Source: Empire Magazine
Previously, it was reported that Guillermo Del Toro and Peter Jackson were making two Hobbit films (debuting in 2011 and 2012), the first one focusing on the actual book and the other bridging the 60-year gap between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring.
Now, in an interview with Empire Magazine, Jackson and Del Toro have revealed that their plan is now to officially span The Hobbit over the two films, taking more time to flesh out The Hobbit. They had this to say:
“We’ve decided to have The Hobbit span the two movies, including the White Council and the comings and goings of Gandalf to Dol Guldur,” says Del Toro.
“We decided it would be a mistake to try to cram everything into one movie,” adds Jackson. “The essential brief was to do The Hobbit, and it allows us to make The Hobbit in a little more style, if you like, of the [LOTR] trilogy.”
I actually think this is a good idea. Originally, the idea was to grab material from the Appendices and form it into a second film to bridge the gap between the two books. But I like this idea better. Just give The Hobbit time to tell the story.
Cool news! You can read Empire’s article here. The full interview with Del Toro and Jackson hits news stands April 23rd.
Richard Geer said
April 17 2009
This looks better and better, although I would llike to see some of the appendices filmed at some point I will take what I can get and this soiunds like very good news indeed! I can’t wait to see the trolls turn into stone, and Beorn, as well as the battle of the five armies and Smaug the dragon! good stuff!
Dan Geer said
April 17 2009
We’ll see how it goes. I’m glad this is the direction they’re taking. While I would like to see some appendices stuff filmed as well, I agree with devoting two films to the Hobbit to allow the story to breath.