With news swirling about Peter Jackson’s return to the director’s chair for The Hobbit, new stories are beginning to come out that seem to suggest that the project might be unraveling. Peter Jackson still can not confirm whether the production of the film is set in stone; jobs in Wellington are starting to evaporate as movie production slumps.
However, of greater concern to many enthusiasts of the Lord of the Rings films is the fact that Sir Ian McKellen may be running out of patience with the project. In an interview, McKellen was quoted as saying:
Well, I’m not under contract. And my time is running out. I’m enjoying working in the theatre and, frankly, I would like to race after doing Waiting for Godot and get on with doing another play, but we’ll have to see. I don’t want to give the producers the impression that I’m sitting waiting.
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Comments:
Eomer the Young:
I would very much be interested to see what these "news stories" are. One comment from Ian McKellen certainly doesn't mean that the entire project is falling apart at the seams. If they are behind schedule, then that is normal and that happens. But if the movie is not going to be made, then they need to let us know.
Mithrandir7:
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010...elays-continue
That is what I was referring to.
Eomer the Young:
Ah, then that is indeed worrying. Hopefully the situation will be resolved and they can get off the ground on this one. I can't blame Ian McKellen for being impatient. Hasn't it been two years since the project was announced? Have they even begun filming yet?
Ilaras of The Dunedain:
Hmm. That's definitely a nail biter. Let's hope things settle down.
Mithrandir7:
I doubt they'll let it fall through, there is far too much potential $$$ in the project and MGM is on the verge of bankruptcy.
zach:
I would be sad indeed if Ian McKellen didn't play Gandalf.
Dante:
Freek:
With James Bond shelved The Hobbit is looking less and less likely.
zach:
Well the recent James Bonds haven't been quite spectacular. Maybe they are giving it some time to work on something to put the franchise back up to where it used to be.
Freek:
Cheeky Hobbit:
If Sir Ian quits they may as well just cancel the project. They won't find a better Gandalf.
Mithrandir7:
While I agree, I think Patrick Stewart would be the only suitable replacement that I can think of.
Dante:
Eomer the Young:
If Ian McKellen isn't Gandalf, then the movie loses at least half of its appeal.
Cheeky Hobbit:
The major characters simply have to be played by the same actors, others there'll be no continuity between this and LOTR, making it all a little less authentic. Sure, it's a world filled with wizards and magic rings, but a large part of Jackson's - and of course Tolkien's - brilliance is that he makes it seem real. I'd find it harder to become attached to a set of films that don't really appear connected to their predecessor (or sequel, depending on how you want to look at it).
Mithrandir7:
This may cheer you guys up a little bit, seems it really isn't as bad as it seems. Essentially everything is ready to go; they're just waiting for the green light. He says a decision will come soon, and that he loves the script.
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010...gandalf-magic/
Who knows what will happen?
Eomer the Young:
That definitley sounds a lot better, I can't imagine they'd all of a sudden cancel it.
Gandalf1106:
Someone has to light a fire under MGM and potential investors. The fear of loosing top-billed actors for a major franchise is really the only card left to play. Let's hope it works and the MGM problem is solved soon—or let's hope they hand the franchise off to someone who can move it forward.
Mithrandir7: