J.R.R. Tolkien's: The Hobbit

[Caboose]

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson; Harry Sloan, Chairman and CEO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM); Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs of New Line Cinema have jointly announced today that they have entered into the following series of agreements:

MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute two films, “The Hobbit”and a sequel to “The Hobbit.” New Line will distribute in North America and MGM will distribute internationally.

Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as Executive Producers of two films based on “The Hobbit.” New Line will manage the production of the films, which will be shot simultaneously.

Peter Jackson and New Line have settled all litigation relating to the “Lord of the Rings” (LOTR) Trilogy.

Said Peter Jackson, “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, 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.”

“Peter Jackson has proven himself as the filmmaker who can bring the extraordinary imagination of Tolkien to life and we full heartedly agree with the fans worldwide who know he should be making ‘The Hobbit,’” said Sloan, MGM’s Chairman and CEO. “Now that we are all in agreement on ‘The Hobbit,’ we can focus on assembling the production team that will capture this phenomenal tale on film.”

Bob Shaye, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO comments, “We are very pleased we have been able to resolve our differences, and that Peter and Fran will be actively and creatively involved with ‘The Hobbit’ movies. We know they will bring the same passion, care and talent to these films that they so ably accomplished with ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy.”

“Peter is a visionary filmmaker, and he broke new ground with ‘The Lord of the Rings,’” notes Michael Lynne, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO. “We’re delighted he’s back for ‘The Hobbit’ films and that the Tolkien saga will continue with his imprint. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Harry Sloan, who has been instrumental in helping us reach our new accord.”

The two “Hobbit” films – “The Hobbit” and its sequel – are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, with pre-production beginning as soon as possible. Principal photography is tentatively set for a 2009 start, with the intention of “The Hobbit” release slated for 2010 and its sequel the following year, in 2011.

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 eleven 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.

http://www.thehobbitblog.com/

[Jax]

You can't say one is better then the other, they are different books for different readers. The Hobbit is an easy read, more like a childrens book, it also has a totaly different feel to it, more lighthearted. Whereas LOTR is a bit more complex and a not so easy read cause of it's shear volume.
If P.Jackson wants to make the hobbit true to the book then people should not expect another lotr kinda movie but something different. Having read both the hobbit and lotr I think The Hobbit movie should probably look a bit like the Narnia movies.

[PopMeSomeCorn]

I was upset when the movies came out and they didn't start with the Hobbit. I thought it was really important to the storyline. I think now they are just trying to make money off of the concept and its not going to come out as good as the other ones and be disconnected.

[wirm]

I've always thought of The Hobbit as a children's book. The language and imagery seems that way.

[Mithrandir01]

But Peter Jackson can make it in the universal way: great for children, great for adults.

BTW. This news is the best news in this year!

Other threads about The Hobbit:

http://www.movie-list.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17150
http://www.movie-list.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19026
http://www.movie-list.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16432
http://www.movie-list.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3487

[Mithrandir01]

Next news about PJ directing The Hobbit. Not good news...

MGM Chairman Harry Sloan, who was credited by all parties for bringing about the deal, said Jackson found it “impossible” to direct the films and meet proposed release dates in 2010 and 2011 due to other projects in the works.

“He can’t get it scheduled and he doesn’t want the fans to have to wait for the next two movies,” Sloan said. He said the studios might postpone the films if Jackson changed his mind.

Source: TheOneRing.net