Official The Hobbit thread

[Doctor Jones]

Yeah, you're porbably right. But even with all that, my mind isn't at ease still. But I still need to hear more about it. A quote from Jackson would help.

 

[Octoberist]

I mean, i prefer him doing than Ratner. Of course Ratner wouldn't be approach to do it but I would rather have a guy like Jackson fail at The Hobbit (which is not what I want) than some goober like Ratner.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Oh, God Ratner...

RATNER: Ian, now I want you over here and use your hand to pretend your lifting metal.

 

[tecnowraith]

Well it looks like Peter may decide to direct the Hobbit.
It's all of the internet but I went for official:http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010/06/25/37261-peter-jackson-in-negotiations-for-the-hobbit/

 

[Boom]

In a new interview, McKellen said that if an announcement isn't made soon, he may have to walk away from the project due to other future plans.

Honestly, if these delays cost us Gandalf, that may very well be the last straw.

The full video can be found on TheOneRing.Net

http://www.theonering.net

 

[dark_b]

McKellen will not walk away because the movie is happening.

right McKellen?

 

[Boom]

Well, bear in mind that he's not even officially signed onto the project, so all the waiting he has done up until this point was very much his own choosing - which really shows his passion for the project.

But like Del Toro, he can't wait around forever. In the video, he said he's been very much enjoying his run in the theatre and would like to do another play after Godot. And considering he is also a commodity in Hollywood, I imagine he'll be getting more film offers in the near future. A great talent like that can't just sit idle for an extended period of time.

As far as I'm concerned, Gandalf the Grey was the best part of the entire trilogy. Literally pitch perfect. I thought I was mad when GDT had to walk. I can't imagine what I'd do if McKellen had to.

But while I don't doubt McKellen would walk away if he had no other choice, a part of me thinks this is a bluff. Now he and PJ have come forth saying that they can't be a part of the project if it gets delayed any further. Right now, they are the two selling points. Losing both of them, in the eyes of the studio, would be a detrimental blow.

On a more positive note, he looks great for a man his age. Looks damn near identical to how he did a decade ago.

 

[regwec]

It would be a steaming sh** souffle if Ian McKellen showed his heels. Gandalf is one of those characters that people love from childhood, and those characters are extremely difficult for an actor to fill.

 

[Jackasscoley15]

Peter Jackson meeting with 'Hobbit' actors (exclusive)

By Borys Kit and Matthew Belloni

"The Hobbit" still has not been officially greenlighted, but director Peter Jackson is in Los Angeles this week quietly meeting with actors. The casting trip, which also included stops in New York and the U.K., underscores the progress being made on a complex series of deals to bring J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy novel to the big screen.

Sources say Jackson's pact with Warner Bros. to direct the two-part "Hobbit" adaptation is close to done, but the sticking point continues to be the dire financial situation at MGM, which holds half the rights to the property.

Warners, which is acting as the lead studio on the co-production, is furiously negotiating with MGM, which is being steered by a committee of creditors and financial stakeholders. Even if Warners wanted to fund the
films itself, that would require a sign-off from the somewhat rudderless MGM.

Jackson, who has been in L.A. since Saturday, is working with casting director Victoria Burrows on assembling what will likely be a large, international cast for the project.

"The Hobbit" has so far taken a bumpy road to the screen. Director Guillermo del Toro abruptly left the project in May, citing scheduling delays. Peter Jackson, who directed the megahit "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and was to serve as a producer on "Hobbit," was then recruited to direct the films. But Jackson has expressed his own concerns about timing, privately telling the studios he would not commit to the project unless the films could be fast-tracked and into theaters in 2012 and 2013.

Jackson's directing deal has not been signed but it is close, and he is proceeding like he's going to make the films. But the fate of "The Hobbit" remains very much uncertain.

 

[zanos]

I've read the Hobbit. I'm not particularly excited about this film.

 

[Doc Ock]

Peter Jackson meeting with 'Hobbit' actors (exclusive)

*starts hopping all over the place* t: At least something is happening!

 

[Ipodman]

Yea at least its not completely dead

 

[Boom]

Still can't sign anyone without the greenlight. They've been saying this for months, how Jackson and Del Toro have been scouting for actors - holding secret auditions and whatnot.

It's just hard to get excited about anything when I keep having this sinking feeling that the project is ultimately going to get shelved.

 

[Electrix]

MGM can't stay bankrupt forever. Eventually this will be resolved and The Hobbit can move forward. Lionsgate, Spyglass etc are in talks to merge/buy MGM so this could be over before the end of the year.

 

[Octoberist]

if they get denied the newest attempted at an extention, then wouldn't that be good news for WB and The Hobbit? (Bad news for MGM, of course)

 

[Boom]

Maybe, depending on how fast WB could secure the Hobbit rights from them. But who knows how long the process of MGM's liquidation could take? Could take months. But I'd hope, given the value of the property, WB would make getting those rights a quick priority.

But I sincerely doubt they'll get turned down. Get ready for another extension.

 

[Doc Ock]

Maybe, depending on how fast WB could secure the Hobbit rights from them. But who knows how long the process of MGM's liquidation could take? Could take months. But I'd hope, given the value of the property, WB would make getting those rights a quick priority.

But I sincerely doubt they'll get turned down. Get ready for another extension.

OH jeez, MGM needs to die or something already! I want my Hobbit and James Bond ASAP!

 

[Boom]

Right on cue. MGM gets its sixth extension.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/ent.../07/mgm-gets-debt-forbearance-number-six.html

This one lasts until September 15th - two months before the time when they were hoping to start shooting. A 2011 release is not happening.

 

[Doc Ock]

Right on cue. MGM gets its sixth extension.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/ent.../07/mgm-gets-debt-forbearance-number-six.html

This one lasts until September 15th - two months before the time when they were hoping to start shooting. A 2011 release is not happening.

Dumb MGM....

 

[dark_b]

Peter Jackson meeting with 'Hobbit' actors (exclusive)

if this movie would happen in the next 2 years then i think del Toro wouldnt leave.

why would del Torro spend 2 years on Hobbit and then leave months before filming starts?

it is how it is.

 

[Electrix]

A 2011 release is not happening.

A 2011 release hasn't been happening for a while. 2012 has been the aim for a few months now.

 

[Octoberist]

I can still see them making the 2012 Winter release still. But they have to start production by Spring or Summer 2011 to make it.

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

2012 is out too, bud.

 

[regwec]

I read The Hobbit in 1994, when I was 10. I may well simply not care by 2013.

 

[Octoberist]

2012 is out too, bud.

well, at least there's Superman in Winter 2012