McKellan said a few years ago he wanted to do it, and was concerned when all the legalities would be worked out, given that one never knows how long one has on this Earth.
-------------- Original message -------------- From: Bosco Bosco <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Unless I am completely misinformed, Ian McKellan as Gandalf is a done deal. B --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: > This is the best news i've heard in ages, surpassing my excitement > over the "Blade Runner" DVD! I wonder why Jackson wants to do two > films and how he'll divide them? Can't wait for the Battle of Five > Armies, and can't wait to see Smaug! I'm really hoping that this > time the Elven sword Glamdring glows more than it did in the LOTR > movies. It's supposed to constantly emit the blue light when in the > presence of Orcs. > > And fingers crossed: we absolutely, positively *must* get lucky > enough to have Ian Mckellan back as Gandalf! > > -------------- Original message -------------- > From: Daryle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > > source: > http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ie2960ff97697ea62 > 71399e8be7399978 > > Dec 19, 2007 > NEW YORK -- The eagerly awaited prequels to the "Lord of the Rings" > trilogy > will finally hit the big screen. > > MGM and New Line have pacted to co-finance and co-distribute "The > Hobbit" > and a sequel to the film. New Line will handle distribution in > North > America, and MGM will distribute the J.R.R. Tolkien adaptations > internationally. > > Putting aside what once seemed like irreconcilable differences over > the > filmmaker's profit participation, "Rings" writer-director Peter > Jackson and > New Line have settled all litigation over the nearly $3 > billion-grossing > "Rings" trilogy. Jackson and Fran Walsh will executive produce the > films, to > be shot simultaneously, and New Line will manage their production. > > Preproduction will begin soon, and principal photography is > tentatively set > for 2009. The release of the first film is slated for 2010 and the > sequel in > 2011. > > Jackson, MGM chairman and CEO Harry Sloan and New Line co-chairman > and > co-CEOs Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne jointly made the announcement > Tuesday > morning. > > "I'm very pleased that we've been able to put our differences > behind us, so > that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line," > Jackson > said. " 'The Lord of the Rings' is a legacy we proudly share with > Bob and > Michael, and together, we share that legacy with millions of loyal > fans all > over the world. We are delighted to continue our journey through > Middle > Earth. I also want to thank Harry Sloan and our new friends at MGM > for > helping us find the common ground necessary to continue that > journey." > > Said Sloan, "Peter Jackson has proven himself as the filmmaker who > can > bring the extraordinary imagination of Tolkien to life, and we > full-heartedly agree with the fans worldwide who know he should be > making > 'The Hobbit.' Now that we are all in agreement on 'The Hobbit,' we > can focus > on assembling the production team that will capture this phenomenal > tale on > film." > > "We are very pleased we have been able to resolve our differences > and that > Peter and Fran will be actively and creatively involved with the > 'Hobbit' > movies," Shaye said. "We know they will bring the same passion, > care and > talent to these films that they so ably accomplished with the 'Lord > of the > Rings' trilogy." > > Lynne said, "Peter is a visionary filmmaker, and he broke new > ground with > 'The Lord of the Rings.' We're delighted he's back for the 'Hobbit' > films > and that the Tolkien saga will continue with his imprint. We > greatly > appreciate the efforts of Harry Sloan, who has been instrumental in > helping > us reach our new accord." > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > I got friends who are in prison and Friends who are dead. I'm gonna tell ya something that I've often said. You know these things that happen, That's just the way it's supposed to be. And I can't help but wonder, Don't ya know it coulda been me. __________________________________________________________ Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/newsearch/category.php?category=shopping [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
