Original Hobbits returning for Rings prequels?

In what we can only describe a bizarre turn of events, Dominic “Merry” Monaghan has said that the team developing The Hobbit want the original band to return for the prequels.

"They really want us to come back, and I think there's a really strong chance that we might be back," he told MTV.

"We're not in 'The Hobbit,' no, but I think the idea in [Jackson's, Del Toro's and the other producers'] heads is that the trilogy of the 'Lord of the Rings' films was so beloved by the fans that they're really keen to try to say thank you for the support that they gave to the 'Lord of the Rings' movies and possibly bring back some of those characters that they know and love.”

‘The fans will be charmed’

News surrounding the proposed prequels has been so far sketchy. We’re working under the assumption that Del Toro has dismissed the idea of a ‘bridging movie’ and are basing the two films solely on The Hobbit.

If that's true, then we can’t see how Pippin, Merry and the rest could possibly have a place in the story. Still, if anyone should know if Monaghan is in talks to come back, it should be Monaghan.

[Source: MTV via The Hobbit Movie ]

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine.