Jackson signs on for The Hobbit.

[BathTub]

Huzzah!

    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.

    About New Line Cinema Corporation:

    Celebrating its 40th anniversary year, New Line Cinema is the most successful independent film company in the world. Its mission is to produce innovative, popular and profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. In 2005, New Line partnered with HBO to form Picturehouse, a new theatrical distribution company to release independent films. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line's Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc. (TWX).

    About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.:

    Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution In, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.

    About Peter Jackson/Wingnut Films:

    Peter Jackson is one of the world's most successful filmmakers. His monumental achievement co-writing, co-producing and directing The Lord of the Rings trilogy (with fellow Academy Award winners and frequent collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens) earned a total of 30 Academy Award nominations and 17 Academy Awards. Jackson and Walsh received their first Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for their acclaimed film Heavenly Creatures. Jackson, through his New Zealand-based Wingnut Films banner, also was responsible for the globally successful 2005 remake of King Kong which earned over $500 million worldwide and 3 Academy Awards. Currently, Jackson is directing an adaptation of The Lovely Bones, from the acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold. He is also developing a trilogy of films with Steven Spielberg based on Tintin, the world renowned comic book series by Herge.

[David]

So after all that drama it's actually happening? I was scared for awhile there.

[kodiakthejuggler]

Sometimes the planets align, and the right thing happens.

This is one of those times.


Huzzah indeed.

[Pak-Man]

I work for the agency that edits PR releases like this before they hit the wire. I've known about this since MGM sent our office the release last night and it's probably the hardest thing I've ever had to keep to myself. Durn non-disclosure agreement. :^) Still, I love my job. I find out stuff like this before the rest of the world, and I know what's coming out on the Wii Virtual Console on FRIDAYS. :^)

I, for one, am thrilled about this. I love the Lord of the Rings movies and it's nice to know that it's going to stylistically mesh with the Hobbit. :^)

[Rude]

...

I had a feeling they would end up working something out. However, i've always been confused about this: "MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute two films, "The Hobbit" and a sequel to "The Hobbit."

Isn't The Lord Of The Rings the sequel to The Hobbit? Are they just going to make something up on their own, and wedge it into the time between those stories?

-Rude

[jewishcarpenter]

Unconfirmed, but so far I've heard the plan is The Hobbit & The Hobbit 2: House Party.

[Pak-Man]

My guess is they're going to split the Hobbit into 2 parts.

[Junkyard]

I... have a bad feeling about this. It may work out, be really good, and I'll be happy about that, but.... I got a bad feeling.

And the sequel wil ltechnically be a prequel:
The Hobbit Begins
It tells the story of a Bilbo Baggins's boring life before he met Gandalf.

[James of LinHood]

Sources have told me that Michael Bay will be directing these movies.

[jewishcarpenter]

I think I'm going to wait and watch the movies when they are released as the uncut 11 hour long 14 disc set then.

[Pak-Man]

A detail-obsessed super-lengthy writer calls for a detail-obsessed super-lengthy director. :^)

[SmilinJackRoss]

So, let's start casting this thing!

Ian McKellen will almost certainly have to reprise his role as Gandalf, but Holm is waaaay too old to play Bilbo.  I nominate Breckin Meyer for the role of Bilbo:

[jewishcarpenter]

Tom Cruise as Bilbo, that way they don't have to use all those tricky camera effects to make it seem like he's really short.

[James of LinHood]

I'm thinking that Will Smith will play Bilbo and Beyonce will play Gandalf.

[Jinto]

Sources have told me that Michael Bay will be directing these movies.

The movie will be 95% Hobbit free and the dwarves will be on a quest for Gandalf's robe and wizard hat.