Peter Jackson To Produce 2 Hobbit Films

[Ragingblues]

Peter Jackson to produce `The Hobbit'

news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071218/ap_en_ot/film_the_hobbit


NEW YORK - Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema have reached agreement to make J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," a planned prequel to the blockbuster trilogy "The Lord of the Rings."

Jackson, who directed the "Rings" trilogy, will serve as executive producer for "The Hobbit." A director for the prequel films has yet to be named.

Relations between Jackson and New Line had soured after "Rings," despite a collective worldwide box office gross of nearly $3 billion — an enormous success. The two sides nevertheless were able to reconcile, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) splitting "The Hobbit" 50/50, spokemen for both studios said Tuesday.

"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," Jackson said in a statement. "We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth."

Two "Hobbit" films are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, similar to how the three "Lord of the Rings" films were made. Production is set to begin in 2009 with a released planned for 2010, with the sequel scheduled for a 2011 release.


It seems our journey to an earlier period in Middle Earth will now have the same incredible magic as "The Lord Of The Rings" series did.


Ken

[pitfallharry]

So the "Hobbit" movies will tell the story of Bilbo Baggin's early adventures and how he found the ring?

[agent5]

At least he's involved. That is something. I hope it will have the same look as LOTR.

[Deleted]

What I do not understand is, having read the Hobbit it does not seem like it needs to be 2 entire movies.

Harry, yes this is where Biblo meets Gollum and gets the ring. It is also where Gandalf is introduced.

Cheers,
G-MANN

[pitfallharry]

Thanks John.

That's what I thought but I wasn't totally sure. I know some of that was eluded to in the beginning of "The Fellowship of the Ring" but I didn't know if maybe The Hobbit told a different tale altogether. I've never read any of the books. The only exposure I've had to this stuff has been threw the films.

I have a feeling the reason it's two pictures instead of just one is so they can add that musical number into the film. ;D

On a serious note......I wonder if Sir Ian Mckellen will return to play Gandalf?

[Mr. Fusion]

I sure hope McKellen returns as Gandalf. It would be as equally gratifying to see Ian Holm as Bilbo.

And, Harry, it is a completely different story involving a dragon and gold treasure. It's also where Bilbo gets his sword Sting (which is an ancient Elven dagger). Yes, I am quite the Tolkein nerd. ;D

-Josh

[Ragingblues]

'Hellboy' Director May Take Helm Of 'Hobbit'

Report Says Del Toro In Talks To Direct 'Rings' Prequel Films

www.news4jax.com/entertainment/15167995/detail.html


Guillermo de Toro, the creative force behind the fantasy films "Hellboy" and "Pan's Labyrinth," is negotiations to direct the "Lord of the Rings" prequel films based on J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The news comes just after a month after "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy's Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson had settled litigation with studio New Line Cinema that prevented the project from moving forward.

Jackson and partner Fran Walsh will be the executive producer of the "The Hobbit" and a planned sequel, which will be co-financed by New Line and MGM.

Previous commitments to directing "The Lovely Bones" precluded Jackson from taking the director's chair for "The Hobbit" films, the Reporter said, and no writer has been named to the project because of the Hollywood writers' strike.

The Reporter said that the script will be fast-tracked once the strike is resolved.

The first "Hobbit" film is currently slated for a 2010 release, with the sequel to follow in 2011.

Del Toro recently produced the Spanish thriller "The Orphanage," and is currently finishing up the "Hellboy" sequel "Hellboy: The Golden Army."


Ken

[pitfallharry]

I honestly think Guillermo de Toro is a VERY good choice IF Jackson isn't going to do it.

[bendingoak]

thanks for posting this. pittfall, you should really read the books. I think you will like them very much.

[IndyBlues]

gmann said:

What I do not understand is, having read the Hobbit it does not seem like it needs to be 2 entire movies.
Cheers,
G-MANN

Well, they need to use at least 4 of the six hours these will entail, to cover all the walking footage. ;D
I'm pretty sure they filmed every step the heroes took in the original trilogy, sans bathroom breaks.
'Blues

[WHU1964]

Dec 18, 2007 22:48:23 GMT -5 @pitfallharry said:

Thanks John.

That's what I thought but I wasn't totally sure. I know some of that was eluded to in the beginning of "The Fellowship of the Ring" but I didn't know if maybe The Hobbit told a different tale altogether. I've never read any of the books. The only exposure I've had to this stuff has been threw the films.

I have a feeling the reason it's two pictures instead of just one is so they can add that musical number into the film. ;D

On a serious note......I wonder if Sir Ian Mckellen will return to play Gandalf?

mate do yourself a favor and read the books, they say the world is split into two groups those that have read LOTR and those that will read LOTR

[Desert Dweller]

I tried to read the books...I really tried. I found it painful. I did use the books and the appendixes to piece together the story a bit better though, so i did find them useful to an extent.

I got into Harry Potter books pretty hard though.

WHU 1964: I absolutely LOVE your country!!

[WHU1964]

Hey Desert Dweller Howya I think its because you are lucky enough to live somewhere else HA HA

[Desert Dweller]

Mar 11, 2009 3:21:55 GMT -5 WHU1964 said:

Hey Desert Dweller Howya I think its because you are lucky enough to live somewhere else HA HA

Perhaps, but visited in 2004 around Christmas time and loved it. I travelled all over the southern part of Britain. Cant wait to go back though!

[Ragingblues]

Hugo Weaving to Return for The Hobbit

www.comingsoon.net/news/hobbitnews.php?id=56225


Guillermo del Toro has confirmed in a chat with BBC Radio 5's Simon Mayo (at the 02:10:55 mark) that Hugo Weaving will reunite with Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen in The Hobbit.

Del Toro says the trio will return "...as the roles they originated in the trilogy." Weaving of course played Elrond in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

The first of the two films is scheduled to be released in December of 2011 followed by the second in December of 2012.


Ken

[Damned Dan]

It's too bad Bob Hoskins is too old as he would of made a great Bilbo. I think Bilbo was around middle-age in the books, so I'm at a loss for decent actors to plays him.