Official The Hobbit thread

[terry78]

And Smaug should be voiced by Jon Stewart, because the kids are really into him. He connects.

 

[Lighthouse]

Two whole years. Just sad.

 

[Doctor Jones]

This just pretty much ruined my entire day. I just can't believe this. I can't think of anyone else who can do this.

 

[Poeman]

So who should direct this now?? This sucks...Maybe M.Night Shayamlan can direct this film...His directing is amazing and it looks like it will be the same with the Last Airbender film

 

[Lighthouse]

So who should direct this now?? This sucks...Maybe M.Night Shayamlan can direct this film...His directing is amazing and it looks like it will be the same with the Last Airbender film

M.Night would only do it if he was cast as the ring.

 

[Jackasscoley15]

I'm too pissed off for words right now.

 

[Octoberist]

seriously, what a waste.

 

[jmc]

Can't really blame del Toro for taking the exit. MGM got no-one to blame but themselves.

 

[Boom]

I doubt MGM even cares.

 

[CrimsonMist]

Del Toro leaving also marks my loss of interest in this film. I didn't really care for The Lord of The Rings trilogy. However, my interest in The Hobbit shot up increasingly when Del Toro became attached to it. He has an amazing visual style and is one of my favorite directors. He's a wonderful storyteller and pretty much had me hook, line and sinker with this film.

That said, as a non LOTR fan, I'm kinda happy he left the project. In fact, I'm rather excited. As HUGE HUGE HUGE fan of H.P. Lovecraft, I'm desperately hoping for his "At The Mountains of Madness" project finally moves forward. As a Lovecraft fan, I am more excited by the prospect of being one step closer to seeing that than I am of "The Hobbit". And I'm also fascinated by his take on "Frankenstein". However, I will say that the lack of The Hobbit on Del Toro's resume MAY act against him when he does these films, especially with "Mountains", as Lovecraft isn't really the Hollywood type. Sure, he has Blade 2, Pan's Labyrinth and both Hellboy films that the studio can use to market the film. But having The Hobbit would probably have done wonders. Nonetheless, I'm excited by what this news brings.

 

[matrix_ghost]

Del Toro leaving also marks my loss of interest in this film. I didn't really care for The Lord of The Rings trilogy. However, my interest in The Hobbit shot up increasingly when Del Toro became attached to it. He has an amazing visual style and is one of my favorite directors. He's a wonderful storyteller and pretty much had me hook, line and sinker with this film.

That said, as a non LOTR fan, I'm kinda happy he left the project. In fact, I'm rather excited. As HUGE HUGE HUGE fan of H.P. Lovecraft, I'm desperately hoping for his "At The Mountains of Madness" project finally moves forward. As a Lovecraft fan, I am more excited by the prospect of being one step closer to seeing that than I am of "The Hobbit". And I'm also fascinated by his take on "Frankenstein". However, I will say that the lack of The Hobbit on Del Toro's resume MAY act against him when he does these films, especially with "Mountains", as Lovecraft isn't really the Hollywood type. Sure, he has Blade 2, Pan's Labyrinth and both Hellboy films that the studio can use to market the film. But having The Hobbit would probably have done wonders. Nonetheless, I'm excited by what this news brings.

I don't think that it would be a problem really.
In the Deadline article it was mentioned that Del Toro was offered a huge deal at Universal making and/or producing several of those movies such as Frankenstein etc.
However he declined and cose to do Hobbit instead. My guess is that Universal would happily offer him that deal again because
1) it was just business and they didn't part ways fighting
2) considering that Uni is still struggling with their tentpole movies , i wouldn't be surprised to hear them going back after Del Toro.




BUt yeah this really isn't the type of news to read after you've just woken up
I was literally rubbing my eyes as i just read this news. Seriously wtf.
Still i don't think that PJ leaving Hobbit will happen. It's his most succesful project ever and leaving the project would just be a big middle finger to the fans.

 

[JackMercy]

I don't think that it would be a problem really.
In the Deadline article it was mentioned that Del Toro was offered a huge deal at Universal making and/or producing several of those movies such as Frankenstein etc.
However he declined and chose to do Hobbit instead.

Wrong. Part of the reason del Toro is leaving The Hobbit is in fact because of his Universal commitments, because the delays in a greenlight for The Hobbit were beginning to push back his optimal schedule.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117991560.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

Del Toro did sign an early development deal with Universal, then signed on to The Hobbit...and Universal were none too happy about it...

He then re-upped (extended) his deal with Universal so that he will now be working with them on a large number of future projects...

 

[Boom]

Words from GDT himself (on TheOneRing.net's message boards):

I intend to post a more lengthy post later in the week. Today is a day where I feel like collecting myself and meditating about all things past present and future. nevertheless I didn't want the day to be over without dropping you all a line. Compa- I did intended to be the Irving K of middle Earth and your "handle" in fact always inspired me to do good. Much of the visual design and previs and creatures etc is likely to survive into the final movie, so, I'll be delighted to see the final film and trust that the right director will step in into this massive endeavour.

I will drop by soon enough and I want to thank you all for the kindness, warmth and wisdom you have shared with me.

Yours Truly

Guillermo

 

[dark_b]

as a Del Toro fan i am happy that he is out. Hobbit is having problems. so i think its crazy to expect this talented director would sit in hes chair and whait for the greenlight.

he needs to now make a new movie. fresh and unique

 

[Boom]

It really is a double-edged sword.

On one hand, I am just flat-out furious at this, because Del Toro was the one guy I wanted for this project.

But on the other hand, as a Del Toro fan in general, it is nice that he's freed himself from development hell and can now move on to other projects. So in that sense, it is good news. I'd be lying if I said a part of me wasn't excited.

 

[CrimsonMist]

I don't think that it would be a problem really.
In the Deadline article it was mentioned that Del Toro was offered a huge deal at Universal making and/or producing several of those movies such as Frankenstein etc.
However he declined and cose to do Hobbit instead. My guess is that Universal would happily offer him that deal again because
1) it was just business and they didn't part ways fighting
2) considering that Uni is still struggling with their tentpole movies , i wouldn't be surprised to hear them going back after Del Toro.

That's not exactly what I meant. Universal, since the beginning, has been iffy on "At The Mountains of Madness", and it's easy to see why. There's no love interest, there's not that much action, it's intelligent, and on top of being an incredibly bleak story, there's also no happy ending. What I'm trying to say is: How do you get people into the theater to see a tentpole horror film that laughs in the face of genre and Hollywood convention? I'm sure people will see it regardless, but had Del Toro made The Hobbit and it was incredibly successful, they could have ****ed out that success for "Madness" and it would have guaranteed butts in seats. I'm probably exaggerating, sure. But I really don't want to see the movie tank, because as a Lovecraft fan, I want to see more big budget adaptations of his work. It's something mainstream audiences haven't seen before. Seeing a Dunwich Horror, Colour Out of Space or The Shadow Over Innsmouth adaptations would make my day. Not doing The Hobbit may act against the film from a marketing perspective, and if the film tanks, I doubt much of Del Toro's other projects will get off the ground.

 

[LostSon88]

Yep...this movie aint gonna happen.

And if by some miracle it ever does, no one will care anymore.

 

[matrix_ghost]

Wrong. Part of the reason del Toro is leaving The Hobbit is in fact because of his Universal commitments, because the delays in a greenlight for The Hobbit were beginning to push back his optimal schedule.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117991560.html?categoryid=13&cs=1

Del Toro did sign an early development deal with Universal, then signed on to The Hobbit...and Universal were none too happy about it...

He then re-upped (extended) his deal with Universal so that he will now be working with them on a large number of future projects...

Missed that part in the deadline article
But i still think that even now Uni would've still gone after him post Hobbit had he declined the initial offer in favor of Hobbit.

That's not exactly what I meant. Universal, since the beginning, has been iffy on "At The Mountains of Madness", and it's easy to see why. There's no love interest, there's not that much action, it's intelligent, and on top of being an incredibly bleak story, there's also no happy ending. What I'm trying to say is: How do you get people into the theater to see a tentpole horror film that laughs in the face of genre and Hollywood convention? I'm sure people will see it regardless, but had Del Toro made The Hobbit and it was incredibly successful, they could have ****ed out that success for "Madness" and it would have guaranteed butts in seats. I'm probably exaggerating, sure. But I really don't want to see the movie tank, because as a Lovecraft fan, I want to see more big budget adaptations of his work. It's something mainstream audiences haven't seen before. Seeing a Dunwich Horror, Colour Out of Space or The Shadow Over Innsmouth adaptations would make my day. Not doing The Hobbit may act against the film from a marketing perspective, and if the film tanks, I doubt much of Del Toro's other projects will get off the ground.

Aaah i see. You were referring to the public awareness . Kinda like how Nolan's name post TDK is drawing the audiences for Inception.
I thought it was more about him not getting job for future projects because studio exec. didn't see a bonafide blockbuster like Hobbit on his resume.
My bad.


I do agree that post Hobbit GDT would've definately had the same kind of power as Spielberg , Nolan or PJ have when they are attached to projects either as directors or producers.
Who knows maybe he can truly deliver a knock out performance with the Universal movies that he must make.

And considering that the Universal deal combined with the MGM problems was the reason why he decided to step back ,this will definately mean that he won't be directing the movie. WB wants this make Hobbt asap and with all the movies GDT is supposed to make , it'll probably take more then 5-7 years before everything is all said and done. I doubt WB would wait so long just to give GDT another chance.



Aside from PJ and GDT , are there any (new) directors who have an incredible eye when it comes to fantasy ?
The names of Blomkamp and DUncan Jones are being thrown around but both have them seem to have a love for SCIFI . Certainly the case with Blomkamp who's Halo shorts and D9 show a more gritty approach to filmmaking. Not to mention that Blomkamp doesn't want go thru the whole HALO debacle again with studio politics screwing up things. He has said that he prefers to make movies with a low budget due to little studio interference. EVen with PJ acting as a producer on Hobbit , WB ( and MGM) are the ones supplying millions and they would definately want to have a say in how the movie is made.

What do you guys think of Alfonso Cuaron ? 'He's made both Potter ( Fantasy) and SCi-FI ( Children Of Men) .

 

[dude stannis]

Excellent news, now Del Toro can move onto a film that can actually be made in the foreseeable future.

 

[regwec]

Who to (eventually) replace him with, though?

I really don't want this movie to be made by someone with a heavy handed visual signature, like Tim Burton.

 

[Doctor Jones]

I doubt Burton will direct, at least I hope not. This news just burns. I have no ****ing idea as to whom should direct it. Del Toro was perfect for this.

**** MGM. Seriously. I can't wait until they fail completely.

 

[Kud-Dukan]

Who to (eventually) replace him with, though?

I really don't want this movie to be made by someone with a heavy handed visual signature, like Tim Burton.

The only other person I'd want to see direct these two films happens to be the one person who it seems won't be directing (Peter Jackson), so I don't have the slightest clue who should replace him. I agree with you about Tim Burton though.

 

[Scarlet Spider]

Before Del Toro was offered the job, Sam Raimi was also in the running and desperately wanted the job. Maybe he'll get another shot at it, this time?

 

[Doctor Jones]

Who said he desperately wanted the job? I thought he was just in the running? He's committed to World of Warcraft anyway.

 

[Scarlet Spider]

Who said he desperately wanted the job? I thought he was just in the running? He's committed to World of Warcraft anyway.

Before Del Toro was hired, Raimi stated multiple times that he would have loved to direct The Hobbit, if Peter Jackson decided that he wasn't going to direct and he would only produce (which he obviously did). Raimi loves the property and the universe and would have jumped at the chance, if he was offered the gig.