Its Official - its Del Toro

[Sauron the White]

from Daily Variety on Thursday April 24

Guillermo del Toro to direct 'Hobbit'
Filmmaker signs on helm feature and sequel
By DAVE MCNARY

In a major step forward on "The Hobbit," Guillermo del Toro has signed on to direct the New Line-MGM tentpole and its sequel.
The widely expected announcement came Thursday afternoon jointly from exec producers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, New Line president Toby Emmerich and Mary Parent, the newly named chief of MGM's Worldwide Motion Picture Group.

Del Toro's moving to New Zealand for the next four years to work with Jackson and his Wingnut and WETA production teams. He'll direct the two films back to back, with the sequel which will deal with the 60-year period between "The Hobbit" and "The Fellowship of the Ring," the first of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

New Line is overseeing development and will manage production. Both pics are being co-produced and co-financed by New Line Cinema and MGM, with Warner Bros. distributing domestically and MGM handling international.

Del Toro most recently helmed "Pan's Labyrinth," released through New Line's Picturehouse. The fantasy set a record as the highest grossing Spanish language film in U.S. box office history.

[Morthoron]

Ah, I can see the movie trailers now:

El Hobbit, un gran clásico moderno y el preludio a las vastas y poderosas mitologías de El señor de los anillos.

I get shivers just thinking about señor Bilbo y Gandalfo el mago de los arcanos!

I'm just kidding. Sheesh.

[Bêthberry]

This could well make our posts here more conflicted.

No, I don't mean that some will try to post in Spanish--will our Moddess need a sombrero-toting skwerl?--but with Del Toro coming in with, I would think, at least some measure of hopeful expectation amongst many Downers, there will still be trepidation at this idea that the "bridge" can be well written by this crew.

Much will depend on how much control/say Del Toro has and how well he brings to bear his knowledge of fantasy on Tolkien's world. We've seen spaghetti westerns. Will we see sangria fantasy?

[Azaelia of Willowbottom]

From the interview on TORN, it looks like he's trying to do the whole thing properly. He sounds enthusiastic and passionate about TH, like he's really putting his heart into the project. He seems to have the right attitude about what he says shouldn't be called just "the bridge film".

He also seems to be striking a good balance between keeping continuity with the other films and bringing his own vision to it. Sounds like he won't be too restricted in what he can and can't do with his movie.

Things are looking pretty good from here.

Edit: I tried to post the link, but for some reason, it didn't work for me. TORN might be having some problems, as I imagine this is pretty big news right now. It's the first story on the main page of the site.

[Gothbogg the Ripper]

Superb news! He is a great director and I will be very interested to see how he handles Beorn especially.

[Mithalwen]

I really would be suprised if they include Beorn now it is effectively going to be "The Quest of Erebor" - eg a grown up version more like Gandalf's version in UT, and having to have the same "landscape" as LOTR. I can't see performing animals fitting in ... . The trolls may be also a problem given the precedent set by the cave troll in Moria.

While part of me wishes Tolkien had written a full version of the Quest of Erebor and I seldom now pick up theHobbit other than to check a reference (in my chaotic home it is the only Tolkien book I wouldn't be able to locate instantly - the rest of them are like a galactic hitchhiker's towel - I always know where they are!). The fact is that The Hobbit really comes alive when it is read as it was written as a bed time story for children and I think it is sad that it won't now really be a children's film.

[Nazgûl-king]

This should be interesting; I can’t wait to see what he does with it.

[Lalaith]

Del Toro is great but he scares the bejaysus out of me. Mr Lalaith and I were both whimpering behind the sofa during Pan's Labyrinth. The Devils Backbone was brilliant, too.
I'd rather have seen him direct Children of Hurin, actually.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

I just don't see what's scary about Pan's Labyrinth. I mean, actually scary. It's a creepy fantasy, like many of the best fairy tales. But more than that? I think you're havering, Lalaith.

Mirkwood, giant spiders, dragon: these should all be good. But I hope he makes it a whole lot more positive than PL. Bilbo's cheeriness should not be kept in the background.

[Lush]

Andrew O'Hehir is being grim. I am optimistic.

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Del Toro never liked Tolkien's books? I haven't read much discussion on the Hobbit films but this could be problematic. Hmm?