The Hobbit

[KingIsaacLinksr]

I wonder if this is the unions trying to get more $$...I wouldn't put it past them....greedy so-and-so's.

King

[Bryancd]

I wonder if this is the unions trying to get more $$...I wouldn't put it past them....greedy so-and-so's.

King

Duh, of course it is! That's what I said! :)

[Geekyfanboy]

No Green Light for The Hobbit Yet
Source: Empire
October 8, 2010

MGM is moving forward with the Spyglass reorganization upon its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This week, there have been a lot of reports saying this would mean a green light for The Hobbit films, but Peter Jackson tells Empire magazine that they are still waiting on the call.

"You can't believe everything you read. There is only one thing you want to believe and that's when the studio announces a greenlight. As far as I'm aware that's not going to be today," said Jackson.

He added that there are "a lot of people at Warner Bros. who are working around the clock trying to maneuver through the MGM complexities. MGM is a company that is about to go bankrupt and in a way they are about to take The Hobbit into bankruptcy hell with them when they go down. Warners are trying to extract The Hobbit out of the bankruptcy hell before it happens. It is just so complicated I can't even put my head into it. It's all to do with American copyright laws, bankruptcy laws."

Jackson said that right now he's a "writer and a producer on it," though one would expect the green light to come with the announcement that he's officially directing as well. The helmer mentioned that he's excited about the project but that he's also not committing fully until the green light is given by New Line/Warner Bros. and MGM.

"It's the worst experience ever, to have a film fall over that you've committed 100% to. I always just protect myself and don't fully commit until I know for sure that it's happening. Then it gets my 100% commitment," he said.

Read more: No Green Light for The Hobbit Yet - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=70508#ixzz11nKTxtNz

[Meds]

MGM, i shake my head at the their rubbish attitude. I fear for Bond's future as well.

[Bromptonboy]

Martin Freeman says he was offered the role of Bilbo Baggins but had to turn it down because he had already committed to the BBC's Sherlock Holmes series in which he played Dr. Watson.
In an interview with Empire he also admitted that because shooting of The Hobbit had been delayed and still not finalized that there could be a window of oppurtunity for him to take the role.
"I did have to say no to it for the second series of Sherlock but if something could be worked out, that would be great." he told Empire.
He also tells them he wasn't a fan of the book although he liked the 3 movies.
"I wasn't a fan of it as a kid but I did like the films," he said. "I think Ian McKellen is very good, and director Peter Jackson's a clever man. I thought what he did with them was interesting and entertaining."
When asked if he agreed the part shouldn't go to someone fresh out of acting he school he agreed.
"Absolutely, because Bilbo isn't 20 at this stage of the story and I reckon I could do a young Ian Holm. I think I could give that a go."

[Rico]

MGM, i shake my head at the their rubbish attitude. I fear for Bond's future as well.

Actually bankruptcy might get them back on track - finally.  I really want to see another Daniel Craig Bond - and the Hobbit too, of course.

[Geekyfanboy]

Whoo Hooo.. finally

It's official! The Hobbit has been greenlit. Check out the official press release below:

The two films based on "The Hobbit" are now greenlit and will begin principal photography in February 2011, under the direction of Peter Jackson, it was jointly announced today by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema, Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros. and Steve Cooper, co-Chief Executive Officer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

"Exploring Tolkien's Middle-earth goes way beyond a normal film-making experience" Jackson says, "It's an all-immersive journey into a very special place of imagination, beauty and drama. We're looking forward to re-entering this wondrous world with Gandalf and Bilbo - and our friends at New Line Cinema, Warner Brothers and MGM".

"Peter is a filmmaker of incomparable ability; having him return to Middle-earth to produce and direct is a dream come true. A true original, Peter is a gifted story-teller, visionary director and pioneer in film technology," said Emmerich. "Reuniting with Peter, Fran and Philippa truly makes it feel like we are going 'there and back again.'"

"There is no human being on the planet as qualified as Peter Jackson to direct these films," said Horn. "Peter is incredibly talented and has the creative vision and experience to bring this beloved property to life in a way that no other filmmaker could. And the team of Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens has proven through their work on the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy that no one is more skilled at transforming Tolkien's written words into a vibrant, living language that makes the audience believe they are not merely visiting Middle-earth, but actually living in it. We couldn't be more thrilled and look forward to seeing 'The Hobbit' take shape under Peter's stewardship and the team he is putting together."

"MGM is excited to move forward and add to the successful 'Lord of the Rings' franchise," said Cooper. "Under Peter's direction, the films will undoubtedly appeal to fans of the original 'LOTR' trilogy and also bring the stories to a new generation of fans."

Jackson, who directed all three "Lord of the Rings" films, will helm the two films back-to-back, telling the story of "The Hobbit" in two parts. Jackson will utilize groundbreaking visual effects and his incomparable story-telling to bring J.R.R. Tolkien's novel to the big screen. Both Hobbit movies will be filmed in Digital 3-D, using the latest camera and stereo technology to create a high quality, comfortable viewing experience. Jackson also co-wrote the screenplays with Fran Walsh, Phillipa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro.

"The Hobbit" is being co-produced by New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production, Warner Bros Pictures handling domestic distribution and MGM distributing internationally. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films, with Phillipa Boyens as co-producer and Ken Kamins as executive producer.

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 11 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.

Read more: The Hobbit Confirmed as Greenlit! - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=70790#ixzz12TwEVtkq

[Rico]

COOL!  Me wants it!  ;)

[Bryancd]

Awesome. I knew that union issue would be quickly settled, this film franchise is worth way too much to New Zealand to muck it up. Bring on Smaugg!!!!!

[Bromptonboy]

Yeah baby!  How does Gerard Butler sound for either Beorn or Bard the Bowman?

[Feathers]

I love Martin Freeman's line about a young Ian Holm. To me holm will always be Frodo and John Le Measurier Bilbo. Anything else is but cheap immitation.

This is te best news. Looking forward to these with a passion!

[Bromptonboy]

I love Martin Freeman's line about a young Ian Holm. To me holm will always be Frodo and John Le Measurier Bilbo. Anything else is but cheap immitation.

This is te best news. Looking forward to these with a passion!

For me - Ian Holm will always be either Napoleon or Father Cornelius..  :)

[Jobydrone]

For me Ian Holm will always be Ash the sinister android from the original Alien

[Bromptonboy]

For me Ian Holm will always be Ash the sinister android from the original Alien

Yes - you are right!  I slipped on that one.

[Feathers]

Wow, so did I.