A whole lot of good news has surfaced regarding the upcoming film adaptation of J.R.R Tolkien’s The Hobbit.
Andy Serkis is back as Gollum:
I’m told that Andy Serkis has closed his deal to bring back Gollum in The Hobbit, the two films that Peter Jackson will direct in New Zealand starting in February.
It’s safe to say that Serkis’ performance in The Lord of the Rings trilogy was one of the most surprising and delightful aspects of the much-lauded movies. As with many of the actors in the films, Serkis has come to personify and define Tolkien’s character in the mind’s of many readers and filmgoers alike. The Hobbit wouldn’t be the same without him.
Ian McKellen is back as Gandalf the Grey:
Ian McKellen has signed on to return as wizard Gandalf in The Hobbit, the two-pic adaptation of the J.R.R. Tolkien novel being directed by Peter Jackson.
Like Serkis, it’s hard to imagine McKellen not filling the role of Gandalf. Even being so familiar with the books before the films were released, McKellen’s portrayal of Gandalf has replaced any original interpretation of the character that I originally conceived when first reading the novels as a child. It’s been long rumoured that McKellen was returning, so it’s comforting to finally have firm confirmation.
And, finally, Elijah Wood joins the film as Frodo Baggins:
TheOneRing.net can confirm that Elijah Wood will step in front of Peter Jackson’s cameras and return to Middle-earth for a part in ‘The Hobbit,’ — and we even know how. Despite how some fans will respond at first, the reasons are organic and natural and might not upset some of the most ardent purists.
You may be scratching your head about this one. Worry not. Jackson’s not shoehorning Frodo into The Hobbit, but rather he’s using Frodo as a frame for the story. The story will, by all accounts, open with Bilbo narrating There and Back Again to his young nephew.
After years of rocky development, it looks like we can finally begin to get excited about this project. It’s really happening, and all the right people seem to be involved.
Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen, I can see, but Frodo? They must be doing something to tie them together.
I have a passing vision of Frodo reading There and Back Again to Sam’s kids, if only to make the purists smile over Elanor and her eventual role as keeper of that book.
I think the inclusion of Frodo will also allow the films to address Bilbo’s unreliable narration in his encounter with Gollum.
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Aidan Moher. Aidan Moher said: New Blog Post — Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Elijah Wood join the cast of THE HOBBIT: http://bit.ly/e4ehwX […]
Good news indeed! I’m glad all the brouhaha is past and they can finally get down to the business of making movies. I like the idea of using Frodo as a framing character for the films. Ties them in nicely with the trilogy.