Peter Jackson - The Hobbit - No deal

[Cymrugirl]

I saw in the news this week that Peter Jackson will not, as previously anounced, be involved with The Hobbit.

They also showed footage of an interview with the man (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0868219/) who will be directing - and he doesn't look that different than Peter Jackson. In short, he looks like a hobbit too. ;) They're still talking filming the story in two parts, though.

I just don't know what to think about this. Actually I do. I'm sad. Very very sad.

[Timber Wolf]

and why not? who do we write to complain?

[Rachel E.]

Awww....I'm so heartbroken! That is SAD! I want to know the same as TW, WE WANT PETER JACKSON!!!!

[WritingChaos]

I don’t care who directs it, as long as they stick to the story as much as they can. Even Jackson had to stray from the novels, but at least he kept pretty close.

[wgjones3]

The director is the guy who did Pan's Labyrinth. Last I heard, they were predicting that the Hobbit would be a dark movie based off that alone.

[Rachel E.]

Yikes! We don't want a dark movie... I want it to be like the LOTR! for heaven's sake!

[Cymrugirl]

I wouldn't be too afraid based on that alone, Rachel. Peter Jackson did horror films before doing LOTR and gave us a pretty faithful picture of Middle-Earth. This guy could do the same. What I'm not clear on yet is whether or not PJ will have any hand in producing the film - my guess is no but I should really pop over to theonering.net to check it out.

[Rachel E.]

Good point Cymru! I just am really sad that Peter Jackson is not doing it..that is just tough.
It looks like Ian McKellen plays Gandalf again, that makes me happy!

[DrRita]

I'm sad too. The Hobbit is definitely not the as good as LOTR, not as well written but it's a fun book none the less and deserves a great director. Is he going to write the adaptation too? That would be my question, who's going to write it?

[DrRita]

Got this off the One Ring site. It looks like Peter and Fran will be collaborating with him as Exec. Producers. Whew! Hopefully Fran will be in charge of writing the screenplay.

As anticipated, New Line Cinema and MGM officially announced today that Guillermo Del Toro will be directing The Hobbit and the heretofore unnamed sequel based on the events between Bilbo's adventure and Frodo's quest (perhaps dealing with the "Necromancer" in southern Mirkwood?). Here's the details from their press release:

Guillermo del Toro ("Pan's Labyrinth," "Hellboy," "Blade 2") will direct "The Hobbit" and its sequel, it was jointly announced today by "The Hobbit" Executive Producers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, New Line Cinema's President and COO Toby Emmerich, and Mary Parent, Chairperson, Worldwide Motion Picture Group, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM).

"Guillermo is a filmmaker of outstanding ability; he is a genuine storyteller who brings a tremendous amount of passion, energy and imagination to his work. A true original, Guillermo is a cinematic magician who has never lost his child-like sense of wonder. He understands that the fantastic must be grounded in the real and that all stories are only ever a reflection of ourselves," say Jackson and Walsh. "We have long admired Guillermo's work and cannot think of a more inspired filmmaker to take the journey back to Middle-earth. We are delighted ‘The Hobbit' is in such trustworthy hands."

Del Toro says, "This is a great honor, and I am indeed blessed to become a part of the filmmaking community that Peter, Fran and their extraordinary team of collaborators have created in New Zealand. I want to thank them, Bob Shaye, Michael Lynne, Toby Emmerich and Mark Ordesky for entrusting me with such an incredible project. Contributing to the ‘Lord of the Rings' legacy is an absolute dream come true."

Comments Emmerich, "Guillermo has a proven ability to bring fantasy worlds to life in a compelling and emotional way. He is the ideal filmmaker to work with Peter and Fran to bring Tolkien's beloved Middle-earth back to the screen."

Parent adds: "As the international distributors for ‘The Hobbit' films, we couldn't agree more with Peter, Fran and our partners at New Line, Guillermo is the perfect choice to direct. Audiences across the globe enjoy his unique cinematic viewpoint, imaginative direction and provocative storytelling talents. His vision, in collaboration with Peter and Fran, will ensure ‘The Hobbit' as a very special film experience for audiences worldwide."

Del Toro will move to New Zealand for the next four years to work with Jackson and his Wingnut and WETA production teams. He will helm the two films back to back – telling the story of "The Hobbit," and its sequel, which will deal with the 60-year period between "The Hobbit" and "The Fellowship of the Ring," the first of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.

New Line is overseeing development and will manage the production. "The Hobbit" and its sequel are being co-produced and co-financed by New Line Cinema and MGM, with Warner Brothers distributing domestically and MGM distributing internationally. Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh are executive producing the films.


Personally, I think Del Toro is wonderful director to follow up Jackson. He has a great vision with his films, and I think will bring a certain freshness to The Hobbit that a purely Peter Jackson film wouldn't have. Here's to looking forward to each of the films' releases in 2011 and 2012!

[WritingChaos]

You paid attention to the writers on the movie also?! Nifty.

[Cymrugirl]

Ditto that wish, Dr. Rita.

I have to say that what I've seen artistically of Del Toro's films (though I've just seen clips), it looks like he has a good eye. Here's hopin.'

I wonder if PJ will get a cameo again? If so, it might be hard to tell him and Del Toro apart should they both get cameos.

[DrRita]

Hey WC, Since I'm a screenwriter and know just how important the writers are on any project, I'm so glad to know that Peter and Fran are there to oversee those evil producers and directors who want to change the writer's intent!! (tongue planted firmly in cheek) Unlike any other writer (even playwrights) who never have to watch their work sacrificed to Baal while they stand, tied and gagged, screenwriters give birth only to have the studio nurses scoop it up and promptly make it into a borg.

So why do we do that??? Money . . . LOTS of money. Usually 1% of the budget and on a 50 million dollar movie . . . you do the math. It's hard to turn that down.


But back to the subject at hand . . . the exec producers call the shots and since PJ is an oscar-winning director I'm sure he will be there to guide the direction. But I'm sure that why all the talks and the long long negotiations.