The acclaimed film director is reportedly in negotiation to direct the two installments of another adaptation from J.R.R. Tolkien's works, but rumors are that he is too busy to tackle the job.
- Jan 29, 2008
AceShowbiz - Words are spreading that Guillermo del Toro is going to helm the back-to-back installments of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit". According to Hollywood Reporter, the director of "Pan's Labyrinth" is in talks with MGM to take the key part in the films' production.
Still, on the contrary to the news, HPANA.com reported that the Academy Award-nominated director is too busy for being involved in the project. The site based the reason on producer David Heyman's comment stating, "Del Toro was sadly not really in the running because he's rather busy."
Though initially, Peter Jackson, the helmer of "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, wanted to adapt the story, he won't take on the writing and directing roles due to his commitments with "The Lovely Bones" and "Tintin". The filming of the project is set for 2009, while the release of the first film is scheduled for 2010 and the second in 2011.
Aside from the acclaimed Spanish language fantasy film "Labyrinth", del Toro's previous film projects include "Mimic", "The Devil's Backbone", "Blade II" and "Hellboy". His latest work "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" is expected to be released on July 11, 2008. Next, he is going to direct a Spanish ghost story "3993" and an adventure fantasy film "At the Mountains of Madness".
