Despite the fact that Peter Jackson did not originally wish to direct the films and the recent rumors regarding Neil Blomkamp possibly directing the films, it appears that he may in fact be the director. The rumors regarding Neil Blomkamp have proved fruitless, and if Peter Jackson took over the director’s chair then the movie would be put somewhat back on schedule. Since PJ is so involved with the script it makes total sense that Warner Bros would want him, because he knows the project and has been with it from the start.
In a post on Heat Vision, it is reported that Peter Jackson is currently negotiating with Warner Bros. Regardless of the outcome, all that I hope for is that The Hobbit gets a great director, and the MGM can pull their stuff together so the movie can move forward.
It looks like Peter Jackson might direct the two “Hobbit” movies after all.
Jackson is in negotiations to helm the films, which were left without a captain after Guillermo del Toro parted ways on May 30. Obstacles to a deal remain, including agreeing on a schedule that will allow Jackson to fast-track the films for release in 2012 and 2013, but insiders are cautiously optimistic that a pact can be worked out.
Talks, which have been going on for a week or two, heated up in recent days between Warner Bros./New Line and Jackson’s team. Complications include the shaky financial situation of partner MGM, which owns the “Hobbit” rights and could hold up the production timetable. A significant delay would be a dealbreaker for Jackson.
Del Toro left the project over similar timing concerns. His move caught observers by surprise because the filmmaker had devoted so much time to work with Jackson drawing up plans for the movies, and working on the script with Jackson, Fran Walsh and Phillippa Boyens. He moved his family to New Zealand. Casting was even in the early stages.
But since his departure, Warners/New Line, which runs point on the production over partner MGM, never did a full-on search for a director, even as some names surfaced as possible contenders. Why? Because Warners/New Line was trying to woo Jackson back to Middle-earth.
Jackson has other commitments — the director has been working on secret projects — and wasn’t sure he wanted to devote another chunk of his life to the tales of J.R.R. Tolkien. But because of the complicated nature and the advanced stage of the undertaking — Middle-earth was being built from the ground up when del Toro left so unexpectedly — it wasn’t simply filling a chair with a warm body.
To Warners/New Line, Jackson is the most logical choice not only because he made the “Lord of the Rings” movies but also because he is deeply involved as a producer on the “Hobbit” films.
Insiders say the next few days will be crucial in the negotiating process between Jackson’s camp and the Warners/New Line side.
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Comments:
zach:
Despite the fact that Peter Jackson did not originally wish to direct the films and the recent rumors regarding Neil Blomkamp possibly directing the films, it appears that he may in fact be the director. The rumors regarding Neil Blomkamp have proved fruitless, and if Peter Jackson took over the director's chair then the movie would be put somewhat back on schedule. Since PJ is so involved with the script it makes total sense that Warner Bros would want him, because he knows the project and has been with it from the start.
In a post on Heat Vision,...
Continue reading...
Arvedui:
PJ has made the right decision
Yams In a can:
I liked that PJ is directing it. We can expect an epic battle scene.
Arvedui:
Its not about the epic battle scene. For me its achieving the balance between accuracy to the book and ability to be a popular movie. Im just happy that I'll be less of an outcast in a few years :ehh:
Ilaras of The Dunedain:
THANK GOD! This should have happened in the first place.
Anathar87:
Wasn't Guillermo del Toro supposed to be directing The Hobbit movie?
Also, I want to see a Silmarillion film, even if it has to be split into parts to fit all the stories and character backgrounds in it. Maybe a main focus could be the Sons of Feanor trying to get the Silmarils back from Morgoth. The battles that took place were off the scales compared to RotK's battle of the Pelennor Fields.
I know it was off-topic but thats what I was thinking about. I'm just ticked that The Hobbit is being split into 2 parts, and the battle is gonna be in part 2, which pretty much means very little action in part 1, other than running into orcs in the misty mountains.
Yams In a can:
Please keep in touch with this story. Notice how it says New.
Guillermo quit. I wouldn't hope for a Silmarrillion movie. I am pretty sure the Tolkien Estate would not allow it.
RangerStryder:
Welcome to MeC Anathar, we are glad that another LotR fan decided to join our forums and quite active in it right off the bat.
If we could ever see all the stories in the Silmarillion to be put in the screen then cable (HBO) is the best home for it imo.
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Anathar87:
Ok didnt know guillermo quit so that was my mistake lol
I wouldnt be suprised if the battle at the end of Hobbit part 1 is where Thorin and Company are hauling a** trying to get away from the goblins and wargs that chase them after they leave the mountains. it could very well turn out as a skirmish, and then end it with them being rescued by the eagles.
Thanx for the welcome RangerStryder. I originally started this to contact someone about creating a Barad-dur map for BFME2. Turns out, EVERYONE thinks it can't be done, but they keep trying.
RangerStryder:
http://www.middleearthcenter.com/for...ad.php?t=20246
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Anathar87:
Yea that sounds cool, but i keep forgetting that Gandalf went to Dol Guldur twice. First when he found Thrain II, Thorin's father, and took the map of Erebor and they key to give to Thorin later. Second time was with the White Council, where they drove out the Necromancer (Sauron). But why wasn't Dol Guldur destroyed during the attack? Did the Elves get driven out by ringwraiths or something?
RangerStryder:
If you remember reading the Hobbit; the time that Gandalf left the Dwarves and Bilbo at the western edge of Mirkwood Forest (from early Autumn of 2941 3rd Age), Gandalf met with the White Council (including Elrond, Galadriel and Saruman) and they battled Sauron and ousted him from Dol Guldur, then Gandalf went back to see Bilbo in Erebor and the start of the Battle of the Five Armies begins (early Winter of 2941 3rd Age).
According to PJ:
[QUOTE]"There's a lot of material, that we can retrospectively put into the Hobbit that does not actually exist in the novel..which is fun, this is fun stuff, because it kinda expand the Hobbit and makes it very much related to the Lord of the Rings..." [/QUOTE]
http://www.mtv.com/videos/movies/426...e-hobbit.jhtml
So, like I said; trust PJ to make the first part of the Hobbit interesting, and I'm 'betting' for a big battle...not the battle on top of the trees...lol.
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Freek:
Merged with the existing newsthread to prevent confusion.
Cheeky Hobbit:
I can't see any other director being able to rival Jackson's ability of handling Tolkien's work. People may complain that he won't be able to differentiate The Hobbit from The Lord of the Rings, and that a new director could have meant taking it in a different direction, but is that even needed? It still takes place in the same universe, and Jackson practically perfected The Lord of the Rings on the big screen. He'd do it again with The Hobbit if he ends up directing it, and that's all us Tolkien fans could ask for.
Ayodon:
Welcome news! :D I agree with Cheeky Hobbit.
If it aint broke dont fix it. PJ found the perfect formula for the movies and that doesnt need to be tampered with. No, "new direction" is needed. ;)
Balin38:
With Peter Jackson at the helm, at least I can be sure the films are in good hands. Which was my biggest concern with the other director.
LOTR PO:
I totally agree with Cheeky Hobbit, but I hope "The Battle of Five Armies" becomes as epic like the helms deep battle, and not let the battle be a small part of the movie that lasts 10 minutes, though I can't imagine that will happen.
Oh please, let Peter Jackson sign on to this project as director. I don't think I would like the movies that much if he didn't. I would probably always imagine, "what if" PJ directed it, how different would it be?
Hope the announcement about the director comes soon!
Eomer the Young:
Honestly, I dont think anybody could be dissapointed with PJ directing the movie. He did as good a job as could be done with the Lord of the Rings and I feel much better about the movie now that I know we have a person who knows what he's doing.
Also it seems that a lot of people are focused on some over-hyped battle scene. While the battle scenes in the Lord of the Rings were very well done, the essence of the story remains in the theme of a seemingly insignificant hobbit going on a great adventure across the vastness of Middle Earth. "epic" battle scenes do not, do not, do not, do not, make up for poor story development and character interaction.
LOTR PO:
Also it seems that a lot of people are focused on some over-hyped battle scene. While the battle scenes in the Lord of the Rings were very well done, the essence of the story remains in the theme of a seemingly insignificant hobbit going on a great adventure across the vastness of Middle Earth. "epic" battle scenes do not, do not, do not, do not, make up for poor story development and character interaction.
When you hear "Battle of Five Armies", it isn't hard to think it's a big, epic, battle.
Of course the story has to be good, but in 6 hours there should be plenty of time to do all of this.
If PJ becomes the director, he knows what to do!
Eomer the Young:
I definitley want to see a well done battle accurate to the scale which was presented in the book. I'm just saying that shouldn't be occupying all the producer's focus. The other elements of the movie are more important than a battle scene.