So hard to separate fact from speculation and outright fiction in the case of "The Hobbit." We know that MGM, the studio in control of the franchise, is having financial woes and that production has been delayed as a result. We also know that Guillermo del Toro won't be directing, and that "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy writer/director/producer Peter Jackson is at least considering taking the reins. We also know, from Jackson, that news will be coming soon. And that Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis will reprise their "Rings" trilogy roles. That about covers the facts.
Now there's news from the weekend that Sylvester McCoy, the Scottish actor who is best known for playing the Seventh Doctor in the "Dr. Who" series, may be joining "The Hobbit," though not as Bilbo. He said as much in an interview with Scottish newspaper the Dunoon Observer. "I am being cast in The Hobbit," he said. "We're currently in negotiations -- there are two of us under consideration. It's not the Bilbo role, but could be bigger."
The One Ring (our source for this story) rightly speculates that he could be referring to Radagast the Brown, a wizard colleague of Gandalf's who is rumored to have an expanded role in the adaptation. What do you think of the news, "Hobbit" fans? Do you buy it?
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