Jackson and del Toro Fan Chat Party

Over the weekend Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro participated in a chat party attended by over 6000 fans who asked around 7000 questions. Of those, the pair answered about 60.

Weta Holics has the full chat transcript here or download the PDF here.

The highlights basically in question order:
- Special effects will be used but as del Toro said, " love REAL set construction and think that sets are very important part of the storytelling and scope of a film..." and plans to stick with New Zealand for the entire film.
- Ian Holm may return in the role of Bilbo Baggins but will finalize the decision once have a script.
- Howard Shore will return to score the films. (Sweet!)
- In regards to horror and violence del Toro answered "I hope that Mirkwood can be pretty scary but not graphic, I hope Riddles in the dark has an element of fear and suspense and to be deeply atmospheric but still allow the ingenious, engaging contest to take place. And Smaug should be all shock and awe when he unleashes his anger so, it will be pretty intense but not gory."
- Blu-Ray discs of the trilogy are in the works but will not be out this year.
- Someone suggested Ron Perlman (Hellboy) for Smaug the dragon but del Toro said that while a possibility he has other plans for the actor.
- Jackson is hoping to be able to rebuild Hobbiton in the same location but "bigger and even better."
- The Gandalf "gaps" (do to tendency to wander in and out of the narrative of the novel) might be filled in during the second movie.
- No plans as yet for doing the film in 3-D.
- Movie game plan:
2008: Write films and work on early conceptual designs.
2009: Pre-production, casting of the movies
2010: Shoot films back to back.
2011: Post production and release of first film
2012: Post production and release of the second film
- Jackson chose del Toro because "he has respect for fantasy. He understands it, he's not frightened by it. Guillermo also understands character, and how the power of any movie is almost always linked to how closely we empathize with characters within the story. His work shows great care and love for the main characters he creates. He also has supreme confidence with design, and visual effects. So many film makers are scared of visual effects - which is no crime, but tough if you're doing one of these movies!"
- Indicated the movies will be collaboration up to a point but at the end of the day the director wins because "you should never force a director to shoot something they don't believe in."
- Aiming for an "intense PG-13" rating for both films.
- In regards to a future extended edition of the films (should own if you don't), Jackson said "you don't plan for extended editions up front an extended edition is the result of left over scenes that have been deleted out of theatrical cut... whether there will be an extended edition of the Hobbit will depend entirely on the final theatrical cut and what we have left over."
- In regards to the crew of the various effects departments, they "will utilize as many of the original elements as possible."
- To early to tell if Legolas will be seen in Mirkwood.
- Even though beasts didn't talk in LOTR, the "talking beast motif" will likely be used.
- The tone of The Hobbit will be different then LOTR as it was not as dark a time so camera style, color palette and other choices will reflect that.
- Jackson said he did not intend to release the movie on the 10th Anniversary of the Fellowship but "will claim credit for the idea from this day forward." (a joke)
- Jackson said he would shoot second unit stuff if asked but it all depends on the script and how the shooting schedules work out.
- No title yet on the second movie.
- On who will write the scripts according to Jackson, "Guillermo will be writing, along with Fran, Philippa and myself."
- Have not yet made a decision on whether internet diaries will be done for the films (as Jackson did for King Kong).
- There will be an attempt to create a consistency between the new films and the trilogy while adding new themes and the like.
- Christopher Tolkien (grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien) will not be participating in the films. (Actually he is suing to try and block the films because of money and has been very critical that the films didn't follow the books exactly.)
- Gollum's role (and thus Andy Serkis') has yet to be fully defined, something that will be worked out in writing the scripts.
- The Hobbit will be contained in one movie and Silmarillion, LOTR appendices, and other sources will be used to bridge the 60 year gap between that film and the trilogy.
- Sticking with the Trilogy's 2:35:1 format and currently not planning to shoot in HD.
- Mirkwood Elves will be different from the Rivendell Elves but "I cannot reveal anymore"
- del Toro intends to "feature" Beorn in the films rather then giving him "the Tom Bombadil treatment."
- del Toro plans to keep some designs and do complete re-designs of others such as the Wargs and the Goblins.
- Physical miniatures and matte paintings will be used in the arsenal of effects for the films. (Nice)
- Will use all 13 dwarves and try to make then distinct from each other in character.
- When casting does start, "Unequivocally, every single actor that originated a role in the Trilogy will be asked to participate and reprise it. If Health, availability or willingness become obstacles – and only in that case recasting would be considered." (Should make financial arrangements interesting since this means the actors will have the leverage).