Both Peter Jackson And Guillermo del Toro Want Martin Freeman As Their Bilbo!
…well they didn’t actually say his name, but its pretty obvious! (I think)
Guillermo del Toro spoke to Empire magazine recently and revealed that both him and Peter Jackson have mutually agreed on their choice for who should step into the shoes of Ian Holm and lead the film as Bilbo Baggins.
“I can tell you that it’s down to a few names that we all agree upon. And that our first choice…completely, magically, we said the same name. All of us!”
“We said this is the guy we would talk to, but until the pages are there you have to let the character tell you who he wants to be played by…”
The reasons I want and think Martin Freeman should play Bilbo are:
A) He looks like a Hobbit (no offence to him)
B) He looks like Ian Holm
C) He auditioned for the villain role in Jackson’s upcoming drama The Lovely Bones but ultimately lost out to Stanley Tucci, therefore Peter Jackson does know of his existence.
Everyone across the internet thinks that Martian Freeman would make a perfect Bilbo Baggins, so if Peter and Guillermo have someone else in mind then he must be even better than Freeman, which will be tough. Maybe there is someone we haven’t noticed yet. However, we wont find out who they have in mind as according to Guillermo:
“You can expect at least a year before we announce any casting.”
Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis in Talks for The Hobbit
Guillermo del Toro will enter pre-production on the two-film big screen adaptation of The Hobbit after Hellboy II: The Golden Army hits theaters in July. Variety reports that Warner Bros has already had “preliminary contact” with three actors from Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy about reprising their roles for the upcoming prequels:
- Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn)
- Ian McKellen (Gandalf)
- Andy Serkis (Gollum).
Guillermo promises that he is doing everything in his power to bring all the original team back.
“We will all be involved in the script in some fashion but the exact definition is about a week away,” del Toro told the trades. “I am all for keeping the actors who originated the parts, as much as availability and their willingness will allow.”
Basically, del Toro knows he needs to please the fans, first and foremost. It should be noted that on May 24th, WETA will be hosting a one-hour live online chat with Jackson and del Toro to answer the 20 most asked fan questions/concerns. Smart move.
Previously
Serkis lists The Hobbit on his upcoming production calendar on his official website and last month McKellen confirmed to Empire Magazine that he will return.
“Yes, it’s true. I spoke to Guillermo in the very room that Peter Jackson offered me the part, and he confirmed that I would be reprising the role. Obviously, it’s not a part that you turn down; I loved playing Gandalf.”
No word on Ian Holm who played an older Bilbo Baggins in Fellowship, will likely be recast as he is getting too old (76) to play the part.
Guillermo del Toro Doesn’t Rule Out BioShock Movie
Just to give you an update, Guillermo del Toro is not yet officially attached to The Hobbit. Recently the director provided this update on his message board:
“There has been a lot of movement. And for the last few weeks there has been a lot of creative / cast / crew / visual talks and agreements and we have witnessed great progress in areas,” said del Toro. “I have to be patient and wait until the papers are done and my attachment is real. Nevertheless- a LOT of progress in defining the films, their cast and crew. And, may I add, we are all happily in synch about all creative aspects so far and all willing and eager to move forth.”
Guillermo also discussed the possibility of helming a video game adaptation. Since it’s release in August, rumor has it that Hollywood is eyeing a big screen adaptation of BioShock, the popular first-person shooter from 2K Games. The visuals are certainly cinematic enough for a big budget film, and critics have praised the game for it’s story, something not common in the video game field. But would del Toro be interested in making a Bioshock movie?
“I love BIOSHOCK from a design point of view,” says del Toro. “But Unless its a HELLBOY sequel I am not that eager to engage in another action-oriented movie. Even if the other elements are right. BUT… if I found the right pitch on the material, who knows - the BIOSHOCK universe is indeed wonderful.”
Guillermo was almost attached to the Halo film a couple years ago.
“I actually flew to [New Zealand] for HALO,” revealed del Toro. “I had design meetings at WETA, we talked about concepts and parameters etc and came very close to doing it- very close - But it was not meant to be. [Hellboy II] was part of the reason I didnt do it - There’s great movie to be made, read the novels… Check out the added Mythos in HALO3.”
As you probably know, Neill Blomkamp was brought onto the film as director, and the project fell into development hell. I think many gamers would agree, del Toro would make the perfect director for a Bioshock movie. And while Guillermo clearly isn’t interested in future action/adventure films outside of the Hellboy franchise, he seems to be open to hearing a pitch. So Hollywood, let’s make this happen!
WB/New Line: What Does It Mean?
So Warner Bros is absorbing New Line, but what does it all mean?
Is New Line completely dead?
No, Warner Bros plans to maintain New Line as a “separate development, production, marketing, distribution and business affairs operations.: However, it will “closely integrate and coordinate those functions with Warner Bros. to maximize film performance and operating efficiencies, achieve significant cost savings, and improve margins.” I’m guessing that means in the short term, there will be minimal layoffs. New Line will still do some distribution. Anne Thompson claims that this is the result of their being “various output deals that can’t be instantly severed.” As for Warners maintaining completely separate operations for New Line, Nikki Finke writes “Of course, how long that lasts is anybody’s guess”.
Will Warner Bros still release films under the New Line banner?
Yes. New Line will now focus on more genre specific releases, while Warner Bros will focus on more mainstream/contemporary releases.
Will New Line still move forward with plans to adapt The Hobbit, will the project find a new home at Warner Bros, or has the project been completely scrapped?
We don’t know. My guess is that the project is still happening, but under what banner, I don’t know.
What will happen to New Line/HBO’s specialty division Picturehouse or Warner Independent Pictures?
Picturehouse made over $60 million in 2007 with 9 releases. Warner Independent Pictures made over $8.8 million with 5 releases. Both aren’t considered huge money makers. The fate of both companies is still unknown.