While Peter Jackson and the actor’s unions have gone very quiet on their dispute, MGM is finally moving forward which is a great bit of progress for two planned films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit”. The planned bankruptcy the venerable studio is seeking gives it leadership and the chance to put money into films instead of putting money towards interest payments. A headline with “bankruptcy” isn’t sexy, but it is good news for those wanting “Hobbit” films, especially when the word “planned” comes before it.
You can read about it from Forbes, Reuters, or the Associated Press.
And, unlike other news outlets that have promised not to write about the “Hobbit” films again until they write a review, we promise to bring you lots and lots and lots of news as often as possible!
For those not aware, MGM holds 50 percent of “The Hobbit” and its financial situation has stalled the film that has also faced several other significant hurdles.
Category: Director Rumors
Sharon Waxman at TheWrap.com has posted an exclusive on her blog, Wax Word, that a deal for Peter Jackson to direct “The Hobbit” is all but complete:
“Now his deal is all but complete, according to individuals close to the project. Both Jackson’s directing fee and percentage of the gross have been settled, though a number of lesser deal points remain outstanding.”
Confirmation that PJ will be adding the director role to his writing and producing duties can’t come soon enough for fans who have been hoping PJ would take over the director’s role for since Guillermo Del Toro announced earlier this year that he was vacating the position. The pieces are falling into place for “The Hobbit” to get back on track!
Bruce Hopkins has been very busy on his radio show lately, first up Bruce talks with Royd Tolkien, great grandson of JRR Tolkien, autjor of The Hobbit, Lord Of The RIngs, Silmirilian and a vast treasure of other books about films, alcohol and life! Listen Here.
Bruce also talks with Cliff, Quickbeam, Broadway who is a film maker living in the belly of Hollywood. Cliff is one of the drivers of the TORN website and producer of the doco ‘Ringers’. Listen Here.
Lastly, Bruce Hopkins chats with Michael Regina, head of the worlds largest Tolkien fan website, TheOneRing.Net, TORN, about how the current impasse between the producers and acting unions is affecting the fan base of the hugely anticipated Hobbit films. Listen Here.
The New York Times is busting out major headlines today: First with the revelation that ‘The Hobbit’ films will be filmed in 3-D, and now, all but confirming Peter Jackson will direct the two ‘prequels.’ (Woo Hoo!!! – Sorry, had to get that in there) According Michael Cieply’s article, an announcement to this affect will be coming in the next few days.
Mr. Jackson, who is a producer and writer of the two “Hobbit” films, agreed also to become their director after Mr. del Toro left the project earlier this year, citing the delays. Mr. Jackson’s agreement to direct the movies has been in place but hasn’t formally closed because it depends on the studios’ willingness to begin production soon, according to people briefed on his status.
The first “Hobbit” film is expected to be released in mid-December 2012, the second a year later. Mr. Jackson has said he can direct the films only if those release dates can be met.
There are some other great details about the production in the full article over at The New York Times. [Read More]
Peter Jackson has issued a swift and decisive statement in answer to recent suggestions by the IFA and affiliated actor’s unions that their members turn down parts in “The Hobbit” movie unless all New Zealand actors are allowed to bargain with the movie-makers collectively. Peter made the interesting point that this may be against current New Zealand law:
“NZ law prohibits engaging in collective bargaining with any labour organisation representing performers who are independent contractors, as film actors clearly are. The NZ Commerce Act claims it would be unlawful to engage with an Australian Union on these matters.”
More worrisome for Hobbit fans is his assertion that this may delay the making of “The Hobbit” even further and/or force the production to move to eastern Europe:
..”the “demands” of MEAA cannot be agreed to, or even considered – by law – and therefore the only options that remain involve closing the Hobbit down, or more likely shifting the production to Europe. It could so easily happen. I’ve been told that Disney are no longer bring movies to Australia because of their frustration with the MEAA.”
The MEAA is the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, or the actors union in Australia. The IFA and New Zealand Actors guild solicited the help of the Aussie organization in 2006 to help the unionization process of New Zealand actors. Keep reading to see the entire statement and be sure to join the discussion on our message boards.
In the past few days, several stories have surfaced around the internet claiming that, in addition to his co-writing duties, Guillermo Del Toro is also now one of the producers of “The Hobbit.” Today we happen to have it on very good authority that this is not the case. Our good friend GDT stopped by our message boards to clear the air and state that he is: “not a producer of any kind.”
When the news first broke here on TheOneRing.net of Guillermo leaving “The Hobbit” as director, Peter Jackson confirmed that GDT was staying on as co-writer:“Guillermo is co-writing the Hobbit screenplays with Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh and myself, and happily our writing partnership will continue for several more months, until the scripts are fine tuned and polished.” According to Del Toro, currently on tour to promote his new book “The Fall,” producing is definitely not an additional part of those responsibilities. Read Guillermo’s comments and join in the discussion here.