Last week when we reported on a rumor that Sam Raimi was offered the Clash of the Titans remake, I wondered out loud (or on the web page) if this meant that he would not be making The Hobbit for New Line. Well it looks like there is more to this story. The LA Times recently spoke to New Line head Bob Shaye:
Eager to move ahead with “The Hobbit,” New Line has quietly been trying to mend fences with “Rings” filmmaker Peter Jackson, who has sued the company over his share of profits from the first “Rings” films. When asked if it was true that company insiders had been in talks with Jackson’s reps, Shaye replied, “Yes, that’s a fair statement. Notwithstanding our personal quarrels, I really respect and admire Peter and would love for him to be creatively involved in some way in ‘The Hobbit.’”
But don’t get too excited. IESB is reporting that Raimi is still interested in helming The Hobbit, but the only way he’ll sign on is if Peter Jackson produces. This sounds more likely than Jackson returning to direct (heck, he’s busy with his own projects and New Line only has The Hobbit rights for a short time). So we could end up seeing a Peter Jackson produced Hobbit film directed by Sam Raimi. I, like most people would probably be fine with that. Now the question is: Is Shaye really as stubborn as he has sounded in the past? Because Jackson has said that he won’t work with New Line until they settle.
August 13th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
GEORGE LUCAS.
August 13th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
haha@George Lucas, he no longer directs films.
- But wasn’t “Willow” based off the Hobbit?
August 13th, 2007 at 11:36 pm
I Just wish PJ could fo the whole thing. I wish everything went back to normal. With news of Pj departing the project, one by one, others pulled out before it turns out that NOT ONE of the original cast is returning, nor WETA or anyone else. But, I guess, If PJ is, as Shaye muttered, “I wish for Peter Jackson to be involved in some way, as I admire him.” It would be horrid without anyone from the original trilogy, but IF PJ was somehow involved, I mean, It could mean that WETA would return, etc.
So, really, I think New Line knows that, although it would go well, it wouldn’t go half as good in the box office without the original cast. Mind you, Gandalf (Mckellen) would need to be and look 40 years younger. Instead, he is seven years younger than at the Fellowship. I agree Connery should be Gandalf. Anyway… It’s good is PJ will be “involved”. It’s better than nothing…
August 29th, 2007 at 9:33 am
kinda think connery is older than mkcellan besides mckellen dropped years for xmen last stand so is feasable. It would be hard for most the origonal cast to appear in the hobit though as most are not in the book!
August 29th, 2007 at 9:42 am
dont even compare willow to the hobbit one is fanciful family drivel spawned by the worst director on earth who is starting to look more like a character from star wars (jabba the hutt). The other is fine literature written by a well educated author for family reading exploring both philosophicall theological debate although still sticks to the naive plaudits of good versus evil.
Although star wars may be concerned with theological doctorine most is adopted from a child like view of the world and even more childish conceptions. Which is why I guess star wars is more liked by children. certainly the last 3 films or first three were no more than childish twaddle
October 22nd, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Sir Ian McKellan would only have to look as old as he did in the Lord of the Rings, which wouldn’t be hard, he had a fake nose and everything, Gandalf’s a wizard, not a man.
I really hope Peter Jackson is involved in some way, it wouldn’t be the same without him. And Weta Workshop would have to do Gollum of course, they can’t have a different one running around! Looking forward to seeing PJ’s Smaug!
November 20th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
That’s true Jemma. We need the same old Gandalf and the cute creep Gollum. The Hobbit would be hollow without these wonderful characters. Peter may or may not do the job. But we need these characters as they were potrayed in the LOTR.