Movies - The Hobbit - PJ's gonna take us There And Back Again....again.

Phee · 12-18-2007, 11:30 PM

No doubt all the news and goss will be kept up to date on TORn, and TheHobbitBlog, but for now, here's the press release that just made this the best Christmas ever!

PETER JACKSON AND NEW LINE CINEMA JOIN WITH MGM TO PRODUCE “THE HOBBIT”

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 HOBBIT”

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.”

“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.”

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.”

“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.”

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.

There's some goss on MarketSaw..

Quote:

Concerning "The Hobbit":

Basically my source confirms that PJ's camp is covering up what they don't want the world to know yet. But this is what he can assure me:

1. New Line WANTS Peter Jackson to direct The Hobbit. (Another source has said that they are close to an agreement). My sources are "guaranteeing" that he will direct. I have never heard them say this before! My reputation is riding on this one. 100% veracity.

2. The Hobbit WILL BE a two part film - but here is the new information - the second film will be influenced by the foundation of "The Silmarillion" and "The History of Middle-earth Series" (which is a 12 part series of books where JRR's son, Christopher Tolkien analyses JRR's old manuscripts; the manuscripts that ultimately led to become "The Silmarillion", "Lord of the Rings" and "Númenor" which is sort of like Atlantis). The second movie will ultimately lead us up to creation of The Fellowship in a graceful and logical fashion! So for all of you out there that thought that "The Hobbit" is too short a story for two feature movies (let alone two Peter Jackson feature movies) then you were right. Before you ask, my source has reminded me that PJ has access to the JRR manuscripts and extensive notes as he did for the LOTR trilogy. These notes were the foundation for the two books mentioned above, but are not the books themselves (which are still in the Tolkien family's hands). I mention the books to better frame what he has in mind. Jackson borrowed from Tolkien's notes for LOTR to build the story he wanted. He will do so again for The Hobbit.

Now that is simply awesome news! There is a great deal of Middle-earth information in those manuscripts and the interpretation of Tolkien's son adds much more content of course. It goes without saying that this has not been officially announced. Peter Jackson will direct "The Hobbit" and it's sequel: This is insider information from sources that are on the battle front and they are staking their reputation on it! I have this info from two separate sources as I have posted before. I have never heard them be so emphatic about something taking place before. The Hobbit in 3D is just the sort of movie to bring 3D to the masses in a big way with Avatar providing the 1-2 punch.

Phee · 12-18-2007, 11:47 PM

I figured I'd keep this gushing fangirl post separate from the first post in the thread...

OMG THIS IS SOOOOO AWESOME!!!

I had the radio on earlier today and the news came on and I wasn't really listening but then I heard the words, "Peter Jackson" and "The Hobbit" and instantly went to check TORn to see what the news was all about!! I'm so happy this is finally gonna happen!

I hope PJ does end up directing it, and that he and Fran end up writing it. I've read one report on another forum from someone who has a contact at NewLine, and they seem to think that PJ and Fran are basically just lending their names to the project and won't be all that involved, but frankly, I'd find it hard to believe that they'd just turn over all the work they did with the LotR films to someone different to do The Hobbit, (and whatever the sequel film ends up being about), so *fingers crossed* they're in the thick of it again.

I hope both Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis will be back. You can't really have anyone else playing Gandalf and Gollum.

I wonder who'll get cast as Bilbo? Ian Holm would really be too old to play the role.

Smaug on the big screen is gonna be several thousand different kinds of awesome!

I'd love it if they could work in a Legolas cameo appearance when the Dwarves and Bilbo venture into Mirkwood and they end up being taken prisoner by Legolas' father, King Thranduil. And needless to say, I don't care how much storyline tweaking they need to do, if they can get an Aragorn cameo in there somewhere, that would be rather lovely as well.

**ROCKSTAR** · 12-19-2007, 02:07 AM

Thanks for thread, Phee!

I was pretty disappointed when this fell through and I'm thrilled it's on again! Like you, I hope that PJ ends up directing it but at least he'll be behind the scenes! I seriously excited that this will be made after all. The world needs more Middle Earth!

Can't wait 'till they start casting! I also hope Ian/Andy can comeback.

Mavericks · 12-19-2007, 04:51 AM

Yes great news! I can just imagine being in that world again. I have not read The Hobbit yet but I heard a lot of good things about it. I am definitely watching this film.

Phee · 12-19-2007, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROCKSTAR (View Post)

Like you, I hope that PJ ends up directing it but at least he'll be behind the scenes!

Talk about your conflicting reports, on TORn they've got two different articles, both quoting the CEO of MGM. In one he's saying...

Quote:

EW.com scored an interview with MGM CEO Harry Sloan after this mornings announcements. The biggest highlight is, “Is there any chance that Peter could direct the Hobbit sequel?”, which he answered with, “Well, he could direct either of them.”

...and in another...

Quote:

“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.”

Some really great news is that there's also a report that some people who own land which was used to shoot the LotR movies have already been approached to have their land used again, so it's definitely being shot in the right place! they hadn't mentioned in any previous articles whether they'd be shooting in NZ again, so it's great to have the confirmation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mavericks (View Post)

I have not read The Hobbit yet but I heard a lot of good things about it.

It's a bit of an easier read than LotR.

Much more simple and straightforward.

Brittmyster · 12-19-2007, 06:49 PM

SOOO EXCITED!

Hi Phee! I saw the post you made on the OB board!

Phee · 12-19-2007, 09:07 PM

Hi Brittmyster, (I love your avi!).

Today's director updates are that MarketSaw is still saying it'll be PJ....

Quote:

As promised in the comment section of yesterday's Jackson post, here is an update from the very sources that provided the Jackson announcement details WELL in advance.

We discussed a few things, primarily of course was "The Hobbit". We REMAIN STEADFAST that Jackson will direct The Hobbit. All indications were that he was to be super heavily involved and nothing has changed whatsoever.

What I have heard is that Jackson will wrap up "The Lovely Bones" with a nice bow and then turn around to Steven Spielberg and say that he cannot take the reins of Tintin until the third iteration. That is to say, Spielberg will work his magic for the first Tintin feature, Zemeckis (YES. Zemeckis is the name I heard!) will work his magic for the second and Jackson for the third.

"District 9" from what I gather will be temporarily back-burnered.

By delaying "District 9" shuffling the "Tintin" order somewhat (but still maintaining his contractual obligations), Jackson frees up enough time to shoot two Hobbit movies back to back and still get another Oscar (or ten).

There is simply FAR too much at stake to risk placing another Director in that chair. Jackson's credibility is on the line here bigtime. The Hobbit must not fail. If he screws up "The Hobbit" by hiring a figurehead Director who is torn between his own vision and that of the Overlord Producer - thats whats gonna happen! Jackson knows that. He will take full responsibility for the success and helm it. He would probably fire ANY director that took the job anyway, just as he did with actor Ryan Gosling. Its gotta be a perfect duo of movies and nobody can do it better than the man himself. Again, he KNOWS that.

Look for the Zemeckis announcement that he is directing the second iteration of Tintin.

And here's what another contender Guillermo del Toro has to say....

Quote:

EW: There’s been so much speculation about who will direct these movies. Have you been approached?
GUILLERMO DEL TORO: You know, I think I’ve been abroad too long. I’ve heard some rumblings, but nothing official. I don’t want to think about it because it’s such an eventuality. It’s the only Tolkien book I read. I tried my best to read Lord of the Rings, the trilogy. I could not. I could not. They were very dense. And then one day, I bought The Hobbit. I read it and I loved it. So it would be a privilege. But listen, I wish I knew. At this stage, after Hellboy II, I’m unemployed. [Laughs]

I dunno that I'd want a director who hasn't read LotR to be directing. I mean, I know that book isn't for everyone, (and it took me three tries before I actually made it past the first few chapters of The Silmarillion, so I can sympathise with those who find Tolkien's writings heavy going

), and I know that The Hobbit is really rather different to LotR in many aspects, but the movie will have to fit in with the style of the LotR movies, and the people who were in charge of making the LotR movies became pretty intimate with the writings of Tolkien, which is what made the movies to rich and beautiful and brilliant.

I don't even know if I'm really making sense

, I'm just saying that if you're gonna be directing the finer points of a movie based on Tolkien's work, then you should have read Tolkien's work IMO.

Gean · 12-20-2007, 06:57 AM

That's a great news. Thanks for the info

I haven't read the Hobbit yet. But I'll definitely watch it when it comes to the theaters.

_________________________________

Jack Sparrow: Shoot him and cut out his tongue, then shoot his tongue! And trim that scraggly beard!

**~♥~My Lonely Angel~♥~** · 01-06-2008, 11:44 PM

This is fantastic!!!! I'm so excited that Peter Jackson is able to do the Hobbit!

Plus 2 films? I couldn't be happier!!!! This has really made my day reading this.

I'm a bit speechless after reading this, but in a good way. All I can say is that I'm ecstatic!!!

**ROCKSTAR** · 01-07-2008, 12:15 AM

Yup!!

It is wonderful.

Middle Earth is a nice place to be, thanks to PJ.

**~♥~My Lonely Angel~♥~** · 01-07-2008, 04:08 AM

I hope they bring back Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen. Those are key roles that can't be replaced. It would also be nice to maybe see Elijah Wood back in some way (probably in the second movie).

Brittmyster · 01-07-2008, 09:32 AM

Jess:

That is so true!

Shiva-PIC · 01-07-2008, 10:37 AM

Can't wait for this!

DiagonalZipper · 01-12-2008, 06:26 PM

I was just thinking about this a couple of weeks ago. But now I am so excited! I actually just started re-reading The Hobbit!

And someone mentioned James McAvoy as their Bilbo, so now I really want that too!

**ROCKSTAR** · 01-12-2008, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DiagonalZipper (View Post)

I was just thinking about this a couple of weeks ago. But now I am so excited! I actually just started re-reading The Hobbit!

And someone mentioned James McAvoy as their Bilbo, so now I really want that too!

He would be such an amazing Bilbo!