Screen Junkies » Ian McKellan

Put Down That Book. It’s ‘The Hobbit’ Trailer

Wookie Johnson — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 15:43:21 +0000

Nerds were dealt a blow earlier this week when they got their first look at RoboCop’s rebooted body. They’ve suffered enough. Here as a reward for their hardships, is the full trailer for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit. It’s got all of the things Tolkien fans like. Short people, weird magic, mountains, pointy hats, pointy ears, caves, hard to pronounce words, men gazing forlornly at one another, and crumbling walkways and bridges. Oh man, does it ever have crumbling walkways and bridges.

There’s A F*&% Ton Of Dwarves In This Dwarf-Inclusive Trailer For ‘The Hobbit’

Wookie Johnson — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:03:58 +0000

While the original trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey gave us much to ooo and aaa over, it was decidedly lacking dwarf. That oversight has been remedied. By simply pointing the camera downward, Peter Jackson discovered that there were dwarves in those scenes after all, and now all thirteen are introduced.

If you’re bad with names, I suggest making space in your memory palace for Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Thorin Oakenshield, Dwalin, Balin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Dori, Nori, and Ori. Perhaps creating a pneumonic device will help.

10 Of The Oldest Criminals In Cinema History

Wookie Johnson — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:43:11 +0000

Four elderly men have been arrested in Georgia on suspicion of attempting to purchase explosives to blow up government agencies. They were also accused of trying to buy a formula that would help them produce the dangerous chemical ricin. Though you’d expect them to be Breaking Bad fans, it’s said that they actually devised their plan after reading the online novel Absolved. As if an elderly person knows how to make their gnarled hands work a computer.

Whether they are guilty or innocent is up for the courts to decide. However, I can present to you these ten characters from movies who are undoubtedly criminals, and undoubtedly elderly.

Ray – Small Time Crooks

CRIME: Attempted Bank Robbery

Leading a gang of hapless criminals, Ray comes up with the perfect plan. Lease an empty restaurant across the street from a bank, then tunnel beneath the street to clean it out. Sadly, his plan doesn’t quite work. but the cookies his wife sells out of the restaurant are a huge success.

Maude – Harold and Maude

CRIME: Statutory Rape

A morbid teenager named Harold sees something special in 79-year-old Maude and strikes up a romance with her. This outrages his family, psychiatrist, and priest. It’s pretty rough when a priest is giving you romantic advice.

Abby and Martha Brewster – Arsenic and Old Lace

CRIME: Murder

Elderly sisters Abby and Martha lure old men to their home and serve them poisoned refreshments. They then have their Teddy Roosevelt-impersonating-nephew dispose of the bodies.

Noted Bigmouth Ian McKellan Confirms That Hugo Weaving Returns In ‘The Hobbit’

Penn Collins — Tue, 10 May 2011 19:30:58 +0000

If news of Peter Jackson‘s The Hobbit filled you with a sense of dread that there simply wouldn’t be enough familiar characters with pointy ears to ease you back into Middle Earth, breathe a little easier. Ian McKellan, who is a Knight of the British Empire, and thus, reliable, has revealed on his blog that Hugo Weaving’s character Elrond in Tolkien’s epic. (This picture was taken on the set of The Hobbit.)

In the book, Elrond provides shelter for Bilbo and company during their journey, laying the groundwork for their friendship. The extent this scene will be spotlighted in the film in unknown, but expect more than a cameo.

This news follows Orlando Bloom‘s statement that his character, Legolas, will also make an appearance. No word on that front since early April.

During his blab-a-thon, McKellan also revealed that the first unit production will be taking break while Martin Freeman leaves the set to film three “Sherlock” episodes for televisions. Selfish, Martin. I’d expect better from you.

These announcements confirm two things: 1)Production on The Hobbit is in full swing down in New Zealand, and 2) Ian McKellan has kind of a big mouth for a Knight. If he gets on Twitter, I’m calling for another revolution. (Playlist)

Production Actually Begins On ‘The Hobbit’

Joseph Gibson — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 23:04:03 +0000

As promised, production has begun on Peter Jackson‘s upcoming The Hobbit, which will prove once and for all if Peter Jackson is really suited to adapt novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. This announcement comes with a confirmation of the cast, most of which has already been rumored or announced. It also comes with two set photos showing director Peter Jackson traipsing about Middle Earth like some hairy wizard. Here’s the full skinny on the cast, straight from the Warner Brothers/New Line press release:

“Martin Freeman takes the title role as Bilbo Baggins and Ian McKellen returns in the role of Gandalf the Grey. The Dwarves are played by Richard Armitage (Thorin Oakenshield), Ken Stott (Balin), Graham McTavish (Dwalin), William Kircher (Bifur) James Nesbitt (Bofur), Stephen Hunter (Bombur), Rob Kazinsky (Fili), Aidan Turner (Kili), Peter Hambleton (Gloin), John Callen (Oin), Jed Brophy (Nori), Mark Hadlow (Dori) and Adam Brown (Ori). Reprising their roles from The Lord of the Rings trilogy are Cate Blanchett as Galadriel, Andy Serkis as Gollum and Elijah Wood as Frodo. Jeffrey Thomas and Mike Mizrahi also join the cast as Dwarf Kings Thror and Thrain, respectively. Further casting announcements are expected.”

Huzzah! There’s also a Facebook page launched by Jackson, who as you might know has a knack for keeping interested fans in the know about his ongoing productions. If you keep your eyes on that, you won’t even have to go see The Hobbit when it comes out! You can see the photos below, and the full press release over at /Film.

‘Hobbit’ Delayed For The Nine-Hundredth Time

Wookie Johnson — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 13:21:01 +0000

Looks like Peter Jackson won’t be Hobbiting just yet. Production on the Lord Of The Rings prequel has been delayed due to Jackson’s stomach trying to kill him. The director was admitted to the hospital with stomach pains which lead to surgery for a perforated ulcer.

Representatives say, “Sir Peter is currently resting comfortably and his doctors expect him to make a full recovery. Sir Peter’s surgery is not expected to impact on his directing commitment to The Hobbit beyond a slight delay to the start of filming.”

Oh man. No coffee on the set for Sir Peter. He’s going to be cranky.

Is it just me or does this production seem cursed? First, they couldn’t find a director. Then they couldn’t find money. Then they couldn’t find a crew. Then they were called racists. So help me, if this film harms one hair on Ian McKellan‘s elderly head… (Deadline)

‘The Hobbit’s’ Multi-Racial Cast Will Be Shot In 3D

Wookie Johnson — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 23:35:31 +0000

A couple of updates from The Hobbit camp. No, Ian McKellan isn’t official yet but you know who is? All ethnicities!! A casting director was dismissed from the production after placing a newspaper ad only requesting light-skinned people audition to play Hobbit extras. In actuality, Peter Jackson and company never specified any particular race be featured in the film. This decision was solely made by the casting director. Then again, it’s New Zealand. Where are you going to find non-whites? I hope that newspaper didn’t charge by the letter.

Secondly, the decision has been made to make The Hobbit films awesome. It was inevitable that the film would be presented in 3D, but now we have confirmation that it will be shot in 3D as opposed to being post-converted a la Clash Of The Titans. Furthermore, the production will use 30 cameras during their 380 day shoot. Damn. I get tired just opening a tripod. This crew is going to be SPENT. (via NY Times and Engadget)