It’s been less than a week since it was confirmed that British actor, Martin Freeman would be donning a pair of rubber feet to play leading role Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s upcoming adaptation of The Hobbit. The same story gave us names of eight of the thirteen-strong Dwarven company and even suggested that James Nesbitt and former Doctor Who star, David Tennant may be up for leading roles.

But regular FilmShaft readers will know that David Tennant is not the only Doctor in the house (sorry).

Way back in August we reported that the seventh Doctor, actor Sylvester McCoy was in talks to play another wizard of Middle Earth, Radagast The Brown. Speaking to a Scottish newspaper, the actor confessed that he and one other were in negotiations for the part -which is expected to be greatly expanded upon thanks to the inclusion of Tolkien’s appendices in the film.

Well now McCoy has been speaking once again, this time to fans at the Armageddon Expo in Auckland and according to Gallifrey Newsbase it’s good news:

Rumours of the Seventh Doctor’s involvement in the Peter Jackson film have been around for a while but this is the first conformation from the actor that he has been offered a role in the movie.

McCoy was speaking at the Armageddon Expo in Auckland yesterday, It is understood that McCoy had meetings in Wellington with Jackson and co-producer and co-writer Philippa Boyens last week, where he was offered the role, but that no contracts have yet been signed.

Personally I’m quite a fan of McCoy, and alongside Ian McKellen’s Gandalf and Christopher Lee’s Saruman (please let it be) he’d be a great match as the earthy, eccentric Radagast.

On the subject of Christopher Lee, we have yet to have confirmation on his and Hugo Weaving’s return as Saruman the White and Elrond Halfelven, here’s hoping they sign on the dotted line soon!

Source: Gallifrey Newsbase.

1973. It was a year of change. The UK entered the European Economic Community, the Vietnam war came to an end, The World Trade Center officially opened in New York City following a ribbon cutting ceremony, Egypt and Israel signed a US sponsored cease-fire agreement – and The Exorcist was released in theaters.

Loosely based on a “true story”, dubbed by many “the scariest film of all time” and finding itself included in many top ten horror film lists ever since, The Exorcist was directed by William Friedkin, based upon the 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty and forced the cinema going public to question their own beliefs on demonic possession and heaven and hell – whilst reducing them to quivering schoolgirls in the process.

Since it’s release we have of course been treated to many a film, far more graphic and grotesque than The Exorcist could ever hope to be, but what if the film was up for the remake treatment? Not by some young hotshot director, but by the very pair responsible for the original film?

In an interview with Cemetery Dance magazine, Exorcist author William Peter Blatty has revealed that he’s working on a remake of sorts – not a feature film, but a far more accurate and detailed miniseries – and William Friedkin has agreed to direct. The news came when the controversial writer was asked if he’d have changed anything about the film, and to say it came a surprise is something of an understatement:

“Yes and no. I would love to have been able to include the subplot involving Karl and his daughter Elvira which I did in my first draft, but that script ran to 172 pages, much, much too long. But I might have it my way in the near future, inasmuch as I’ve written an Exorcist miniseries script that not only faithfully includes all the main elements of the novel, but also some rather spooky new material and scenes, as well as a totally new (and perhaps much more satisfying) ending. I’ve also updated it. Billy Friedkin has agreed to direct.”

Whether or not the project is currently attached to a studio is another matter, but in this age of remakes and “torture porn” horror it can only be a matter of time before the head-spinning Blair and Father Merrin grace our screens once more.

Source: Bloody Disgusting.