andPOP » the hobbit

Watch the Trailer for ‘The Hobbit’

Natalia Buia — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 16:15:30 +0000

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Everyone is already raving about how good the trailer looks, so when the two-part epic “The Hobbit” finally hits theatres next December, it will surely break box-office records.

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” features Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins (a good casting call, if you ask me) and Ian McKellen returns to the “Lord of the Rings” franchise as Galdalf.

Of course the film couldn’t have been directed without Peter Jackson, who has filmed all three previous LOTR films. In fact, many familiar faces band together once again for “The Hobbit”, such as Cate Blanchett and Elijah Wood.

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” will premiere December 14, 2012 and “The Hobbit: There and Back Again” will be released December 13, 2013. It seems like we’d have to wait forever for these films but I guarantee it will be well worth the wait.

Peter Jackson’s Emergency Surgery May Delay “The Hobbit”

RM Franks — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 19:51:26 +0000

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God dangit Peter! Don’t you know you that millions of the world’s biggest, greasiest, lamest, acne-filled, Gandalf-worshipping geeks are patiently waiting for their film version of “The Hobbit”?

Sure you do, but you had to go and have an ulcer. How convenient for you, Sir Peter, to be able to take time off whenever the hell you please? Must be nice to be able to abandon one of the world’s largest film-crews in the treacherous mountains of New Zealand to schedule a doctors appointment when you have a little tummy ache.

How selfish can a film director be? Does he knot know that I, along with many others, in anticipation for the Hobbit, have almost burned out the bottom of our “Return of the King” special edition dvds because we’ve watched them too many times. With full commentary. From Gollum.

Apparently, Peter Jackson doesn’t realize any of this. Because E online is reporting that Jackson was indeed admitted to a to a New Zealand hospital “after complaining of stomach pains”. After some poking and prodding, it was determined Jackson would need emergency surgery for an ulcer.

The Oscar-winning director’s publicist, Melissa Booth, said that only a “minimal” delay is expected and the first of the two movies is still scheduled for release in December 2012, with the second due a year later.

It all sounds optimistic, but a “minimal” delay in Middle Earth can really turn into a to-do.

The Hobbit is Having Huge Problems

Sam Rashid — Mon, 31 May 2010 20:45:02 +0000

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Despite being a small creature, this Bilbo Baggins is causing huge amounts of problems.

Guillermo del Toro, who was handpicked by Peter Jackson to steer The Hobbit movies, has decided to leave his directing post for the two-part Lord of the Rings prequels because of ongoing troubles at the two studios behind the highly anticipated films, reports Eonline!

The studios are MGM and New Line.

“In light of ongoing delays in the setting of a start date for filming The Hobbit, I am faced with the hardest decision of my life,” Guillermo announced on TheOneRing.net fan site. “After nearly two years of living, breathing and designing a world as rich as Tolkien’s Middle Earth, I must, with great regret, take leave from helming these wonderful pictures.”

To prep the films with Jackson, del Toro moved with his family to New Zealand. And shooting was planned to take way this summer for a holiday 2012 release. But problems with MGM and New Line began as they couldn’t get their act together, and del Toro couldn’t wait any longer.

“The blessings have been plenty, but the mounting pressures of conflicting schedules have overwhelmed the time slot originally allocated for the project,” del Toro said. “I wish the production nothing but the very best of luck and I will be first in line to see the finished product .”

Aside from all of the problems, del Toro will remain as a co writer on the project, along with Jackson and his LOTR partners, Fran Walsh and Phillippa Boyens.

But for now, the hunt for a new director has begun. Possible candidates: Gandalf the Grey.

New Line Cinema Also Ripped Off

andPOP Staff — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 09:23:59 +0000

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It seems that Peter Jackson isn’t the only person New Line Cinema failed to give a proper cut of profits.

The film studio is now being sued by the estate of the late J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, reports USA Today.

The Tolkien Trust and HarperCollins, who originally printed the books, filed the lawsuit Monday. The suit claims that 7.5% of the gross receipts from the films is still owed to the estate and other plaintiffs. With the films bringing in billions of dollars, that’s a huge chunk of change.

It took Jackson years of fighting with New Line before he got the money that was owed to him by New Line, but their relationship has been repaired. Jackson will the be producer on “The Hobbit,” also by Tolkien. No word yet on whether this new lawsuit will affect production.

Guillermo Del Toro in Talks to Direct ‘Hobbit’

andPOP Staff — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 10:07:33 +0000

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Guillermo Del Toro may have won a ticket to Middle Earth.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the filmmaker is in talks to take the reigns from Peter Jackson and direct “The Hobbit.” The J.R.R. Tolkien novel will reportedly be split into two films, with Jackson producing.

Del Toro has already built a strong following in the science fiction and fantasy crowd, with the Oscar-nominated “Pan’s Labyrinth” and cult hit “Hellboy.”

Jackson, who co-wrote and directed the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, is already committed to several other projects, so he will not be able to write the “Hobbit” script. The process of picking a writer will be fast-tracked once the Writer’s Guild of America strike has been resolved.

In the meantime, Del Toro already has a full plate with 12 projects in various stages of development.

Peter Jackson Will Produce ‘The Hobbit’ And Sequel

andPOP Staff — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 14:59:39 +0000

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Peter Jackson will get to travel back to Middle Earth for “The Hobbit” and its sequel after all.

The Oscar-winning director has settled his issues with New Line Cinema, which were preventing him from joining the project. New Line owed him considerable profits from the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and there was a public falling out that had many fans outraged.

Now that the partnership is back on, Peter Jackson and collaborator Fran Walsh will indeed be on the team as the producers, according to the press release out today. Jackson stated, “I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a legacy we proudly share with Bob and Michael (the New Line CEOs), and together, we share that legacy with millions of loyal fans all over the world. We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth. I also want to thank Harry Sloan and our new friends at MGM for helping us find the common ground necessary to continue that journey.”

No official word has been released on who will direct. Sam Raimi was rumoured to have the job, and said he would refuse if Jackson was not producing.

New Line Boss: Jackson Will Never Make The Hobbit

andPOP Staff — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 16:09:39 +0000

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Head of film studio New Line BOB SHAYE insists THE LORD OF THE RINGS Oscar winner PETER JACKSON will never be allowed to direct THE HOBBIT while he is at the company.

Jackson and his production company Wingnut Films are currently embroiled in a legal dispute with New Line Cinema over royalties from The Lord Of The Rings trilogy. And the lawsuit has enraged the film studio so much they won’t allow the Jackson a chance to the upcoming fantasy prequel.

He fumes, “He’s got a quarter of a billion dollars paid to him so far, justifiably, according to contract, completely right.

“And this guy… turns around without wanting to have a discussion with us and sues us and refuses to discuss it unless we just give in to his plan.

“I don’t want to work with that guy any more. Why would I? So the answer is he will never make any movie with New Line Cinema again while I’m still working at the company.”

Lord of the Ring stars SIR IAN McKELLEN and ELIJAH WOOD have already expressed their disappointment at the news.