Peter Jackson, New Line & MGM Will Produce 'The Hobbit'

maquiladora

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.

.

For more information about “The Hobbit” films, please visit www.TheHobbitBlog.com.

Tusky

Two films ? Thats ridiculous. It should be just one movie.

maquiladora

Tusky wrote: »

Two films ? Thats ridiculous. It should be just one movie.

Peter Jackson has often stated that the plan was to make two films, the first being an adaptation of The Hobbit and the second film acting like a prequel to Lord Of The Rings using Tolkien's writings of events which happened between the timeframes of the books.


"....Sloan confirmed that MGM is in early discussions with Peter Jackson to make two films. The first film would be a straight-up adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's prequel to The Lord of the Rings. And the second, he says, would be crafted using "footnotes and source material connecting The Hobbit with Lord of the Rings." November 14, 2006, IGN

trishw78

This truely is the best christmas present in the world WOOOO HOOOO

MoominPapa

Aw crap. I really hoped someone else would get it.

Zapp Brannigan

Can't wait! Would have been interesting if some other director was given it, but Jackson will deliver again. Roll on 2010.

maquiladora

Zapp Brannigan wrote: »

Can't wait! Would have been interesting if some other director was given it, but Jackson will deliver again. Roll on 2010.

We don't know if Jackson is directing.

Tusky

maquiladora wrote: »

Peter Jackson has often stated that the plan was to make two films, the first being an adaptation of The Hobbit and the second film acting like a prequel to Lord Of The Rings using Tolkien's writings of events which happened between the timeframes of the books.


"....Sloan confirmed that MGM is in early discussions with Peter Jackson to make two films. The first film would be a straight-up adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's prequel to The Lord of the Rings. And the second, he says, would be crafted using "footnotes and source material connecting The Hobbit with Lord of the Rings." November 14, 2006, IGN

Ah, that actually sounds ok. If it was just the Hobbit broken in two It would be a bit crap.

Peteee

maquiladora wrote: »

We don't know if Jackson is directing.

Indeed...it would have mentioned if he was. Unfortunatly he'll probably be tie up with tin tin or something

Best birthday present so far.

Tusky

Deleted User wrote: »

Best birthday present so far.

Happy birthday!

Yoda

maquiladora wrote: »

Peter Jackson has often stated that the plan was to make two films, the first being an adaptation of The Hobbit and the second film acting like a prequel to Lord Of The Rings using Tolkien's writings of events which happened between the timeframes of the books.

Yes, and that will be fun. Saruman and Gandalf visit the Necromancer for tea....

Sad Professor

I doubt Jackson will direct, surely he's had enough of Tolkien by now. I rather see him do something different anyway.

Tusky

Tusky wrote: »

Happy birthday!

Thank you.

Neo#

Great news. I hope Jackson directs.

Rhyme

Sad Professor wrote: »

I doubt Jackson will direct, surely he's had enough of Tolkien by now. I rather see him do something different anyway.

Brain Dead remake?

Also, Hobbit yay.

Basq

SccchweeeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEttttt!

That is all..!

Venom

* MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute two films, “The Hobbit” and a sequel to “The Hobbit.”

Well he might as well go back to LOTR's as his work since has been utter ****e but Im not sure about a Hobbit II :eek:

Basq

Venom wrote: »

Well he might as well go back to LOTR's as his work since has been utter ****e but Im not sure about a Hobbit II :eek:

Ah here... what has he done since? 1 theatrical release? Bit harsh, don't you think?

His next 'The Lovely Bones' looks fantastic.

Venom

basquille wrote: »

Ah here... what has he done since? 1 theatrical release? Bit harsh, don't you think?

His next 'The Lovely Bones' looks fantastic.

In all fairness it takes a special kind of suck to mess up King Kong.

maquiladora

According to articles in The New York Times & Hollywood Reporter, Jackson is neither writing or directing.

Vokes

What about the other writer, whatsherface, Phillipa something? Is she involved?

Black Swan

Any know if they will shoot in New Zealand?

Basq

SofaKing wrote: »

What about the other writer, whatsherface, Phillipa something? Is she involved?

Philippa Boyens has co-written everything with Jackson since 'The Lord Of The Rings' so I'd imagine so - including co-writing the screenplay of 'The Lovely Bones' (his next).

So i'd imagine so!

Blue_Lagoon wrote: »

Any know if they will shoot in New Zealand?

I reckon it will.. it's bound to!

maquiladora

SofaKing wrote: »

What about the other writer, whatsherface, Phillipa something? Is she involved?

It's hard to imagine her not being involved but I think they're not looking for a screenwriter/director till Jan, so nothing has been announced on that yet. Also I don't think a script can actually be written at the moment because of the writers strike.

Gingervitis

Didn't I hear rumours going round that Sam Raimi might be attached? This could still be on...
He'd be great for doing the goblins, Smaug, etc.

Plus, picture it, Bruce Campbell as Beorn!

maquiladora

Gingervitis wrote: »

Didn't I hear rumours going round that Sam Raimi might be attached? This could still be on...
He'd be great for doing the goblins, Smaug, etc.

Plus, picture it, Bruce Campbell as Beorn!

Yep, Sam is very interested.

Wacker

Have any of you guys noticed that Christmas just hasn't felt the same since 2003, what with there being no LOTR movie coming out? This should make me feel a whole lot better! Of course, if they are done badly then all they'll achieve will be to tarnish the legacy of the trilogy, which no one wants.

Obviously it is important to get Phillipa Boyens and Fran Walsh back for writing the script. Another figure that is essential to the success of these films (in my opinion) is Howard Shore. The LOTR movies had fantatsic music, and it is very signatory at this stage. It won't be Middle Earth if someone else is scores it.

patch

TBH Sam Raimi lost all credibility for me with Spiderman 3.
Who in their right mind could direct those 'evil spider travolta piano-playing' scenes and not realise how utterly pathetic they were?

maquiladora

There's talk of Guillermo del Toro as the possible writer/director. I'd love to see that.

Vokes

Wacker wrote: »

Have any of you guys noticed that Christmas just hasn't felt the same since 2003, what with there being no LOTR movie coming out?

Yup, Xmas' 01 - 03 were magic

Fenster

I just want to see Gandalf kicking Saurons hiney at Dol Guldur. The second could be very interesting; a lot of Tolkien's material concerning events between the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings focused around a young Aragorn. He fought Orcs in the Misty Mountains, rode against Dunlanders with the Rohirrim, and lead a raid by Gondor that burned the fleets of Umbar.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aragorn

Full_Circle

maquiladora wrote: »

There's talk of Guillermo del Toro as the possible writer/director. I'd love to see that.

Now THATS something I'd like to see (if Jackson doesnt pick up the torch himself). Hes got a real visual flair and I think he'd handle the tone of the book very well (Pans Labyrinth gave me goosebumps!). Right up his alley methinks!

On another note, if they went to keep the cast of the original trilogy consistent, they'd better get cracking as soon as possible! I know it sounds morbid, but I remember years ago hoping they'd finish filming the three LOTR movies in time, before Christopher Lee keeled over :P (Then Lucas stuck him in the prequels trilogy, now hes in the Dark Materials trilogy too!! lol).
Anyways, I know Ian Holm and Ian McKellen arent exactly on their last legs, but they're hardly young whipper snappers either

maquiladora

Full_Circle wrote: »

Now THATS something I'd like to see (if Jackson doesnt pick up the torch himself). Hes got a real visual flair and I think he'd handle the tone of the book very well (Pans Labyrinth gave me goosebumps!). Right up his alley methinks!

On another note, if they went to keep the cast of the original trilogy consistent, they'd better get cracking as soon as possible! I know it sounds morbid, but I remember years ago hoping they'd finish filming the three LOTR movies in time, before Christopher Lee keeled over :P (Then Lucas stuck him in the prequels trilogy, now hes in the Dark Materials trilogy too!! lol).
Anyways, I know Ian Holm and Ian McKellen arent exactly on their last legs, but they're hardly young whipper snappers either

Well it would certainly be visually stunning and have a certain gravity if he took the helm. But I think the fave at the moment is Raimi. We should hear by the end of January anyway as they can't waste too much time since it's going into pre-production within days.

Full_Circle

After Spidey 3, Raimi should never be allowed behind a camera again.....

maquiladora

Full_Circle wrote: »

After Spidey 3, Raimi should never be allowed behind a camera again.....

One weak film does not a bad director make.

1941 anyone?

Peteee

maquiladora wrote: »

One weak film does not a bad director make.

1941 anyone?

The thing was, Spielberg hadn't made 2 highly successful, and pretty well recieved prequels to 1941.

Raimi messed up Spidey 3 pretty badly, considering the other 2 were good flicks (Indeed I'd consider Spiedy 2 a benchmark comic book hero film)

Philippa Boyens has co-written everything with Jackson since 'The Lord Of The Rings' so I'd imagine so - including co-writing the screenplay of 'The Lovely Bones' (his next).

Well he might as well go back to LOTR's as his work since has been utter ****e but Im not sure about a Hobbit II

You'd swear Jackson had made a plethora of films since LOTR, but no, just the solitary one. And frankly I thought King Kong was stunningly good.

If nothing else they need to get Howard Shore back for the music, and for it to be shot in New Zealand.

Tusky

Peteee wrote: »

You'd swear Jackson had made a plethora of films since LOTR, but no, just the solitary one. And frankly I thought King Kong was stunningly good.

Yeah...I wasn't a massive fan of Kong. Thought it tried to do too much, although I would hardly call it a flop. The Lovely Bones should be something completely different. The book is on my to-read list.

moe_sizlak

i absolutley loved king kong

it done ok but underperformed mainly due to the fact that in my opinion thee most over rated film in years came out at the same time CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, i hated it

Full_Circle

maquiladora wrote: »

One weak film does not a bad director make.

1941 anyone?

Now please, you cant honestly compare Raimi to Spielberg!
Considering how good the first two Spiderman films were, the third was one of the biggest movie disappointments I've ever experienced (even more so than the Matrix or Xmen trilogies) so I'm just not really that objective when it comes to talking about future Raimi projects.

That said, I dont care who directs The Hobbit so long as they secure the same actors to play the characters and getting Howard Shore back to flesh out the origins of his LOTRs musical universe would be a huge bonus!

qwertplaywert

Hopefully he doesnt have directing or writing dutys, or he could end up screwing this up like he screwed up the LOTR trilogy.

Vokes

Huh, how'd he manage to that then in your opinion ?

The Great One

winning 11 oscars for just one of the three movies is usually a sign that a director/writer has screwed up a trilogy is it not.

qwertplaywert

Oscars are not an indication of quality. Look at Titantic.

He made 3 movies full of boring dialogue ,bad acting and poorly directed action scenes.

My name is Todd

qwertplaywert wrote: »

He made 3 movies full of boring dialogue ,bad acting and poorly directed action scenes.

That is so ridiculous - most of the dialogue is lifted from the books, which are undeniable classics. Mortensen and McKellan both acted great parts.
Did you not see the battle for Helm's Deep? Or the scene in ROTK when Gandalf rides from Minas Tirith to fight off the dragons? For God's sake man get a grip.

Romero

I thought Kong was crap, it just felt very empty to me after the brilliance of LOTR trilogy, I suppose the frighteners was okr, but loved Heavenly Creatures. The lovely bones looks good, kindof strong subject matter, reading the plot it reminds me a bit about the Madeline McCann case, i dunno child abduction never found destroys family, but it should be a return to form.

FunkZ

Just heard. This will be absolutely savage. Almost definitely films that won't disappoint to look forward to!