Zaentz Rings in Jackson for Prequels

[SoulManX]

As Lord of the Rings fans mounted a protest following word that New Line had dropped Peter Jackson from consideration as director of The Hobbit and another Lord of the Rings prequel, producer Saul Zaentz has given assurances that Jackson will indeed direct the two films. A German website, Elbenwald.de, posted an interview with Zaentz, who acquired the rights to the works of the late Rings writer, J.R.R. Tolkien, in 1976 (the Saul Zaentz Company owns Tolkien Enterprises), in which Zaentz says, "It will definitely be shot by Peter Jackson. ... Next year The Hobbit rights will fall back to my company. I suppose that Peter will wait because he knows that he will make the best deal with us. And he is fed up with the studios: to get his profit share on the Rings trilogy he had to sue New Line. With us, in contrast, he knows that he will be paid fairly and artistically supported without reservation." (The preceding quotation is a translation that appeared on TheHobbit-Movie.com from the German interview posted on Elbenwald.de.)

 

[Catman]

Poor Raimi. No Hobbit for him.

 

[Erundur]

This is some great news

 

[Dan33977]

Excellence!

 

[Speedball]

Awww....I wanted to see someone with a different vision take on Middle Earth. Guess we'll have to go with same old same old.

 

[LastSunrise1981]

Awww....I wanted to see someone with a different vision take on Middle Earth. Guess we'll have to go with same old same old.

The same ol same ol that swept the Academy Awards with Return of the King and are critically acclaimed. Jackson brought Middle Earth to life in a way that fans love and respect him for.

 

[C. Lee]

This is interesting news....I was saddened when I first heard that Jackson wouldn't be able to do the Hobbit.

 

[Speedball]

The same ol same ol that swept the Academy Awards with Return of the King and are critically acclaimed. Jackson brought Middle Earth to life in a way that fans love and respect him for.

Yes He did bring it to life, The look of Middle Earth was spot on, I would definantly leave that alone. But some of his camera work bugged the crap out of me. It's called ZOOM OUT Mr. Jackson, please learn it when you film close up battle scenes.

 

[DACrowe]

Meh. Turning The Hobbit into two movies (as rumored) sounds like an ego trip to me.

In all honesty I kind of hope that New Line gets the ball rolling and starts filming within a year just to shove it at such arrogance.

But at least it will be good (if too long) since we got Jackson doing it then.

 

[Iceman]

There's plenty of capable directors out there but losing Jackson would be a huge blow to The Hobbit.

 

[Movies205]

Meh. Turning The Hobbit into two movies (as rumored) sounds like an ego trip to me.

In all honesty I kind of hope that New Line gets the ball rolling and starts filming within a year just to shove it at such arrogance.

But at least it will be good (if too long) since we got Jackson doing it then.

Agreed...

 

[tecnowraith]

I knew this would happen (if this is indeed true), just just knew it: http://www.superherohype.com/forums/showpost.php?p=10597899&postcount=61

 

[Matt]

Two films is a bad idea. The Hobbit doesn't need it.

 

[BloodyWolverine]

Why don't they make a Three Hour movie like Jackson did for King Kong so two films would not be nessasary. Or they could do a Matrix sequel thing. Make a 4 hour movie split it in 2 and show one in the summer and one around christmas . Assuming Jackson or who ever makes it.

 

[BloodyWolverine]

Meh. Turning The Hobbit into two movies (as rumored) sounds like an ego trip to me.

In all honesty I kind of hope that New Line gets the ball rolling and starts filming within a year just to shove it at such arrogance.

But at least it will be good (if too long) since we got Jackson doing it then.

New Line can't make the film without MGM. MGM may only at this point has distributing rights but still thats a big thing that cocky New Line has not thaught of. I do agree that a single 3 hour film would be enough though

 

[Halcohol]

Am I the only person who hopes this film won't be made? The Hobbit simply doesn't lend itself to a movie adaptation like The Lord of the Rings.

I have to admit that there's enough story within The Hobbit to fill two whole movies, but I'm not sure that it's possible to give the film enough lightness that it will still sustain itself over two movies without getting stale.

I don't want to see a live-action version of The Hobbit, I'd like to keep my vision of it a little more child-like.

 

[Lady Stormcrow]

Hooray! Excellent news. When I heard about Jackson not being allowed to direct, my first thought was 'what? doesn't New Line like money?'

 

[GoldenAgeHero]

awesome news. the hell with raimi.

 

[Kmack]

Yay

 

[aaron]

If Jackson does direct, all I know is that I won't be buying the DVD 'cos 9 months later, there'll be a f***ing special special special edition!