The Hobbit

[Geekyfanboy]

This doesn't sound good.


DeadlineHollywood is reporting that MGM held a very long conference call with bondholders/lenders that caused lots of people to become "very loud and very upset." It turns out MGM is on the verge of bankruptcy.

The story, which is being heavily covered, says MGM is $3.5 billion in debt and has requested that the bondholders waive the company's interest payments until February 2010. The bondholders know that they probably won't get all their money back if MGM goes bankrupt, since it's only worth about $1.5 billion.

Bondholders are leaning towards bankruptcy so they can recover as much money as possible rather than run the risk.

According to reports, if MGM goes bankrupt then it will lose the rights to James Bond (to pay part of the debt) and "The Hobbit" could be delayed until the rights could be negotiated to interested parties like New Line Cinema or Warner Bros.

This is too bad.. but The Hobbit will be made.. another company will step up and supply some funds. It's just a matter of getting through all the red tape.

[Ktrek]

It also makes me wonder about the future of the Stargate franchise with a new series starting up and supposedly a new SG-1 and an Atlantis movie coming up in 2010.

I'd also hate to see them lose the Bond franchise. That's been real good for them.

Kevin

[Bromptonboy]

I hope this doesn't delay the Hobbit.  Sir Iain isn't getting any younger...would hate to see a Dumbledoreesque Flip on this series...

[Rico]

It also makes me wonder about the future of the Stargate franchise with a new series starting up and supposedly a new SG-1 and an Atlantis movie coming up in 2010.

I'd also hate to see them lose the Bond franchise. That's been real good for them.

Kevin

The movie and TV divisions are different.  I think I'd wait and see how this all shakes out.  Many places come out of financial troubles and still survive.  If the big three auto makers are still around, anyone can make it!

[Bromptonboy]

It also makes me wonder about the future of the Stargate franchise with a new series starting up and supposedly a new SG-1 and an Atlantis movie coming up in 2010.

I'd also hate to see them lose the Bond franchise. That's been real good for them.

Kevin

The movie and TV divisions are different.  I think I'd wait and see how this all shakes out.  Many places come out of financial troubles and still survive.  If the big three auto makers are still around, anyone can make it!

How about a THARP (Troubled Halfling Asset Relief Program) bill in congress..  ?

:)

[ChadH]

I prefer a more grass roots approach. Maybe "Help a Halfling" or perhaps "Habitats for Hairyfoots". These are all worthy causes. Please, won't you give?  :'(

[Ktrek]

Or maybe "Holes for Hobbits"?

[ChadH]

How about "Burrows for Bilbo's"

Yeah, I know. I'm stretching that one a bit. :ohwell

[Bromptonboy]

Just yesterday we heard that casting was under-way for The Hobbit films in London and Los Angeles, and now Peter Jackson has revealed a bit more information on which characters from the original Lord of the Rings trilogy will be returning. When he was asked this question in the past he wasn't sure as the script wasn't completed, however now the script for the first film is done so they have a better idea of which characters will be needed.

From MTV:

"Gandalf, being a 2,000-year-old wizard, is still around and plays a major role in 'The Hobbit,' and we're having Ian McKellen reprise," explained the filmmaker, who is executive-producing the flick and writing the screenplay. "There's a couple of other characters: Elrond, who was played by Hugo Weaving [in the original films], and there's a possibility of Galadriel, who was played by Cate Blanchett."

"They are elves, so once again, in the realm of Middle-earth, they're immortal, they don't age," he said of Galadriel and Elrond, the only returning "LOTR" main roles besides Gandalf in his script. "We have a process that would start with showing them the script. We're not [beginning] any official process until we have the 'official' script that they can read."

"In some respects, it's a prequel," Jackson said of the flick, which he plans to begin filming in mid-2010. "In book terms, the world of 'The Hobbit' takes place 60 years before 'The Lord of the Rings,' as it was written by Tolkien. So, not a lot of the characters actually feature, because they weren't around yet."

In past interviews Blanchett said that while she didn't have a large role in the films she did enjoy the role and would return if asked. If thinks work out we could very well see Galadriel back on the big screen.

[Geekyfanboy]

Have a thread for this.. going to combine.

[Geekyfanboy]

that's great news.. I'm glad this is going forward.. and I'm happy they are bringing back those they can.

[ori-STUDFARM]

I'm wondering about Bilbo Baggins. Whether they will re-cast or use Ian Holm from the original...I somehow always envisioned Bilbo as a young faced Hobbit like Frodo and gang from the trilogy.

I've just checked on IMDB and it is coming up as 5 rumoured roles for actors but no mention of Bilbo. Bet they are saving this info for a big announcement party thingy

[KingIsaacLinksr]

I'm wondering about Bilbo Baggins. Whether they will re-cast or use Ian Holm from the original...I somehow always envisioned Bilbo as a young faced Hobbit like Frodo and gang from the trilogy.

I've just checked on IMDB and it is coming up as 5 rumoured roles for actors but no mention of Bilbo. Bet they are saving this info for a big announcement party thingy

Ian Holm is a little too old to do the part last I checked.  Even in LOTR they had to do some facial modification to him according to the DVDs.  I have a hard time seeing them doing that the entire movie. 

King

[Bromptonboy]

Cate Blanchett And Hugo Weaving back For The Hobbit
Posted: 09 Dec 2009 06:50 PM PST
Peter Jackson has told MTV that he only sees a return to Middle Earth for 3 of the original Lord of the Rings cast.
It's been known for sometime that Sir Ian McKellen will return to his role as Gandalf but Jackson says he also expects Cate Blanchett to return as Galadriel and Hugo Weaving as Elrond.
"They are Elves, so once again, in the realm of Middle-earth, they're immortal, they don't age," he told MTV when asked about returning actors. "We have a process that would start with showing them the script. We're not [beginning] any official process until we have the 'official' script that they can read."
"In some respects, it's a prequel. In book terms, the world of 'The Hobbit' takes place 60 years before 'The Lord of the Rings,' as it was written by Tolkien. So, not a lot of the characters actually feature, because they weren't around yet."
I imagine Andy Serkis just slipped his mind......hopefully

[cassious]

Oh, I am so excited for this!! I just found out about this two weeks ago *squee*. The Hobbit was my favourite book.

Yeah, if I wasn't so completely into Star Trek and blowing all my extra cash on it, I'd be a hardcore LOTR fan.