It’s back to Middle Earth for Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and the boys from New Line. Finally, the years of disputes have ended, and the partners (including co-producer and co-distributor MGM) are gearing up for two new Hobbit movies. EW investigated, talking to the parties behind the negotiations to uncover how everything got resolved, and to get an idea of what viewers can expect of these adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s original literary masterpiece. Here’s the lowdown:
Jackson and his life/creative partner Walsh have always envisioned the big-screen adaptation of The Hobbit as two movies. The first would deal with the 80-year old novel. The second, imagined entirely by Jackson and Walsh, would link the conclusion of The Hobbit to the start of the first Lord of the Rings book, The Fellowship of the Ring. New Line and Jackson will develop the properties over the next year with hopes of entering into pre-production by 2009 for a 2010 and 2011 release. No writers, including Jackson, Walsh, and their longtime partner Philippa Boyens, have been commissioned. (None can be, because of the strike.)
New Line has already decided that both films will be produced at the same time, in similar fashion to how the LOTR trilogy was put together, and no budgets have been assigned the films yet. According to New Line’s co-chair Robert Shaye, “You can’t budget an idea.”
While MGM and New Line want to keep Jackson’s involvement in the film as broad as possible, hinting that he may take up both writing and directing responsibilities, Jackson’s manager Ken Kamins told Hollywood Insider that Jackson won’t be directing the films. “Peter won’t be directing because he felt the fans have waited long enough for The Hobbit. It will take the better part of every day of the next four
years to write, direct and produce two Hobbit films. Given his current obligations to both The Lovely Bones and Tintin, waiting for Peter, Fran, and Phillippa to write, direct and produce The Hobbit would
require the fans wait even longer.”
Directors Sam Raimi (Spider-Man), Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth), and Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men) are still the names that come up as alternate possiblities, but no official creative decision has been made.
“There is obviously a small but significant number of directors who could handle two films of this magnitude, but we have no commitment to anybody,” Shaye said. “Now that Peter is an integral part of the decision-making process, we all have to see eye-to-eye on any candidate we try to enlist.”
Those creative pow-wows are set to begin in early 2008 when New Line plans to sit down with Jackson to hash out critical details. (Jackson will be filming The Lovely Bones through February.)
Neither Jackson’s rep nor New Line will explain how the nasty battle between the two parties got resolved. The fight hit a low point in November 2006 when New Line actually “fired” Jackson from The Hobbit and Jackson took the battle to the LOTR fansite TheOneRing.net, where he posted, “New Line would no longer be requiring our services on The Hobbit.” New Line’s Shaye now calls it, “a misunderstanding that wound up becoming a mini-war.” The two parties began negotiating this June, but it seems MGM’s Harry Sloan served a significant role as a mediator between the two sides.
According to New Line’s co-chair Michael Lynne, “Harry served in a mediating function and at a certain sensitive moment he was very helpful.” The New Line co-chairs do attest that once Sloan got involved,
the studio was already well down the path of negotiating with Jackson. But Jackson’s rep Kamins adds, “Harry, acting in the appropriate self-interest for MGM, used the fact that he owned a piece of the rights to be helpful to both sides in this converstaion. I really credit Harry greatly.”
Shaye and company regret how acrimonious things became with Jackson. (In January, Shaye told Sci-Fi Wire website, “I don’t care about Peter Jackson anymore. He thinks we owe him something after we’ve paid him over a quarter of a billion dollars!”)
“From my side, I just regret that it happened,” said Shaye. “It was a total misunderstanding about what anybody had to gain or lose. I’m extremely glad that the bad blood was just a little infection and not
really a disabling malady.”
New Line is quick to point out that The Hobbit resolution is in no way a reaction to disappointing domestic box office numbers for their most recent release, The Golden Compass, which they had hoped would launch a new franchise. “Absolutely not,” said Lynne. “This has been in the works for a while now. Golden Compass, by the way, overseas, is performing spectacularly. Obviously, we have been disappointed with its performance here, but I think overall it will do quite well.”
Regardless of Compass‘ performance, the studio now has a new, sure-fire hit to get underway. And even though the lawsuits are settled and the fences are mended, there are still numerous hurdles between this announcement and fans sitting in the theater watching Bilbo Baggins help 13 dwarves reclaim their treasure. First, there is the nasty writer’s strike that trudges on; and second, the project’s visionary
writer/director/producer has a lot of other projects on his plate. Surely, though, this triumph deserves a little celebration. Will Jackson be planning a bender back in New Zealand?
According to Kamins, not even close. “I haven’t even talked to Peter,” he said, laughing. “He just got home from Pennsylvania, (where Lovely Bones is filming) last night.”
– Additional writing and reporting by Missy Schwartz and Vanessa Juarez
New Line has already decided that both films will be produced at the same time, in similar fashion to how the LOTR trilogy was put together, and no budgets have been assigned the films yet. According to New Line’s co-chair Robert Shaye, "You can’t budget an idea."
While MGM and New Line want to keep Jackson’s involvement in the film as broad as possible, hinting that he may take up both writing and directing responsibilities, Jackson’s manager Ken Kamins told Hollywood Insider that Jackson won’t be directing the films. "Peter won’t be directing because he felt the fans have waited long enough for The Hobbit. It will take the better part of every day of the next four
years to write, direct and produce two Hobbit films. Given his current obligations to both The Lovely Bones and Tintin, waiting for Peter, Fran, and Phillippa to write, direct and produce The Hobbit would
require the fans wait even longer."
Directors Sam Raimi (Spider-Man), Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth), and Alfonso Cuaron (Children of Men) are still the names that come up as alternate possiblities, but no official creative decision has been made.
"There is obviously a small but significant number of directors who could handle two films of this magnitude, but we have no commitment to anybody," Shaye said. "Now that Peter is an integral part of the decision-making process, we all have to see eye-to-eye on any candidate we try to enlist."
Those creative pow-wows are set to begin in early 2008 when New Line plans to sit down with Jackson to hash out critical details. (Jackson will be filming The Lovely Bones through February.)
Neither Jackson’s rep nor New Line will explain how the nasty battle between the two parties got resolved. The fight hit a low point in November 2006 when New Line actually "fired" Jackson from The Hobbit and Jackson took the battle to the LOTR fansite TheOneRing.net, where he posted, “New Line would no longer be requiring our services on The Hobbit.” New Line’s Shaye now calls it, “a misunderstanding that wound up becoming a mini-war.” The two parties began negotiating this June, but it seems MGM’s Harry Sloan served a significant role as a mediator between the two sides.
According to New Line’s co-chair Michael Lynne, "Harry served in a mediating function and at a certain sensitive moment he was very helpful." The New Line co-chairs do attest that once Sloan got involved,
the studio was already well down the path of negotiating with Jackson. But Jackson’s rep Kamins adds, "Harry, acting in the appropriate self-interest for MGM, used the fact that he owned a piece of the rights to be helpful to both sides in this converstaion. I really credit Harry greatly."
Shaye and company regret how acrimonious things became with Jackson. (In January, Shaye told Sci-Fi Wire website, "I don’t care about Peter Jackson anymore. He thinks we owe him something after we’ve paid him over a quarter of a billion dollars!")
"From my side, I just regret that it happened," said Shaye. "It was a total misunderstanding about what anybody had to gain or lose. I’m extremely glad that the bad blood was just a little infection and not
really a disabling malady."
New Line is quick to point out that The Hobbit resolution is in no way a reaction to disappointing domestic box office numbers for their most recent release, The Golden Compass, which they had hoped would launch a new franchise. "Absolutely not," said Lynne. "This has been in the works for a while now. Golden Compass, by the way, overseas, is performing spectacularly. Obviously, we have been disappointed with its performance here, but I think overall it will do quite well."
Regardless of Compass‘ performance, the studio now has a new, sure-fire hit to get underway. And even though the lawsuits are settled and the fences are mended, there are still numerous hurdles between this announcement and fans sitting in the theater watching Bilbo Baggins help 13 dwarves reclaim their treasure. First, there is the nasty writer’s strike that trudges on; and second, the project’s visionary
writer/director/producer has a lot of other projects on his plate. Surely, though, this triumph deserves a little celebration. Will Jackson be planning a bender back in New Zealand?
According to Kamins, not even close. "I haven’t even talked to Peter," he said, laughing. "He just got home from Pennsylvania, (where Lovely Bones is filming) last night."
– Additional writing and reporting by Missy Schwartz and Vanessa Juarez
Comments (1-30) of 136 Add your comment
I’m excited and scared about that “sequel”. Lots of interesting things for LOTR-heads happened, but will it translate? Aragorn’s young career as a wandering swordsman? His exploits against the Corsair pirates? (Oh, God, pirates.) Sauron reestablishing himself in Mordor? Why Bilbo adopted Frodo, and Frodo’s childhood?
It should be noted that there’s a big error in this article. TheOneRing.net is NOT Jackson’s site. It is a fan site. One with which Jackson has a great deal of communication, but a fan site nonetheless.
It doesn’t bode well. First of all: Why two films? I don’t like this self-made bridge to LOTR at all. Second: Hobbit without P. Jackson’s direction is going to be bad. Lastly: All this hassle-ment before even one screen is shot. It doesn’t bode well…
I too am skiddish about an imagined LOTR movie made up by Jackson and Walsh. You could consider it a crime against nature in respects to JRR Tolkien. But, if its in the works, I would be most interested to see how it turns out. Personally, they should consider doing a movie based on The Silmarillion. Perhaps doing a movie surrounding the events of Morgoth, now he was one bad guy, so much more evil than Sauron. But, The Silmarillion is not really considered a true novel, more of less just a collection of works. But seeing Morgoth and his events (including Sauron as his first lieutenant) fleshed out on the big screen would be pretty cool.
I’d be willing to wait four more years to get the exact team that worked on LoTR. Seriously, I’ll wait, so will everyone else. This new director thing makes me nervous. It’s just a bad idea.
I totally agree with Rachel K, true fans would have no problems waiting for Peter & Co. Let’s hope New Line can wait, too, for I truly believe that Peter Jackson and only Peter Jackson is capable of making “The Hobbit” as huge and epic as LotR was.
As for the second movie: considerin that it’s PJ we’re talking about, I say why not. Give it a chance!
I have complete faith in Peter and Fran’s ability and complete devotion to the work of WETA. These guys are a SuperTeam and will accomplish nothing less than absolute magic. For anyone with doubts…just wait.
I don’t think that there should be a second film…”The Hobbit” itself is good enough, and if there is a second movie it would distact from what Tolkien wrote….Although having a new movie come out it exciting…
In terms of the director, while I admire greatly the names that have been associated lately with the project like Del Toro, Cuaron, and Sam Raimi, Peter is the only one who could make sure the look of the film was the same as before especially in the shot selection.
Now as for the “Sequel” to the Hobbit, there is probably few people on this earth who have a more intimate knowledge of the world that Tolkien made so long ago. Therefore I believe that if anyone could make a compelling movie with this premise then it would be Peter.
And yes, as a true fan, I feel that waiting is the only option. We need Jackson and no one else.
It’s not requisite that Peter direct. Raimi would do just fine. The CGI technology by 2010 will be vastly superior than when LOTR-cubed was made, so the film will almost invariably have a different look and feel no matter who directs. Moreover, if the film is coming out badly, you don’t think Jackson would step in and take it over? He’s still integral to the project after all. Any competent action director can make this film and do it well. I’d love Raimi to take the film. As for the “bridge” film? It has a whiff of phantom menace about it. But, again, trust these guys.
I’m really looking forward to the Hobbit movie, although I’m a little skeptical about Peter not directing. I think he has a very powerful (and accurate) vision of Middle Earth, and I’d hate to see it fall apart in someone else’s hands. But an interview I read elsewhere on this site said he wouldn’t pass the reins to someone he wasn’t completely comfortable with, so here’s hoping!! And on a completely unrelated topic– did Mr. Jackson lose a bunch of weight? He looks skinny in that picture!
Where is Christopher T in all this?
The article did not reference the Onering.ent at Jackson’s site.
The fight hit a low point in November 2006 when New Line actually “fired” Jackson from The Hobbit and Jackson took the battle to the LOTR fansite TheOneRing.net, where he posted, “New Line would no longer be requiring our services on The Hobbit.”
Peter Jackson is the only one who can direct The Hobbit or the sequel. Please bring him back. I can wait.
Can’t wait to see more into the Jackson/Walsh hobbit interpretation. Fantastic work with LOTR. They understand and portray Tolkiens work as so many people around the world imagine it when reading the books (and brought the world to a new fanbase of non-Tolkien readers).
Even without the direction of Jackson, he will still be involved enough and stamp his mark, his voice is sure to be heard.
And yes, there’ve been problems along the way, even if New Line’s interest isn’t as wholesome as we’d hope after the GC anticlimax, an agreement has been met and the journey set to begin.
Back to NZ for 09 !!
I’m actualy very exited about both the Hobbit and the sequel. For one, we will be able to see the true love story of Aragorn and Arwen as Tolkien wrote it in the appendices, although the actor who plays Aragorn will need to be much younger than Viggo(twenty, although by the end he would be forty, hmm…). If you actually look at the appendices, many of the most amazing things are there, that I beleive would translate well into cinema. Personally I think that blending the hobbit in with the proper chronology outlined in the appendices with all the other events after, is the best way of making the film successful and have the “LOTR”ish stamp that made the movies such a big hit five years ago. Tolkien grew to hate the childish nature of the Hobbit, and soon after developed the Lord of the Rings and realised that his first book was set in the same Middle-earth as the Silmarillion, but in a different age. Thus showing the rise of Sauron, the movies can have a more adult atmosphere.
Also, I beleive that they should also consider the Silmarillion after the two hobbit movies. Beren and Lúthien would be excellent as a film, as would be the Children of Hurin, the Fall of Gondolin and the War of wrath. I think that two movies on Beren and Luthien would be interesting, the first going from the Dagor Bragollach to Lúthien and Huan defeating Sauron and restoring Tol Sirion to its former glory. This movie could be called “The War of the Jewels” which would set the tone for the rest. The next could be called “The Union of Maedhros” going from the defeat of Sauron and climaxing in the battle of unumbered tears and so on…Five movies that I think would be very good (but what do I know)
Oh and mighty I add more fims after that! To complete the cycle a “Rings of Power” trilogy:
1. The Rise of Sauron – going from Numenor to the forging of the rings, the war with Gil-galad and the Elves etc. the capture of Sauron by the numenoreans
2. The Fall of Numenor – of how numenor fell, and its corrupt King rebelled against the Valar etc.
3. The Last Alliance – completes the cycle, and need I say, it would make a fantastic film.
Ok in conclusion:
The Hobbit
A sequel -Appendices
The Silmarillion:
The War of the Jewels
The Union of Maedhros
The Children of Húrin (also telling of Tuor reaching Gondolin)
The Fall of Gondolin (of Doriath, its fall, Beren and Lúthien with the ents, the wanderings of Hurin, the fall of gondolin etc.)
The War of Wrath (The voyage of Earendil etc.)
i think that newline wouldnot only make a packet out of these movies, but also make history at the same time…and darn good movies…
Oh and of course:
The Rings of Power trilogy:
1. The Rise of Sauron
2. The Fall of Numenor
3. The Last Alliance
I’m willing to wait until Peter Jackson is free to write and direct The Hobbit films.
Since Peter isn’t directing, PLEASE let Guillermo del Toro direct!! He has an amazing vision. Jackson and De Toro style’s would make this film absolutely perfect!!
Brad, I saw no one else answered… Yes, Peter lost a LOT of weight during the filming of King Kong, from what I understand. Supposedly, he ate granola a lot, and really overworked, which sped up the process. His losing the weight was actually a motivator for myself (which was also a success
)
Rather than indulge in creating a “sequel” to Tolkien’s first Middle earth story, why not make a connecting series of films using The Silmarillion? That is the logical prequel to all stories of Middle Earth?
Oh, no. PLEASE- it’s too late to change now, but PLEASE, let the new characters discover SHAMPOO – or at least soap- and PLEASE let the women do more than whimper in the background… Around here, we refer to Peter, and Aragorn, and Faramir, and Boromir, and Denethor, and Eomer,and.. – as “oh, look it’s Dirty-Hair-In-The-Face – again.” PLEASE – not again.
Of course we want more and more and more !
I am curious about the second movie.
May be details about the fall of Dol Guldur ?
The details from the long elrond council in the book ? (ringwraiths looking for rings at Erebor)
The fall of saruman, denethor.
Aragorn as Thorondil ?
please more !
Possible Plot Points for the second movie:
Bilbo returns to the Shire and begins to write his memoirs, the first volume of the Red Book.
Sauron returns to Mordor.
Bard rebuilds Dale and becomes King. Gollum leaves the Mountains and begins his search for his “precious”.
Sauron openly declares his presence and gathers his forces and sends three Nazgûl to hold Dol Guldur. Gollum heads toward Mordor in his search.
Elrond reveals to his ward “Estel” his true name and heritage and presents him with the greatest heirloom of Arnor, the shards of the ancient sword Narsil. Arwen, returning from Lorien, meets Aragorn in the woods. They fall in love, but Aragorn leaves to prove his worthiness as a suitor to Elrond.
Last meeting of the White Council. Saruman fortifies Isengard and sets spies on Gandalf.
Gandalf and Aragorn meet and become friends.
Aragorn serves both the king of Rohan and the Steward of Gondor, and protects the land of Eriador from the minions of Sauron.
Possible Plot Point (continued):
Frodo Baggins is born.
Birth of Boromir son of Denethor II, steward of Gondor.
Aragorn enters Lorien and meets Arwen again. He gives her the ring of Barahir, and they promise to marry.
Gollum reaches the confines Mordor. He is tortured, interrogated, and eventually “escapes.” He then becomes acquainted with the great spider Shelob.
Theoden becomes King of Rohan.
Saruman risks using one of the seeing stones and is unknowingly enslaved to the will of Sauron.
Then comes Bilbo’s 111th birthday party.
I doubt the sequel would be “made up” by Peter and Fran. There is plenty of material to pull from in the trilogy and the appendices to fill in much of the time gap between “The Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings.”
Alright, PJ! We’re definitely moving in the right direction! You are the only director that I would consider. Producer won’t have enough creative control on the films. Hopefully that decision will become more apparent as you get closer to filming. Tolkien loves you and so do I!