The Hobbit Movies

[Glenn]

Peter Jackson has resolved his issues with New Line and will now be the executive producer of the two up and coming Hobbit films with the director still to be announced. The two films, the first dealing with everything from the book and the second dealing with the sixty years between "The Hobbit" and "Lord of The Rings" books, will be filmed at the same time, as was the LotR trilogy, in 2009 with the first film released in 2010 and the second in 2011.

I dont know about you but i am delighted ;D

[Bre]

I am excited, too. I am disappointed that PJ won't be directing though. Rumors are that Guillermo del Toro is in talks though. I'd be happy about that.

It's kind of strange that they're making a movie between the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, though. I guess I'm just not 100% confident in how it will turn out. We'll see though.

[Glenn]

Its a purely marketing film im sure as it is a chance for people to see their favourite characters again, like Frodo, Legolas, Sam and Aragorn who most likely wont show up in the Hobbit.

[Allan]

I thought they were just splitting The Hobbit into two movies. The thought process behind it is that it would seem anticlimactic to do just one movie after a trilogy. Not sure how I feel about them stretching it out...

[Bre]

No the second movie isn't going to be the Hobbit. The book is pretty short and could be fit into one movie, so they are just making a new screenplay based off of Tolkien's miscellaneous works to make a movie to connect The Hobbit to the LotR.

[Allan]

Ah, okay. I was thinking the "expanded works" would be combined between the two films, with the novel, and they were just milking it. I know the book's short, which is why I thought two movies was particularly ridiculous.

[Glenn]

There are plenty of other movies that could be made as well. The Silm could even be made into about 12 films

I am looking forward to seeing the battle of the three armies in the Hobbit film.

[Allan]

So New Line and Peter Jackson and New Line managed to sort out their differences, but now the studio is being sued by the Tolkien Estate, complaining that they are owed royalties for the LotR movies.

The plaintiffs seek more than $150 million in compensatory damages, unspecified punitive damages and a court order giving the Tolkien estate the right to terminate any rights New Line may have to make films based on other works by the author, including ``The Hobbit.''

So it looks like the movies could be delayed again. You can read the article here.

[Bre]

It might also be delayed even further because New Line is supposedly going back to making small, independent films. I read the article on the IMDb last night here.

Maybe it's not meant to be.

[Allan]

Hmm...interesting. Rights issues with Time-Warner are odd, meaning that it wouldn't naturally be moved to Warner Bros (which would seem logical).

I'd be surprised if they scrapped it altogether, though, because LotR made a lot of money. And wasn't a lot of them finally giving Peter Jackson what he wanted to get him on board?

It'll definitely be interesting to see if it can happen.

[Allan]

Jan 16, 2008 14:17:22 GMT 10 Bre said:

I am excited, too. I am disappointed that PJ won't be directing though. Rumors are that Guillermo del Toro is in talks though. I'd be happy about that.

It looks like those talks panned out, because Guillermo del Toro has been announced as the movie's director. The press release is here.

I have to say I'm excited about this. del Toro is one of my favourite directors (and yes, I do prefer him to PJ), so it should be interesting to see what comes from this.

[Bre]

I just read that, too. I'm also very excited about it. I would still prefer to have PJ direct because it would be the same atmosphere as the LotR, but I love del Toro, so I'm still a happy camper.

[Allan]

On one hand I agree with you, but in another way, the books have completely different tones to them, so I don't think the change in director will necessarily be a bad thing. And PJ is still producing, so I don't think he'll be selling out his work on LoTR.

[Bre]

The Hobbit does have a different tone, but the second film may be more like the trilogy. And when you read a book by the same author, the atmosphere is usually the same, which is the same for directors. That's what I meant. I'll miss PJs touches. And I know he'll still be a part of production, but it just won't be the same. However, if they had to choose any other director, I'm very happy with del Toro.

[Allan]

I definitely see where you're coming from, and I really hope that del Toro works to make the atmosphere "fit" with LoTR.

If we end up with a situation like the different directors on the Harry Potter movies, I think it will be good. Different tones, but they still maintain a similar atmosphere and manage to connect well.

[Allan]

I found this tidbit from Coming Soon interesting:

"We will all be involved in the script in some fashion but the exact definition is about a week away, " said del Toro. "I am all for keeping the actors who originated the parts, as much as availability and their willingness will allow."

Hopefully everyone will want to come back. I'm definitely glad del Toro isn't looking at recasting the roles.

[Lizzie]

Oh cool! That will be neat to see them all together again.

[Bre]

Now Guillermo del Toro won't be directed The Hobbit anymore. I don't know why, but he released a statement saying he had to back out for scheduling conflicts, or something. Article here. I don't know what kind of scheduling conflicts he has, but if it's for other movie projects, he's probably making a big money mistake. Sad day for me. I think he would have been great, and they already keep moving the date back so I can't imagine how much longer before they actually find a director. Oh well!

[Beck]

I read that it is because it was taking too long to get started.

[Bre]

That's kind of a lame excuse, I think. If it's taking too long for money reasons, that's one thing, but if it's taking too long because of creative reasons, they should take their time.