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Latest Interview from GDT - Same Old??!!
 
 
Del Toro Talks Hobbit

Guillermo del Toro, who is set to direct a pair of films adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, told SCI FI Wire that he wants the films to re-create the spirit of the books.

"I'm trying to be faithful," del Toro said in an interview after accepting the George Pal Memorial Award at the Saturn Awards in Universal City, Calif., on June 24. "Like, when I was trying to create a screenplay about Tarzan and people asked me, 'Is it going to be horror?' I said, 'No, no, no.' The thing is, I'm trying to re-create on the screen the feeling I had when I was 11 in my bed reading the book. How excited I got. How great I thought it was. That's what I'm trying to honor."

Del Toro went on to say that the film will not necessarily be similar in style to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, nor will it be like any of his own dark fantasy films, such as Hellboy and Pan's Labyrinth.

"I'm not trying to honor either my style or what I'm gravitating normally towards," del Toro said. "I know that for a fact I gravitated towards the novel. So there's something there that echoes with me very strongly, which is not the case with most fantasy, in my case."

The film is scheduled to begin shooting later this year in New Zealand. Del Toro said that the film is still in the early stages of pre-conception and isn't even officially in preproduction yet. He has, however, been making regular trips to New Zealand to visit Weta Workshop, the special-effects house that will be working on the films.

"We've had chats where we sketch out what we think of the two movies, but there's no writing," del Toro said. "There is note-taking, there is breaking down the novel, there is a lot of work already being done on our parts, but real preproduction will not start until late July."

Del Toro added that the film will take up most of his time and energy until the end of the year, so he will be putting all of his other projects on hold for the time being.

"The news came very joyously during the post-production of Hellboy II," he said. "But at the same time, it was the most miraculous and beautiful monkey wrench in a lot of things that we were planning, both in life plans that I have to put to bed from now until December in order to become celibate and dedicate my entire energy to The Hobbit."
Created By:
Elanor
on 06.26.08 | 3:03
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1
Myrn said
Although, you know, he seems pretty excited about it all and eager to get started. I think he may be somewhat intimidated by this project, it's gonna be a hell of a challenge, heh.
posted on 06.26.08 | 6:57 PM
2
Elanor said
I think his priority is Hellboy II, and it will remain that until it opens on July 11th. He's been pretty clear about his trips to New Zealand not really getting going until the end of July or so, and he has stated that preproduction will not begin unitl that time as well. After he starts traveling to "Middle-earth" and eventually moves there, then there will be some developments. And after that, I'm sure all that we'll hear for the next 6 or 7 months is "we're still working on the script" or "preconceptualization is moving along". In the meantime, all of these media outlets are going to ask him about The Hobbit because they want the "scoop" or "exclusive".
posted on 06.26.08 | 2:13 PM
3
Myrn said
I thought that PL was pretty depressing, but visually pleasing. I have all the faith in the world that the movies will be eye catching, but will he be able kto capture that Tolkien feel or will it be too over the top? I guess I'll have to wait and find out. ;)
posted on 06.26.08 | 1:34 PM
4
Reminds me of that scene in ALL THE PRESIDENTS MEN swhere Redford says "its a non-denial denial". Del Toro giving his non-informative informative interviews.
posted on 06.26.08 | 1:10 PM
5
"Del Toro went on to say that the film will not necessarily be similar in style to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, nor will it be like any of his own dark fantasy films, such as Hellboy and Pan's Labyrinth. "
Does not really say anything. Will the Hobbit be different in visual style??
It will be very difficult to be different, you are dealing with a global audience that has a certain style embedded in their subconscious. A different style could also cause problems fitting in the second film as a natural join to the trilogy.

Then again, he is just probably sounding out the audience....
posted on 06.26.08 | 9:25 AM
6
Del Toro has mastered the non-revelation interview.
posted on 06.26.08 | 7:50 AM
7
to be honest i didnt like pans labyrinth all that much, it was beautifully done, imagery, effects, collors etc, but the story was a we bit thin in my view..but the fantasy telling was great. So i think GTD could pull it of..but he is no PJ.
posted on 06.26.08 | 7:18 AM
8
Myrn said
I haven't been disappointed by him yet. He's got a real flair for fantasy. But what do you guys think, has he the brass ones for such a scope? PJ came from the likes of Meet The Feebles and other great cult classics. So he really threw me for a loop at the mastery of his LOTR films.
posted on 06.26.08 | 6:10 AM
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