Jackson on Hobbit!

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by: James Thoo Dec. 18, 2007

It seems after the longest running will he won't he saga since the dawn of man, that Peter Jackson will in fact be involved in the big screen adaptation of THE HOBBIT! JoBlo.com got an early look at the press release (soon to be distributed to the rest of the medai) that the Academy Award winning director will team up with New Line to produce both THE HOBBIT and a sequel! With the announcement, there was of course, the customary back slapping and whatnot, Jackson saying "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.” But seriously, it has got to be New Line that got the sweetest end of this deal. Jackson can pretty much film himself taking a dump with Andy Serkis playing a CGI turd and the thing will break records.

More details: 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.

Business-wise MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute the two films with New Line handling distribution in North America and MGM internationally.

I wonder who's gonna direct this thing?!

Source: TheHobbitBlog

Extra Tidbit: Guillermo Del Toro for the win! And thanks to 'Super Scooper' for the heads up!

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ShattertheNight
1:04AM on 12/20/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Obviously Jackson is the best choice and who I think everyone would want. But as for peoples suggestions of Del Toro and Cuaron I think they would both make awesome films. Raimi on the other hand should stick to screwing up other franchises. Not that I don't like Raimi, ever see "A Simple Plan"? In the words of some lame movie reviewer, "A Simple Plan was simply a great film"
Obviously Jackson is the best choice and who I think everyone would want. But as for peoples suggestions of Del Toro and Cuaron I think they would both make awesome films. Raimi on the other hand should stick to screwing up other franchises. Not that I don't like Raimi, ever see "A Simple Plan"? In the words of some lame movie reviewer, "A Simple Plan was simply a great film"
 
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drexxell
7:28AM on 12/19/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Good call, re: Weaving...I'd forgotten about Elrond.

Might even see Aragorn "stop by" Rivendell while they are there, just as an Easter Egg/Nod to LOTR.
Good call, re: Weaving...I'd forgotten about Elrond.

Might even see Aragorn "stop by" Rivendell while they are there, just as an Easter Egg/Nod to LOTR.
 
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ButchTheBoxer16
4:13AM on 12/19/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
UH-OH!
This news would be great if Jackson was directing, but if he doesn't then I will be very disappointed. Guillermo Del Toro already has like 4 directing jobs lined up so I don't think he would be available. Sam Raimi screwed up Spider-Man 3 after the brilliant second movie so I wouldn't trust him with this one. Alfonso Cuaron would be the only director I could see doing this, but Jackson is obvio...
This news would be great if Jackson was directing, but if he doesn't then I will be very disappointed. Guillermo Del Toro already has like 4 directing jobs lined up so I don't think he would be available. Sam Raimi screwed up Spider-Man 3 after the brilliant second movie so I wouldn't trust him with this one. Alfonso Cuaron would be the only director I could see doing this, but Jackson is obviously the number one choice and it wouldn't be the same without him in the director's chair. Screw Tintin. Or at least let Spielberg direct his part first while Jackson does this.
 
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Neon October
10:57PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
McKellen
GrungeHippy..who said that McKellan is not returning?
GrungeHippy..who said that McKellan is not returning?
 
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grungehippy
9:42PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Close but no cigar
Sorry, the only way in my opinion is for PJ to direct both himself. Its been a long time since a director and the material blended so greatly as PJ and Tolkien. Producing is good, but him not directing as well as not getting McKellan and Holm is still simply unacceptable.
Sorry, the only way in my opinion is for PJ to direct both himself. Its been a long time since a director and the material blended so greatly as PJ and Tolkien. Producing is good, but him not directing as well as not getting McKellan and Holm is still simply unacceptable.
 
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Racci
5:40PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Hmm... It still doesn't mean that The Hobbit's gonna be good. Burton executive produced Batman Forever and that sucked. As long as theyd don't hire Joel Schumacher or Sam Raimi it might turn out to be good. Just might.
Hmm... It still doesn't mean that The Hobbit's gonna be good. Burton executive produced Batman Forever and that sucked. As long as theyd don't hire Joel Schumacher or Sam Raimi it might turn out to be good. Just might.
 
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Doctor Zubian
5:13PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
BILBO
I would love to see Martin Freeman cast as Bilbo for the Hobbit, I'm not sure theer is a better fit other than Ian Holm for that character....I'm really not keen on the new movies featuring a young Aragorn or the Cate Blanchett character, smells too much like the star wars prequels...
I would love to see Martin Freeman cast as Bilbo for the Hobbit, I'm not sure theer is a better fit other than Ian Holm for that character....I'm really not keen on the new movies featuring a young Aragorn or the Cate Blanchett character, smells too much like the star wars prequels...
 
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ToiletBug
4:31PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
OMG OMG OMG OMG
I cant put into words how happy I am right now. I am a die hard film fan from all generations and I will say without ANY....ANY hesitation.....that LOTR was the greatest piece of film making of all time. And this news from joblo simply made my yesr....its that simple...it made my year. Im going to sing in the rain now
I cant put into words how happy I am right now. I am a die hard film fan from all generations and I will say without ANY....ANY hesitation.....that LOTR was the greatest piece of film making of all time. And this news from joblo simply made my yesr....its that simple...it made my year. Im going to sing in the rain now
 
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Mut
3:45PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Um ... sequel? Wouldn't that be, you know, "The Lord of the Rings?" Just saying ...
Um ... sequel? Wouldn't that be, you know, "The Lord of the Rings?" Just saying ...
 
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Paulie
2:19PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
"What about their legs?"
After the extremely sad ending of The Return of the King, it was hard to depart from one of the most incredible trilogys ever. I thought it was over right there and then. Glad to know there will be a revisit to those green hills.

And... more Gollum. I'm taking for granted Andy Serkis will reprise that role. Awesome.
After the extremely sad ending of The Return of the King, it was hard to depart from one of the most incredible trilogys ever. I thought it was over right there and then. Glad to know there will be a revisit to those green hills.

And... more Gollum. I'm taking for granted Andy Serkis will reprise that role. Awesome.
 
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corran horn
2:11PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Excellent news
If PJ can't be persuaded to direct, I'd say let Guillermo del Toro do it. They've done similar types of films. Not sure who could play Bilbo. In terms of original cast, I see McKellen, Serkis, and Hugo Weaving returning. Not sure how they could fit in Blanchett or Mortensen. If they included other material from the appendices (plenty of material there), they could cover Aragorn's youth, Thrain ...
If PJ can't be persuaded to direct, I'd say let Guillermo del Toro do it. They've done similar types of films. Not sure who could play Bilbo. In terms of original cast, I see McKellen, Serkis, and Hugo Weaving returning. Not sure how they could fit in Blanchett or Mortensen. If they included other material from the appendices (plenty of material there), they could cover Aragorn's youth, Thrain (Thorin's father) and the taking of the dawrven ring in Dol Guldur (Sauron's underground fortress in Mirkwood), dawarven efforts to reconquer Moria. Plenty of material.

As for the sequel, they could cover some of the events I just described or use something else from the appenidices. Maybe the "sequel" is in fact the SILMARILLON, or a few stories from it. Remember, besides the Hobbit and the LOTR trilogy, Tolkein left behind volumes of supplementary material--so it's not like they'd run out of stories to adapt.
 
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HoyleHaw
2:10PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Hmmm...maybe they're gonna make The Simarillion, too? Anyway, glad Jackson and New Line were able to sort of patch up their bickering. Maybe this is due to the poor box office numbers of New Lines latest fantasy epic?
Hmmm...maybe they're gonna make The Simarillion, too? Anyway, glad Jackson and New Line were able to sort of patch up their bickering. Maybe this is due to the poor box office numbers of New Lines latest fantasy epic?
 
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JasonAdams
1:42PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
I bet the whole TINTIN thing was just a cover up to hide the fact that Spielberg is directing one of THE HOBBIT movies.



Please?
I bet the whole TINTIN thing was just a cover up to hide the fact that Spielberg is directing one of THE HOBBIT movies.



Please?
 
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Lizerne
1:30PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Why 2?
I'm stoked "The Hobbit" will be made, but why will there be a sequel? Won't that piss off LOTR purists? Seems like the studio wants to milk this for as much profit as possible. I think "The Silmarillion" would be an interesting movie or at least combined in "The Hobbit" movie. And PJ SHOULD direct it. It's his baby, after all.
I'm stoked "The Hobbit" will be made, but why will there be a sequel? Won't that piss off LOTR purists? Seems like the studio wants to milk this for as much profit as possible. I think "The Silmarillion" would be an interesting movie or at least combined in "The Hobbit" movie. And PJ SHOULD direct it. It's his baby, after all.
 
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Snowboy
1:14PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
WOOOHOOOOOOO!! Even if PJ is only producing, this is still the best news I've heard all year. Perhaps they'll convince him to direct, though..
WOOOHOOOOOOO!! Even if PJ is only producing, this is still the best news I've heard all year. Perhaps they'll convince him to direct, though..
 
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WalterKovacs
1:02PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
AWESOME
C'mon Jackson - saddle up!! I know he's got TINTIN on the way, and that's cool, but this is THE HOBBIT!! I hope he realizes this franchise is his and he should be behind the camera. lET'S SEE IT!
C'mon Jackson - saddle up!! I know he's got TINTIN on the way, and that's cool, but this is THE HOBBIT!! I hope he realizes this franchise is his and he should be behind the camera. lET'S SEE IT!
 
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drexxell
12:47PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Sweet, but now some issues:

1) They tore down the original Hobbiton set after finishing LOTR. What a waste...I wonder if they'll pick the same spot and rebuild?

2) Aside from Ian McKellin and Andy Serkis, I don't expect to see any repeat faces from LOTR. You can't down-age Ian Holm enough, and it'd be silly to do JRD as his own father. Thirteen new faces on the ...
Sweet, but now some issues:

1) They tore down the original Hobbiton set after finishing LOTR. What a waste...I wonder if they'll pick the same spot and rebuild?

2) Aside from Ian McKellin and Andy Serkis, I don't expect to see any repeat faces from LOTR. You can't down-age Ian Holm enough, and it'd be silly to do JRD as his own father. Thirteen new faces on the dwarven cast, says I.

3) Smaug's voice shouldn't be cast quickly. It will make or break the believability. Sean Connery was a CRAP choice in Dragonheart. I'm thinking you need to even computer-modify the voice. No human voice can do justice to the lung capacity of a dragon.

4) What's all this about a sequel? What happened between Hobbit and LOTR is pretty much 60 years of nothing...

5) Psyched psyched psyched for this movie, despite any issues raised above.
 
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dellamorte dellamore
12:47PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Amazing
I just shot something across the room , twice , and i'm sure you can figure out what it was . Now i can embrace New Line again , i can finally watch GC in good conscience .


I'm glad that NL have come around and proven that they can be gentleman when they want to . PJ , NL , and the creation of the LOTR trilogy was something akin to destiny , it was meant to happen , and ...
I just shot something across the room , twice , and i'm sure you can figure out what it was . Now i can embrace New Line again , i can finally watch GC in good conscience .


I'm glad that NL have come around and proven that they can be gentleman when they want to . PJ , NL , and the creation of the LOTR trilogy was something akin to destiny , it was meant to happen , and so was this , it wasn't supposed to happen any other way .


They proved to be the perfect combination , and now all parties have settled their differences and are embarking on bringing the Hobbit to life . All i have to say is , i've never been happier ,out of all things movie related , this is the one thing i couldn't wait to hear , although i started to doubt it would happen with Pj at the helm .

I don't care if the failure of GC woke the execs up at NL , but i'm sure it has , so in a way it was a good thing . The important thing is that , we are getting the freakin Hobbit , with PJ directing , writing , and all the other great stuff he does .


I saw it in the water , i smelled it in the air , i felt it in the earth , it had to happened , and it is .

Now the time has come to start the countdown to opening day .
 
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cricker
12:19PM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Fing Great!!!!
Its about time, good to see everyone put aside their differences to get this done! Peter Jackson should definitely direct this thing though, maybe he is directing with a producers credit.
Its about time, good to see everyone put aside their differences to get this done! Peter Jackson should definitely direct this thing though, maybe he is directing with a producers credit.
 
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weird v3.0
11:52AM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Duplicated posts...
Duplicated posts are a such a bore (duh!). Sorry for the inconvenience.
Duplicated posts are a such a bore (duh!). Sorry for the inconvenience.
 
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weird v3.0
11:51AM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
Been waiting for so long...
... to read this (no April's fools joke, please).

Other interesting choices to direct the Hobbit (besides Jackson):
- McG's 'The Hobbit' (of course).
- David Mamet's 'The motherf***n' Hobbit'.
- Ruggero Deodato's 'The Hobbit' .
- The guy from 2girls1cup's 'The tasty Hobbit' .
- Pedro Almodovar's 'El Hobbit manchego' (Penelope Cruz as Gollum!)
... to read this (no April's fools joke, please).

Other interesting choices to direct the Hobbit (besides Jackson):
- McG's 'The Hobbit' (of course).
- David Mamet's 'The motherf***n' Hobbit'.
- Ruggero Deodato's 'The Hobbit' .
- The guy from 2girls1cup's 'The tasty Hobbit' .
- Pedro Almodovar's 'El Hobbit manchego' (Penelope Cruz as Gollum!)
- Dr. Boll's 'The Hobbit' (scary!)
- David Lynch's 'The Hobbit' (backwards dancing dwarves!)

Nah! P. Jackson's the man.
 
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Tai Mai Jew
11:48AM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
This is the greatest news EVER, god damn... The hobbit was the BEST out of the series.

This is the greatest news EVER, god damn... The hobbit was the BEST out of the series.

 
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porkchopexpress
11:40AM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
!!!!!!!!!!!
:)
[link]!!!!
:)
[link]!!!!
 
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Nomein
11:10AM on 12/18/2007 Add as a friend | MFC profile
What do you mean, you wonder who's gonna direct this film???????? There is only one choice.
What do you mean, you wonder who's gonna direct this film???????? There is only one choice.
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