Updated April 24, 2008 - If Peter Jackson can't direct The Hobbit and its sequel, then Guillermo del Toro taking over the franchise is a definite step in the right direction by New Line and MGM. Jackson's schedule prohibits him from helming the films, however Jackson and Fran Walsh will be overseeing The Hobbit movies as executive producers.
Jackson and New Line settled their differences over the Lord of the Rings franchise in December, clearing the way for serious talks to begin on The Hobbit. New Line and MGM will make two movies from The Hobbit, with principal photography expected to start in 2009. The two Hobbit movies will fill in the 60 year time span between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring and will be filmed simultaneously. There's no word yet on who will take on the key role of Bilbo Baggins.
New Line and MGM are making the smart choice by selecting del Toro to helm the Hobbit movies. Guillermo del Toro's no stranger to fantasy films, and his fanbase rivals Jackson's in both passion and size.
In a press release issued by New Line Cinema, Jackson and Walsh stated, "Guillermo is a filmmaker of outstanding ability; he is a genuine storyteller who brings a tremendous amount of passion, energy and imagination to his work. A true original, Guillermo is a cinematic magician who has never lost his child-like sense of wonder. He understands that the fantastic must be grounded in the real and that all stories are only ever a reflection of ourselves. "We have long admired Guillermo's work and cannot think of a more inspired filmmaker to take the journey back to Middle-earth. We are delighted The Hobbit is in such trustworthy hands."
Del Toro, who will move to New Zealand for four years while working on the two Hobbit movies, added, "This is a great honor, and I am indeed blessed to become a part of the filmmaking community that Peter, Fran and their extraordinary team of collaborators have created in New Zealand. I want to thank them, Bob Shaye, Michael Lynne, Toby Emmerich and Mark Ordesky for entrusting me with such an incredible project. Contributing to the Lord of the Rings legacy is an absolute dream come true."
Guillermo del Toro's directing credits include Cronos, Blade II, Hellboy, and Pan's Labyrinth. Writer/director del Toro has Hellboy II: The Golden Army set for release on July 11, 2008.
