Peter Jackson discusses The Hobbit at Comic Con

Peter Jackson made his very first appearance at Comic Con to promote District 9, which he produced. At the beginning of the panel, he began by talking about The Hobbit, and progress with the project to head off all the questions the audience would have. They are writing the script and about 3 weeks from giving it to the studio to look over and approve. No actors have been signed as of yet. He also explains why they are doing two Hobbit movies.

My favorite moment of this clip from Rope of Silicon is at about the six minute mark when Peter takes out his camera and takes a picture of the Comic Con audience, asking the guy in the back to smile. "This is a moment to remember for the rest of my life."

Daniel Craig the villain

Jamie Bell (all grown up!) from Billy Elliot will be Tintin and Daniel Craig will be his co-star as the dastardly pirate Red Rackham.
From the BBC:

British actor Daniel Craig, best known for playing secret agent James Bond, has signed up to play the villain in the new Tintin movie.

The 40-year-old has landed the role of Red Rackham opposite Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell, who will play the intrepid young reporter Tintin.

Filming for The Adventures of Tintin: Secret of the Unicorn, directed by Steven Spielberg, has already begun.

It is thought the Tintin movie, planned for released in 2011, will be the first of two or three movies.

Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson, who is co-producing the project with Spielberg, has been lined up to direct the sequel.

Confused by what Tintin is all about? Read this article on the European cult of Tintin.

James McAvoy to play The Hobbit?!

The internets are buzzing this morning with news from WENN! Can you think of anything more perfect? It hadn't occurred to me before I read it, but it is just the best news!

Scottish actor James McAvoy has been tipped to take the lead role in the new movie version of Lord Of The Rings prequel The Hobbit.

J.R.R. Tolkien's novel is set to be turned into a major blockbuster under the direction of Guillermo del Toro and filming is due to begin in New Zealand later this year.

Sir Ian McKellen will reprise his role as Gandalf and McAvoy is rumoured to be the favourite to take the lead role of hobbit Bilbo Baggins.

The character was played by Ian Holm in the previous films of the fantasy franchise, but he is due to be replaced by a high profile star for the new movie.

A source tells British newspaper the Daily Express, "A number of names have been doing the rounds, including Daniel Radcliffe and Jack Black, but James (McAvoy) is the one the film's bosses really want.

"They're expected to have talks soon so hopefully it could be confirmed in the not too distant future."

And director del Toro adds, "I can tell you it's down to a few names that we all agree upon. For our first choice, completely magically we all have the same name."

Gandalf is a lock!

Yippee! Sir Ian McKellan has confirmed that he'll be back as Gandalf in the two Hobbit films! As if anyone else would do! From BBC News:

"Yes, it's true," he told Empire magazine. "It's not a part that you turn down. I loved playing Gandalf."

Two Hobbit films are planned for release in 2010 and 2011. They will be prequels to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson.

Guillermo del Toro has been named as the director of the movies, to be made back-to-back in New Zealand.

"I spoke to Guillermo in the very room that Peter Jackson offered me the part and he confirmed that I would be reprising the role," Sir Ian said.

He also said del Toro would be starting the script in about six weeks after he has finished filming current project, Hellboy 2.

According to studio New Line, the first film will be an adaptation of The Hobbit and the second will be an original story focusing on the 60 years between the book and the beginning of the Rings trilogy.

"As to how it's going to work over two films and what going to happen on screen, well Guillermo has not got down to working out the major details yet - I can tell you it's going to be amazing though," Sir Ian said.