Bad News for The Hobbit Movie
Del Toro steps down as director
Del Toro not directing The Hobbit
Well, fellow Tolkien fans, it’s been a rough few weeks for those of us who were looking forward to the commencement of the filming of the first installment of The Hobbit movie. It was with great disappointment that I learned of Guillermo Del Toro’s departure from the director’s chair. Long before I’d known he had even been considered to direct The Hobbit films I expressed my hope that Del Toro might chosen after Peter Jackson bowed out of the directorial duties. I was thrilled when I later learned that he actually had been tapped for the job.
Now that he’s exited from the project, I certainly do hope that they can find a suitable replacement (what’s James Cameron up to?) to fill Del Toro’s shoes. As a fan of both Hellboy films, as well as the excellent Pan’s Labyrinth, I believe his strong visual style would have brought something very unique and powerful to The Hobbit films. However, I can’t say that I blame the guy. Six years in New Zealand to make both films is quite a daunting commitment, and with MGM’s fiscal problems causing the delay to be indefinite, it makes sense that Mr. Del Toro, one of the world’s most in-demand directors, can’t simply sit on his hands and wait for them to sort out their financial difficulties and green light the filming. Once again, I hope a suitable replacement is found for Mr. Del Toro.
Perhaps Peter Jackson will reconsider returning to the directorial duties, but I have no idea if that’s under discussion or not. I’d be surprised if that is an option, although maybe Mr. Jackson might feel the need to redeem himself a bit after The Lovely Bones (didn’t see it, but I’m aware of the poor reviews and the disappointing box office performance). Not that Jackson should feel the need for redemption — he did a fantastic job with the Lord of the Rings. But seriously: what about James Cameron? Does he have anything going on these days?
The only logical choice for the role of Thorin Oakenshield, gone
GC as Thorin: WhatchutalkinaboutBilbo?
Now, if Del Toro’s departure from The Hobbit wasn’t bad enough, I was crushed and saddened when, just three days earlier, my first choice for the part of Thorin Oakenshield passed away: Mr. Gary Coleman. In my opinion, Thorin Oakenshield was the role Gary Coleman was born to play. Not only was he the correct stature — thus eliminating the need for expensive CGI “dwarfening” — Gary had the acting chops, quick wit and comic timing (don’t forget, the dwarves were pretty funny dudes, if not always intentionally) to pull it off.
The question, of course, remains: could Jackson, Boyens, and company have worked in a “whatchutalkinaboutBilbo?” into The Hobbit films? Perhaps. Remember, “I’m the Juggernaut, bitch!”, taken from the hugely popular MyWay Entertainment parody video found it’s way into X-Men: The Last Stand (YouTube video here), so it might have happened. By the way, I think Vinnie Jones really is the Juggernaut.
Despite the recent spate of disappointing Hobbit news, I am hopeful that the films will be made and completed with the same level of quality that we’ve come to expect from Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films. And to Gary Coleman, if you’re listening, Rest In Peace my friend. I have been a fan for over thirty years, and a fan I remain. You would have added grace, style and character to a great story, as well as some much-needed color to Middle Earth. To me, you’ll always be the only real choice for the role of Thorin Oakenshield.
Note: LOTR geeks don’t need to point out that my bad Photoshop job uses Gimli’s outfit. I know that (being a geek myself).
John Carlson has had a long-standing interests in all things strange and spiritual and has interviewed many noted writers and lecturers of the paranormal and in the field of cryptozoology. John also runs a professional web site design and consulting company, Carlson Web Design, LLC, and resides with his wife and two sons in the great state of New Jersey. When not working on web sites or being being a dad and husband, he tries to write as often as he can on this blog.
John Carlson is a husband, father, and business owner. He’s worked as a self–employed Web developer for over ten years. John was raised in New Jersey USA where he currently resides with his wife and two sons.
peter Jackson really upset a lot of people, and rightfully so. the movie was really downgraded from expectation, needlessly. the directing was, i suppose, dazziling and great, but it also had plenty of cheesy moments. It was really tragic and they should do a remake. it’s too bad, since the art directions and effects were great. And Gary Coleman for Thorin. that would be horrible. It left a bad taste in my mouth, To have that kind of showbizy notoriety with a production that’s supposed to be of substance, it’s pretty gross. Kind of Like what jackson did to the Hobbit, i mean, Lord of the RIngs.
Kinda joking there about Gary Coleman as Thorin.
I liked Jackson’s LOTR films, but there were some changes that he made to the story that I disagreed with. Others I could understand, like the Scouring of the Shire. That was a great part at the end of Return of the King, but it would have added a lot of extra running time onto the movie. I also loved the Old Forest and Tom Bombadil parts of Fellowship, but I can see why that was done away with too. I didn’t like that they rushed through the Houses of the Healing though, and that they made Aragorn more of a reluctant hero and less self-assured, or the fact that they made Faramir less noble than in the book. Also a little too much there with Gimli as the comic relief. He didn’t need to be that clownish.
The worst part in the theatrical release was the fact that they just dropped the Saruman part and didn’t follow up with what happened to him. At least they addressed that in the extended addition, although they changed it from the book. But I think they nailed it with the hobbits and with Ian McKellen as Gandalf. If McKellen bows out as Gandalf, I’m not sure if I’ll see the Hobbit movie.