While the faces will be different in Peter Jackson‘s forthcoming two-parter “The Hobbit,” the behind scenes talent will largely remain the same. With the project now gearing up to shoot in the longtime home of Middle Earth New Zealand, and with Jackson set to work with the same crews he utilized on those films, it’s no surprise that a familiar name is returning to score the film and help replicate the magic of “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy.
Speaking with The Province (via ComingSoon), composer Howard Shore has revealed he will be back to score the upcoming installments of “The Hobbit.” “It looks like finally it’s going to be happening. I’ll be working on it for the next three years — it’s going to consume a lot of my time and work now,” he said. And that work has certainly paid off in the past as he netted three Oscars for his ‘Lord Of The Rings’ work, taking home Best Score and Best Original Song for “The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King” and Best Score for “The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring.”
Other than this bit of news, things are quiet on “The Hobbit” front right now, but expect news to build as the picture gears up for production. And still no word on the MIA Ian McKellan, who last we heard still hasn’t signed any contracts. At any rate, a big chunk of the cast has been announced already with James Nesbitt, Adam Brown, Richard Armitage, Aidan Turner, Rob Kazinsky, Graham McTavish, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Mark Hadlow and Peter Hambleton. And if you’re wondering just who all these folks are, check out our handy guide.
“The Hobbit” will hit theaters in December 2012 and 2013.