Peter Jackson will not direct Hobbit

[edonline]

http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,1952638,00.html

Jackson will not direct Hobbit
Staff and agencies
Monday November 20, 2006

Guardian Unlimited

Peter Jackson will not be directing The Hobbit, the New Zealand film-maker has told a JRR Tolkien fan site.

Jackson emailed theonering.net at the weekend stating that he and his company Wingnut Films, which worked on the three Lord of the Rings films, would not be getting involved in the production of Tolkien's earlier novel about the world of Middle Earth. He said this was due to the previously reported disagreement with the films' studio, New Line, over profits from the highly successful trilogy.

New Line, in conjunction with MGM, also wants to film a second prequel to the Lord of the Rings, presumably based on some of Tolkien's earlier, somewhat fractured books detailing the history of Middle Earth. Jackson and his team will not now be involved in this project either.

In his email Jackson wrote: "Several years ago, [New Line's] Mark Ordesky told us that New Line have rights to make not just The Hobbit but a second 'LOTR prequel', covering the events leading up to those depicted in LOTR. Since then, we've always assumed that we would be asked to make The Hobbit and possibly this second film, back to back, as we did the original movies.

"We've assumed that we would possibly get started on development and design next year, whilst filming The Lovely Bones. We even had a meeting planned with MGM executives to talk through our schedule.

"However last week, Mark Ordesky called Ken and told him that New Line would no longer be requiring our services on the Hobbit and the LOTR 'prequel'."

Jackson goes on to say that the move is due to New Line only having rights to make the new films within a limited period, before adding: "This outcome is not what we anticipated or wanted, but neither do we see any positive value in bitterness and rancour. We now have no choice but to let the idea of a film of The Hobbit go and move forward with other projects."

[Crazy Dud]

:mad:

This is a sad day indeed! The folks at New Line are idiots! How could you let them go?

It doesn't necessarily spell doom for the films. Remember that each film in the original Star Wars trilogy had a different director. However, we knew Jackson would nail it, so now fans have to hold their breath and pray!

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Originally posted by Crazy Dud
:mad:

This is a sad day indeed! The folks at New Line are idiots! How could you let them go?

It doesn't necessarily spell doom for the films. Remember that each film in the original Star Wars trilogy had a different director. However, we knew Jackson would nail it, so now fans have to hold their breath and pray!
Well The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi also had Lucas on set pretty much all the time, which is why he just went ahead as director on the prequel trilogy.

I really wanted to see Jackson do The Hobbit and the only reason I wanted for him not to do it was if his personal preference was not to do it, not a stupid lawsuit over New Line's blunder. I do realize studios are more loathe to take it out on the fans than admit their mistakes.

[Danger^Cart]

Originally posted by Tyler_Durden_208
Well The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi also had Lucas on set pretty much all the time, which is why he just went ahead as director on the prequel trilogy.

Unfortunately.

I'm really not that distraught over this, as I feel a Hobbit film, or any addition to the Rings trilogy for that matter, would just seem re-hashed familiar territory. You had a good run Peter...a little overrated, perhaps, but a good run indeed...way too let it go man.

[Cronos]

:(

[SuFiEthon]

Well I officially will not be seeing The Hobbit unless Jackson is involved with this film in some capacity. How can a studio justify not letting the man who led them to huge ticket sales and oscar nominations and awards direct the prequel? What other prequel could the studio possibly be thinking about doing? The Similarion? I dont know but I think New Line is making a huge mistake.

[InvaderZim]

I agree with the poster above, if Peter Jackson is not attached to the film I have no interest. But this news does suck, as I was looking forward to hobbit movie. Ever since I saw the animated hobbit film when I was a little kid

[Jon Lyrik]

It won't hurt the movie financially (unless it's reviled, in that case, it'll be New Line's blunder), but fuck, what a stupid idea. The only thing that could get me to see it now is good buzz.

[cocksmokinclerk]

i'm a big fan of pj and i'd be happier if he were still involved but i'll wait and see

[RandalGraves]

Originally posted by cocksmokinclerk
i'm a big fan of pj and i'd be happier if he were still involved but i'll wait and see

[Crazy Dud]

Originally posted by Jon Lyrik
It won't hurt the movie financially (unless it's reviled, in that case, it'll be New Line's blunder), but fuck, what a stupid idea. The only thing that could get me to see it now is good buzz.

If New Line wants to put themselves back into bankruptcy, all they need to do is keep making dumb decisions like this!

:mad:

[Criminal Rock]

this sucks, but i aint crying over it. I just want to see it on screen.

[Mr. Fred Krueger]

No Peter Jackson=Me No See Hobbit.

[Danger^Cart]

Originally posted by SuFiEthon
Well I officially will not be seeing The Hobbit unless Jackson is involved with this film in some capacity. How can a studio justify not letting the man who led them to huge ticket sales and oscar nominations and awards direct the prequel? What other prequel could the studio possibly be thinking about doing? The Similarion? I dont know but I think New Line is making a huge mistake.

I agree, not going with the guy who led your studio to THREE consecutive Oscar sweeps is beyond dumb. Its fucking obtuse. Perhaps New Line thinks they can simply sell the name to the average movie patrion and keep most of the fan base. Although, people who really dig LOTR are among the geek types, and geeks (i.e. us) usually do their homework, so I'm not so sure New Lines ruse will work to its full extent, but I don't think they'll have trouble marketing Hobbit.

Though, "From the director of the LOTR trilogy" wouldn't hurt.

[Alzabra]

This is one f*cked up Idea the studio has came up with, after what Peter Jackson Achieved with the LOTR trilogy they tell him his services are no longer needed????

Did they actually watch the LOTR trilogy?

And to show everyone that he was not a 1 hit wonder he goes and re-makes a film thats been re-made so many time "Kong" and makes it even better.

Its a bad day for the Hobit

[king_verhoeven]

The New Director of 'The Hobbit' is.....?

11/22/06, 5:47 pm EST - Xoanon

Word from a reliable source indicates that Sam Raimi has been approached to direct THE HOBBIT. Since Peter Jackson's (Middle-)earth shattering news that he is off the project, it seems the Spider-Man director may step into his place. Raimi was born on October 23rd, 1959 in Royal Oak, Michigan. His first big hit was 'The Evil Dead' but he really gained cult status with 'Evil Dead II'. It is his amazing work on the Spider-Man series that has propelled Raimi to the mainstream. His latest film 'Spider-Man 3' is due out this May.
While there is no word on Raimi accepting the invitation, it remains to be seen who, if anyone, will be replacing Peter Jackson!

Source: www.theonering.net

If Raimi is wise he will decline

[Shockwave]

FUCKING SHIT!!! :mad:

[dennisv]

Originally posted by king_verhoeven
The New Director of 'The Hobbit' is.....?

11/22/06, 5:47 pm EST - Xoanon

Word from a reliable source indicates that Sam Raimi has been approached to direct THE HOBBIT. Since Peter Jackson's (Middle-)earth shattering news that he is off the project, it seems the Spider-Man director may step into his place. Raimi was born on October 23rd, 1959 in Royal Oak, Michigan. His first big hit was 'The Evil Dead' but he really gained cult status with 'Evil Dead II'. It is his amazing work on the Spider-Man series that has propelled Raimi to the mainstream. His latest film 'Spider-Man 3' is due out this May.
While there is no word on Raimi accepting the invitation, it remains to be seen who, if anyone, will be replacing Peter Jackson!

Source: www.theonering.net

If Raimi is wise he will decline


Hm... Now my hopes are up. I think he can do it, but it won't be better than PJ's.

[JackassFan]

Hmmm. I like Raimi as a director, but I'm not sure if he's right for this job.

[jolanar]

As cool as it would be to have Sam Raimi direct The Hobbit, I think it would be a bad career move on his part.

[parsonz]

i dont reallly care who directs the movie ot be honest aslong as they do a good job about it and dont ruin one of the best triologys that are out there

[Criminal Rock]

YAY! (http://joblo.com/jackson-wanted-for-hobbit)

[Cronos]

no yay from me until its announced they're after him as director

[Criminal Rock]

Touche, but this is good news nonetheless... hopefully they can work something out.

[electriclite]

Considering Raimi and and Jackson both have similar roots in terms of early films with brilliant marriages of horror and comedy and that they've recently helmed 2 huge special-effects heavy blockbuster franchises, it doesn't sound like a bad idea at all.


I don't understand why Jackson HAS to direct the Hobbit. I'm not against it, but he's done this already and conquered it.

I'd be interested to see another director's take on the Hobbit, unless of course people are concerned with maintaining some sort of seamless blend of the the Hobbit into the the LOTR trilogy.

[Criminal Rock]

I wouldn't object to seeing someone else take chair of this film, that's reall not my concern; I thought Peter Jackson and his team did an unbelievable job with LOTR. I suppose I just don't want to be disappointed with this one... and if Peter Jackson's committed to it, I think the likeliness of that ever happening is in my favor.

though, I speak only for myself.

[Kings-Rook1]

Money, get away.
Get a good job with good pay and youre okay.
Money, its a gas.
Grab that cash with both hands and make a stash.
New car, caviar, four star daydream,
Think Ill buy me a football team.

Money, get back.
Im all right jack keep your hands off of my stack.
Money, its a hit.
Dont give me that do goody good bullshit.
Im in the high-fidelity first class traveling set
And I think I need a lear jet.

Money, its a crime.
Share it fairly but dont take a slice of my pie.
Money, so they say
Is the root of all evil today.
But if you ask for a raise its no surprise that theyre
Giving none away.

Huhuh! I was in the right!
Yes, absolutely in the right!
I certainly was in the right!
You was definitely in the right. that geezer was cruising for a
Bruising!
Yeah!
Why does anyone do anything?
I dont know, I was really drunk at the time!
I was just telling him, he couldnt get into number 2. he was asking
Why he wasnt coming up on freely, after I was yelling and
Screaming and telling him why he wasnt coming up on freely.
It came as a heavy blow, but we sorted the matter out

[bigred760]

Something tells me that whatever rift that's between Jackson and New Line, it will be resolved and part of the deal will be that Jackson directs The Hobbit with a big ass pay day.

Either way, it's good to know that they're talking.

[X-Nightcrawler]

I don't even want to see this movie made. I'm fed up with LOTR and honestly I'm not even a fan of Peter Jackson's work. But I do respect a lot him letting go off a franchise he made himself.

Originally posted by SuFiEthon
Well I officially will not be seeing The Hobbit unless Jackson is involved with this film in some capacity. Can I quote you on that?

[electriclite]

Originally posted by Tai Mai Jew
I wouldn't object to seeing someone else take chair of this film, that's reall not my concern; I thought Peter Jackson and his team did an unbelievable job with LOTR. I suppose I just don't want to be disappointed with this one... and if Peter Jackson's committed to it, I think the likeliness of that ever happening is in my favor.

though, I speak only for myself.


That reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend 3 months before Fellowship came out.

He mentioned how Jackson had never made a bad movie. To which I replied: Well that just means one is in his future. The question is, which movie is it gonna be?

[Tyler_Durden_208]

Seriously. Jackson already made a bad movie. It's called Bad Taste. Sure it may be enjoyable or even fun, but it's not a "good" movie by any stretch of the imagination.

[Shockwave]

I could easily see someone other then Jackson do THE HOBBIT,.

[LordSimen]

Originally posted by Tyler_Durden_208
Seriously. Jackson already made a bad movie. It's called Bad Taste. Sure it may be enjoyable or even fun, but it's not a "good" movie by any stretch of the imagination.

I disagree. The fact it's enjoyable and fun makes it a good movie in my book.

[AndrewDB]

Well... if the rumors are true, and Raimie, God bless his B rated directors heart is actually directing...

I'm not seeing it.

Yeah, I've seen all of his movies, but after what he did to Spiderman three, I can't, and won't, witness what he'll do to Bilbo and my beloved Hobbit.

I'd rather leave PJ's masterpieces untouched, and unscathed by B movie director.


If this is true, Bruce Campbell is thanking whatever Deity he believes in..

[LordSimen]

Originally posted by Xehirut
Well... if the rumors are true, and Raimie, God bless his B rated directors heart is actually directing...

I'm not seeing it.

Yeah, I've seen all of his movies, but after what he did to Spiderman three, I can't, and won't, witness what he'll do to Bilbo and my beloved Hobbit.

I'd rather leave PJ's masterpieces untouched, and unscathed by B movie director.


If this is true, Bruce Campbell is thanking whatever Deity he believes in..

You do realize that Peter Jackson is a B-Movie director too, right? That's where he came from.

And come on, it was one movie. ONE MOVIE! Why does everyone always base a director's career on one loose end. :confused:

[Shockwave]

Originally posted by Xehirut
Well... if the rumors are true, and Raimie, God bless his B rated directors heart is actually directing...

I'm not seeing it.


I'd rather leave PJ's masterpieces untouched, and unscathed by B movie director.




Peter Jackson IS a B movie director. :) Moreso then even Raimi was.

[AndrewDB]

Jackson was a B movie director, until he made the LOTR trilogy, as soon as he made those, he went up to an A movie director.

You can't garner 12 academy awards being a B movie director.

[Shockwave]

I agree, but u said u wouldnt go to see a LOTR movie made by a B movie director.

I just found that funny since the LOTR movies were made BY A B MOVIE DIRECTOR.

[bigred760]

Both Jackson and Raimi were B-movie directors but after little things like LOTR and Spider-man came around, they've "upped" their status. Neither are B-movie directors anymore.