TotalFilm got an exclusive and long interview with director Guillermo Del Toro about his upcoming two-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit. Tolkien and Del Toro fans, however, will be most interested in the discussion over the film’s portrayal of the dragon, Smaug.

The director cryptically shared, “Early in production I came up with a very strong idea that would separate Smaug from every other dragon ever made. The problem was implementing that idea. But I think we’ve nailed it.”  You can read the rest of the interview here or click on the first link in the sources below.

Meanwhile, Gandalf actor Ian McKellen recently read the script and revealed that the movies will pull from other Tolkien sources.  Though he was vague on details, this comment will likely fuel speculation on what “sources” he is referring to- material from the Lord of the Rings novels that didn’t make it into the original films?  The Silmarillion? We shall see.

He also promised that despite a new director, The Hobbit films will still have the same look and feel as The Lord of the Rings trilogy.  ”Peter Jackson is still a hands-on producer.  Guillermo del Toro comes in not as a wild card but very much respecting it all.”

Sources:

http://www.totalfilm.com/features/guillermo-del-toro-on-making-the-hobbit

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/11/05/exclusive-ian-mckellen-says-the-hobbit-script-pulls-from-other-tolkien-sources/

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/11/06/the-hobbit-director-guillermo-del-toro-makes-ian-mckellen-shiver/