B-Reels Out of Bond

First Hobbit Film's Script Is Done!

Posted by Nick Tuesday, November 24, 2009 0 comments

TheOneRing.net has pointed out an article by Inthenews.co.uk which confirms that the script for the first Hobbit film is done!

Peter Jackson mentioned its completion at the premiere of his new film, The Lovely Bones:

"The Hobbit will be two movies and we've written the first script and delivered it to the studio who seem to be happy with it." -Peter Jackson ("Jackson happy to hand over Hobbit reins", InTheNews.co.uk)

If the studio's 'happy' with the script, that could mean casting announcements are on the way---as the only thing holding back any official announcements is studio budget approval. Jackson also notes they are "halfway" through the second film's script. Stay tuned...

More Dwarf Casting Rumors: Brian Cox (as Balin?)

Posted by Nick Saturday, November 14, 2009 0 comments

Ain't It Cools News' down under correspondent Latauro has picked up from his sources that Brian Cox is at least being strongly considered to play Balin in the "Hobbit" films!

Brian Cox looking dwarven as Agamemnon in "Troy".

Cox, seen in everything from "X2" and "Troy" to "Deadwood", is a great actor that has been commonly forwarded by fans in potential Dwarves casting (along with actors such as Brian Blessed and Cox's "Troy" co-star Brendan Gleeson).

I'm always excited to see Cox cast in anything, and he's a natural choice for Balin, with his pedigree and Rhys-Davies-esque gruffness.

Dwarves casting seems to be really heating up, so keep an eye here for all the updates from the Blue Mountains... :)

Balin, Dwarves |

TheOneRing.net Source Throws Out Tidbits---Thorin Cast?

Posted by Nick Thursday, November 5, 2009 0 comments

The venerable TheOneRing.net has an article up today with tidbits tossed out by a "rock-solid" inside source.

There's a variety of updates on where things like the script, casting, and design are all at in this rather quiet stretch for official news. The most interesting thing to me was not only do they essentially have Bilbo cast (and are only awaiting an official budget before announcing),but they also have someone cast as Thorin Oakenshield. Exciting as the Bilbo casting may be, I'm eager to see how the development of the Dwarves plays out, so that's really piqued my curiosity!

Check out the article for the full scoop of production updates!

Bilbo, Casting, Thorin |

John Rhys-Davies on No Return to "The Hobbit"---As a Dwarf, Anyways

Posted by Nick Tuesday, November 3, 2009 0 comments

In an interview with Empire this week, John Rhys-Davies has said he's not interested in a role in "The Hobbit"...at least, not as a dwarf.

Rhys-Davies famously developed an allergic reaction to his dwarf makeup while playing Gimli, which (as he recounts in a number of the LOTR Extended Edition DVD features) gave him a godawful, painful, socially stigmatizing rash.

Rhys-Davies also provided some interesting commentary on the challenge of the new films having 13 dwarves as main characters:

"Why would you want to do it if it was just a couple of shots? When you've been 1 of 1, why would you want to be 1 of 13?...

They've got a different set of problems with The Hobbit because you've got 13 dwarves, a whole band of them... You're trying to represent a whole race... You're trying to do for dwarves what The Lord of the Rings did for hobbits. " -John Rhys-Davies, to Empire

I like that approach---using the gaggle of dwarves not just to paint different personalities, but the facets of the race as a whole.

Rhys-Davies also provided the voice for Treebeard in "The Lord of the Rings", so this doesn't rule out his completing a trifecta, though he notes a desire to try something different---"perhaps an elf".

Dwarves, John Rhys-Davies, Makeup |

Fast Facts About The "Hobbit" Movies

Posted by Nick Saturday, October 31, 2009 0 comments

Here we go with the basic facts on the "Hobbit" films to get you started. I'll update this post often, and use it as a quick-reference sheet. Inside Information warning: May contain mild spoilers.

Number of films: 2 Both derived from the book, "The Hobbit".

Release Dates: 2011/2012

Director: Guillermo Del Toro

Written by: Peter Jackson/Fran Walsh/Phillippa Boyens The "Lord of the Rings" team.

Produced by: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh (Walsh is Jackson's wife, if you were wondering.)

Returning Actors from LOTR: Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Andy Serkis (Gollum) So far.

New Cast: None announced.

Subtractions from Book: None known so far.

Additions to Story: The Necromancer, and Gandalf's whereabouts dealing with him.

Fast Facts |

A Warm Welcome to B-Reels Out of Bond!

Posted by Nick Wednesday, October 28, 2009 0 comments

"It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to." -Bilbo Baggins, "The Fellowship of the Ring"

...And with that begins my own latest blogging journey: B-Reels Out of Bond!

This blog will cover news related to the Hobbit movies (the book is becoming two films), as well as provide uniquely in-depth analysis on potential approaches to the material.

I've read the book at least 3 or 4 times (and have it by my side), and as a former screenwriting student I find the challenges and opportunities the filmmakers (directed by Guillermo del Toro, written and produced by Peter Jackson/Fran Walsh/Philippa Boyens) fascinating, and plan to do regular features exploring how characters, chapters, and sequences could be and are going to be handled.

About the name: A memorable chapter in the book is called "Barrels Out of Bond"; and a 'B-reel' is a film editing term. For a series of films made against overwhelming odds through incredible devotion and teamwork, "B reels out of bond" seems like an apt description of the creative process that will produce the two Hobbit films :)

To start, I'll have updates here a few times a week, then as news picks up (Bilbo casting announcement should be soon), so will updates here alongside those regular features :) So keep an eye here for some introductory goodness and the first of those features, and feel free to check out my other two blogs: Luna C/I: Moon Colonization and Integration and the aloft Portland Party Blog!