the years and I do plan on hopefully watching it before this miniseries will air. Anyway, I expect something great with this one.

Ian McKellen Says He’s Getting HOBBIT Script Next Week, Bilbo Cast and Filming Begins in March!

by Steve 'Frosty' Weintraub    Posted: August 23rd, 2009 at 2:03 pm

With the abundance of “Lord of the Rings” fans, whenever anything related to “The Hobbit” happens, it’ll be online five minutes later. So when Ian McKellen stopped by at a special screening of “Lord of the Rings” last night in London, it’s no surprise everything he said is now online. The big news is he knows who is going to play Bilbo, filming begins in March on TWO movies, and he’s getting the script next week! More after the jump:

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