The Hobbit (2009)

[criterionmaster]

The Hobbit in 2009?
Source: The New York Times
February 18, 2007

Despite his falling out with "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy director Peter Jackson, who sued New Line regarding "The Fellowship of the Ring," New Line founder and co-chairman Robert K. Shaye is pressing ahead and eyeing a 2009 release for The Hobbit.

The New York Times interviewed Shaye last week and said:

And he would not comment on reports in the news media that the "Spider-Man" director Sam Raimi had been asked to direct "The Hobbit." He said, however, that although there was no workable script yet for the film, he intended to release it in 2009.

[Evan]

I wish Peter Jackson were the one to do it.

[captainofbeef]

So do I. Anyone else handling the material just doesn't seem right.

[malicious32dll]

I have a terrible terrible feeling that it's gonna suck based off almost nothing

[criterionmaster]

'Hobbit' Forming?
From EW.COM
Source: Hollywood Saloon

On the eve of what is expected to be the biggest Spider-Man yet, Entertainment Weekly learns that director Sam Raimi is seriously considering directing The Hobbit—a choice that could potentially leave Spidey 4 without a director and, says Kirsten Dunst, a leading lady.

Raimi’s name has been floated in connection with The Hobbit ever since a very public dustup between Peter Jackson and New Line chairman Bob Shaye left the Lord of the Rings prequel without a director. Raimi went on the record for the first time about his potential involvement in the project during an exclusive interview with EW’s Steve Daly for the magazine’s Summer Preview issue, on stands Friday: “Peter Jackson might be the best filmmaker on the planet right now. But, um, I don’t know what’s going to happen next for me right now. First and foremost, those are Peter Jackson and Bob Shaye’s films. If Peter didn’t want to do it, and Bob wanted me to do it—and they were both ok with me picking up the reigns—that would be great. I love the book. It’s maybe a more kid-friendly story than the others.”

Dunst says she hadn’t heard any rumors about Raimi and The Hobbit until EW raised the subject in an interview. She says she can’t imagine returning for Part 4 without both her director and her costar: “It’s disrespectful to the whole team, I think, to do that. And audiences aren’t stupid. It’d be a big flop without me, Tobey, or Sam. That would really not be the smartest move. But they know that already. [Sony chief] Amy Pascal would never do that.” Maguire has already expressed his ambivalence about returning for another sequel.

Sony’s President of Production Matt Tolmach tells EW that the studio is cautiously optimistic about retaining the team that launched the Spidey franchise so spectacularly: “Listen, we’re making Spider-Man 4. Our hope, dream and intention is to do it with Sam. But I don’t have a crystal ball.”

[criterionmaster]

evan said:

I wish Peter Jackson were the one to do it.

Peter Jackson to Return for The Hobbit? [/b]
Source: Los Angeles Times, Stuff.co.nz August 10, 2007

New Line Cinema has given "The Lord of the Rings" fans, who want to see director Peter Jackson return for The Hobbit, some hope. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, studio founder Bob Shaye commented on the matter:

Eager to move ahead with "The Hobbit," New Line has quietly been trying to mend fences with "Rings" filmmaker Peter Jackson, who has sued the company over his share of profits from the first "Rings" films. When asked if it was true that company insiders had been in talks with Jackson's reps, Shaye replied, "Yes, that's a fair statement. Notwithstanding our personal quarrels, I really respect and admire Peter and would love for him to be creatively involved in some way in 'The Hobbit.'"

According to Stuff.co.nz, Ian McKellen also said there was no doubt that a rumored reprisal of his Gandalf role in a film version of The Hobbit would be discussed with Jackson and [Fran] Walsh.

The site contacted Jackson's spokesman, who added: "Peter and Fran have always wanted to 'The Hobbit' but whether that happens is yet to be decided."

end of article.

[criterionmaster]

Jackson Directing The Hobbit After All? [/b]

Thaw imminent between director and New Line?

by Jeff Giles | August 13, 2007
Source: IGN Movies
source 2: hollywood saloon

Just a little over six months ago, New Line's Bob Shaye publicly stated that the Lord of the Rings trilogy's director, Peter Jackson, was not only out of the running for the LotR prequel The Hobbit, but would "never make any movie with New Line Cinema again" as long as Shaye was with the studio. Few bridges are permanently burned in Hollywood, however -- particularly where billion-dollar franchises are at stake -- and IGN Movies reports that white flags might be on the horizon for Jackson and Shaye.

According to the article, conciliatory quotes are coming from all sides. Yep, even Shaye is getting in on the fence-mending:

The Los Angeles Times spoke with Shaye, who admitted that New Line insiders have been in talks with Jackson's reps to try and make amends. "Yes, that's a fair statement," said Shaye when quizzed about it. "Notwithstanding our personal quarrels, I really respect and admire Peter and would love for him to be creatively involved in some way in The Hobbit."

The article goes on to include hopeful quotes from Ian McKellen and a spokesperson for Jackson, all of which would seem to indicate that if the right deal can be struck (and relevant lawsuits can be settled), Ring fans just might get the movie they've hoped for after all.

end of article.