For immediate releaseOSCAR WINNER PETER JACKSON TO DIRECT “THE HOBBIT” IN TWO INSTALLMENTS
That is the best news possible! The original dream-team is reassembling from the top down - apart from Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Phillipa Boyens as script-writers and (co/exec) producers, Carolynne Cunningham and Ken Kamins are also back at the top.Peter Jackson Set to Direct J.R.R Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” In a Two-Part 3D Production of Extraordinary Scope(Los Angeles, October 15, 2010) The two films based on “The Hobbit” are now greenlit and will begin principal photography in February 2011, under the direction of Peter Jackson, it was jointly announced today by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema, Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros. and Steve Cooper, co-Chief Executive Officer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.“Exploring Tolkien’s Middle-earth goes way beyond a normal film-making experience” Jackson says, "It’s an all-immersive journey into a very special place of imagination, beauty and drama. We’re looking forward to re-entering this wondrous world with Gandalf and Bilbo - and our friends at New Line Cinema, Warner Brothers and MGM”.“Peter is a filmmaker of incomparable ability; having him return to Middle-earth to produce and direct is a dream come true. A true original, Peter is a gifted story-teller, visionary director and pioneer in film technology,” said Emmerich. “Reuniting with Peter, Fran and Philippa truly makes it feel like we are going ‘there and back again.’”“There is no human being on the planet as qualified as Peter Jackson to direct these films,” said Horn. “Peter is incredibly talented and has the creative vision and experience to bring this beloved property to life in a way that no other filmmaker could. And the team of Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens has proven through their work on the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy that no one is more skilled at transforming Tolkien's written words into a vibrant, living language that makes the audience believe they are not merely visiting Middle-earth, but actually living in it. We couldn’t be more thrilled and look forward to seeing ‘The Hobbit’ take shape under Peter’s stewardship and the team he is putting together.”"MGM is excited to move forward and add to the successful 'Lord of the Rings' franchise," said Cooper. "Under Peter's direction, the films will undoubtedly appeal to fans of the original 'LOTR' trilogy and also bring the stories to a new generation of fans."Jackson, who directed all three “Lord of the Rings” films, will helm the two films back-to-back, telling the story of “The Hobbit” in two parts. Jackson will utilize groundbreaking visual effects and his incomparable story-telling to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel to the big screen. Both Hobbit movies will be filmed in Digital 3-D, using the latest camera and stereo technology to create a high quality, comfortable viewing experience. Jackson also co-wrote the screenplays with Fran Walsh, Phillipa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro.“The Hobbit” is being co-produced by New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production, Warner Bros Pictures handling domestic distribution and MGM distributing internationally. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films, with Phillipa Boyens as co-producer and Ken Kamins as executive producer.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 11 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.-wbp-
At this stage I'm not going to quibble about the 3D thing - I'm just so happy it's actually going ahead!
I'm sure there will be a 2D version for those of us who prefer storytelling over gimmicks.
Now all we need is the actors unions to strike a deal, and we can begin! Let's hope it'll still be in NZ...
Goood one!
ReplyDeleteAt last! now I hope PJ still has it in him to pull this one off. its still going to be hard work an though it's Middle Earth the story has a whole different feel to it than the LotR lets not forget that a great Movie needs an army of creative people all working to their best ability. I hope he has got as good a team as last time he ventured into the Tolkein World
Excellent news and in the very same week that I landed a new job based in Upper Hutt.
ReplyDeleteNow lets just hope that the union issue gets sorted and locks in New Zealand as the location.
Go PJ!
Good news indeed... my mood (and the household in general) has been more upbeat ever since this morning when we heard.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Sir PJ has it in him, Odentroll...! He's keen as mustard! And the army of creative workers is rearing to go. I was present at the (non-unioned) Wellington actors meeting earlier this week, everybody was full of praise for him.
This movie wants to get made, and it wants to get made in NZ. I just know it.
senlacsson: Congratulations on your job! I'll be in Upper Hutt tomorrow, but I'll be on a tour. I should be at Harcourt Park/Isengard at around 11:00am (but I wouldn't count on that).
If you're ever in Wellington, drop me a line, I'd love to meet up!
- Jack M.
Fantastic news indeed! I know there's been many people (especially the folks at Weta) who've already been hard at work on pre-production for a few years now. I can only imagine the sigh of relief they must be having!
ReplyDeleteAny updates on casting? Have they nailed down their actors or are they waiting for the union fracas to clear up before sending out another casting call?
Wow, this is really awesome. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYes I can imagine Weta are relieved. Circumstances like this have destroyed many a great studio.
Now the excitement begins once again! Full steam ahead!
This is great news! Hopefully NZ is announced as the filming location and it isn't done overseas - fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteAs far as applying to be an extra, what agency do you think is best to join? I'm not sure which ones sent out a lot of people for LOTR but they'd probably be best.
Cheers,
Zach