The Hollywood Reporter reports that Peter Jackson is shrugging off any rumors that THE HOBBIT production is delayed.

The transcript of the online chat with Peter Jackson and Guillermo Del Toro is online and can be found here.

Here are some of the main points that I found interesting:

• Ian Holm will appear in some fashion in the film, but will likely depend on the physical demands of the role. They will know more once the script is finished.
• Howard Shore will be back to score the films
• GDT says Ron Perlman has a “good chance” of being the voice of Smaug, but he actually has “other plans” for using him in the film
• Early production timeline according to Jackson: “the rest of this year and start early conceptual designs. 2009 will be dedicated to pre-production on both movies and 2010 will be the year we shoot both films back to back. Post productin follows one film at a time with The Hobbit being released Dec 2011, and F2 release Dec 2012.”
• No serious casting moves will be made until next year
• The second film does not have a title yet.
• No decisions have been made about an online production blog
• GDT: “I am all for trying to preserve every idiosyncrasy the novel has- the very things that seem
  

Weta is having an “Unexpected Party” – a chance to ask GDT and Peter Jackson questions in an online chat.

Jackson posted this letter at www.wetaNZ.com regarding the chat:

Several years ago – it seems a lifetime now – I invited 20 questions from fans right at the start of embarking on The Lord of the Rings trilogy. For me, it was an important and enjoyable moment, when I was able to begin a relationship that helped define our attitude to that unique project. It gave me a sense of responsibility that stayed etched in my brain for the next 5 years.

Well, the time has come again! With us right on the cusp of beginning pre-production on The Hobbit, and its companion movie, it seems fitting to do the same thing again.

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