goldenboy
12-18-2007, 12:21 PM
'Hobbit' back on track as twin bill
New Line settles dispute with Jackson
By MICHAEL FLEMING
Posted: Tue., Dec. 18, 2007, 9:23am PT
After settling a lawsuit with Peter Jackson on “The Lord of the Rings,” New Line co-chairmen/co-CEOs Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne announced jointly with MGM chairman Harry Sloan that the way is clear to turn JRR Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” into two live action films.
Rabid fans might be disappointed to know that Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh are on board solely as exec producers at this point. But if Jackson doesn’t ultimately direct, the resolution clears the way for “Spider-Man” helmer Sam Raimi to direct the film. While Shaye said that no creative decisions have yet been made, Raimi has long been interested but only if Jackson was involved.
Jackson and Walsh wrote the blockbuster Oscar-winning “LOTR trilogy with Philippa Boyens. The studios are planning to shoot “The Hobbit” simultaneously, as was done on the original trilogy. Aside from continuity of making the films together, New Line and Jackson brought in the trio of films for a spectacularly cost-efficient $400 million. The trilogy had a total worldwide gross just shy of $3 billion.
Pending a resolution of the writer’s strike, the studios hope to get a script written and begin production sometime in 2009. MGM and New Line will co-finance the films, with New Line running production and distributing in domestic territories. MGM will distribute internationally.
The key to moving forward was settling all litigation between Jackson and New Line over monies owed the filmmaker. Requests for audits on the receipts from the three films turned into an ugly dispute between the filmmaker, Shaye and Lynne.
“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,” Shaye said. “We know they will bring the same passion, care and talent to these films that they so ably accomplished with the trilogy.”
Sloan, who had been touting the series as a linchpin in his plans to revive MGM, said: “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.’ Now that we are all in agreement on ‘The Hobbit,’ we can focus on assembling the production team that will capture this phenomenal tale in film.”
Confirming the settlement, Jackson said: “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.”
'Hobbit' back on track as twin bill - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117977891.html?categoryid=13&cs=1)
New Line settles dispute with Jackson
By MICHAEL FLEMING
Posted: Tue., Dec. 18, 2007, 9:23am PT
After settling a lawsuit with Peter Jackson on “The Lord of the Rings,” New Line co-chairmen/co-CEOs Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne announced jointly with MGM chairman Harry Sloan that the way is clear to turn JRR Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” into two live action films.
Rabid fans might be disappointed to know that Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh are on board solely as exec producers at this point. But if Jackson doesn’t ultimately direct, the resolution clears the way for “Spider-Man” helmer Sam Raimi to direct the film. While Shaye said that no creative decisions have yet been made, Raimi has long been interested but only if Jackson was involved.
Jackson and Walsh wrote the blockbuster Oscar-winning “LOTR trilogy with Philippa Boyens. The studios are planning to shoot “The Hobbit” simultaneously, as was done on the original trilogy. Aside from continuity of making the films together, New Line and Jackson brought in the trio of films for a spectacularly cost-efficient $400 million. The trilogy had a total worldwide gross just shy of $3 billion.
Pending a resolution of the writer’s strike, the studios hope to get a script written and begin production sometime in 2009. MGM and New Line will co-finance the films, with New Line running production and distributing in domestic territories. MGM will distribute internationally.
The key to moving forward was settling all litigation between Jackson and New Line over monies owed the filmmaker. Requests for audits on the receipts from the three films turned into an ugly dispute between the filmmaker, Shaye and Lynne.
“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,” Shaye said. “We know they will bring the same passion, care and talent to these films that they so ably accomplished with the trilogy.”
Sloan, who had been touting the series as a linchpin in his plans to revive MGM, said: “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.’ Now that we are all in agreement on ‘The Hobbit,’ we can focus on assembling the production team that will capture this phenomenal tale in film.”
Confirming the settlement, Jackson said: “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.”
'Hobbit' back on track as twin bill - Entertainment News, Film News, Media - Variety (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117977891.html?categoryid=13&cs=1)