Access “Week In Geek,” October 15, 2010

In the Access Week In Geek, Peter Jackson has reportedly finally signed on to direct “The Hobbit,” ABC has plans to bring The Hulk back to TV, and “V’s” Laura Vandervoort talks to Access Hollywood about her return to “Smallville” (and finally donning the iconic red and blue outfit).

“THE HOBBIT” GETS A DIRECTOR AND START DATE

The New York Times and TheWrap.com report that Warner Bros. and MGM have finally worked out an arrangement to finance “The Hobbit,” Peter Jackson’s epic two-part prequel to “The Lord Of The Rings” Trilogy.

The reports say that not only will the films start shooting in February of 2011, but also confirm that executive producer Peter Jackson will step into the director’s chair left vacant by Guillermo del Toro earlier this year. The two filmmakers also collaborated on the screenplay.

A reported dispute with New Zealand actors unions is the last remaining obstacle to work out for the troubled production before filming can begin, though a deal is likely to be struck on that front as well.

THE HULK RETURNING TO TV

ABC and Marvel Television are hot on developing several properties for TV, including plans to bring The Hulk back to the small screen according to The Hollywood Reporter.

No word yet on how the gamma ray green giant will actually be realized on screen. Edward Norton and Eric Bana portrayed the Hulk’s alter ego, Bruce Banner, in the last two theatrical Hulk films, but the creature himself was an expensive creation of CGI wizardry. A Hulk on par with what was seen in the movies would likely put a heavy strain on the budget of a weekly television series.

Lou Ferrigno famously played “The Incredible Hulk” weekly on TV in the pre-CGI days from 1978 to 1982, and in follow-up TV movies by simply flexing his muscles with green make-up on top. The Marvel icon is also set to appear in Joss Whedon’s big screen team up movie “The Avengers.” That version will be played by Mark Ruffalo, who will also provide movement for the monster’s motion capture in post production for the special effects team. It is unlikely there will be any connection between those two versions.

SUPERGIRL RETURNS TO “SMALLVILLE”

Laura Vandervoort took some time off from her role as alien Lisa on ABC’s “V” to return to “Smallville” in last week’s episode, entitled “Supergirl,” for an appearance as Clark Kent’s Kryptoninan cousin Kara.

Now in its tenth and final season, Laura told Access Hollywood she was thrilled to come back to help wrap up the show’s final storyline.

“It was amazing. I hadn’t been back to ‘Smallville’ in about a year and a half. So it was just nice to see the cast and crew especially,” she said. “And they left it open. So I’m excited to possibly return as well.

“The fans wanted to see where Kara had been. What her history was, and what she had learned while she was away,” she said about her return appearance. “So it was nice to do that for the fans.”

Laura revealed that Clark Kent’s cousin had some unfinished schooling regarding superpowers with the man who will one day take to the sky as Superman.

“She had a lot to teach Clark, especially the flying. Which didn’t work again,” she laughed.

“She has a lot more to teach because she’s from Krypton and he had just come to Earth when he was child. She has so much more knowledge. She has to share that with him before the season ends.”

Like Tom Welling, Laura has worn several outfits on the show in the bright red, blue, and yellow color scheme that make up the costumes eventually worn by Superman and Supergirl. However, it was in last week’s episode that Laura came very close to donning the skimpy short-skirted outfit as it is seen in the comic book.

“They didn’t tell me that until I went to the wardrobe fitting. I kinda said, ‘I need a little notice that I will be wearing next to nothing,’” she laughed.

“They did a great job with it, it was very similar to the iconic costume minus the ‘S’ and the cape. But it was cool to have photos of hat for my kids one day.”