There and Back, Again

Joyful tidings! It's official. Those of you who've been tracking LOTR news would already know The Hobbit is definitely on its way from book to screen, and although it's a shame that Peter Jackson won't be returning to helm the project (due to his infamous falling out with New Line Cinema), he will still be executive producer. So, who else to fill the long-contested throne of director for the most successful fantasy film franchise ever, but the man who's possibly the latest visionary for creative fantasy films?

GUILLERMO DEL TORO

*Chilipadicello whoops for joy.* (Read the news here.) With Peter Jackson out of the picture, Del Toro is arguably the most fitting person to direct Tolkien's, with his experience in delivering brooding, epic historical/fantasy/comic adaptation films. I've only managed to catch one of his films, the fabulous Spanish Pan's Labyrinth, and I've been a fan of his ever since. Looking forward to see how Del Toro will merge his darker, mordant directing style with the initial lightheartedness of this children's book, as well as Jackson's expansive masterpiece. He thinks The Hobbit is a "world that is slightly more golden at the beginning, a very innocent environment taking you from a time of more purity to a darker reality throughout the film, but in the spirit of the book". And the icing on the cake, Ian McKellan is now officially reprising his iconic role as Gandalf. Yipee! Can't wait to see the extended line-up of cast and crew for the movie. It would be interesting to follow the casting process for Bilbo, cos obviously ancient Ian Holm wouldn't be able to reprise his role from the LOTR trilogy. It would be a joy to see Andy Serkis back as Gollum (my preciousssss...) and Hugo Weaving as Elrond - Del Toro wants actors from the trilogy to reprise their roles, plus key members such as Howard Shore (composer), Richard Taylor (WETA boss), Alan Lee and John Howe (conceptual artists). My money's on Del Toro regular Doug Jones as Beorn the bear-man.

2 films have been scheduled for back-to-back filming in - you guessed it - New Zealand, to be released in 2011 and 2012. The 1st will be a more straightforward interpretation of the book, with the 2nd an original plot covering the 60 years between events in The Hobbit and the beginning of LOTR.

Ahh the delicious anticipation! The wait's gonna kill me!