The Hobbit Movie(s)

[Eldarion]

Please discuss...:popcorn:

[neglet]

1) I think the rights are still tied up. And Peter Jackson just announced his next film will be an adaptation of Alice Sebold's "The Lovely Bones," so he's not planning it any time soon.

2) Yes!

3) Yes, and most recently listened to it on tape.

4) Yes, but it was on the old board, so it's good to discuss it here.

[Space Tycoon]

So Peter Jackson is about to do another film... Bummer. I would like to see him make this movie. He did a good job with LOTR. Oh well. I hope they get a good director for it.
I read this book right before I read Lord of the Rings for the first time. It was a great introduction into the world of Middle Earth.
I really hope they make the Hobbit soon. I wonder who they will cast as Bilbo Baggins. I think Ian Holm is a little too old for the part. I also wonder if they will get Ian McKellen for the role of Gandalf. I hope so. It would be nice if they got Andy Serkis for Gollum and Hugo Weaving as Elrond. Can't think of anyone else that could be in the Hobbit who was in Lord of the Rings. Can you? I suppose they 'could' get Liv Tyler, John Rhys-Davies, and Viggo Mortensen but that is a little stretch.

I think just about anyone who was in LOTR (within reason) could be in The Hobbit. With today's CGI effects, I don't see why Ian Holm or Ian McKellen couldn't be cast in earlier versions of Bilbo or Gandalf.

In fact, when I was re-reading The Hobbit not too long ago, I couldn't help but consider a possibility;

What if, the Man who helped Bilbo to his feet at the end of the Battle of the Five Armies, wasn't Aragorn himself? Serving a cameo role.

After all, it isn't specified who that person was, so it really could be anyone.

Dontcha think?




.

[neglet]

I think just about anyone who was in LOTR (within reason) could be in The Hobbit. With today's CGI effects, I don't see why Ian Holm or Ian McKellen couldn't be cast in earlier versions of Bilbo or Gandalf.

In fact, when I was re-reading The Hobbit not too long ago, I couldn't help but consider a possibility;

What if, the Man who helped Bilbo to his feet at the end of the Battle of the Five Armies, wasn't Aragorn himself? Serving a cameo role.

After all, it isn't specified who that person was, so it really could be anyone.

Dontcha think?

Ew. Ew. Ewwwwww. EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW. <insert barf emoticon here>

I am so sick of today's incestuous, self-referential, creatively bankrupt Hollywood, where they can't seem to make a major film that isn't a sequel or remake. I'm sick of the repetitive plots. I'm sick of the "knowing references" to previous events/versions/characters. I'm sick of the cameos from actors in the old versions. I'm sick of filmmakers who think sharing an in-joke with the audience is a substitute for telling a good story. :angry

Now generally I'm not a stickler about adapting books--I realize films are films and not visual transcriptions, so plot point and characters might need to be changed, dropped, etc. But if they make a film of "The Hobbit," they should adapt the book, not make "the prequel to The Lord of the Rings"! If they can bring back Ian McKellen as Gandalf, great. Gandalf is ageless and using the same actor would be appropriate. But Bilbo needs to be cast younger, and all the other characters should be different, because that's how the story goes.

I'm surprised this suggestion has elicited such a strong response from me, but it just seems to typify everything that bugs me about today's films, where marketing stunts win out over stories.

[Karatekid84]

I loved the book.Really hope pj does it sooner than later.

[Rowanberry]

I've read the book for a few times, and like it a lot. :)

If they ever get a movie made of it, some adaptation is needed of course, but I hope that all the key elements, as well as some secondary characters that could be dropped, will be included (for example, Beorn would be much easier to do than Tom Bombadil, whose absence from the LOTR movies I can fully understand). I think that, including any characters that weren't presented until in the LOTR would be quite a stretch - so, no young Estel in Rivendell, or Legolas in Thranduil's court (to the big disappointment of fangirls).

Ian McKellen as Gandalf and maybe also Hugo Weaving as Elrond would work even after a few years from now, but for the part of Bilbo, an actor much younger than Ian Holm would be needed. On another site, someone suggested Thomas Robins (http://www.thomasrobins.net/media/ringcon6.jpg) who played Deagol in the ROTK in the flashback of Gollum's life.

[ellenora]

I hope the film is in pre-pre-production... the stage where he's getting the ideas of the very best people on how to proceed.

[Alpha]

I'd probably be interested in seeing a film of The Hobbit, but to tell the truth.....I found the book a little bit boring. Maybe it was because I had read the LOTR first, and after the excitement and scope of that, The Hobbit was, for me, just as Tolkien had originally written it: a fun tale for the kids. I found myself really struggling to read through and finish it.

[ellenora]

Maybe time between LOTR and this project is what PJ is hoping for. Right now, it might look too much like LOTR and he wants to try for a different look or something.

[Rowanberry]

Last time I heard, the biggest obstacle for making the Hobbit movie was legal issues. As far as I know, New Line Cinema has acquired the filming rights, but some other company owns the distribution rights, and that controversy hasn't been settled yet.

But, I think it's only good that there will be some time between the LOTR movies and the Hobbit movie (which, I think, will ultimately get made).

[Trazalca]

"Those funny little birds! They have no wings!
Oh what shall we do! With the funny little things!
Oh what shall we do, with the funny little things...."

I was watching the Rankin/Bass version of The Hobbit 2 days ago,
and I couldn't help but wonder how certain scenes would be handled by PJ.

In the LOTR:FOTR film, there was a scene that showed the 3 trolls that were turned to stone. They looked kind of cartoonish looking to me, and nowhere nearly as threatening as the ones I saw in the toon version. Would Peter still use the look of those trolls for the movie, if and when it happens?

The one scene when Bilbo first meets Gollum: in LOTR, this scene was referenced with Ian Holm playing the role, wearing a gussied up toupee.
Who knows how many years will pass before Peter can finally lens the Hobbit? Therefore it's a good bet someone else would play the pivotal role, but that shouldn't warrant a redo for the scene he shot in the LOTR films, right?

I will say the music in that toon version was a bit nostalgic and fun to sing
along. None of it will ever appear in the live action version, but songs were a
key part of all the Middle Earth books, which Peter chose to only lightly suggest in the trilogy. Would it be safe to assume the same for the Hobbit as well?

I will say this. Rankin/Bass has a HUGE history and reputation for infusing
music into all their works. This, of course, takes up about 85% of the Christmas shows we watch on retro TV, like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,
Frosty the Snowman, and the like. However, the musical enhancements seem
to work well in the toon version of the Hobbit, though I'd prefer a less
folksy arrangement. But watching it gives you the weird feeling that Santa Claus might popup and start singing along side the dwarves around the camp fire. :ohwell:

[ellenora]

many of the songs used in the Rankin-Bass version were inspired by the lyrics of songs peppered throughout the novel. Check them out sometime. ;) Of course Tolkien likely had other musical themes in mind for them.

[Space Tycoon]

If PJ did The Hobbit, think one word: SPIDERS. And lots of them. :wink:

Hard to say what he'd do with the riddle contest controversy: Bilbo's version vs. the truth. Perhaps he'd film both. Show the true events first, then show Bilbo's fictitious version, in flashbacks, as he is recounting it to Gandalf.

There would also be more time to focus on Bard's character. There's no reason he would only show up towards the end of the story. In fact the film could expand our knowledge of Laketown and it's inhabitants, including the politics of the town. That is, the conflict between the rather myopic merchant class, and the warriors like Bard.

Also, there'd be no excuse for lots of ommissions either, since the text itself is much shorter and easier to adapt.




.

[ellenora]

And maybe the Battle of Five Armies wouldn't be suddenly cut short with Bilbo being knocked unconscious. :wink:

[Space Tycoon]

No kiddin.' :smirks:




.

[Trazalca]

For those of us who are unfamiliar, what are you talking about?

Ever seen the toon version?

http://www.ugo.com/channels/filmTv/features/lotrweek/images/animation/hobbit_1_th.jpg

:ohwell:

[Strider]

Ever seen the toon version?

http://www.ugo.com/channels/filmTv/features/lotrweek/images/animation/hobbit_1_th.jpg

:ohwell:

The toon version rocks! Sure it's cheesey as hell sometimes, but the art direction is pretty cool. I especially love the creepy spiders and the double-throated goblins. :D

[alaristhered]

Let's all sing "the Greatest Adventure!"

Um, okay, you can stop now. :-)

[Alpha]

I heard that Ian McKellen (and Patrick Stewart) will be playing younger versions of themselves for a flashback scene in X-Men 3. They're able to do it now with modern technology to make them look younger. Pretty crazy....at one point they looked so young that they had to add in some wrinkles again. So maybe Ian Holm in the Hobbit isn't such an impossible idea...but then again, not sure how that technology would work for an entire film. However, it would match more with the flashback scene in FOTR.

[alaristhered]

I'll reserve my opinion until I see X-3 and judge for myself how well the technology works.

[alaristhered]

Still haven't seen X-3, so still can't judge as to whether this would work for the Hobbit or not!

[Rowanberry]

I believe that Ian Holm has said himself that, he won't play Bilbo because of his age.

[alaristhered]

I'd have to agree. Think it would work best with an unknown. Still hope that this happens!

[neglet]

EW posted an interview (http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,1538494_1_0_,00.html)with Jackson on that subject and others. Here's what he said about the possibility of The Hobbit:

Let's switch gears to The Hobbit. If you signed on to direct it, you'd be working with New Line again, as well as MGM, yet you're still in the process of suing New Line over profit issues on Lord of the Rings. Doesn't that affect your relationship with New Line overall?

No no no, I'd love to make another film for New Line. And certainly The Hobbit isn't involved in the lawsuit. Bilbo Baggins doesn't work for the accounting department of New Line, and I certainly don't hold him to blame for any of our disputes.

Did you actually do any preproduction for a potential Hobbit film during LOTR, or would you have to start nearly from scratch?

There would be a reasonable amount [still] to do. There are a couple of locations in The Hobbit that are shared with Lord of the Rings. Hobbiton and Bilbo Baggins' house obviously appear, and Rivendell, where the elves were in Fellowship of the Ring, also plays a part. We've still kept the miniatures of Rivendell in storage, and the set of Bag End, Bilbo Baggins' house, has also been saved.

Are your wheels turning about how you might approach adapting The Hobbit even though the prospect has only just come up?

Reading about it on the Net, what interested me is the fact that [MGM is] talking about doing two Hobbit movies, which I thought was a much smarter idea than one. Not just for obvious financial reasons for the studios, but from a storytelling point of view, because one of the drawbacks of The Hobbit is it's relatively lightweight compared to LOTR. I mean, LOTR has this epic, rather complex quality to it, and The Hobbit, which was written some 10 or 12 years earlier by Tolkien as a children's book, is much more juvenile and simplistic. If they're seriously thinking about doing two, it makes it more interesting, because it allows you to expand The Hobbit. There's a lot of sections in which a character like Gandalf disappears for a while. From memory — I mean, I haven't read it for a while now — but I think he references going off to meet with the White Council, who are actually characters like Galadriel and Saruman and people that we see in Lord of the Rings. He mysteriously vanishes for a while and then comes back, but we don't really know what goes on. There's clearly lots of interesting politics happening concurrently with story, and doing two movies would allow you to explore a lot of those dark areas. You could make it feel more epic and more politically complicated.

[b]Given how many other projects you've got cooking, how realistic is it for MGM to say they'd love to have you on board — especially since they haven't even actually asked you yet?

Dunno. That's what's kind of weird. Nobody's ever spoken to us about The Hobbit, so we've gotten on with things. We've made Kong. We've been buying the rights to different books. And we've been buying the rights with our own money. We haven't had a studio buy them for us, so we've obviously got an investment in that. Plus the fact that, artistically, they're all projects that really interest us. I don't know, it's weird. I mean, the longer [MGM and New Line] leave talking to us, the harder it's going to get to figure out how to do it. We'd obviously try to figure out a way, I guess, but, y'know, there's not much you can do with the sound of silence. The thing with being a filmmaker is that you have to get excited and fall in love with the projects you're working on. Otherwise, you shouldn't be doing them. So we've spent the last three years becoming very invested in the projects that we have on our slate now. We're not invested in The Hobbit in that way because we haven't been given the opportunity. So I don't know, really.

So there you have it: he's thought about it, but the studios haven't asked him to do it, and he's busy with other stuff so if they don't get to it soon he may not be available. He would consider being an exec producer, though.

Btw, in the interview he also talks about adapting the "Temeraire" fantasy series for film. That's a wonderful series that combines the Napoleonic Wars with dragons, it would be great fun to see him do that if he can't do "The Hobbit."

[Rowanberry]

Here's an interview with PJ from AICN, in which he says basically the same, but won't have anything against someone else directing The Hobbit if he won't be able to do it:

QUINT: I saw in Variety that THE HOBBIT came up. The MGM thing. Did you see this?

PETER JACKSON: Where the guy who runs MGM was announcing their tentpoles and saying they were doing TERMINATOR 4 and they want me to make 2 HOBBIT films? I was reading that this morning on the net. It's a rather strange thing to wake to. I'm up for it, but somebody should phone me because I'm getting a bit booked out at the moment!

Everybody asks me about THE HOBBIT, you know? But the reality is I've never had a conversation with anybody about it. Not one person has ever made a phone call to me. I don't know. The irony is that we're acquiring our own projects now and we're buying the rights to books. The reality is, to be quite honest with you, we're getting ourselves now nice and busy, in a good way, for the next 4 years. So, people have not (spoken to us) about THE HOBBIT and it's making it more and more impossible for us to be involved.

QUINT: So, if you got a phone call tomorrow telling you that you could have any budget you need and creative freedom, but it has to be finished and in theaters by December 2009. Would you find room for THE HOBBIT?

PETER JACKSON: Well, it depends. No one has phoned me, which is kind of weird, but I don't know. We're very, very excited and committed about the films that we're working on now, so I don't know. I'd have to sit down and look at it all. Obviously, I'm interested in THE HOBBIT, but right now we have no emotional investment in it. For the last few years, we have put our hearts into other projects. It would seem strange to have somebody else do it, although some part of me would be interested in going to see somebody else's HOBBIT, be able to buy my popcorn and go and sit and watch the film.

I'm not against that and if our schedule is impossible, then that's what they'll do. They'll certainly go and get someone else to make it. They won't wait, which is their right.

QUINT: Could your lawsuit against New Line be a problem?

PETER JACKSON: No. It's a seperate thing. I mean, I can't discuss the law suit, but it is just about rather dull audit issues, not people or projects. New Line called us about a Lord of the Rings box set a few weeks ago. A high definition one, so we are still talking.

QUINT: Maybe they will offer a settlement that includes The Hobbit.

PETER JACKSON: No. Well, they might, but we would never do that. Never. You make movies because you love the idea. You feel kind of emotionally driven. I would never commit to a 2 or 3 year project because of a court order! I mean, what a jinx. It would bring bad karma. No, our dull audit stuff can get figured out by lawyers or courts or whatever. We'll keep our movies completely untarnished by that.

QUINT: I think no matter what you should write some dialogue for Christopher Lee and pack up the robe, staff and beard and go film about 10 minutes with him playing Saruman again while you still have the chance!

PETER JACKSON: I would love to! If I was doing THE HOBBIT I'd try to get as many of the guys back as I could. I mean, there's actually a role for Legolas in THE HOBBIT, his father features in it, obviously Gandalf and Saruman should be part of it. There's things that you can do with THE HOBBIT to bring in some old friends, for sure. I have thought about it from time to time... Elrond, Galadriel and Arwen could all feature. Elves have lived for centuries. Part of the attraction would be working with old friends. I wouldn't want to do it unless we could keep a continuity of cast. I have zero interest in directing a Gandalf who wasn't Ian McKellen for instance. Strange to be even talking about it, for three years it's been in this rights situation limbo.

QUINT: They must have figured it out.

PETER JACKSON: It looks that way. I've always thought that New Line would go to MGM and offer them some money and basically buy them out, then New Line would make the film. But I can see what MGM is doing. If I was MGM I'd do the same thing. What MGM is gotta be saying is, "Well, we'll partner in the film with you. We'll pay for half of it and you pay for half of it and we'll share it." That's what studios do a lot with these films. If I was MGM, I'd think that was the smart thing to do. "We'll share the rights," and actually become a partner in what is already a successful franchise.

It must create problems for New Line because they have all these output deals with these independent guys, who did a great job releasing LORD OF THE RINGS in all the different (foreign) territories. They release a package of New Line films over 2 or 3 years and they get 20 films or whatever. And I'm sure that New Line would prefer to offer their partners 20 films plus THE HOBBIT as part of the package, so MGM might be taking domestic and New Line international. I really have no idea, but it's interesting to see how the politics works. That stuff intrigues me. They must have figured out something I guess. I mean, there's too much money involved. If I was the Time/Warner board, I would have been hassling New Line for a Hobbit film for the last three years! It's a billion dollar franchise for the studio.

QUINT: And I'm sure they'd love the idea of two HOBBIT films. Twice the box office, more DVDs to sell...

PETER JACKSON: I saw that. Yeah, we're supposed to be writing The Lovely Bones, but of course Phil, Fran and I read the thing on the net and spent most of this morning talking about The Hobbit. We think the two film idea is really smart. One of the problems with The Hobbit is that it is a fairly simple kids story, and doesn't really feel like The Lord of the Rings. Tonally I mean. It's always may be a little worried, but with two films that kinda gets easier. It allows for more complexity. At that implied stuff with Gandalf and the White Council and the return of Sauron could be fully explored.
That's what we talked about this morning. Taking The Hobbit and combining it with all that intigue about Sauron's rise, and the problems that has for Gandalf. It could be cool. That way, it starts feeling more like The Lord of the Rings and less like this kids book. You could even get into Gollum's sneaking into Mordor and Aragorn protecting The Shire. That's what we'd do. Love to work with Viggo again.

Anyway, we talked for a while and got back into the Lovely Bones. As I said, that's where our hearts are at the moment. We're extremely happy with the projects we're involved in now and we're busy for a few years. I really have no idea. If someone else makes it, I'll be first in line! Actually, I'd try to be, but Philippa is the Queen of the Geeks and she'd definately get there first!

[alaristhered]

It sounds like PJ is being very pragmatic about this. My concern for the Hobbit is what non fans of the books would think about it. After all the stakes in LOTR are huge. The end of the world. Evil taking over everything.

The stakes in The Hobbit are...a dragon loses his gold. Just not the same impact.

[Trazalca]

It sounds like PJ is being very pragmatic about this. My concern for the Hobbit is what non fans of the books would think about it. After all the stakes in LOTR are huge. The end of the world. Evil taking over everything.

The stakes in The Hobbit are...a dragon loses his gold. Just not the same impact.

True, the stakes are not as epic as defeating an Sauron led empire,
but the journey is just as intrigueing, and a definite coming-of-age tell,
so to speak, for Bilbo. In the beginning, he was content just to sit back
at home, smoke his pipe, and live his simple Hobbiton life.
There are still a lot of questions the book barely touches on.
I'll need to read it again. It's been a while. But from what I remember,
there was little reason given for why Gandalf chose Bilbo in the first place.

Was it a simple matter of being in the right place at the right time?
What did Gandalf know that he never shared with the hobbit?
It's obvious the wizard kept his intentions hidden inside his sleeves,
and few knew what he was all about.

Of course, after typing this, I go to Wikipedia, and found this. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Quest_of_Erebor) [<<<click]
If this was included in the Hobbit films, it would make perfect sense,
with less chance of a threat to think the movies would contain filler.

I really liked how PJ was thinking about extracting the political potention
sub-plots for the Hobbit movies. The very idea of them seemed terribly
tantalizing. If PJ did do the films, no doubt we'd be in store for something
that is more than what most would expect.

There's also the idea that most of the stories told about the dragon were
told, not shown. At least, not until they finally reached Lonely Mountain.
If time was taken to actually show what happened, how the dragon
took charge, that would be spectacular.

But after reading the synopsis for The Quest of Erebor,
there's some serious backstory to tell for the Hobbit movies, with
even MORE setup for what's to come and later revealed in LOTR.

Here's a bit from Wiki:

"Gandalf knew that Smaug the Dragon could pose a serious threat if used by Sauron, then dwelling in Dol Guldur in Mirkwood. He was thinking about the matter when he met Thorin Oakenshield at Bree. Thorin also was concerned about Smaug, but had the different motive of revenge and the reclaiming of the Dwarves' treasure in the Lonely Mountain. Gandalf agreed to help Thorin."

Alright. That means that there's a VERY good chance that when Bilbo and
the dwarves were traveling through Mirkwood forest, they were unaware of
just how terribly close to Sauron they were! WOW! The suspense just from
that thought is enough to make me rush and buy a movie ticket before
filming starts. That would be intense.

I need to read these books again, plus pick up a copy of Unfinished Tales.

:D

[alaristhered]

One of my favorite of the appendices in LOTR was the bit with Gandalf talking to Thorin, explaining why he thought Bilbo would be a good addition to the quest.

[Rowanberry]

I read somewhere that, characters like Galadriel and Saruman might appear in the film. This could mean the inclusion of the White Council meeting where it was decided to drive Sauron out of Dol Guldur. (On the other hand, it could also mean replacing the Elvenking with Galadriel, if things get really messed up. :rolleyes: ) The source didn't seem the most authoritative though.

[alaristhered]

It would certainly be interesting if they decided to tie the hobbit into LOTR, especially since that wasn't the case in the books. JRR wrote The Hobbit without the events of LOTR in mind.

[alaristhered]

I don't know if there's enough material in The Hobbit to warrant a two-parter. Unless PJ plans to add material in there that would link the hobbit to LOTR.

[Rowanberry]

Seems that, at least MGM would be happy if PJ would direct:

From theonering.net (http://www.theonering.net/perl/newsview/8/1160269092)

[KingVoyeur]

I guess I'd be ok with a two-parter, but where would they put the split? I think a good cliff-hanger would be when Bilbo falls down into Gollum's cave and the last thing you see is Gollum coming out of the darkness towards him. Then you could open the second half with the riddle game, and there's still plenty of story afterwards.

[alaristhered]

That's an interesting point - where the split would be. I was imagining it being when the Dwarves get captured by the elves, but Gollum's cave makes more sense.

[Space Tycoon]

Ah, but then you have that messy issue to deal with-- the film depiction of Bilbo finding the Ring in FOTR is not at all as it was in The Hobbit.



.

[Strider]

Ah, but then you have that messy issue to deal with-- the film depiction of Bilbo finding the Ring in FOTR is not at all as it was in The Hobbit.

Actually that wouldn't be any more of a problem than accepting a different actor in the role of Bilbo. In the Hobbit, Bilbo pretty much just picks up the Ring from the floor of a tunnel somewhere. Then, he continues on to find Gollum. I don't see a problem at all.

[alaristhered]

Yeah, considering it would have to be a different actor, I don't think it would be that messy. I wonder if they could shoot that scene in the same place. That would be cool!

[jayce78]

I hope so . . . . and when did Georgiepoo ever do that?

[jayce78]

nnnnnooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !

[DarkJedi]

The Hobbit production update:

Mania's "The Hobbit" Development Hell listing (http://www.mania.com/52259.html#view_17)

Karl's article on the Latest Development (http://www.mania.com/52841.html)

Source: Release from Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh (http://www.theonering.net/perl/newsview/8/1163993546)


Excerpt from source:

A couple of months ago there was a flurry of Hobbit news in the media. MGM, who own a portion of the film rights in The Hobbit, publicly stated they wanted to make the film with us. It was a little weird at the time because nobody from New Line had ever spoken to us about making a film of The Hobbit and the media had some fun with that. Within a week or two of those stories, our Manager Ken Kamins got a call from the co-president of New Line Cinema, Michael Lynne, who in essence told Ken that the way to settle the lawsuit was to get a commitment from us to make the Hobbit, because "that's how these things are done". Michael Lynne said we would stand to make much more money if we tied the lawsuit and the movie deal together and this may well be true, but it's still the worst reason in the world to agree to make a film.

Several years ago, Mark Ordesky told us that New Line have rights to make not just The Hobbit but a second "LOTR prequel", covering the events leading up to those depicted in LOTR. Since then, we've always assumed that we would be asked to make The Hobbit and possibly this second film, back to back, as we did the original movies. We assumed that our lawsuit with the studio would come to a natural conclusion and we would then be free to discuss our ideas with the studio, get excited and jump on board. We've assumed that we would possibly get started on development and design next year, whilst filming The Lovely Bones. We even had a meeting planned with MGM executives to talk through our schedule.

However last week, Mark Ordesky called Ken and told him that New Line would no longer be requiring our services on the Hobbit and the LOTR 'prequel'. This was a courtesy call to let us know that the studio was now actively looking to hire another filmmaker for both projects.







My Thoughts on this spectacle:

I think this is a joke gone wrong, somehow. I believe that some trickster has gone into New Line Film's corporate offices and set everyone's calenders ahead to April 1st. Now, that group hive mind over at NL have released this statement to PJ/FW in attempt for a "Funny"(More like 'Jokes Gone Wrong'). If not, Michael Lynne(co president of New Line) and compadres need to seriously re-evaluate their braincell coordinates.

Do they really think that Sir Ian Mckellen(Gandalf), Ian Holm(Bilbo), Christopher Lee(Saruman), Cate Blanchett(Galadriel), Hugo Weaving(Elrond) will all say "Of course, we're going to be in it" if PJ is treated in this manner by New Line???? What about all the principal work, set pieces, effects, screenshots, designs by WETA(PJ's baby). Or how about....well......the cooperation of the country of New Zealand for that matter. Yes, this has to be a "funny" gone wrong if New Line thinks they're going to get anywhere with these prequels without PJ's involvement.

Most likely, this is New Line trying to paint PJ's litigation into a corner by saying "No, we're looking at other directors" in a further attempt to stop the lawsuit. Maybe they expected PJ to fold. Instead, PJ released the news of NL's possible bluff to the net, in turn, showing New Line that he isn't budging on the litigation. Now, NL will be stuck into a corner themselves with bruised egos because as I say above, getting those actors, WETA's framework, New Zealand's approval are going to be next to impossible without PJ being involved here. MGM certainly knows it...They're not going to take kindly to the bad press this New Line decision has made.~DarkJedi~

[Strider]

I am somewhere in between on this issue. I don't think that Peter Jackson has to direct the Hobbit film, but I do think that he has to be involved somehow (as a producer perhaps), and WETA definitely needs to be involved with any Hobbit film. Without their stellar design and final products (from armor to miniatures to digital effects) any production would be trying to go up a hill the size of Everest, in a blizzard, and wearing only cement blocks for clothing. In other words, it would be absolutely insane.

[DarkJedi]

Weta is PJ's company so it's safe to say so, Eldarion.

It's also safe to say after New Zealand deemed Peter Jackson as "Son of New Zealand" for all he has done to their tourist industry and economy indicators that NZ will not be very "nice" to agreeing with anyone other then PJ in terms of allowing other Hobbit creators there without very very large taxation and alot of grief.

Since Weta owns the principal graphics, design, set works, character animation for the creatures of Middle Earth, this could be a MAJOR issue. I don't think New Line has thought this through......lol

Not to mention established character actors agreeing to come back in The Hobbit after the director is treated in this manner.

New Line better be careful of Mgm/Sony's wrath too for the bad press they just created...

[Trazalca]

A bit more on this, from SciFi.com-

...Jackson and Walsh added: "Given that New Line are committed to this course of action, we felt at the very least, we owed you, the fans, a straightforward account of events as they have unfolded for us. ... This outcome is not what we anticipated or wanted, but neither do we see any positive value in bitterness and rancor. We now have no choice but to let the idea of a film of The Hobbit go and move forward with other projects."

My heart sunk when I read about this. Not getting Peter Jackson involved just seems
to be about the biggest mistake Hollywood could ever make. They'll probably get
some two-bit television director who's just finished that latest straight-to-DVD
release for the Hallmark channel. PJ really made a difference in putting a heart
behind these characters. Who else is there that understands that kind of tack
that's needed in the telling of this story?

I promise you this- whenever it gets made and released, I will not care about
the cast members except with passing indifference. I will not care about the
production values or the special effects teams hired on to participate. Not one
jot or tittle. I will have NO expectations at all except a lackluster and heart-less
effort worthy of a sequel to Dungeons & Dragons. Or worse still, any common
release effort by the SciFi channel. Hell. They might as well go ahead and ask
Rick Berman and George Lucas to co-produce it and give birth to a movie
not even Roger Corman would back.

New Line screwed up the Blade franchise, so why stop the presses if they're
on such a flreakin' roll?! From the folks that proudly brought you
"HAROLD & KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE" and "THE REAL CANCUN",
Jackie Chan and Samuel Jackson star in The Hobbit, with special guest
Sean Connery returning to the big screen as the voice of Smaug the Dragon.
Sean was quoted as saying "Go with whatshoo know. That's what I shay."
And if there's any freakin' justice, Sauron will be played by JarJar Binks.
"Meesa gotsta have that bombad ringsa!"

:romy:

The LOTR series had integrity, heart and class.

The Hobbit will tank faster than a world record holding deep sea diver wearing
concrete shoes. No. Really. Whatever they're planning, it's not with a love of
the story in mind at all. Only with dollar signs in the irises of their beady little eyeballs.

If you go the New Line's website, and take a peek at their list of offerings,
you'll find LOTR:ROTK to be the only movie to get the Best Picture statuette.
And out of over a hundred in the list, I'd count only less than thirty to be worth a looksee.
The rest are so run-of-the-mill, ho-hum standard screen fare, you're better
off subscribing to Comcast and suffer through an endless barrage of rate hikes
and typically intolerably bad customer service experiences. The entertainment value
alone would exceed anything the Hobbit will dish out.

My hope for a continuation of something worthwhile to see on the silver screen has
been royalling dashed against the rocks like an over-ripe pumpkin. The dream has died.
Where's Uwe Boll? Where's Paul Anderson, fresh from directing the ninth
sequel to Predator Vs. Alien? And speaking of aliens, E.T's heartbeat has just been stopped forever.
Dorothy's shoes will never take her home. The Dark Lords of the
Sith are alive and well with an unstoppable Empire that's thriving with every flicker
of film projected in every cineplex. Christopher Robin's new friend Eugene,
an emo driven bratty next door neighbor, just came by to visit the Hundred Acre wood, and
ripped out all the stuffing out of Tigger and Piglet, with the remains to be lost and
floating forever past the waterfalls. The tender innocence of childhood has died
a crushing blow with a mallet to the head.

:Angry:

Sigh.

I'm gonna go read a book, and work to be just content with what my imagination
can bring. It's all I have left now.

:(

[alaristhered]

If Weta didn't do the visual effects, the whole look of the film would be different than LOTR. It would be a separate event, just like the animated film.

[Strider]

I just wonder if its a package deal. No Jackson, no WETA, etc...
Hence my suggestion of PJ as a producer on the film. He's still involved, but it wouldn't take up as much time as directing would. I would prefer a PJ-directed Hobbit movie, but I think there are other directors who could do the story justice. Gore Verbinski comes to mind, although I'm not sure if he would want to work on another "giant" film so soon after spending so much time on the POTC films.

[tstone]

Color me disappointed. But this COULD change, y'all...

[alaristhered]

Well, at this point, at least according to TOR, PJ cannot even discuss directing The Hobbit until after the lawsuit with New Line is settled. I don't think New Line is eager to let PJ through their fingers on this project, so I wouldn't be surprised if they settled the suit just so that PJ could direct this.

[Rowanberry]

Well, according to this article (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117954301.html?categoryid=13&cs=1), the matter is far from closed.

But, there's also this rumour going round now:

The New Director of 'The Hobbit' is.....?
11/22/06, 5:47 pm EST - Xoanon

Word from a reliable source indicates that Sam Raimi has been approached to direct THE HOBBIT. Since Peter Jackson's (Middle-)earth shattering news that he is off the project, it seems the Spider-Man director may step into his place. Raimi was born on October 23rd, 1959 in Royal Oak, Michigan. His first big hit was 'The Evil Dead' but he really gained cult status with 'Evil Dead II'. It is his amazing work on the Spider-Man series that has propelled Raimi to the mainstream. His latest film 'Spider-Man 3' is due out this May.

(from theonering.net)

[Orcrist]

Well, I didnt liked at all Peter Jackson´s changes and addings in LOTR trilogy :romy: :romy:
So, thats why I dont trust in PJ & crew for The Hobbit!!!!!!!!

Who cares if PJ is or isn´t in The Hobbit proyect.
The most important thing now with "The Hobbit" is to have a capable director to follow Tolkien great book, and make a great movie.
:p

[Strider]

Just to throw a little more fuel on the fire, here's Saul Zaentz' (the owner of Tolkien Enterprises, and ultimate holder of the film rights to The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings) take on the situation when asked in an interview. FYI, it has been translated from the original German...


It will definitely be shot by Peter Jackson. The question is only when. He wants to shoot another movie first. Next year the Hobbit-rights will fall back to my company. I suppose that Peter will wait because he knows that he will make the best deal with us. And he is fed up with the studios: to get his profit share on the rings trilogy he had to sue New Line. With us in contrast he knows that he will be paid fairly and artistically supported without reservation.

[alaristhered]

If Saentz says PJ is definitely going to do it, that would be awesome. Since the rights to The Hobbit will fall back to him, New Line would HAVE to listen to him.

[KingVoyeur]

And PJ did say he wanted to do a smaller movie first (which I believe is "The Lovely Bones"), so by the time he's done with that the whole rights mess to The Hobbit and unnamed prequel should be cleared up (hopefully).

[alaristhered]

I'm not someone who would automatically poo-poo a Hobbit film NOT done by PJ. But I'd definitely keep it in mind as another work, not part of PJ's LOTR canon.

[colmatrix]

Does anyone here think that this soap opera starring New Line and Peter Jackson is going to have a happy ending? Or does anyone think a new look and director is needed for The Hobbit? I vote for PJ myself, but the Sam Raimi rumor is interesting also.

[Still Crazy]

I am sort of tired of the whole soap opera myself.

If it's made by PJ, fine, if not I hope it's made by someone who will do a good job. I won't be boycotting it just because someone else makes the movie, unless it's another animated craptastic version.

[alaristhered]

I would not have a problem with another quality director taking on the project. AKA Sam Raimi. But it wouldn't have the same look and feel as the LOTR films.

[alaristhered]

BTW, why is the complete Two Towers CD coming up on Amazon as not available? I clearly need it!

[Still Crazy]

:Dunno:

I thought there were plenty.

[alaristhered]

Well, all I know is that it's on my Wish List and it's listed as "Currently Unavailable." This displeases Alaris. This displeases her greatly. I was looking forward to it!

[alaristhered]

Alaris is pleased. Alaris is greatly pleased. Somehow, Husband managed to get Alaris the Two Towers: The Complete Soundtrack Recording. Now, Alaris needs to find 7 hours or so to listen to the entire thing and read the critical analysis of the score!

[Trazalca]

A great big log was thrown in the fire by Robert Shaye about the lawsuit between
Peter Jackson and New Line. Mania's already posted on it, but this article
does give a tad more-

From SciFi.com-

Shaye: New Line Blacklists Jackson

In the latest comment in the controversy surrounding a proposed movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, New Line head Robert Shaye told SCI FI Wire in no uncertain terms that the studio won't work with Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson on that film or any other film. Ever. At least not as long as Shaye is in charge.

Shaye's comments marked the first time a New Line executive has commented publicly on the fracas since Jackson announced that he has pulled out of the project and also appears to harden New Line's position against Jackson.

"I do not want to make a movie with somebody who is suing me," Shaye—New Line's chief executive officer—said in an interview on Jan. 5 while promoting The Last Mimzy, a New Line family fantasy that marks his first time in a director's chair since 1990's Book of Love. "It will never happen during my watch."

Jackson had told TheOneRing.net in November that he and partner Fran Walsh were bowing out after New Line, which produced the Rings films and has production rights to The Hobbit, told them the studio was moving ahead with the project without them. Jackson has said he won't discuss The Hobbit until a lawsuit against New Line over Rings accounting practices was settled.

As far as Shaye is concerned, Jackson is no longer welcome. "There's a kind of arrogance," Shaye said. "Not that I don't think Peter is a good filmmaker and that he hasn't contributed significantly to filmography and made three very good movies. And I don't even expect him to say 'thank you' for having me make it happen and having New Line make it happen. But to think that I, as a functionary in [a] company that has been around for a long time, but is now owned by a very big conglomerate, would care one bit about trying to cheat the guy, ... he's either had very poor counsel or is completely misinformed and myopic to think that I care whether I give him [anything]."

Shaye, who was also an executive producer on the Rings films, added: "He got a quarter of a billion dollars paid to him so far, justifiably, according to contract, completely right, and this guy, who already has received a quarter of a billion dollars, turns around without wanting to have a discussion with us and sues us and refuses to discuss it unless we just give in to his plan. I don't want to work with that guy anymore. Why would I? So the answer is he will never make any movie with New Line Cinema again while I'm still working for the company."

Shaye said that many of the Rings trilogy actors "suddenly, because, I'm guessing, of Peter's complaint," have declined to participate in celebrating New Line's 40th anniversary. "I'm incredibly offended," he said. "I don't care about Peter Jackson anymore. He wants to have another $100 million or $50 million, whatever he's suing us for. He doesn't want to sit down and talk about it. He thinks that we owe him something after we've paid him over a quarter of a billion dollars. ... Cheers, Peter."

New Line's hardened position against Jackson isn't the end of the story, of course. MGM, which owns the distribution rights to The Hobbit, on Nov. 20 told Variety through a spokesman that "the matter of Peter Jackson directing the Hobbit films is far from closed."

In his own online statement, Jackson said that New Line executive Mark Ordesky, who shepherded the Rings trilogy, argued that New Line is dumping Jackson because the studio has a "limited time option" on the film rights, obtained from Saul Zaentz.

[alaristhered]

Bob Shaye is not someone to be taken lightly. He's the ONLY guy in Hollywood who said, "The Lord of The Rings is 3 books, right? Let's make 3 films!" PJ had to try to sell it as 2 films, and Miramax wanted it made into 1. So Bob does deserve a lot of the credit for getting LOTR made. But I think he's being very short sighted when it comes to The Hobbit film.

[fastcar]

I love how the guy keeps saying "a quarter of a billion dollars." How much has New Line made because of the final product, though? Why shouldn't PJ be upset at what they did?

[Still Crazy]

I would like to see PJ make this movie, but seems like he's gonna have to wait until the rights revert back to Saul.

Newline is telling PJ get fucked. Pretty sure PJ ain't making the Hobbit under NL. Maybe sometime in the future, but not now.

BTW if I had a quarter of a billion dollars, I'd probably be happier than a pig in shit. But then again thats just me. I can understand PJ wanting to know the accounting, but in the big whole picture of the world....wtf?

It's sort of sad to see uber PJ nerds defending him like he is god. Some of PJ's other films...meh not so good. Some pretty good. Kong was just alright, no biggie.

Hell another director could do a good job too. I am not going to get my panties in a twist just because almighty PJ won't have the chance to direct The Hobbit yet.

I would bet Tolkien is rolling in his grave, either way. He didn't get a quarter billion dollars and the fucking thing is his to begin with.

[Strider]

Regardless of who ends up making the film, I want them to have plenty of time to work on it. If The Hobbit gets rushed through production, it won't be a pretty picture.

[mckracken]

well look at it this way, ten years ago, If I came to you and told you they were going to make The Hobbit into a movie, nobody would have believed me.

we are still getting The Hobbit, which is tremedous amount of effort in itself since the rights were tied up tighter than a present on christmas morning.

and we are still going to see more films from Jackson.

ok so everybody is happy, right?

Miramax honestly wanted to make Lord of the Rings as one movie? Whoah. LOL!!
that speaks volumes for Shaye and nothing at all for the other guys... 3 books 3 movies... apparantly Miramax and all the rest of Hollywood is just too cheap or just plain stupid?

[alaristhered]

On one of the special features on one of the Extended DVD's they talk about it. PJ was so frightened about studios wanting to make one film of LOTR that he pitched it to NL as 2. Bob Shaye said, "Why 2 films?" PJ freaked out, thinking, "OH NO, he wants to do one!" And then Shaye said, "I mean, it's three books, right? Why not three films?"

Obviously I am not privy to NL's accounts, but we all know that NL made tons of money on FOTR. If I'm understanding this right, NL is claiming that they didn't make as much on FOTR as they did on TTT and ROTK.

If I've got that wrong, someone please correct me. Gently. :-)

[Trazalca]

Peter Jackson responds.

From SciFi.com-

Jackson Responds To Shaye

Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson released a statement saying that he found "regrettable" comments made by New Line Cinema chief Robert Shaye to SCI FI Wire that Jackson would never work for the studio again under his watch.

In an interview, Shaye—New Line's chief executive officer—told SCI FI Wire, "I do not want to make a movie with somebody who is suing me," referring to Jackson and his legal action concerning accounting practices for Jackson's Lord of the Rings films. "It will never happen during my watch."

Jackson's complete statement follows:

"Our issue with New Line Cinema has only ever been about their refusal to account for financial anomalies that surfaced from a partial audit of The Fellowship of the Ring. Contrary to recent comments made by Bob Shaye, we attempted to discuss the issues raised by the Fellowship audit with New Line for over a year, but the studio was and continues to be completely uncooperative. This has compelled us to file a lawsuit to pursue our contractual rights under the law. Nobody likes taking legal action, but the studio left us with no alternative.

"For over two years, New Line has denied us the ability to audit The Two Towers and The Return of the King, despite repeated requests. Film auditing is a common and straightforward practice within the industry, and we don't understand why New Line Cinema has taken this position.

"In light of these circumstances, I didn't think it was appropriate for me to be involved in New Line Cinema's 40th-anniversary video. I have never discussed this video with any of the cast of The Lord of the Rings. The issues that Bob Shaye has with the cast pre-date this lawsuit by many years.

"Fundamentally, our legal action is about holding New Line to its contractual obligations and promises. It is regrettable that Bob has chosen to make it personal. I have always had the highest respect and affection for Bob and other senior management at New Line and continue to do so."

[Trazalca]

From IMDB.com-

'Spider-Man' Director Raimi Considers 'The Hobbit'

Spider-Man 4 is beginning to look a little shaky - director Sam Raimi is looking to tackle literary epic The Hobbit. The moviemaker, who is the brains behind all three Spider-Man movies, has revealed he's in the running to replace Peter Jackson as the director of the Lord Of The Rings prequel. And, if he does head to Middle Earth, actress Kirsten Dunst insists she definitely won't be back for a fourth Spider-Man. In an exclusive interview with EW.com, Raimi says, "Peter Jackson might be the best filmmaker on the planet right now... First and foremost, those (Lord of The Rings films) are Peter Jackson and (New Line studio boss) Bob Shaye's films. If Peter didn't want to do it, and Bob wanted me to do it - and they were both OK with me picking up the reigns - that would be great. I love the book. It's maybe a more kid-friendly story than the others." Dunst, who was in Tokyo, Japan last night for the Spider-Man 3 world premiere, insists she can't imagine returning for a fourth film without Raimi. She explains, "It's disrespectful to the whole team, I think, to do that. And audiences aren't stupid. It'd be a big flop without me, Tobey Maguire or Sam. That would really not be the smartest move."

A blessing from Bob and Peter? Not bloody likely, I say.
Also, I think it'd be fair to say, wouldn't he need the blessing OF THE PEOPLE AS WELL??? :confused:

[colmatrix]

I think that when they decide to move foward on this, if PJ is not involved and gives his blessing to SR, the people would line up. I know I would. I don't even know if I would really care if Raimi had Jackson's blessing. The only way people won't come out is if they completely re-cast, which I can't see happening. Throw enough money at Bloom and McKellan, and they'll sign.

[Strider]

Bloom? We don't really need him, but he could have a small cameo I guess. I think the only three cast members we need to return are Ian McKellen, Hugo Weaving, and Andy Serkis.

[whitetemplar78]

the way I heard it, all the major players needed to make a appearance in The Hobbit already said that they wouldn't do it, cause Peter Jackson isn't running the show, sooo recast would be the ONLY way to make this work, and to be honest I'm starting to think, that it may not happen, still in limbo, and each day that goes by, is one day closer that the rights revert, and it will be offered to Jackson then, no doubt about it.

[mckracken]

Bloom? We don't really need him, but he could have a small cameo I guess. I think the only three cast members we need to return are Ian McKellen, Hugo Weaving, and Andy Serkis.

wait just a minute... what about the actor that played Bilbo Baggins, Ian Holm? dont we need him?

[Space Tycoon]

Ian Holm really should be in it.


Still, when you get right down to it, The Hobbit was a book long before it was even considered as a movie.

That means that it really doesn't matter who is in it or who makes it. As long as it is in the spirit of what Tolkien wrote.






.

[neglet]

wait just a minute... what about the actor that played Bilbo Baggins, Ian Holm? dont we need him?

Bilbo was quite a bit younger in "The Hobbit," so it's generally assumed that they were planning on recasting the role with a younger actor anyway.

Although if you want to get technical, the one ring kept Bilbo from aging, which is why he didn't look "eleventy-one" at his birthday party in LOTR:FOTR (and he did look his age in ROTK). So theoretically, you should still be able to use Ian Holm. But I'm assuming the idea of casting a guy in his 60s who isn't Harrison Ford in the role of adventure hero is not appealing to many studios.

[Strider]

It would be great if Ian Holm could return to the role. However, I think you could just as easily recast the role. This is a much bigger role than playing Bilbo in LOTR was. It would be a longer job, and the role involves more stunts and action. Bilbo in LOTR was mostly a "talky" role.

Andy Serkis is Gollum. It would be extremely hard for someone else to take the role and make it their own. Plus he's just so damn good at it that I want to see more of his version of Gollum. The same goes for Ian McKellen. He IS Gandalf. Hugo Weaving could probably be recast though. Elrond's part wouldn't be very big, so I figured that you might as well go with Hugo.

[Jakester]

You could still use Holm and "de-age" him as was done to McKellan and Jean-Luc in X-Men 3. That was amazingly well done CG/effects work.

[Strider]

I don't have any doubts about that. I have more doubts about whether Ian Holm is able to take on a larger role at this point. Perhaps he can...I don't know. :Dunno:

[alaristhered]

Is Ian Holm one of the actors who is suing New Line? I can't seem to find a list of all the LOTR actors who are.

[mckracken]

Hugo Weaving could probably be recast though. Elrond's part wouldn't be very big, so I figured that you might as well go with Hugo.

what??? huh? wait... in one sentance your advocating recasting Hugo Weaving, then in the next sentance you say the part wasnt big so they might as well go with Hugo?

I think recasting Hugo Weaving would be their only option as he's not likely to return anyway, they can justify it by saying they wanted a younger actor but in the end, it would be because they couldnt get the actor back because of bad blood between the actors and the studio.

alaristhered, the actors that are sueing are all New Zealand actors like the dude that played King of the Dead, they are not the REALLY BIG stars. they are sueing over licencing from toys and merch. which used their likenesses, its not the same lawsuit that Peter Jackson was involved in.

[Strider]

what??? huh? wait... in one sentance your advocating recasting Hugo Weaving, then in the next sentance you say the part wasnt big so they might as well go with Hugo?

I was trying to say that Elrond is barely in the story. I wasn't advocating recasting him at all. I was just saying that if they couldn't get Hugo it wouldn't be a huge deal, but since it is a small part (and therefore wouldn't take much time away from other films) it shouldn't be too difficult to get Hugo to do it.

[alaristhered]

I actually just found a good description of that lawsuit and was coming over here to post it...but you beat me to it! :-)

[whitetemplar78]

I just hope it keeps draggin out, cause each day brings it closer when rights will revert, and then Jackson can make it.........mmmmm.....that would be a awsome movie, most of the cast would come on to it....yah, it would rock my socks

[Gentlemen Death]

I do not know the exact details of what happened and frankly do not care. It would be pretty cool to have Jackson come back and do this, and the fact that New Line and Jackson made so much money off the series is ridiculous of them to be suing eachother for.

I do not know, maybe I need to read more details. But, IMO, they need to just get over it, shake hands, and continue making more money together.:anismirk:

[SinisterPryde]

Peter Jackson did good, but I think they should get someone else for The Hobbit.

Now before I get flamed and things thrown at me, I would juts like to say that Peter Jackson did an amazing job on LOTR. But the Hobbit is so different in tone and execution that I think it really needs a different treatment in directing style. It is more whimsical and light than LOTR and it should treated as such.

[DarkJedi]

It looks like the impossible might just be.....possible. After such a public dispute over the last year, both parties are calming down and trying to mend things because they both want The Hobbit made.

http://www.mania.com/55690.html

This is a long way from done but I'm betting that New Line's Bob Shaye is calming down from his previous stance because they (New Line) haven't had the most successful year and they definitely need a good pick-me-up.

Getting The Hobbit done by Christmas 2009 would be that good high octane jump for his company.

[Bill_the_Pony]

:bounce: !!!!!!!!!

[tstone]

The Eagles did have their Hell Froze Over tour. The Police are together again. So these things can happen. And this does make us happy, oh yesss, myyy precioussssss...

[Bill_the_Pony]

Isn't this GREAT, tstone?!!!!! I thionk we should have a celebratory wrestling match over this right now! Mud or matt, doesn't matter! Not in a GAY way either, but a completely MASCULINE way, where only two guys SECURE in their maleness could have without any danger of even ONE TINGE of homosexual overtones! :eek:

[alaristhered]

Hmmm, Bill. A celebratory wrestling match? Am I invited?

Seriously, I am SO stoked about this. I really was resigned to a Sam Raimi Hobbit, and now that there's even the possibility of Jackson doing it, I'm just so excited.

[Bill_the_Pony]

Sam Raimi. :(

I personally think his style is a bit on the messy side. That's just me, though.


But I'd wrestle him! :)

AND I'D WIN! :mad:

[DarkJedi]

Says you.

I think Raimi has the age advantage. :)

[tstone]

Wow, Bill, you really ARE happy about this...

:Smirk:

[Bill_the_Pony]

Says you.

I think Raimi has the age advantage. :)

http://a853.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/60/m_03bdb65773b3ed52f03793f3e96baa24.gif



Wow, Bill, you really ARE happy about this...

:Smirk:


Round One! http://a263.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/126/m_a00f1b0d2fda4594b3171f5e3869a8f6.gif

[Gentlemen Death]

It is good to see that they are ATLEAST trying to talk this out in a reasonable manner...I could not see anyone doing this as good as Jackson...So, once again, good news. :)

[Violanthe]

I'm glad to hear that Jackson is back in the mix. It would lack continuity, I think, if they go with a different director, even one as accomplished as Sam Raimi

[Johnzilla]

Jackson needs to do this film. It has to have that same feel as the other films, IMO.

[DarkJedi]

In the end, Johnzilla, I'd say he's going to do it. New Line is starting to realize the same thing what with Weta having the set builds/models and the actors from the LOTR series being upright and blunt about Jackson needing to do it. Especially actor Sir Ian's opinion..

Jackson will do it. New Line knows the delay isn't helping them because of the "rights" coming under the gun very soon and them possibly losing it.

Welcome to the community too.

[Violanthe]

It would be a little pointless if he didn't.

[neglet]

EW actually made this their cover story last week. Basically, both sides have been de-escalating the rhetoric and are talking about working together again to make "The Hobbit." They've got a billion reasons to do it.

[Strider]

http://www.mania.com/56953.html

Yay!! Now it's official! :D

Maybe the start date will be far enough in the future that PJ will also direct the films.

[neglet]

Yay! Time to do the happy dance and start the dreamcasting!

[Gentlemen Death]

It is about time they stop dancing around like a bunch of kids...Damn, I was hoping it was going to end at some point, and luckily...it did.

Now, I guess PJ is saying he is not directing....Any thoughts on who might or who you guys would like to see do it?

I think Christopher Nolan might be good...I dont see him doing it, but he clearly shows that he can make a dark setting without it getting to cartoonish.

[neglet]

And to celebrate, I give you a funny:
http://d.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/uc/20071216/sft071216.gif

[KingVoyeur]

:lol:

[Gentlemen Death]

On the main page it says he will not direct because it would take close to 5years to get it done....SO? I would prefer to wait that long knowing it would be written and directed by him...But hey, you never know...I am sure that there will be someone else who will do just as good a job....or I am hoping...

[DarkJedi]

The trade confirmed this morning that Sam Raimi is expected to helm the Hobbit films with Peter Jackson alongside him in the producer's chair. It seems that all parties will be satisfied after all. New Line offered the Hobbit to Raimi in the summer but he said flat out that he wanted Jackson on board first, something also reiterated by stars Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Viggo M., Orlando Bloom,etc ..Now, it appears to be happening..

This ball will be rolling even faster in the next few months as everyone jumps on board..

[neglet]

New Line hasn't had a great year in 2007, especially with the disappointing performance of "The Golden Compass." Two hobbit films, with an almost guaranteed billion worldwide box office EACH, are needed as soon as they can manage it. That's why they finally settled with PJ and announced this deal.

Raimi is a great choice, although I guess this means we're very unlikely to see a Spidey 4 any time soon.

[DarkJedi]

Sony's going on with Spider-Man 4 without Raimi, Negs. He has said that he won't directing or writing the story for Spider-Man 4 no matter what his future plans are. He wants to move on..

Sony is still in a hurry to get Spidey 4 out in theaters by Summer 2009 (at last report)..Raimi will serve as an executive producer.

[Gentlemen Death]

Sony's going on with Spider-Man 4 without Raimi, Negs. He has said that he won't directing or writing the story for Spider-Man 4 no matter what his future plans are. He wants to move on..

Sony is still in a hurry to get Spidey 4 out in theaters by Summer 2009 (at last report)..Raimi will serve as an executive producer.

I frankly never really cared for the Spiderman films...They were ok...but that was it for me. So, it is nice to see Raimi move on and do other things.

[DarkJedi]

I'm sure I should probably move this part over to a Spider-Man 4 Discussion thread but I'll say I'm not surprised that Raimi was burnt out a bit there..He spent nearly a decade on the franchise and he's left a mark on the comic genre as a result of his work even if Spidey 3 didn't turn out the way he full wanted it (He didn't really want Venom in it..That was Sony's input.).

What I find interesting about the fact that he's moving on is Sony's insistence to keep going. I mean, last month when a press release said that the studio still has it listed as Summer 2009, I couldn't stop myself from laughing.

There's just too many unknowns to even ponder this film hitting theaters that soon. Both Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst have said they wanted a break and they wanted Sam back before they came back. Since he's not coming back and Sony wants to get going, does this mean the characters will be recast?

Like I say, too many unknowns here. Sony may be shooting themselves in the foot by rushing things.

[Bark]

Just reboot. It's been seven full years since the last beginning! :smirk:

Now, back to the little guys.

[whitetemplar78]

im not gonna lie, this makes me happy, but nervous at the same time, I guess I feel safer that this movies every step will rest ONLY in the small pudgy hands of PJ.....but its not, so thus the nerves....Del Toro i think would match up better for this, but hey Sam has got the talent, with Peter covering for him, and letting him have free run at this, unlike Spiderman, we might all be surprised at what he can do.........I hope

[alaristhered]

Okay, so it's going to happen. And they're going to split it into 2 films. Where are they going to make the berak? That's what concerns me. I honestly think that Raimi is an excellent choice.

[neglet]

I believe they are not splitting the actual story of The Hobbit, but they are making one movie of Bilbo's adventure and a second movie about a lot of the backstory, stuff that I think they're taking out of The Silmarillon. So maybe Bilbo's story is actually the second movie. I'll see if I can find the thread where we talked about it.

[neglet]

bumpety bump bump, since this movie looks like it's getting made!

[neglet]

Here's (http://www.mania.com/forums/showthread.php?t=784&highlight=hobbit) the original thread discussing the movie. Go to page 3 of the discussion for talk about adapting it into two movies. I also bumped the thread, so you should be able to find it.

[alaristhered]

AH. It could work. It really could. I wonder if it will be rated PG-13 like the others? My guess is, it will be.

[DarkJedi]

Threads merged.

[mckracken]

personally, while I used to love Raimi, and I would love Raimi again if he returned to his horror roots, I REALLY dont think he isnt the right choice for The Hobbit... my money is on Guillermo Del Toro!

After Pan's Labyrinth, is there ANY doubt or question that Del Toro could easily direct the Hobbit into a wonderful fantasy come to life?

Does Spiderman, Spiderman 2 and Spiderman 3, Evil Dead, Army of Darkness, Darkman or ANYTHING in Sam Raimi's current or past portfolio of directed movies even remotely come close to Pan's Labyrinth?

would you prefer a collaboration between Peter Jackson and Guillermo Del Toro?

Sam Raimi is itching to direct the Hobbit, as would anyone, except Guillermo Del Toro because he's being overshadowed by Raimi's loud voice in Hollywood (he talks publically quite a bit about wanting to direct the Hobbit films)... he has the clout behind him since he's directed Spiderman 1,2,3 but he is not the right choice for director of The Hobbit.

Del Toro for Hobbit. 09:D

[alaristhered]

What I respect is that Raimi said he would only do it if PJ were on board. That leads me to believe that he will seek to keep some visual and emotional continuity going, although of course he will (and SHOULD) put his own stamp on it.

Got the LOTR role playing game manual for Christmas. As if I have time.

[KingVoyeur]

Trouble for The Hobbit? Saw this on IMDB.com

Golden Parachutes for New Line Founders?

Following a planned meeting this week with new Time Warner Chairman Jeff Bewkes, New Line Cinema founders Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne are expected to be terminated and New Line's projects, including The Hobbit, folded into Warner Bros. , L.A. Weekly columnist Nikki Finke reported on her Deadline Hollywood Daily blog Monday, citing no sources. With the exception of last year's Hairspray, New Line has had a nearly uninterrupted string of financial failures since its Lord of the Rings franchise ran out.