Im not sure if this was posted already, if it was I apologize in advanced.
Apparently The Hobbit and another prequel to LOTR will happen but Jackson wont direct. How can the studio be so stupid, after all the billions P.J made them they get greedy and as a result PJ wont direct. Its ridiculous. PJ is to LOTR what Lucas is to Star Wars.
'Rings' director taken off 'Hobbit' film
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -- New Zealand director Peter Jackson, who scored worldwide success with his "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, said Tuesday he will not be making the movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novel "The Hobbit" or a planned prequel.
In a letter posted on a Lord of the Rings Web site, Theonering.com., Jackson and partner Fran Walsh said a top executive from Los Angeles-based New Line Cinema had called to tell them the studio was moving ahead with "The Hobbit" movie without Jackson.
"Last week, Mark Ordesky called Ken (Kamins, Jackson's manager) and told him that New Line would no longer be requiring our services on The Hobbit and the LOTR 'prequel,"' Jackson wrote.
"This was a courtesy call to let us know that the studio was now actively looking to hire another filmmaker for both projects," he added. New Line Cinema holds the rights to produce "The Hobbit," and Metro-Goldwyn-Meyer the rights to distribute it.
A spokesman from Wingnut Films, Jackson's production company in the New Zealand capital, confirmed to local media Wednesday that the letter was genuine. He spoke on his standard condition he not be named.
The announcement comes amid an ongoing dispute between Jackson's Wingnut Films and New Line Cinema over the amount Jackson was paid for "The Fellowship of the Ring," including DVD payments.
While Jackson has not said how much he believes he was underpaid, The New York Times last year quoted his lawyers as saying it was as much as US$100 million. He is suing New Line Cinema over the shortfall.
The Dominion Post newspaper in the New Zealand capital Wellington quoted Jackson as saying that because he and Walsh would not discuss the movies "until the lawsuit is resolved, the studio is going to have to hire another director."
"We are very sorry our involvement with 'The Hobbit' has ended this way," the pair added.
Plans for Jackson to make a US$128 million movie version of the sci-fi video game Halo were also scuppered this month after backers 20th Century Fox and Universal Pictures pulled out.
Jackson's 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy grossed nearly US$3 billion at box offices worldwide.
No matter who directs this film, it is going to be a huge box office hit. Yes, there are a lot of dedicated fans that are going to gripe about P.J. not directing this film, but in the end, they will all go and pay their money to watch it for we are truly Tolkien fans at heart.
Thanks for the info, and let's all just hope that it isn't as bad as the animated version of the story.
I wouldn't say Jackson is to LOTR is what Lucas is to Star Wars I mean it's not like Jackson made LOTR; Tolkien did. Hopefully they will get someone who is a good director. Jackson did well with LOTR but the success also came to those who helped him rewrite the script to make LOTR more movie friendly.
I agree with u to some extent but it was P.J that brought LOTR to life, in a worthy manner. To me he got what MiddleEarth is and should be pretty much figured out. A new director would have to start from scratch. Im curious to see who it will be but I know one thing, He has some huge shoes to fill!
__________________
"A lie, Mr. Mulder, is most convincingly hidden between two truths." Deep Throat.
Don't get me wrong I liked Jackon's directing. But at the same time I'm annoyed by the changes he made (Elves at Helms Deep?!) With that being said I love the LOTR films almost as much as the books for their own reasons. I do think its good that we have a new director. Whilst Jackson would have done a good job it is possible a new director can out a new angle on things and a fresh interpretation on how he wants to shoot the Hobbit. This is fitting with the tone of the book which is different in iteself to the tone of LOTR. Just hope they do a good job.
__________________ Yet the making of things is in my heart from my own making by thee; and the child of little understanding that makes a play of the deeds of his father may do so without without thought of mockery, but because he is the son of his father.
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No Hobbit for P.J
Nov 21st, 2006 05:17 PM
