Will Peter Jackson direct The Hobbit?

Several insider websites are reporting that Peter Jackson is in talks to replace Guillermo Del Toro as director of the The Hobbit.

While some fans had been looking forward to seeing someone else's vision of Middle-earth, many others would be delighted if Jackson were to return. A few years ago Peter Jackson seemed like the only possible choice, before legal disputes with New Line began a process that ended with him handing over the reins to Del Toro.

Jackson has several other projects in the pipeline, including directing one of the upcoming Tintin films. One of his conditions for directing The Hobbit may be to ensure that filming starts as soon as possible, so as not to delay his other projects any longer than necessary (echoing Del Toro's own sentiments).

The next few days are supposedly crucial to deciding Jackson's involvement, and the future of these films. More on this as it develops...

The Hobbit pre-production still plodding along

Despite MGM's ongoing financial woes, and last month's news that director Guillermo Del Toro had left the project, pre-production on the upcoming Hobbit films is still moving forward, slowly but steadily

Recently, there were reports that Neill Blomkamp (District 9) had been chosen to direct. These were followed quickly by reports that denied the whole thing.

There have also been casting rumours, concerning some of the dwarf roles. English actor and comedian Bill Bailey is reported to have auditioned for the role of Gloin, the father of Gimli from The Lord of the Rings. Australian actor Simon Westaway is rumoured to have auditioned for the part of Thorin Oakenshield. (Last fall there were similar rumors that Brian Cox and Stephen Fry had also auditioned as dwarves). At this point there is still no confirmation on any of these actors, nor have there been any recent hints as to who will eventually play Bilbo Baggins.









Lastly, construction appears to be proceeding nicely on the Hobbiton set!

Game of Thrones cast gallery (Season One)

Here is an evolving cast gallery for HBO's Game of Thrones, with fan art by Amok (and a couple other sources) for comparison. The show will feature a huge number of characters, and this list will be updated as news develops.

The pilot episode was filmed in Scotland and Morocco in October 2009. The first season began filming in Northern Ireland and Malta on July 26, 2010. The series will air on HBO in spring 2011.

Sean Bean as
Eddard Stark









Michelle Fairley as
Catelyn Stark









Kit Harington as
Jon Snow









Richard Madden as
Robb Stark ("The Young Wolf")








Sophie Turner as
Sansa Stark









Maisie Williams as
Arya Stark









Isaac Hempstead-Wright as
Brandon Stark








Art Parkinson as
Rickon Stark








Ron Donachie as
Rodrik Cassel









Jamie Sives as

Jory Cassel

Charles Dance as
Tywin Lannister









Peter Dinklage as
Tyrion Lannister ("The Imp")









Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as
Jaime Lannister
("The Kingslayer")








Lena Headey as
Cersei Lannister









Ian Gelder as
Kevan Lannister

Eugene Simon as
Lancel Lannister









Jack Gleeson as
Joffrey Baratheon









Aimee Richardson as
Myrcella Baratheon








Callum Wharry as
Tommen Baratheon









Mark Addy as
Robert Baratheon








Gethin Anthony as
Renly Baratheon








Harry Lloyd as
Viserys Targaryen








Emilia Clarke as
Daenerys Targaryen

Jason Momoa as
Kahl Drogo

Iain Glen as
Jorah Mormont








Aidan Gillen as
Petyr Baelish ("Littlefinger")









Conleth Hill as
Varys the Eunuch ("The Spider")









Julian Glover as
Grand Maester Pycelle









">Ian McElhinney as
Barristan Selmy
("Barristan the Bold")








Alfie Owen-Allen as
Theon Greyjoy









Finn Jones as
Loras Tyrell
("The Knight of Flowers")








Rory McCann as
Sandor Clegane ("The Hound")









Conan Stevens as
Gregor Clegane
("The Mountain that Rides")

John Standing as
Jon Arryn








Kate Dickie as
Lysa Arryn








Lino Facioli as
Robin Arryn









David Bradley as
Walder Frey









Clive Mantle as
Jon Umber ("The Greatjon")









James Cosmo as
Jeor Mormont ("The Old Bear")









John Bradley-West as
Samwell Tarly









Peter Vaughan as
Maester Aemon









Joseph Mawle as
Benjen Stark








Owen Teale as
Alliser Thorne









Francis Magee as
Yoren









Josef Altin as
Pyp









Mark Stanley as
Grenn









Natalia Tena as
Osha









Jerome Flynn as
Bronn








Miltos Yerolemou as
Syrio Forel









Sibel Kekilli as
Shae









Mark Lewis Jones as
Shagga








Mia Soteriou as
Mirri Maz Duur









David Michael Scott as
Beric Dondarrion









Joseph Dempsie as
Gendry









Ben Hawkey as
Hot Pie









Wilko Johnson as
Ilyn Payne









Roger Allam as
Illyrio Mopatis









Donald Sumpter as
Maester Luwin









Margaret John as
Old Nan








Kristian Nairn as
Hodor









Susan Brown as
Septa Mordane








Dominic Carter as
Janos Slynt








Emun Elliott as
Marillion








Brendan McCormack as
Vardis Egen








Rob Ostlere as
Waymar Royce








Roxanne McKee as
Doreah









Amrita Acharia as
Irri









Dar Salim as
Qotho








Elyes Gabel as
Rakharo








Esmé Bianco as
Ros

Antonia Christophers as
Mhaegen









Sahara Knite as
Armeca








Ian Beattie as
Meryn Trant








Jefferson Hall as
Ser Hugh of the Vale








Ciaran Bermingham as
Mord









Andrew Wilde as
Tobho Mott









Rodri Hosking as
Mycah








Eros Vlahos as
Lommy Greenhands








Brian Fortune as
Bowen Marsh








Luke McEwan as
Rast









Mark Coney as
Lord Glover








Gerry O'Brien as
Lord Bracken








Vincent McCabe as
Lord Karstark








Dermot Keaney as
Gared









Bronson Webb as
Will









Stephen Don as
Stiv









Susie Kelly as
Masha Heddle









Simon Lowe as
Wineseller Assassin









Lalor Roddy as
Assassin








Hugo Culverhouse as
Stableboy