Guillermo Del Toro @ MindSay 
Many of us fantasy fans grew up with an animated version of "The Hobbit" that doesn't capture the book as well as live action could. Back in the 1970's, fantasy and science fiction was still kid's stuff. For those of you who want to take a peek back, watch the following clip of the original animated movie:
Scenes and character portrayals ran into the "cutesy" zone with this animated movie, but no matter how corny the animation, many vocal performances were so endearing that I missed the spider talking in the live action "Return of the King!" And to this day I still think Smaug (the dragon) is cuddly and all he needed was a good hug or cup of hot cocoa. My friend, Miya, even had (and probably still has) a plush version of Bilbo Baggins that plays the song "The Greatest Adventure..." when you hug him. That might all change once we see "The Hobbit" come to life on the screen.
And, I'm sure, to those who are not in the know are going to consider "The Hobbit" movie a "sequel" to LOTR, but in reality it's a prequel in two parts that will be released in 2010-12. Teaming up with Peter Jackson this time is Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro who kinda looks like a big fluffy hobbit himself! If you look at his filmography, I think fans will agree that he's the best choice to lend his artistic vision to the Tolkien film adapations. What do you think?
They are making two more middle earth movies: One based on the Hobbit and one set between the Hobbit and The Fellowship of the rings.
For those of you that think the second movie will just be filler, think again. Ever read the appendices (Appendixes?...) to the Lord of the Rings? Or even the Similarion...there is a lot of history there that Tolkien didn't put in Prose form.
Peter Jackson will be producing, with Guillermo Del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Hellboy) Directing.
Weta Digital is doing the Special effects once again...weeee!
Click here to read an interview with Mr. Del Toro from theonering.net.
This takes me back a few years; one of the main subjects of conversation when I first met my friend sandyquill was the first set of LotR movies.
This should be awesome.awesome to the max!
Finally, this classic Tolkien tale will be coming to cinemas in two parts, directed (as of now...) by Guillermo del Toro. Del Toro directed Pan's Labyrinth, which was a wonderful fantasy in it's own right. I think del Toro is the best possible choice to direct this tale in absence of Peter Jackson. Jackson has been part of the process of bringing The Hobbit to us (he suggested that it come to us in two parts) and will likely continue to oversee the process as Executive Producer, which I think will make this the greatest of the series. But I may be biased... the Hobbit is my favorite Tolkien tale.
Ender's Game!
This movie has been in limbo since... the beginning of time, basically. At this point, it seems that it will never be made. The story is one of the best-- true, top-notch science fiction. But the tale involves children in situations that adult actors would find challenging, if you've seen Eastern Promises, you know what I mean. They have sayings about working with children and animals in Hollywood, and this movie contains a lot of children. Finding top-notch child actors for these roles is unimaginable. This isn't a light hearted adventure with a colorful cast like Narnia, where imperfections in acting are covered by a sense of wonderment and a talking lion. Still, they may surprise us some day... like....
The Incredible Hulk!
I think this is a brilliant move on the part of Marvel and Edward Norton. Originally intended as a sequel to the 2003 movie, when the previous screenwriter stepped out, Norton re-wrote the script and now it is a re-boot of the series! Look for this movie to be more dark, gritty, and action filled, in contrast to Ang Lee's "cerebral" film. Norton will play Bruce Banner this time around, and he will have an incredible supporting cast, including Tim Roth, Liv Tyler, and William Hurt. Look for a cameo by Iron-man actor Robert Downey Jr.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor!
Ok, so maybe you don't like The Mummy films, maybe you don't like Brenden Fraiser... but I'm a sucker for both. Of course, Fraiser is no...
Indiana Jones!
This one is coming soon, and I hardly need to tell you. Harrison Ford, OLD though he may now be, is, dare I say... sexy? I can say that as a straight man because it is true. The return of Indiana Jones was highly unlikely and, against all odds, we are getting what could be the final Harrison Ford movie in the franchise. Granted, Indiana Jones has been played by others aside from Ford....
So that is it for this edition of Movies to Look Forward To... see you at the movies!
I find I really connect with this director, because, like me, he has always been fascinated with fairytales - not the watered down versions we know, but the original versions that often have a darker, bloodier edge to them and they play a major role in his works. When you think about it, fairytale and folktale alike have become the precursor and background to horror films.
Pan's Labyrinth is a mix of horror and fantasy. Del Toro uses it as an insight into the human condition, our primal fears and our own capacity to inflict terror.
I am trying to achieve the same thing in my own novel which springs from the seeds of fairytale and myth to birth something beautiful but also dark. Del Toro is an inspiration. I look forward to exploring his other works. Do yourself a favour and see Pan's Labyrinth!
