WETA Host: I would love to know how you are going to deal with goblins in the movie. Will they look like the smaller orcs in the Lord of the Rings movies or are you going to make a completely new design? Also will everything look like it did in the Lord of the Rings movies or will you be redesigning it to fit your vision?

Guillermo del Toro: This is an area in which I hope we can expand and enhance a LOT from the established designs in the Trilogy. I plan to come up with a very strong, new treatment for the Goblins. I also think the Wargs should be readdressed for their role in The HOBBIT.

WETA Host: One thing I love about watching movies from different film makers is seeing their own visions put onscreen. But since these HOBBIT movies are being made to tie in with the Lord of the Rings series, does this mean Mr. Del Toro's wonderfully imaginative vision will be limited to follow the rules set up by Mr. Jackson?

Guillermo del Toro: It is my privilege to roam through roads previously traced but I definitely intend to take you to new and exciting places that the Trilogy did not explore. Nevertheless it is our intention that, once done, the 5 films will play like a symphonic work that seamlessly transports you through this world.

WETA Host: Hi there, I'm Beren from Romania and I'd like to ask Mr. GDT if he plans to use(as PJ did) extensive matte paintings and "big-atures" to portray the vast panoramas and cities of Middle-earth or the more simpler CG effects? Thanks and cheers.

Guillermo del Toro: Peter and I both love "old school" techniques. I adore physical miniatures and try to use them as much as I can and have a bit of a fetish about that. Matte Paintings and "Big-atures" will definitely be in these.

WETA Host: Question for Guillermo, assuming they are all returning to write the screenplay, will you be writing alongside Peter, Philippa and Fran also?

Guillermo del Toro: I intend to. Their input in the literary creation of the screenplay is a must. I depend on them and expect to spend many delightful months wandering through Middle Earth.

Peter Jackson: Writing a screen play with a group of collaborators is like the Lennon McCartney collaboration …. sometimes one or two people do more than others on certain parts of the process and vice versa, it all comes out in the wash and we share equal credit in what everyone has done, with 4 of us we will be able to divide the work up in interesting ways and everyone will be able to help craft these films.

WETA Host: I'd comment on the awesomeness of director choice, but I'm sure that gets old. Concerning The Hobbit and the numerous Dwarves, I was wondering if all of them are going to find their way into the film. In Lord of the Rings, you had 9 in the Fellowship, but you had three movies to flesh them out. In the Hobbit, you have 13 Dwarves and one film to throw them all in. I'm definitely hoping to see all 13 make their way in, but what are you doing about this?

Guillermo del Toro: Tolkien wrote 13 dwarves and I intend to use 13 dwarves. I am, in fact, thrilled to keep them all and have them be distinguishable and affecting as characters. Much of the drama and emotion in the last third of the book and film will come from them.

WETA Host: Guillermo, I have always thought of you as a visionary director, and I love your work- could you please tell me what was the deciding factor that made you agree to direct The Hobbit?

Guillermo del Toro: Of all of Tolkien literary work I was only familiar with The Hobbit. I purchased it at age 11 and it struck a chord with me but, back then, I failed to connect with the Trilogy and the Silmarillion (Which now I find delectable) eluded me. I found them -unlike The Hobbit- to be "too dense" for my young mind. I dreamt of Mirkwood and Smaug for ages (in fact, a Smaug-like dragon was scripted as part of the "fairy tale" Ophelia narrates to her brother in Pan's Labyrinth and was sculpted but was cut for budget reasons) but when I saw Peter undertake the Trilogy I thought that The Hobbit would never come to be for me. The proposition of spending half a decade crafting these films received- as Peter will attest- a 5 second "YES" from me. To people in my industry I'm usually a guy that tries to generate his own projects and I remain very elusive when people try and attach me to big projects. For decades I have passed on films of enormous scope but this is a fantastic privilege and I immediately said "Yes".

Related post categories: Movie News : Guillermo del Toro, Peter Jackson, The Hobbit, Untitled Hobbit Sequel

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