The resemblance of Del Toro to a Hobbit is frightening…


Fat geeky Spanish-speaking director Guillermo Del Toro is reportedly in talks to direct the two “Lord of the Rings” prequels for MGM.The 43 year old former make-up artists and director of “Pan’s Labyrinth” and “Hellboy” is oddly shaped like “The Hobbit” the film he attempts to bring to the screen. Interestingly enough Peter Jackson (with whom New Line are apparently squabbling with currently over money) is also shaped like a ‘Hobbit.’ Conspiracy? I think so.

The two prequels will film back-to-back adapting J.R.R. Tolkien’s “Hobbit,” which would serve as de facto prequels for the most successful motion picture trilogy of all time. Earning $3 billion in worldwide box-office, the “Lord of the Rings” franchise will have Peter Jackson serving only as a producer on the “Hobbit” films. Although rumors were circling that Sam Raimi (”Spider-man“) might direct, MGM – the rightsholders were eager to pick a geek favorite.

“Lord of the Geeks” as Del Toro is also known was born in Mexico and his credits also include “Blade II,” “Mimic” and “The Devil’s Backbone.” Del Toro has not yet directed a film that has grossed more than $85 million (”Blade II” grossed $82.3 million in 2002)

Originally published in 1937, “The Hobbit” focuses on ‘Bilbo Baggins’ as he joins a fellowship of dwarves setting out with ‘Gandalf the Grey’ to find the treasure of a massive dragon named ‘Smaug’.

Although some of their characters only appear briefly in “The Hobbit” the “Lord of the Rings” cast members including Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen, Cate Blanchett, Sean Astin and Elijah Wood have all expressed interest in returning to Middle-earth if the scripts written include them.

GUILLERMO DEL TORO

Date	Title (click to view)	Studio	Lifetime Gross / Theaters		Opening / Theaters
12/29/06	Pan’s Labyrinth	PicH	$37,634,615	1,143	$568,641	17
4/2/04	Hellboy	SonR	$59,623,958	3,043	$23,172,440	3,028
3/22/02	Blade II	NL	$82,348,319	2,707	$32,528,016	2,707
11/21/01	The Devil’s Backbone	SPC	$755,249	35	$34,963	4
8/22/97	Mimic	Mira.	$25,480,490	2,255	$7,818,208	2,255
4/1/94	Cronos	Oct.	$621,392	28	$17,538	2

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