Set for a 2012 release, “The Hobbit” is the first installment in the Tolkien series for “The Lord of the Rings”
Filmmaker Guillermo Del Toro chatted today about his new book The Strain, during which time we also had the chance to get a status update on the director’s highly anticipated two-part adaptation of The Hobbit.
Citing a 1969 contract, the estate of Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien sued New Line Cinema in February 2008 claiming that it had not been paid 7.5% of the profits they say they’re entitled to from the LotR films and merchandise. The Associated Press reported last year that the plaintiffs also seek “the right to terminate any rights New Line may have to make films based on other works by the author, including The Hobbit.” It was reported this week that the case will go to a jury trial this fall.
While there was a hint of anxiety in his voice, Del Toro told us, “Believe it or not, I try not to follow that because it would make my nights a little too disturbing. So, you know, I’m gonna keep working every day designing and writing with Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh and Phillipa Boyens until somebody tells me the lawsuit is going to affect that, you know? Other than that I try not to be a part of it.”
Del Toro confirmed to BBC that Ian McKellen is back, as well as Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving, all of whom will be reprising their roles from the original trilogy as Gollum and Weaving as Elrond in the new film. The writer-director also confirmed that there will only be two Hobbit movies, not three, which is a fact that was revealed earlier this year
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You can 
to listen to the radio interview and the casting news starts at the 02:10:55 mark in the interview.
Take part in a discussion with the MovieSet Team
Who should play Bilbo Baggings in “The Hobbit” ?
markthomas26 on IMDB (Tue Aug 19 2008 09:06:21) Comments:
i loved Ian Holm in LotR, but as Bilbo is younger in the Hobbit, it’s likely someone else will play the role, who do you think should play Bilbo Baggins???
What are your candidates for the best Bilbo Baggings? Leave us a comment below and join in the discussion!
My personal choice is James MacAvoy.
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