Huzzah! (http://stuff.co.nz/4328957a10.html)
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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.
So after all that drama it's actually happening? I was scared for awhile there.
Sometimes the planets align, and the right thing happens.
This is one of those times.
Huzzah indeed.
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. :^)
...
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
Unconfirmed, but so far I've heard the plan is The Hobbit & The Hobbit 2: House Party.
My guess is they're going to split the Hobbit into 2 parts.
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.
Sources have told me that Michael Bay will be directing these movies.
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.
A detail-obsessed super-lengthy writer calls for a detail-obsessed super-lengthy director. :^)
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:
(https://forum.rifftrax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv187%2Fcooleyre%2FBrecklin20Me88483360_150x200.jpg&hash=e43a677edc6c311466bbd270d7ec55ed3859f239)
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.
I'm thinking that Will Smith will play Bilbo and Beyonce will play Gandalf.
Quote from: James of LinHood on December 18, 2007, 10:45:18 AM
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.
Somehow.... shots of helicopters in flight will make it into the movie.
Quote from: James of LinHood on December 18, 2007, 10:59:52 AM
I'm thinking that Will Smith will play Bilbo and Beyonce will play Gandalf.
Nice!
The theme song can be sung by Nelly and Smaug will be played by Eddie Murphy.
Quote from: Jinto on December 18, 2007, 11:02:51 AM
Quote from: James of LinHood on December 18, 2007, 10:45:18 AM
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.
Quote from: Junkyard on December 18, 2007, 11:04:34 AM
Somehow.... shots of helicopters in flight will make it into the movie.
Quote from: kodiakthejuggler on December 18, 2007, 11:04:59 AM
Quote from: James of LinHood on December 18, 2007, 10:59:52 AM
I'm thinking that Will Smith will play Bilbo and Beyonce will play Gandalf.
Nice!
The theme song can be sung by Nelly and Smaug will be played by Eddie Murphy.
Movie of the year material right here.
Awwww Hells yeah, nicely counterpoint Eddies love of the dragon in Shrek.
Two movies?
Yeeehhhaaaa!!!!!!!!!
I was afraid of what would happen if they tried to cram the book into one movie,now my only fears about this movie have been laid to rest.
I can!'t wait.
Is it out yet?
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woo! This it way exciting. they sure shouldn't screw this one up! i will be pissed off if they do!
Huzzah indeed! I'm so happy!!!!! ;D ;D ;D ;D All three LOTR movies were fantastic movie-going experiences, and hopefully this will deliver exactly the same!
Uh, guys, read the article a little more carefully.
The Hobbit will be done in its entirety in the first movie... it's right in the article.
They unfortunately did not say exactly what the second movie would entail, but considering there are roughly 50-60 years in between the end of The Hobbit and the start of The Lord of the Rings, one would logically assume that the second movie will cover some of the things that happened in between the two (some of which appears in the appendices, some in the Silmarillion, and some of the scattered notes that never really made it into a book... and some of which was also left unwritten / a mystery).
I'm picturing the second movie containing stories of some of the extra adventures Bilbo went on with the dwarves after The Hobbit ended, the rebuilding of Dale and the re-rising of the dwarves out of the Lonely Mountain, tales of how the men came together to drive back the goblins and wargs throughout the land for a time, maybe even some stories of Sauron's slow resurfacing of power leading up to LOTR (if you remember from the book, it was basically laid out that "the necromancer" that Gandalf is dealing with through part of The Hobbit is actually Sauron before he comes back into his power). That could potentially be a really cool compilation.
This is good news for me, since I actually preferred reading the Hobbit to Lord of the Rings. Or at least I can say, I finished reading the Hobbit, as opposed to getting through roughly two and a half of the books of Lord of the Rings.
Now to see who is going to direct it.
Quote from: jewishcarpenter on December 18, 2007, 10:41:30 AM
Unconfirmed, but so far I've heard the plan is The Hobbit & The Hobbit 2: House Party.
I just hope that Kid and Play can take time out of their busy schedule for this.
(https://forum.rifftrax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.users.on.net%2F%7Enguy3n%2FKid_n_play.jpg&hash=a553d6bb00d80e9fea01bac0778f3aa6901305f8)
Quote from: Chaos on December 18, 2007, 12:56:50 PM
They unfortunately did not say exactly what the second movie would entail, but considering there are roughly 50-60 years in between the end of The Hobbit and the start of The Lord of the Rings, one would logically assume that the second movie will cover some of the things that happened in between the two
I remember reading that's exactly what it would be, but I'm not in the mood to scour the net looking for the articles. The info's out there for anyone willing to search.
Funny how these things work, isn't it? I'd just read something where Jackson has denied involvement with the Hobbit films, and yet here it is! I'm glad he has though, as I thought the LOTR was a fantastic piece of work. And if they do involve the Dwarves more, that'd be great, I thought the were the race most overlooked in the first films.
I predict a lot more hobbit walking in this. Gotta give the fans more of what they enjoyed.
Quote from: MrTorso on December 18, 2007, 02:58:25 PM
Now to see who is going to direct it.
Does PJ have any protégés? Nobody jumps to mind as an obvious choice for me, from New Line's point of view.
One can
assume hope it will be a high-caliber action director of some kind, who is not only good at the action parts, but will build up a high quality dramatic element (Read: Not Renny Harlin :D) After seeing (and loving) Children of Men, Alfonso Cuaron seems like an awesome candidate. (not sure how he did with that Harry Potter movie, never saw it...was it any good?)
Quote from: mrbasehart on December 18, 2007, 05:45:24 PM
Funny how these things work, isn't it? I'd just read something where Jackson has denied involvement with the Hobbit films, and yet here it is! I'm glad he has though, as I thought the LOTR was a fantastic piece of work. And if they do involve the Dwarves more, that'd be great, I thought the were the race most overlooked in the first films.
That's because the dwarves were practically non-existant in the books, really. Jackson was being quite true to the books by NOT having a battalion of dwarves suddenly show up to help the fighting (and thank god for that).
The personal implication I always took from the dwarves' conspicuous absence, both at the end of the second age and the war of the ring, was that they were too busy mining away for their precious metals and stones in the earth to give a good god damn as the rest of the races of Middle Earth were fighting for survival... sort of Tolkein's commentary on the dangers of industrialization (and, to a lesser extent, greed in general). I'm aware that that's probably PURELY a personal interpretation, but it works for me. :)
Quote from: SmilinJackRoss on December 18, 2007, 08:10:15 PMAfter seeing (and loving) Children of Men, Alfonso Cuaron seems like an awesome candidate. (not sure how he did with that Harry Potter movie, never saw it...was it any good?)
It was definitely the best of the Potter flicks. (Unfortunately, in my opinion, that's not really saying much, as none of the movies have been particularly memorable the way the books are.)
Anyway, my obligatory fanboy response as to who should direct? Edgar Wright. :P
I remember hearing Martin Freeman suggested to play Bilbo (not an official rumor or anything, just one of those who-would-be-your-ideal-cast threads on a forum). I could see that.
If they really do end up getting Sam Raimi to direct, does that mean we'd get Bruce Campbell as Beorn?
Quote from: Chaos on December 18, 2007, 08:45:18 PM
That's because the dwarves were practically non-existant in the books, really. Jackson was being quite true to the books by NOT having a battalion of dwarves suddenly show up to help the fighting (and thank god for that).
The personal implication I always took from the dwarves' conspicuous absence, both at the end of the second age and the war of the ring, was that they were too busy mining away for their precious metals and stones in the earth to give a good god damn as the rest of the races of Middle Earth were fighting for survival...
I think you're right to a certain extent. It's been a while since I read the books, but I think that once the battles in the third book came along, Sauron had launched a similar offensive to the north towards the land of the Dwarves, at roughly the same time as the attack on Minas Tirith.
[/total LotR geek out]
Quote from: SmilinJackRoss on December 19, 2007, 06:02:43 AM
Quote from: Chaos on December 18, 2007, 08:45:18 PM
That's because the dwarves were practically non-existant in the books, really. Jackson was being quite true to the books by NOT having a battalion of dwarves suddenly show up to help the fighting (and thank god for that).
The personal implication I always took from the dwarves' conspicuous absence, both at the end of the second age and the war of the ring, was that they were too busy mining away for their precious metals and stones in the earth to give a good god damn as the rest of the races of Middle Earth were fighting for survival...
I think you're right to a certain extent. It's been a while since I read the books, but I think that once the battles in the third book came along, Sauron had launched a similar offensive to the north towards the land of the Dwarves, at roughly the same time as the attack on Minas Tirith.
[/total LotR geek out]
That's a definite possibility as well... I haven't had my annual read the books yet this year (I better get to task), but you how know offhandedly Tolkein would mention things (because the story was actually secondary to him compared to the exploration of language and culture, almost an afterthought)... there could very easily have been a paragraph in there somewhere about the northern lands and the dwarves also being under siege, but just not being a focus of the "main" story, and therefore never mentioned again. :)
Good news, was happy to see this announcement :)
I am shocked, truly shocked, to find that Isaac hasn't had his say in this thread yet.
Can someone check to see if he's okay? His head may have exploded when he read this story.
Anyway, here's hoping this turns out well. Three years is going to be a long time for us to build our hopes up.
Yeah I know, I thought it would be hard for him to pass up this opportunity.
Quote from: SmilinJackRoss on December 19, 2007, 06:02:43 AM
Quote from: Chaos on December 18, 2007, 08:45:18 PM
That's because the dwarves were practically non-existant in the books, really. Jackson was being quite true to the books by NOT having a battalion of dwarves suddenly show up to help the fighting (and thank god for that).
The personal implication I always took from the dwarves' conspicuous absence, both at the end of the second age and the war of the ring, was that they were too busy mining away for their precious metals and stones in the earth to give a good god damn as the rest of the races of Middle Earth were fighting for survival...
I think you're right to a certain extent. It's been a while since I read the books, but I think that once the battles in the third book came along, Sauron had launched a similar offensive to the north towards the land of the Dwarves, at roughly the same time as the attack on Minas Tirith.
[/total LotR geek out]
I remember that too. Mordor attacked a number of countries all at once, not just Gondor. The dwarves and wood elves were busy defending their own kingdoms.
Quote from: Chaos on December 18, 2007, 08:45:18 PM
That's because the dwarves were practically non-existant in the books, really. Jackson was being quite true to the books by NOT having a battalion of dwarves suddenly show up to help the fighting (and thank god for that).
Yeah, I wasn't knocking the film, I just think it's somewhere fresh the movies could explore. I for one, would love to see a fully functional Dwarven city. As for a director, I wouldn't mind seeing someone like Guillermo del Toro take the helm.
Quote from: bettertomorrowamy on December 18, 2007, 06:04:01 PM
I predict a lot more hobbit walking in this. Gotta give the fans more of what they enjoyed.
At least there won't be a whiny Frodo crying about everything for 3 hours!
Quote from: kodiakthejuggler on December 19, 2007, 10:27:11 AM
Quote from: bettertomorrowamy on December 18, 2007, 06:04:01 PM
I predict a lot more hobbit walking in this. Gotta give the fans more of what they enjoyed.
At least there won't be a whiny Frodo crying about everything for 3 hours!
Now it will be Bilbo whining and crying about how hard his life is. Like a Hobbit version of Luke Skywalker.
Quote from: bettertomorrowamy on December 19, 2007, 10:50:45 AM
Quote from: kodiakthejuggler on December 19, 2007, 10:27:11 AM
Quote from: bettertomorrowamy on December 18, 2007, 06:04:01 PM
I predict a lot more hobbit walking in this. Gotta give the fans more of what they enjoyed.
At least there won't be a whiny Frodo crying about everything for 3 hours!
Now it will be Bilbo whining and crying about how hard his life is. Like a Hobbit version of Luke Skywalker.
Actually, Bilbo bucks up and takes command of the party in Mirkwood. If they're true to the book at all, we'll only have to listen to him whine for the first half of the movie. Of course, then the dwarves will start to whine like big hairy babies...
I'm looking forward to seeing how they handle all of the visuals and story in Mirkwood, and the elven king's palace.
Also, I hope they end up leaving in the stuff about Beorn (even though it made sense to cut Tom Bombadil from LOTR, I was still a little sad, and I think Beorn is more important to the story than TB was to LOTR).
As far as directors go, I'm personally hoping that Jackson will eventually say "the hell with you incompetent idiots, I'll direct it myself." I just can't think of any other director who would give the script the overall amount of love and respect that Jackson would.