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The Hobbit Film Update


AJ Jones
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In an interview in the past few days with Reuters News Media, Sir Ian McKellan has said that it is very likely that he would be asked to reprise Gandalf in The Hobbit movie if he were working well and still fucntioning. This further cements rumours a while back that hinted at Sir Ian being approached to do it.

 

However, without Peter Jackson at the healm, will the film have the Jackson Factor?

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However, without Peter Jackson at the healm, will the film have the Jackson Factor?

Jacko won't be involved cos of his falling out with New Line. Sam Raimi might do it instead, if not Spider-Man 4. If not Rami then Peter Weir has been mentioned.

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  • 2 weeks later...
However, without Peter Jackson at the healm, will the film have the Jackson Factor?

Jacko won't be involved cos of his falling out with New Line. Sam Raimi might do it instead, if not Spider-Man 4. If not Rami then Peter Weir has been mentioned.

 

I knew about the situation between Peter and New Line. The court case has been in the works for a long time. This is the first time I have heard of this. If successful, will PJ start a trend of Film Studios being brought to book on profit sharing?

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I think Peter Weir though is an exceptionally fantasic director and especially good with emotional character build-up. See Witness (1985), Dead Poets Society (1989), The Truman Show (1998) and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (2003).

 

I'm not a fan of LOTR series though so would actually prefer Weir to do something else, Raimi too.

Edited by nicky
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December 18, 2007

 

ACADEMY AWARD-WINNER PETER JACKSON AND NEW LINE CINEMA JOIN WITH MGM TO PRODUCE “THE HOBBIT,†EAGERLY-ANTICIPATED FANTASY ADVENTURE EPIC

 

NEW LINE AND MGM TO CO-PRODUCE AND SHARE WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS

 

PETER JACKSON AND FRAN WALSH TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE TWO FILMS BASED ON “THE HOBBITâ€

 

Los Angeles, CA (Tuesday, December 18, 2007) Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson; Harry Sloan, Chairman and CEO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM); Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs of New Line Cinema have jointly announced today that they have entered into the following series of agreements:

 

* MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute two films, “The Hobbit†and a sequel to “The Hobbit.†New Line will distribute in North America and MGM will distribute internationally.

 

* Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as Executive Producers of two films based on “The Hobbit.†New Line will manage the production of the films, which will be shot simultaneously.

 

* Peter Jackson and New Line have settled all litigation relating to the “Lord of the Rings†(LOTR) Trilogy.

 

Said Peter Jackson, “I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a legacy we proudly share with Bob and Michael, and together, we share that legacy with millions of loyal fans all over the world. We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth. I also want to thank Harry Sloan and our new friends at MGM for helping us find the common ground necessary to continue that journey.â€

 

“Peter Jackson has proven himself as the filmmaker who can bring the extraordinary imagination of Tolkien to life and we full heartedly agree with the fans worldwide who know he should be making ‘The Hobbit,’†said Sloan, MGM’s Chairman and CEO. “Now that we are all in agreement on ‘The Hobbit,’ we can focus on assembling the production team that will capture this phenomenal tale on film.â€

 

Bob Shaye, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO comments, “We are very pleased we have been able to resolve our differences, and that Peter and Fran will be actively and creatively involved with ‘The Hobbit’ movies. We know they will bring the same passion, care and talent to these films that they so ably accomplished with ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy.â€

 

“Peter is a visionary filmmaker, and he broke new ground with ‘The Lord of the Rings,’†notes Michael Lynne, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO. “We’re delighted he’s back for ‘The Hobbit’ films and that the Tolkien saga will continue with his imprint. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Harry Sloan, who has been instrumental in helping us reach our new accord.â€

 

The two “Hobbit†films – “The Hobbit†and its sequel – are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, with pre-production beginning as soon as possible. Principal photography is tentatively set for a 2009 start, with the intention of “The Hobbit†release slated for 2010 and its sequel the following year, in 2011.

 

The Oscar-winning, critically-acclaimed LOTR Trilogy grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box-office. In 2003, “Return of the King†swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the eleven categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The Trilogy’s production was also unprecedented at the time.

 

For more information about “The Hobbit†films, please visit www.TheHobbitBlog.com.

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This is excellent news. A friend told via myspace and I was jumping for joy at the news. I really was wincing at the possiblity of someone else doing it instead of Jackson and it going horribly wrong. Now with Jackson back in its a very high chance that some of the cast will return.

Sir Ian has already chucked his hat into the ring regarding a reprisal of the role of Gandalf. Add on that Andy Serkis is signed towork with Jackson on the TinTin movies, and I hope that more will jump on the bandwagon.

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I'm a little behind and just read this on Hobbit Blog.

 

I have to say I am ecstatic Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh are on board..I am sure with their involvement, this paves the way for a lot of the cast reprising their roles.

 

I am extremely hopeful that this will go ahead and personally, I can't wait!! :blink:

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I think Jackson is only producing so I'm not sure he'll have that much creative input. The director is now Guillermo Del Toro (Mimic, Blade II, Hellboy, Pan's Labyrinth) which is a good choice coming from his experince with fantasy.

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I think Jackson is only producing so I'm not sure he'll have that much creative input. The director is now Guillermo Del Toro (Mimic, Blade II, Hellboy, Pan's Labyrinth) which is a good choice coming from his experince with fantasy.

 

No official announcement yet regarding Guillermon Del Toro directing both films but he has suddently rushed to the head of the list and it seems that something is afoot. (The current statements saying he has confirmed originate from a French Tolkien Website).

 

He would be a good choice but still a distant second to the whole P.Jackson / NZ / Weta package.

Edited by Noddy
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I'm reserving my judgement on this until I see it, if I decide to when the time comes! Like someone said, Peter is only producing it, not directing it so he won't have the same creative control as he did on LOTR and thats what worries me. I loved LOTR so much that I don't want it ruined by a crappy prequel! Fingers crossed that it works out ok tho. Would be awesome if it did!

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