The Hobbit in July 2007?

[mark12_30]

*shudder*

:P

I think I would pay NOT to see it.

[goldfinger]

Have all not heared the news? Saul Zaentz is not giving up on PJ, and hopes to have him do the Hobbit.

[Bêthberry]

Anyone who has demonstrated fondness for Bilbo's song deserves to be considered. Leonard Nimoy. He's even got the credentials to get the ears right.

[Mattius]

On the subject of Raimi, and forgive me if this has been mentioned before, he is going to be filming the mini series of the fantasy book Wizard's First Rule in New Zealand. Info can be found here: http://www.prophets-inc.com/forums/s...ead.php?t=3828

My point (and question) is that along with perhaps Spiderman 4 and Wizard's First Rule will Raimi have time in the next 3, 4 or even 5 years to work on The Hobbit?

Also (and I literally will fall to my knees and beg for forgiveness if this has been mentioned) there was a press release from Saul Zaentz, the man who owns the production rights to Tolkien Enterprises, stating that he only wants Jackson to direct the movie and that in about a year Zaentz will regain full control of the project- where he will ask Jackson to take the project.

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

Originally Posted by goldfinger

Have all not heared the news? Saul Zaentz is not giving up on PJ, and hopes to have him do the Hobbit.

There was an article about that in The Sun today, but how trustworthy is it? I guess we have to wait and see.

LORD OF THE RINGS director PETER JACKSON WILL direct the highly-anticipated prequel, The Hobbit.

There was uproar last week when New Line Cinema bosses told the King Kong director he was "no longer needed" in the making of The Hobbit and another unnamed Lord Of The Rings prequel.

Jackson - originally given the boot due to legal disputes over royalties - now has the thumbs up thanks to film producer SAUL ZAENTZ (One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest).

Zaentz, who owns the screen rights to Tolkien Enterprises, said: “(The Hobbit) will definitely be shot by Peter Jackson.

“Next year, The Hobbit rights will fall back to my company.

“I suppose that Peter will wait because he knows that he will make the best deal with us. And he is fed up with the studios.

“To get his profit share on the Rings trilogy, he had to sue New Line. With us, he knows that he will be paid fairly and artistically supported without reservation.”

(The Sun)

As to other directors, The Wachowski Brothers' take on the Hobbit could be interesting although I'm not sure how well it could reach the spirit of the Hobbit. If the job was given to Tim Burton, at least we'd be sure to get a fairytale.

[Brinniel]

It'll be interesting to see how all this plays out. Fans will give a long, hard fight for PJ until a director is chosen. Even so, I seriously have my doubts whether PJ will end up as director- even if he does end up able to direct it, would he actually choose to? I'm not sure that is how PJ would want to become director of The Hobbit. Besides, while everyone is fighting for him, he'll be moving on and doing other projects. If PJ ever did end up as director, it would be years before a film is made.

I've noticed The Hobbit has popped up on IMDB, just underneath the 1977 version. Unfortunately, I can't access anything further, since I'm not an IMDBPro member and am not willing to pay. The film is listed to be released in 2009...of course that's only projected, but it gives an idea of what New Line's goals are.

If the job was given to Tim Burton, at least we'd be sure to get a fairytale.

Indeed. I've seen many of his films (Edward Scissorhands, Nightmare Before Christmas, Sleepy Hollow, Big Fish, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride) and loved them all. When I think about it, he could really pull off a decent Hobbit film. It would be in much contrast to PJ's films, though. An unfortunate thing for PJ fans, but I think in the end it could be a good thing. Good news: I checked on IMDB, and from what I see, he only has one project currently on his schedule.

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

Originally Posted by Brinniel

When I think about it, he could really pull off a decent Hobbit film. It would be in much contrast to PJ's films, though. An unfortunate thing for PJ fans, but I think in the end it could be a good thing.

And Mister Underhill just might end up watching Johnny Depp reading moon runes in Rivendell.

[Mister Underhill]

Johnny Delrond: "These are moon-letters, savvy?"

The latest news:

Jackson Kicked Off 'The Hobbit' In Fit of Pique, Says Report

New Line Cinema notified Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson that he would not be involved in the production of The Hobbit and another LOTR prequel after Jackson declined to contribute a video salute to the studio for its 40th anniversary celebration next year, the New York Times reported today (Wednesday), citing two people familiar with the matter. Jackson and New Line are locked in a legal dispute over profits from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The Times said that Jackson's camp has accused the studio of dropping him from the prequels "in a fit of pique." Meanwhile, a spokesman for MGM which owns distribution rights to The Hobbit, told the Times. "We support Peter Jackson as a filmmaker, and believe that when the dust settles, he'll be making the movie. We can't imagine any other result."

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by dancing spawn of ungoliant

And Mister Underhill just might end up watching Johnny Depp reading moon runes in Rivendell.

I'd rather have him as Elrond than as Bilbo in the film...