The Hobbit

[Rocksister]

Too many topics to search if someone else already submitted. PJ is doing the movie! Hooray! It will be 2010 at least, but now I have something to look forward to after I read AATE!!! Or before, depending on book publishing/movie release dates. Love the LOTR movies, can't wait. Ian McKellan pretty much def gonna be in it. Yahoo home page story today......

[Worm of Despite]

In September, New Line was fined $125,000 for failing to provide requested accounting documents.[65] On December 18, it was announced that Jackson would be executive producer of The Hobbit and its sequel. Back-to-back shooting on these films will begin in 2009, and each film will be released in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

The Hobbit and it's sequel?

[wayfriend]

First,



Second, link link

Third,

The sequel will encompass the events between the Hobbit and LOTR. Presumably, it will involve Aragorn and Gollum, maybe Legolas and Gimli or Gloin, and assuredly Gandalf.

My hunch is that the plot will center around Gandalf's sneaking into Dol Gulder, with some heretofore unsuspected companions, and discovering Sauron's presence.

[Cagliostro]

Wait a sec...he's producing, not directing. Are the writing team for LOTR reuniting to write the screenplay for these two things? I'm a little confused. It says that a director will be chosen later.

Still, it's good that some creative control on his side will be there. I just hope it all comes to him going through it all again.

Funny, Entertainment Weekly said it has been a hard year for New Line, and they could use a big hit....like perhaps the Hobbit.

[wayfriend]

I'm sure that at this stage it's too early to see a lock on who's directing or who's starring or who's writing. (There's a writer's strike ongoing as well.) What we have now is merely a production deal, which is entirely about finances. And a compromise on how to share those finances with MGM, who had some of the distribution rights. And a resolution of the financial situation between Jackson and New Line. All of which are stupendously significant.

Based on the fact that the date is far enough out, I can see Jackson and Walsh and Boyens participating. There will be other directors, other writers, sure, but they'll be helming as well. The good will they've earned will be thrown away if they decide to go "executive producer".

[SoulBiter]

www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22312421/

A director for the films has yet to be named. Production is tentatively set to begin in 2009 with a release planned for 2010, and the sequel following in 2011.

Two “Hobbit” films are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, similar to how the three “Lord of the Rings” films were made all at once. Shaye and Sloan both said it was Jackson’s idea to divide the story, adapted from Tolkien’s first book about Middle Earth (which was about half the length of any from the trilogy that followed).

[Dagon]

Samuel L. Jackson should play Gandalf this time.

I'd wait in line for that...

[wayfriend]

I may have spoke too soon.

MGM Chairman Harry Sloan, who was credited by all parties for bringing about the deal, said Jackson found it “impossible” to direct the films and meet proposed release dates in 2010 and 2011 due to other projects in the works.

“He can’t get it scheduled and he doesn’t want the fans to have to wait for the next two movies,” Sloan said. He said the studios might postpone the films if Jackson changed his mind. [link]

Then again, there have been many twists and turns in this drama, so I wouldn't let the fat lady out to sing yet.

[wayfriend]

I worry about the ages of some of the significant potential actors... Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen.

[Farm Ur-Ted]

I worry about the ages of some of the significant potential actors... Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen.

How about the wrinkled old geez-bag who played Bilbo? I really hope they get someone younger for the role.

[dANdeLION]

Should this be moved to the Flicks forum? It seems it would fit better there.

[I'm Murrin]

Done. Might want to merge it with the existing topic, though.

[Usivius]

I can't fnd the link now ... but I heard that New Line and Peter Jackson have finally settles old LotR monies and now Jackson has been signed to direct the HObbit....
Can anyone confirm this?....

[Montresor]

Great - another Tolkien book Peter Jackson can see thoroughly shafted artistically!

[I'm Murrin]

I can't fnd the link now ... but I heard that New Line and Peter Jackson have finally settles old LotR monies and now Jackson has been signed to direct the HObbit....
Can anyone confirm this?....

He's unavailable to direct, but will executive produce. He doesn't want the films to be delayed while he finishes other projects.

[wayfriend]

Darn. Darn that Jackson did not find a way.

Barring any earth-shattering or unforeseen changes Guillermo del Toro will direct “The Hobbit.” However, the contracts are not signed and the deal is not final according to a source close to the film.

In a conversation with TheOneRing.net, the source called it a 99% probability that del Toro would be helming the double picture but in Hollywood nothing is final until it is final. The official announcement, which - New Line Cinema will be eager to make when all the t’s are crossed and the i’s are dotted - will come after the writer’s strike is settled. [link]

On the plus side, according to an informan TheOneRing.net poll held earlier in the year, del Toro came in second as the best alternative director to Jackson. (Fran Walsh won. I voted for Sean Astin.)

[Zarathustra]

But Jackson is still producing, right?

[wayfriend]

Correct, barring anything changing.

[Usivius]

wow, that's amazing.

[Montresor]

The less a Tolkien-based project has to do with Jackson, the higher its chances of being a quality product.