Ian McKellen Would Do Hobbit With Or Without Jackson
Internet fanboyism (of which I am a proud member) has some serious drawbacks, not the least of which is to seriously misquote an actor or filmmaker, and then spread the missinformation with a mob like mentality until it’s just accepted as “common knowledge” ever though it was never true in the first place. Take Ian McKellen’s potential involvement in The Hobbit for example:
Some time ago, McKellen was quoted as saying that basically he thinks Peter Jackson should direct The Hobbit and that it would be a shame if he didn’t. Some how… Some way… Jackson fans took that statement and started running with “IAN MCKELLEN REFUSES TO DO THE HOBBIT UNLESS PETER JACKSON DRECTS IT”, when in actuality he said nothing of the sorts.
SCIFI is now quoting McKellen as saying:
“I would be disappointed if they didn’t want to have the original Gandalf. I suppose if I am still functioning and working well, it is very likely I would be asked to do it, and if I were, I would be very pleased to do it.”
So there you have it. Jackson directing The Hobbit or not… if McKellen is asked to come back as Gandalf, he’ll do it
1. Andrew replies at 15th October 2007, 7:23 am :
Yeah. I just hope that if Jackson decides to direct The Hobbit, it won’t push back on the Halo movie. (Sorry John, I just never really cared for Lord of the Rings.)
But, if Sir Ian McKellen wants to come back or not, that’s his choice, not ours. Hopefully Lord of the Rings fanboys/fangirls can stop bitching now.
2. Kristina replies at 15th October 2007, 8:46 am :
I’m gonna sound very ignorant here, but here goes…..does The Hobbit have as much “action” as LOTR? I’m not just talking about some sweet Pelennor Fields action, but….how can I put this….an exciting plot, I guess. I haven’t read The Hobbit, but I’m getting some odd feeling that this film is going to be a bunch of talky talky. Not that talky talky is a BAD thing necessarily, but after the whirlwind that LOTR put me through, I find it hard to believe that The Hobbit can meet or top that, and if it doesn’t, I can imagine the box office grosses for this one being significantly lower than any one of the LOTR films.
Now, like I said, I haven’t read the book, so for anyone who has, feel free to set me straight if I’m off-base here.
3. @spence replies at 15th October 2007, 9:51 am :
I read the book a long time ago and can barely remember it. It dont have half as much action as the LOTR movies. So i think there will be alot of “talky talky” at i think….I dont think it will meet or top the box office gross of any LOTR movies. Also, I am with Andrew, if Jackson does take on The Hobbit, i REALLY hope that it dont push back the Halo movie…..but it probably would.
4. John replies at 15th October 2007, 9:52 am :
Hey @spence and Andrew,
There is no Halo Movie. And even if there was (which there isn’t), Jackson isn’t doing anything on it. He’s just an Exec Producer. He’s not writing it or directing it.
5. Kenneth replies at 15th October 2007, 10:12 am :
That’s very good to hear.
Kristina, no I don’t think the Hobbit has as much action, the book was overall much more light hearted than LOTR, and I imagine the film would be too.
6. FilmNerdJamie replies at 15th October 2007, 10:34 am :
That’s not really anything new or surprising. Keep in mind, McKellan did X-MEN 3 despite the absense of his director and friend Bryan Singer.
Can’t say I blame Sir Ian either way. He enjoys playing the character and here is another opportunity to do so. All power to him.
7. Andrew replies at 15th October 2007, 11:32 am :
John, my ignorant friend, there is a Halo movie. Bungie (the creators of the Halo franchise) have already confirmed that it is getting made. Don’t pull the same “there is no” crap that you did with Indiana Jones 4 with Halo.
8. John replies at 15th October 2007, 11:35 am :
Andrew,
Dude… that film died a Long long long time ago:
http://www.judymoodymovie.com/2006/10/halo-is-dead-and-the-4-great-bullshits-that-followed
It’s still off. It may come back someday… but as of right now the official word is that the movie is Cancelled.
9. @spence replies at 15th October 2007, 12:30 pm :
I wouldn’t say that the Halo movie is dead or been cancelled. It just on hold for right now, but with the “short films”, fox buying the filming rights, and of course the success of Halo 3….I wouldn’t say its dead. I can put up a link too :)
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0464037/
it says its still on…..
10. John replies at 15th October 2007, 12:36 pm :
Hey Spence,
Oh it’s dead. From Blomkamp’s own mouth:
“The film is entirely dead. In the configuration it was in. Whatever happens with that movie, assuming that movie gets made, will be a totally different configuration. It’s not so much me as the entire vessel sank. Basically, it was a combination of; there were two studios involved that weren’t getting along in the process of making it, Universal and Fox. That kind of stuff happens, it’s a fragile industry. So the film collapsed at the end of last year, and it’s been dead, ever since then.”
Fox bought the merch rights… nothing to do with the “movie”, and as has been shown on other sites, the amount of Halo 3 games sold isn’t even close enough to justify a movie. This thing is dead.
It WILL come back to life at some point… no doubt. But it’s RIP for now… and when it does come back… Jackson will still have little to nothing to do with its creation no matter what the press releases say
11. @spence replies at 15th October 2007, 1:49 pm :
okay, okay it may be dead for now, but it will come back to life and i think it will be pretty soon….oh and are you sure about the Jackson not directing it…..I’ve read that Jackson is directing it and i have read that Blomkamp was directing it…..Either way, i would love to see Jackson do The Hobbit and Halo. I would just love for the Halo film get made.
12. John replies at 15th October 2007, 1:51 pm :
100% positive that Jackson is not directing it. Where did you hear that he was?
13. @spence replies at 15th October 2007, 2:25 pm :
Wikipedia…….gay source i know, but thats where i read it.