It’s looking like Peter Jackson directing The Hobbit has moved from “all-but-a-done-deal” to a done deal. The New York Times is reporting that Jackson has finalized his deal to direct both parts of The Hobbit. However, the Times is also reporting that the ongoing dispute with New Zealand’s unions could continue to delay the film further. If the production decides to leave New Zealand, then it will have to draw up a new budget and that will most likely lead to another delay. As of right now, production is slated to begin in February with the first film slated to come out in December 2012 and the second film to be released the following year. Both films will be in 3D.
Hit the jump for news regarding how the production has worked through their ongoing situation with MGM’s financial issues.
While the production still has to deal with the unions, the issue regarding MGM’s financial problems appears to be resolved. Previously, MGM’s financial uncertainty meant that they couldn’t give a greenlight to the production. MGM owns the international distribution rights and is obligated to cover half of the budget. That’s difficult to do when you have no money.
According to the LA Times:
“MGM is expected to talk to potential funding sources, including other studios that could handle foreign distribution on its behalf. As a backup plan, Warner Bros. has agreed to loan MGM the money in exchange for additional rights to the picture beyond the domestic distribution it already controls.”
So it’s looking like The Hobbit has cleared one issue only to be hit with another. However, unlike suffering through MGM’s countless debt extensions, the issue regarding the unions has an end in sight. While I’m hesitant to say that the production now has a “greenlight”, it’s certainly as close as it’s ever been to getting one.
THIS IS 40 Bloopers Show Paul Rudd, Leslie Mann, Jason Segel, Megan Fox and More Cracking Up
13 Images from CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS 2 Reveal Food-imals Such as the Hippotatomus, Bananostrich and Fruit Cockatiel
STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS Comic Prequel STAR TREK COUNTDOWN TO DARKNESS Provides New Look at Klingons
First Trailer and Poster for RED 2 Starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren and John Malkovich
16 New Images from A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD Featuring Bruce Willis, Jai Courtney and Yuliya Snigir
Ten imaginary dollars says next week Peter Jackson will say, yet again, that the news is phony.
lol, I wouldn’t doubt it. Not sure how a union in a different country putting up a fuss is going to half production on the movie, I’m sure it will be a hurdle that The Hobbit will burst through, that is if the funding is there.
this makes me crave for Del Toro’s The Hobbit more. if they want a fresh take, then they should have a new director. and Del Toro was the best man for the job.
i love Jackson’s LOTR trilogy, but if they the hobbit to be separated from the trilogy, then they need a new take.
There’s now an official press release: http://www.latinoreview.com/news/hobbit-deal-finalized-for-a-february-shoot-11413It says (in part):”The two films based on “The Hobbit” are now greenlit and will begin principal photography in February 2011…”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. … 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.“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.”The End (of press release quotage)
But what about Bond?!