HoosierCat Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 Well, well, well. Been wondering if this was ever going to happen. But Peter jackson and new Line Cinema have finally quit arguing with each other over who gets more of the giant mountain o' profits from their first 3 Lord of the Rings films and decided to go back for more. As a certified Tolkien geek Im thrilled, but it sure took these putzes long enough...-------------December 18, 2007ACADEMY AWARD-WINNER PETER JACKSON AND NEW LINE CINEMA JOIN WITH MGM TO PRODUCE “THE HOBBIT,” EAGERLY-ANTICIPATED FANTASY ADVENTURE EPICNEW LINE AND MGM TO CO-PRODUCE AND SHARE WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION RIGHTSPETER JACKSON AND FRAN WALSH TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE TWO FILMS BASED ON “THE HOBBIT”Los Angeles, CA (Tuesday, December 18, 2007) Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson; Harry Sloan, Chairman and CEO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM); Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs of New Line Cinema have jointly announced today that they have entered into the following series of agreements:* MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute two films, “The Hobbit” and a sequel to “The Hobbit.” New Line will distribute in North America and MGM will distribute internationally.* Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as Executive Producers of two films based on “The Hobbit.” New Line will manage the production of the films, which will be shot simultaneously.* Peter Jackson and New Line have settled all litigation relating to the “Lord of the Rings” (LOTR) Trilogy.Said Peter Jackson, “I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a legacy we proudly share with Bob and Michael, and together, we share that legacy with millions of loyal fans all over the world. We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth. I also want to thank Harry Sloan and our new friends at MGM for helping us find the common ground necessary to continue that journey.”“Peter Jackson has proven himself as the filmmaker who can bring the extraordinary imagination of Tolkien to life and we full heartedly agree with the fans worldwide who know he should be making ‘The Hobbit,’” said Sloan, MGM’s Chairman and CEO. “Now that we are all in agreement on ‘The Hobbit,’ we can focus on assembling the production team that will capture this phenomenal tale on film.”Bob Shaye, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO comments, “We are very pleased we have been able to resolve our differences, and that Peter and Fran will be actively and creatively involved with ‘The Hobbit’ movies. We know they will bring the same passion, care and talent to these films that they so ably accomplished with ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy.”“Peter is a visionary filmmaker, and he broke new ground with ‘The Lord of the Rings,’” notes Michael Lynne, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO. “We’re delighted he’s back for ‘The Hobbit’ films and that the Tolkien saga will continue with his imprint. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Harry Sloan, who has been instrumental in helping us reach our new accord.”The two “Hobbit” films – “The Hobbit” and its sequel – are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, with pre-production beginning as soon as possible. Principal photography is tentatively set for a 2009 start, with the intention of “The Hobbit” release slated for 2010 and its sequel the following year, in 2011.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 eleven 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.For more information about “The Hobbit” films, please visit www.TheHobbitBlog.com.About New Line Cinema Corporation:Celebrating its 40th anniversary year, New Line Cinema is the most successful independent film company in the world. Its mission is to produce innovative, popular and profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. In 2005, New Line partnered with HBO to form Picturehouse, a new theatrical distribution company to release independent films. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line’s Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc. (TWX).About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world’s largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution In, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries. MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Banking Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.About Peter Jackson/Wingnut Films:Peter Jackson is one of the world’s most successful filmmakers. His monumental achievement co-writing, co-producing and directing The Lord of the Rings trilogy (with fellow Academy Award winners and frequent collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens) earned a total of 30 Academy Award nominations and 17 Academy Awards. Jackson and Walsh received their first Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for their acclaimed film Heavenly Creatures. Jackson, through his New Zealand-based Wingnut Films banner, also was responsible for the globally successful 2005 remake of King Kong which earned over $500 million worldwide and 3 Academy Awards. Currently, Jackson is directing an adaptation of The Lovely Bones, from the acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold. He is also developing a trilogy of films with Steven Spielberg based on Tintin, the world renowned comic book series by Herge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BengalszoneBilly Posted December 18, 2007 Report Share Posted December 18, 2007 AWESOME! Better than any of that Harry Pot-Head crap that keeps getting put out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 I'm glad they got their sh*t together, but is it just me or was that article like a big circle jerk for those guys ??"Wow, you are so great !!!""No, you are so great !!!"WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted December 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 I'm glad they got their sh*t together, but is it just me or was that article like a big circle jerk for those guys ??That's the press release. That's what PR is all about, a big circle jerk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 I must be getting old because....I simply don't care. By the time the LOTR trilogy ended I found myself tapped out of geek fuel, sitting in my theatre seat thinking to myself...."End it. Do it now." Instead, it kept going. Wanna see a great movie? "No Country For Old Men" You're welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyline Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 Can't wait! This is great news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agreen_112 Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 I must be getting old because....I simply don't care. By the time the LOTR trilogy ended I found myself tapped out of geek fuel, sitting in my theatre seat thinking to myself...."End it. Do it now." Instead, it kept going. Wanna see a great movie? "No Country For Old Men" You're welcome.I hear that's a great film, I can't find it in theaters anywhere though. zip: 45011Release dates of The Hobbit are 2010 and 2011... Why do we have to wait so damn long? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted December 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 Release dates of The Hobbit are 2010 and 2011... Why do we have to wait so damn long?Bilbo got busted smoking pipeweed with a couple underage elves and got suspended by GOD-el for a year, so that's slowing things down... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
COB Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 I hear that's a great film, I can't find it in theaters anywhere though. zip: 45011Go read the book. You'll love it. Also by McCarthy, The Road is pretty good. Not so good is All The Pretty Horses. Critics loved it, I couldn't even finish it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 I hear that's a great film, I can't find it in theaters anywhere though. zip: 45011 Yeah, it's gone from super limited release, to severely limited release, to standard limited release. Worth looking for though. BTW, immediately after seeing the movie my wife complained loudly about the unconventional and unpredictable ending of "No Country For Old Men". Without spoiling the ending let's just say we talked about the film far longer than we usually discuss movies we've just seen, and in the end she admitted her disappointment was mostly due to feelings that it was a remarkable film that might have been truly great...."if things had been resolved in the end". I had no such feelings, and loved every second of the film, including the ending. That said, I freely admit the filmakers don't hand you things as if on a platter, and your reaction may be closer to my wifes. However, fast forward to a week or so ago when out of nowhere my wife blurts out...."I can't stop thinking about that movie. What do you think it meant when..." So nearly a month after seeing the movie we found ourselves talking about it some more. How rarely do films inspire you to do that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyline Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 I hear that's a great film, I can't find it in theaters anywhere though. zip: 45011So nearly a month after seeing the movie we found ourselves talking about it some more. How rarely do films inspire you to do that?Yeah.It reminds me of when I was younger and saw Wayne's World in the theatres. My friends and I are still talking about that one.Seriously, though, I'll have to check it out. I'm a pretty big movie buff, but haven't had the chance to see it yet.Completely unrelated, but since your post had nothing to do with The Hobbit in the first place: I'd highly recommend Pan's Labyrinth. Probably my favorite movie of the past couple of years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted December 19, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 Completely unrelated, but since your post had nothing to do with The Hobbit in the first place: I'd highly recommend Pan's Labyrinth. Probably my favorite movie of the past couple of years.Very good movie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted December 19, 2007 Report Share Posted December 19, 2007 Completely unrelated, but since your post had nothing to do with The Hobbit in the first place.... Not true, as I reacted to the news by admitting I was out of geek fuel. Obviously that's not true of so many of you. BTW, did you hear they're bringing Speed Racer to the big screen? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyline Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 Completely unrelated, but since your post had nothing to do with The Hobbit in the first place.... Not true, as I reacted to the news by admitting I was out of geek fuel. Obviously that's not true of so many of you. BTW, did you hear they're bringing Speed Racer to the big screen? Full out geek, and proud of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 Full out geek, and proud of it. No offense was intended. BTW, I had just recorded Pan's Labyrinth several months ago and was looking forward to seeing it. Sadly, my television gave up it's ghost during halftime of the Bengal/Seahawk game and after buying a Hi-Def replacement I took advantage of DirecTV's offer to upgrade my DVR. The result was several lost programs, including Labyrinth. I'm sure I'll stumble upon it again though. Frankly, I've got no problem with fantasy related programs or books, but my biggest problem with Peter Jackson's films is based upon what many others consider to be a great strength. That being, his ability to bring to the screen eye popping versions of well known classics. The stories are actually too well known for my tastes, as they offer almost no suprises. Thus, the experience is reduced to gazing for two or three hours at eye candy until the film reaches a climactic ending that you already know. To be fair, it's enjoyable stuff, but almost entirely forgotten by the time I've managed to drive home. Just saying... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted December 20, 2007 Author Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 BTW, did you hear they're bringing Speed Racer to the big screen?Oh yeah. Trailer has been out for a few weeks. Looks like good dumb fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
agreen_112 Posted December 20, 2007 Report Share Posted December 20, 2007 god, how gay is that ^???What are the best films of 2007?American Gangster was the only great film I seen this year, I haven't seen too many unfortunately... I'm waiting for the new Tim Burton flick coming out this weekend, hopefully this will land Johnny an oscar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArmyBengal Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 Me personally, I can't wait to see how the "Hobbit" turns out. I have always enjoyed that story and still have a copy of the animated version. It should be interesting. Not sure about a sequel to it though. I guess it will be filler from the time the "Hobbit" ends to the start of the first LOR movie. Sort of like what Stars Wars did in going back...WHODEY !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsbengalsbucks Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 Call me apathetic about the whole thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalboomer7 Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I usually just watch TV and movies for two reasons. For sports or to make me laugh. I'm just not that deep. So I'll be waiting to Dewey Cox! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I hear you, Billy. But there's the rub, because "Walk Hard" looks like it qualifies as something new. Meanwhile, I think it's just a matter of time before the news breaks about Peter Jackson remaking Dune.....or Star Wars. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirkendall Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I'm just not that deep.That's what she said. HA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirkendall Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 Meanwhile, I think it's just a matter of time before the news breaks about Peter Jackson remaking Dune.....or Star Wars.I'll pay full price for anything Peter King does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HairOnFire Posted December 21, 2007 Report Share Posted December 21, 2007 I'll pay full price for anything Peter King does. Well, Mrs. King says she's interested, but wants to see the color of your money first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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