The Hobbit - What do we know?

[Mentalist]

Official Letter from New Line Cinema's Bob Shaye

Dear Loyal LOTR Fans,

Thank you very, very much for the incredible outpouring of support for LOTR, and your eagerness to see THE HOBBIT.

We, at New Line, are most touched and appreciative of your compliments, and your passion for the remarkable work of the author, the filmmakers, talent, and craftspeople.

We are also, as you, most anxious to see THE HOBBIT realized.

Please be assured that there is, in no way, a crass argument with MGM or anyone over money or rights. In fact, no discussions about any settlement of our respective claims, has been commenced. When, and if, such discussions ensue, be assured that we intend to be equitable and appropriate to the spirit of Tolkien, and THE HOBBIT. We will, as much as possible, "do the right thing", respecting the incredible loyalty and appreciation of the worldwide fans. We hope that MGM will feel the same.

However, we also wish to have the film overseen by the best possible mentors - and, for us, if possible, that means Peter and Fran. They are totally occupied by KING KONG now and, we believe, will be the next twenty-four months, or so.

So our efforts will take time to realize.

Sincerely,

Robert Shaye
Co-CEO/Co-Chairman
New Line Cinema

Obviously, that's quite old since KK has been released. Peter Jackson is working on another movie I believe so we can safley assume that if he is the one to helm this then it won't be for a while yet.

We know that Peter is agreeable to do The Hobbit if asked, which it looks like he will seeing the huge success of LOTR and his personal investment in the movie adaptations. And he is certainly New Lines man. Ian Mckellen I believe has said something to the effect that he would like to do the Hobbit, so reprising Gandalf doesn't look to be too much problem. Ian Holm who would HAVE to be Bilbo (for me) is getting on a bit: he's actually 74 years old, and even in the Prologue of LOTR he had his face taped back to iron some of the wrinkles out and that was filmed some five years ago. It would mean that for him to do the role of Bilbo convincingly at all the movie would have to be in the very near future.

I heard a rumor placing John Howe back in NZ, what he is doing there is not clear, it could be for The Hobbit or it could of been for The Lion Witch And The Wardrobe

Here is the most recent news I could find regarding The Hobbit:

December 19, 2005 - The Hobbit still faces legal hurdles before Jackson can make the missing film in the Lord of the Rings saga. However, there's still a chance we'll get to see Bilbo's first journey in a few years' time.



Peter Jackson explained the Hobbit situation to the media during the King Kong premiere gala:

"MGM used to own The Hobbit and then MGM got bought by Sony a few months ago, and so now Sony have the rights — or half of The Hobbit rights, and New Line have the other half. Now, New Line and Sony have to talk to each other and I don't think that anyone's going to call me until those rights issues are resolved. That's entirely between them, so…"

Renowned fantasy artist Alan Lee, who worked for Jackson on both the Lord of the Rings and King Kong, seems to think a movie is still being planned, however. During a presentation of his new book, The Lord of the Rings Sketchbook, in Milan, Lee said that he expected The Hobbit to be made three or four years from now. Lee also answered a few questions for Bad Taste.it, expressing his interest in developing concept artwork for the LOTR prequel.

"If [Peter Jackson does] The Hobbit, it would be nice for me to join the group of artists that would work on it."

If the courtroom disagreements get settled, we might expect a Hobbit announcement at any time. As it is, things don't look too hopeful yet. "Three or four years" is a pretty noncommittal timeline, but the good news is that Jackson still appears interested should the opportunity arise.

Looks like it is still a way off from pre-production or even getting the rights finalized from those words. But it does look like it really is going to happen at some point.

Thoughts?


Ps: Can I get a HELLS YES! for the FX Oscar going to the work on Smaug and the battle of Five Armies the year of release?

 

[Mentalist]

I wanna know when Peter Jackson's gonna film "The Silmarillion"...!

ROTFL. If you said that to him he would probably keel over and die.

I hear New Line has already greenlit Lord of the Rings IV: Revenge of the
Silmarillion. They are petitioning the adaption of the screenplay in asylums all over the country.

 

[Dual]

I wanna know when Peter Jackson's gonna film "The Silmarillion"...!

I was going to post that but you beat me to it.

 

[Sarek]

According to an interview I read with Pete Jackson, he stated that after the release of Kong, he was going to take a year long break with no film work anticipated. Not sure where I read it but I think it was an Entertainment Weekly interview done the early part of Dec.

 

[Sarek]

It would be nice if he could do it ASAP considering all the time and energy that was put into the props that they had for LOTR. Shame to see that stuff parceled out or accidently destroyed while in storage.

 

[CaptainWacky]

Sean Connery as Thorin Oakenshiled, The Rock as Beorn.

 

[curiousa2z]

Ice Caves Mountain and environs looks fantastic!!


Location Scout!!

speaking of which:


*boasting a bit*

The caves used in Quest For Fire are AKA Gregg's Caves and are quite close to where I live. Summertimes I try to take friends unfamiliar to the area for a hike to see them if I can.

I LOVES caves.

 

[Mentalist]

Curious, your avatar is in SF.

Also, on one of the docs on the Fellowship director's cut, Jackson actually purchased the Bag End set from the studio and is keeping it in storage, just hoping for the chance to use it in The Hobbit...!

I think he talked about it on the Directors commentary of Fellowship. Can't remember him saying anything about using it in The Hobbit but that would be the obvious move, yes. He was more interested in having it as a weekend retreat for him and his family. Jackson wan't to live in Bag End! I mean the guy is a hobbit, makes perfect sense.


And those mountain shots are SHIT HOT! You have some great shooting opportunities up there.

I have been (sort of) working on a low budget fantasy script. I want to film half of it up here in the mountains around Syros and then film the rest back in England. (using the change of scene as a plot point.) I may just film the whole thing here if I get the chance though.

I likewise have no idea who this fellow is but the place is just a 20 minute walk from my front door. This place is STUNNING. Another perfect place to film a low budget fantasy flick.

There are some FANTASTIC mountains here. And the view from Chrousa overlooking the Kini bay is a phenomenal mountain scape. There are natural caves waterfalls, it is quite incredible.

I am working towards getting it all together and filming something out here.

 

[curiousa2z]

^Thanks, Menty! Got it!

 

[curiousa2z]

...and those mountains are beautiful.

 

[PHJ's Dual]

I wanna know when Peter Jackson's gonna film "The Silmarillion"...!

I hear that David Lynch is directing a film version of Children of Dune that year.

This is heartening news though. I should like to see The Hobbit given the same treatment as LotR, and really Jackson seems to be the only man for that.