Sir Ian as Gandalf

[ArathornJax]

Over at the TheOneRing.net they also have an interview posted with del Toro. He confirms that both Sir Ian and Andy S. are on board as are John Howe, Alan Lee, Howard Shore and others.

What will be interesting is when they start casting the other roles such as Bilbo, the dwarves, Beorn, Bard, Thranduil, etc.

[Eönwë]

I am happy that Ian McKellen is staying. It just wouldn't be the same. And even more so with Andy Serkis as Gollum.

But now Gloin has to look similar to Gimli.

[Sauron the White]

I love the idea of McKellen coming back as Gandalf and felt he was perfect in the first films. I do badly want to see someone else as Elrond. Weaving was by far the weakest of all the major roles in the films. His style of acting is seventy years out of date and is borrowed from silent Cecil B. Demille movies. He is stiff, wooden, pompous and delivers his lines as if some extra material had been inserted into his spinal area.

But I imagine, for purposes of continuity, he will repirse his role.

[davem]

Originally Posted by Sauron the White

I do badly want to see someone else as Elrond. Weaving was by far the weakest of all the major roles in the films. His style of acting is seventy years out of date and is borrowed from silent Cecil B. Demille movies. He is stiff, wooden, pompous and delivers his lines as if some extra material had been inserted into his spinal area.
.

It was probably down to his inability to mask his contempt for the dialogue he'd been given - "Our list of allies grows thin"

Don't know if anyone can confirm the rumour that Philipa Boyens was taught by the late Professor Stanley Unwin? I found this pic http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertain...io/1759706.stm of him auditioning for Gandalf & here's a clip of him at a lecture on English Boyens is supposed to have attended in the early 90's http://www.stanleyunwin.com/audio/language%201.mp3

[Mithalwen]

Yes that was a terrible line, or perhaps he was suprised that the wise, noble, kind and self sacrificing book character had become a bitter, creepily jealous dad ... but the way he says Morrrrrrrrrrdorrrrrrrrrrrrr *thud*

Maybe he should have played it more like Mitzi...

http://www.daisycutter.nl/MAMBO/imag...the_Desert.jpg

[Sauron the White]

If Weavings problems with acting are the script, then he has trouble with every script he handles. He evidenced the same wooden acting style in the MATRIX films and again in VENDETTA although we were blessed with his mask to hide his expressionless face in that one.

Its the singer not the song.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Sauron the White

If Weavings problems with acting are the script, then he has trouble with every script he handles. He evidenced the same wooden acting style in the MATRIX films and again in VENDETTA although we were blessed with his mask to hide his expressionless face in that one.

Its the singer not the song.

So you are saying that Jackson made a mistake?!!!! That he is fallible?
That great success is not a sign of quality?
*faints with shock*

The Matrix isn't really my thing but I enjoyed the dry humour in Weaving's performance. I can't really see Agent Smith as a gurning Jim Carrey style loon.

Wooden in Priscilla? I think not..........

As for John R-D... I can't understand why it took so long to make him look like himself with more hair and a beard...

[Gwathagor]

Originally Posted by Sauron the White

Its the singer not the song.

Or perhaps it is both the singer and the song...the greatest actor can't fix an abominable script.

I really enjoyed Weaving as Agent Smith and thought he was the consistent highlight of a trilogy that grew progressively worse the longer it got.

However, he just seemed perpetually grumpy as Elrond. I want more...subtlety and refinement and wisdom from the father of Arwen, the brother of Elros, the herald of Gil-galad, the greatest lore-master alive in Middle-earth. Regardless, I hope he comes back as Elrond in The Hobbit, for consistency's sake.