'Hobbit' Helmer Del Toro Bows Out of Film

Guillermo Del Toro has abandoned his role as director on the upcoming film versions of 'The Hobbit,' based on the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, www.deadline.com reports.  However, he will continue to participate in the writing of the screenplay. 

In announcing this development, as written on Deadline.com, Del Toro said, "In light of ongoing delays in the setting of a start date for filming The Hobbit, I am faced with the hardest decision of my life. After nearly two years of living, breathing and designing a world as rich as Tolkien's Middle Earth, I must, with great regret, take leave from helming these wonderful pictures. I remain grateful to Peter, Fran and Philippa Boyens, New Line and Warner Brothers and to all my crew in New Zealand. I've been privileged to work in one of the greatest countries on earth with some of the best people ever in our craft and my life will be forever changed. The blessings have been plenty, but the mounting pressures of conflicting schedules have overwhelmed the time slot originally allocated for the project. Both as a cowriter and as a director, I wish the production nothing but the very best of luck and I will be first in line to see the finished product. I remain an ally to it and its makers, present and future, and fully support a smooth transition to a new director."

Peter Jackson, who directed the three previous Lord of the Rings movies, including the Best Picture Oscar-winning 'The Return of the King,' also made a statement, saying, "We feel very sad to see Guillermo leave The Hobbit, but he has kept us fully in the loop and we understand how the protracted development time on these two films, due to reasons beyond anyone's control, has compromised his commitment to other long term projects. The bottom line is that Guillermo just didn't feel he could commit six years to living in New Zealand, exclusively making these films, when his original commitment was for three years... New Line and Warner Bros will sit down with us this week, to ensure a smooth and uneventful transition, as we secure a new director for The Hobbit. We do not anticipate any delay or disruption to ongoing pre-production work."

A replacement director has not yet been announced. 

The two-part film version of 'The Hobbit' will feature acclaimed actor Sir Ian McKellen as the wizard Gandalf.  Sir Ian McKellen has appeared on Broadway in Dance of Death, Ian McKellen: A Knight Out at the Lyceum, Wild Honey, Ian KcKennel: Acting Shakespeare, Amadeus, and The Promise. Long known as a Shakespearean actor with the U.K.'s National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company, amongst other high profile establishments. He has appeared in over 250 productions, garnering multiple Tony and Olivier Awards. In 1979 he was awarded the Commander of the British Empire for his services to drama. He has recently attracted wider fame and attention for his portrayal as Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and as well as for his role as Magneto in the popular X-Men films. McKellen recently reprised his role of Estragon in the West End's Haymarket Theatre's production of 'Waiting for Godot' directed by Sean Mathias, which also starred Roger Rees.

Photo Credit: Retna Ltd.

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