Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and Bilbo (Ian Holm) look upon Hobbiton in THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING
© 2001 New Line Cinema
Raimi Insists Jackson Should Do HOBBIT
By: Jarrod Sarafin, News EditorDate: Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Source: Shock Til You Drop
Director/producer Sam Raimi has already indicated this opinion once before about who should direct THE HOBBIT and he hasn't changed his mind. A number of A-list directors and stars of the LOTR series feel the same way which has put New Line into a delicate situation, hence the recent peace talks. After all, Peter Jackson and his Weta Workshop owns the many set designs, costumes and exterior models (Rivendell, Gondor, etc) for Middle Earth. While speaking at the 30 DAYS OF NIGHT press conference, Raimi once again cleared the air on him possibly directing the next adventure of the Hobbits and Gandalf. He shall do it only if Peter's involved and approves.
Raimi said, "There's no better choice to direct 'The Hobbit' than Peter Jackson. I'm a fan of 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy and Peter Jackson's a brilliant filmmaker and he would be the guy I think everybody would love see direct it. And I hear [New Line and Jackson are] talking, too, from what I read in the trades, I don't really know first hand, hopefully he will direct it and give us his great version of it. If he doesn't direct it and decides to produce it, I'd love to be considered as the director."
In other news, actor Ian McKellen told IGN today that a return as "Gandalf" looks very likely now.
"When Peter announced he had withdrawn from The Hobbit, he sent me an e-mail saying 'Because I am not going to do it, it doesn't mean you have to do the same. Of course, you must play Gandalf whether I direct or not.'"
The 68 year-old British actor added, "I am glad to read that (The Hobbit) is looking more and more likely. ... I would be disappointed if they didn't want to have the original Gandalf. I suppose if I am still functioning and working well, it is very likely I would be asked to do it and if I were, I would be very pleased to do it."
MTV has also asked thespians Cate Blanchett (Galadriel), Viggo Mortensen(Aragorn) and Orlando Bloom(Legolas) on whether they would return to a new adventure. Everyone involved have made it very clear that New Line "should work it out." They have all said they can't imagine returning without Peter involved, McKellen being very outspoken about the situation.
Cate Blanchett:
“I haven’t heard a thing [about a potential ‘Hobbit’ film],” she declared. “But, oh God, I would love to work with Hugo [Weaving] and Peter [Jackson] again.”
Blanchett is the latest “Lord of the Rings” actor to tell MTV that she’d consider playing her character again for a prequel series. Like Viggo Mortensen or Orlando Bloom, Blanchett’s character doesn’t exactly appear in “The Hobbit,” although thanks to J.R.R. Tolkien’s extensive later backstories, her insertion would be completely unproblematic. In fact, it’s hard to envision a “Hobbit” film WITHOUT Galadriel, particularly if the film covers any of the period between the defeat of Smaug and the War of the Ring.
But take notice New Line: Blanchett is interested, provided Peter Jackson is back to direct.
“I heard that someone was going to make it,” she said. “[But] It would seem very odd [without Jackson.]”
With Jackson set to direct “The Lovely Bones,” for now Blanchett says, she’s “moved on.”
“I left the elf shoes behind and the ears on the mantelpiece,” she laughed.
Viggo Mortensen:
“It seems pretty obvious that Peter Jackson would be the person to direct it,” he said, echoing statements made by his ‘LOTR’ co-star Orlando Bloom to MTV News in May. “If they do it I hope Peter gets to do it.”
Orlando Bloom:
“Who’s directing it, Peter Jackson?” he mockingly answered when asked about the possibility.
Yes, we know that Legolas isn’t technically in “The Hobbit,” and to his eternal credit, Bloom knows this as well. But dedicated “Rings” fans know that Legolas is an elf from the realm of Mirkwood, a kingdom Bilbo Baggins and his dwarf companions get captured in towards the end of “The Hobbit,” imprisoned there by the Elvenking Thranduil.
Given, then, that Bilbo spends much time during “The Hobbit” at Mirkwood, and given, too, that Thranduil is Legolas’s father — it seems inconceivable that filmmakers wouldn’t choose to include the popular character in some capacity. “Maybe they’ll create a subplot for Legolas,” Bloom said, though later adding that “I think we covered [his story] with ‘Lord of the Rings.’”
Extra Note: If people are wondering why any of these actors would be involved with the project given the Hobbit storyline, Jackson in the past has indicated we would see a full story linking The Hobbit to the Lord of the Rings trilogy. In other words, he would be using the extensive notes that J.R.R Tolkien left for the many characters and the story of the White Council meeting up while Bilbo goes on his adventure to the Lonely Mountain.
