We, Lord of the Rings fans, were understandably excited when New Line announced the release of the epic fantasy trilogy on Blu-ray last year. We were less thrilled (though not terribly surprised) when it turned out the initial release would just be the theatrical cuts of the films, rather than the extended editions that incorporated all manner of interesting footage back into the films.

Now, however, we may finally get the Lord of the Rings Blu-rays we wanted all along! The Digital Bits reports from their sources that the LOTR extended editions are coming sometime this year. It makes sense, given that The Hobbit films are finally ramping up toward production and are sure to usher in a new pandemic of Tolkien fever

Thanks CB!

But just before we met, he’d auditioned for the role of Bilbo Baggins in Guillermo del Toro’s two-part film of The Hobbit. As he is the first to admit, he’s not an obvious choice – ‘Look at the size of me for Christ’s sake!’ If he got the part, he would, he says, find it almost impossible to refuse – despite the fact that it would involve him spending several months in New Zealand.

We are still waiting for official confirmation, but this indicates that at least the work is in progress for The Hobbit

Everyone is over the moon. Tobey is not only one of the most recognisable faces in Hollywood, he is also one of the best actors.

Tobey Maguire was recently asked about the rumor and claimed he had not been approached:

I love Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson and I certainly wouldn’t take myself out of the conversation.

Aintitcool.com managed to get a reply to an email they sent Peter Jackson asking if there was anything in this latest rumor:

No truth at all, although we’re all big fans of Toby. We are currently auditioning for Bilbo, and a month or two away from any announcements.

Thanks THM!

This is a news item I’d love to proclaim with all-out certainty, but my tried and trusted source(s) aren’t sure if this is a total lock, or whether it’s just someone they’re seriously interested in. Either way, producers of THE HOBBIT have begun looking at casting for the dwarves (dwarfs?), and one name has emerged as a major contender: Brian Cox. He’s a brilliant choice for the role: physically, he fits with the depiction of the the race in LOTR (well, Gimli), and he’s a born Scotsman. Also, he could yell at Galadriel for adding narration. So there you go. If this comes to fruition, you heard it here first!

I think that he can be a good Thorin Oakenshield. What do you think?

Lord Of The Rings

IGN: Will you be reprising your role as Saruman in The Hobbit or the follow-up film that links it to Lord of the Rings?

Lee: I’ve heard Ian McKellen has agreed to play Gandalf again in The Hobbit. But my character doesn’t appear [in the book] at all. But then again you never know. They might suddenly put in the council of the wizards. I have no idea. Nobody has approached me and as for this mysterious other film, is it supposed to take place before The Hobbit, after The Hobbit, before Lord of the Rings?

IGN: It’s supposed to link the events of The Hobbit with those of Lord of the Rings. As a Tolkien expert you might be a good person to have on set…

Lee: Well, yes, because you have to remember that they’re thousands of years old these wizards. It might be the time when Saruman the White was the head of the council and was a decent, noble, marvellous person. They might show him in that light because it was never explained why he suddenly turns.

IGN: Would you be willing to reprise the role?

Lee: In the spirit very much so. But I’ve reached an age now [86] where going to New Zealand again would be a very considerable effort. It would not be easy because it’s an exhausting journey. Even with a break I’m not sure I could do it.

IGN: If they could film your part in London, would you be interested?

Lee: Oh yes, of course. I’d be delighted.

What’s this all about? Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin are nowhere in The Hobbit book. In fact, they’re not even born during Bilbo Baggins’ adventures with the dragons. Could it be one of the first clues about the plot of the second Hobbit film? Let’s recall that it’s generally considered the bridge between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, which may include some of the original cast such as Ian McKellen (Gandalf) and Andy Serkis (Gollum). However, director Guillermo del Toro has been absolutely silent about the concrete details of the second film.

We’ll bring you the updates to this information as soon as possible. In the meantime, what do you think about a possible return of the 4 beloved hobbits?

Thanks FS!