Cinematical

The LOTR movies were great but c'mon people Peter Jackson is hardly the only man on the planet who could make these movies. What about Spielberg making the Hobbit. In all honesty the studios can't go wrong making these movies, they will make millions and be profitable no matter who is at the helm, except Eeeew Boll or whatever his name is.

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Wow. I am in complete and utter shock. No tears yet, but I am sure they are coming. How stupid could this possibly be? Grow up New Line - take care of the lawsuit, do what you have to do to resolve it. Peter Jackson is more than willing to see the lawsuit through - but you'd rather ignore it and go off and make these movies without him. Stupid and arrogant.

You are throwing away your golden ticket here boys. Honestly. Wow. I still can't believe it. Jackson put together a once in a life time epic event to the silver screen - and he is the only one that has the tools and the tenacity to see it through properly.

Peter Jackson is a God in New Zealand. I recently visited there this past summer and he was allowed to do all the things he did because he is a "Son of New Zealand." So goodbye Middle Earth, you will probably be made completely in a computer now - and there may be parts filmed on location in NZ, but not nearly to the extent that the LOTR films were.

Goodbye unbelievable cast. I seriously wonder if Sir Ian McKellan will be returning for this film now. Personally, I doubt it. Every cast member LOVED Peter Jackson and what he was able to do - and I think the studio or any new director will have a hard time getting these people to return. Granted not many are characters that transferred over - but Gandalf - man - if someone tries to fill Ian McKellan's shoes, the world might freeze over.

Goodbye amazing script writers (Peter, Fran, Phillipa) - turning out one of the best scripts in cinema history.

Oh...how could I forget...goodbye... WETA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow - New Line - stupid stupid stupid. Goodluck doing...well goodluck doing anything.

Goodbye Barry Osborne...let the list go on and on and on.

Goodbye cooperation of the nation of New Zealand and its people.

Goodbye Ian Holm, Hugo Weaving - and all the cast members that wnated to return in a cameo.

Oh and lets not forget this little guy...GOODBYE ANDY SERKIS. Good luck finding someone else that will motion capture for a year for Gollum. And trying to replicate that voice. You better just cast Chistopher Walken and go a whole different direction becuase it won't happen another way. That man is way to loyal to Mr. Jackson - he'll probably tell you guys to shove it.


Oh - and who in god's name, a director of any note, would consider taking on this film? The great ones respect Jackson too much - and wouldn't dream of touching that material - and furthermore - most of them know they would go insane to undertake such a feat. That's another thing you people don't realize - most directors don't want to spend 8 years prepping and producing THE SET OF MOVIES!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yea - the guy above who suggested Steven Speilberg - you honestly think he will dedicate the next 5 years non stop to make these films? No way.

Basically - the only way all these people would even consider doing this film is through the good graces of Peter Jackson. He may very well say, you should definately do it, and encourage it. That's something that he very well may do. Or he could simply keep quiet - and lets see if anybody lines up to do this movie for you folks.

Peter Jackson gave you one of the best cinematic pieces in history New Line - and billions upon billions of dollars. You can't settle this lawsuit and move forward? Grow up - show some gratitude and let the man make his movie. For goodness sake.

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Wow...Chris. You hit it all that I was thinking and feeling.....but could someone please explain to me: What the hell is this LOTR prequel? Is this a completely off-book movie? When I heard 2 movies, I assumed they were splitting the Hobbit into two parts, weird move but I could live with it....but a completely new prequel? Wow, that seems to me, a worse move than making these with Jackson. But whatever...Fox/Universal/New Line/MGM can all go stick their heads up their asses while this guy goes off and creates mega-blockbusters that they will never have...idiots.

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LOTR is basically the premise of the "War of the ring" this is the third age ... there were two ages before it. Which include a lot of things. The war of the ring you could say was a climax to the mythology. There are other books you might want to check out such as the silmarillion published posthomously.

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This is the worst thing that has ever happened.

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This is what I wrote in an LOTR forum:

http://www.moviemusic.com/mb/Forum1/HTML/015135-26.html

...and I give it here since I think its worth giving.

When New Line saved the day for The Lord of the Rings when they bought over the rights from Miramax, they did the greatest favour to the LOTR community around the world.
Today they've gone and undone that very favour...because like our dear, dear Peter Jackson said, they got to go there, but not back again.

It is extremely sad that a movie studio could let down a filmmaker with so much passion for a story, and respect for its author, in the face of "rights".

I suppose fans worldwide loathe them from the depths of their souls (though I say this without any authority, of course), but I know that I feel horrible right now. And I can't even imagine what poor Peter Jackson and his entire team must have gone through when they received that call.

Peter Jackson, if you're reading this, you have my deepest sympathy. Always know that you are the best person to make The Hobbit, even if you don't get to do so. Because its not about the movie, its about the people behind it. We've seen your passion during LOTR, you were our Hobbit then, and you'll be our Hobbit now.

This goes goes a long, long way in proving that vile difference between the filmmaker and the studio - one with a passion for the movie, another with a passion for the money.

And since I'm speaking only for myself, I must confess they've spoilt everything for me, my dreams of sitting in a dark cinema hall as the lights go down, listening to Howard Shore's music scale over a familiar marquee, and watching a Hobbit movie backed by the very same LOTR team.

No. They haven't just spoilt The Hobbit for me, they've spoilt LOTR for me.

I don't think I can stand buying any more LOTR stuff (not to mention the CRs) not when Mr.Shore has mentioned he'd like to connect the movies, and especially not if the movies are connected by Peter Jackson.

No. Its all spoilt for me. Its been tainted by selfish interests, and if New Line could (please excuse my language, I'm heating up now) screw one of the most anticipated movies of one of the largest fan communities existing in the world this side of the millennium, I can see where price tags like $75 for TTT:CR and possibly $100 for ROTK:CR are coming from.

Subduing an artist's creativity like this is the most despicable thing that a movie studio as big as New Line could ever do. It just plain sucks.

How I wish I was born rich and could seriously kick some studio ass right now.

The world has changed. I need to get a hold of myself right now, and I don't think I shall return to this forum, not until Peter Jackson returns to Middle Earth.

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I read the Simarillion, but it is written more as a poem or even textbook than a narrative. It will be an oddly translated piece for a movie...just plain weird. They are milking Tolkein for all he is worth, I'd imagine they have their eyes set on his son's Middle Earth history series too then...

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Beeslo - from what i've heard about the LOTR 'prequel' - is something like this - basically they want to link the Hobbit the recent LOTR trilogy (when I say they, I mean MGM and New Line) - and they were going to go about doing this by using notes and footnotes and all these other little pieces of info from Tolkein that would apparently "connect" the two tales. That's what I've heard anyway. New Line/MGM are also talking about breaking the Hobbit into two movies THEN to follow it with the so called 'prequel' - hence, having another trilogy on their hands.

Still in shock by the way -wow. Don't know if any of them will get made now - and if they do it won't be for another 10 years because things won't come together as easily as New Line hopes it will.

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So, is the law suit because something is owed to Jackson and company? Was this a case in which New Line got greedy, or that profits were below expectations, like butter spread too thin on bread?

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this is so crap i am not even going to see the movie if someone else makes it!new line is making a big mistake! no one else but peter could make the hobbit(any one else made it it wood suck)!

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I think I'd rather see something new from Jackson anyway, so this suits me just fine.

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how can you people care this much? and why are you all idiots? the movies weren't even that good, and they certainly weren't anywhere close to following the book.

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I like the job P.Jackson did with the LotR movies, but there are better directors out there than him. (I was none too thrilled with some of his 'personal touches' - where was Bombadil?)

Personally, I the Hobbit is one of my favorite stories... and it deserves someone great to make it into film. I want it done better than LotR was made... please!

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Honestly, if he had included everything in LOTR that was in the book...well that would be one fucking long movie (aside from the fact the the extended versions clock over 4 hours each). Directors need to know where to make cuts and he knew that even though Tom was a great iconic character, he had no immediate hand in the events of the movie.

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It's a stupid decision from New line.

But... be calm.

Peter Jackson would be the Hobbit director or producer.

Wait for the MGM news

Paulo Pereira
From Portugal, Lisbon

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David - name one director you feel will take the time and dedicate the next 5-8 years to make this happen. I'm not saying theres not somebody out there that can do it - i just don't believe they will do it nearly as well, or actually dedicate themselves for the next 5 years to make another proposed triology. Don't say the actors not coming back is a joke - watch it happen. The big concern is with Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis of course. Furthermore - the movie that will link the Hobbit (1 or 2 films depending) and the LOTR series will certainly showcase many of the characters from the original movies to capatlize on this group of actors. I know you think they will be more than willing to return for the "money." I think you are not giving these people credit they are due. More over, WETA is a major concern as well. Most likely they won't participate. I don't know - it definately can be made by someone else - but i don't think any director of note will take on this length of a project and probably without several of the main characters that would transfer over. I think you are in a dream world if you think otherwise...

Joshua - idiots? Give me a break - when all three films are nominated for an exceeding amount of academy awards and go on to gross billions of dollars from around the world, it is more than evident that you are in the minority in thinking the movies are weak. Peter Jackson did a faithful adapation in the best way possible - if it was a direct adaptation it would have been a disaster.

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Chris, why the heck would it take someone five years to make The Hobbit? And by the way, Peter Jackson isn't half the filmmaker you make him out to be. I would much rather see someone else take a shot at actually making a better-than-mediocre film about middle-earth. Spielberg, Verbinski, Aronofsky, and Chris Columbus are just a few names that come to mind.

Garnering hundreds of millions of dollars and Academy awards, for anyone who knows anything about film, does not necessarily indicate a film's quality. If we went by that sort of logic, then the latest three Star Wars films would have to be considered masterpieces (and we all know they were God-awful). Anyone who is a fervent follower of Tolkien's work should be somewhat disappointed with the "Peter Jackson Show", especially Return of the King. I like Peter Jackson, but I do not like his adaption of the films. King Kong is a much better film all the way around.

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All we can do is hope that it will turn around. If not.. then it's pointless. It can go 2 ways without PJ. Either they can find a director as talented, willing and able to do the film as Jackson was, so good that all the old cast want to join in and everything will be fabulous.
Or, they could find a crappy director that doesn't understand at all, cast Hollywood stars, you know, Tom Cruise as Bilbo, Brad Pitt as the dwarves, Sean Connery as Gandalf... it just wouldn't be right!

It could probably go more ways than that...

I guess we will just have to hope that everything will be alright.

As for this prequel? I don't really know what to think. A movie based on notes? They'd do better just to not do it at all. Because what will they have achieved when all this has finished? One shoddy film with all the wrong cast that fans will never want to go anywhere near, and one film that was utterly pointless and never meant to happen in the first place.

Good going...

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Jeremy - I said 5 years or more because the plan is to make 2 to 3 films back to back. Much in the same fashion as the LOTR films. They plan on making a direct adaptation of the Hobbit, whether it be in one part or two, and then the 'connection' film that will bridge the hobbit to the most recent LOTR trio. They plan on filming them back to back - with script writing, pre-production, digital effects, and so forth it will take at least 5 years. Peter Jackson spent about 6-7 years on the last set of films so I figured if they went ahead with three more, it would be in the same ballpark - that being generous because it won't be the same people putting together.

Spielberg, Verbinski, and the other directors you mentioned probably wouldn't make that kind of committment. I'm not going to say they won't, but I don't imagine they will. Spielberg won't tie himself down, Verbinski can't wait to be free after finishing the three pirates films either.

Also, I know you can't base a movie's worth or greatness purely by the numbers, money or Academy Awards. Well put with Star Wars - Lucas really did slaughter the prequels (although, I didn't mind Revenge of the Sith. All I am saying is that it did in fact make billions of dollars, something the recent Star Wards films didn't come close to matching - and it has to be said that it had good staying power, and didn't make all of its money is one weekend like so many blockbusters today. It had staying power becuase it was a quality film. I know Oscars don't always mean a film is great either - but you have to give it its due when you win 11 of them for ROTK and tying the all time record with Ben-Hur and Titanic. It has something to do with the worth of the film.

If you also look at the general consenus of the world's critics. It was raved about around the world by the professions most respected film analysts. I know, I know - critics aren't the best thing to go by, I am just adding them to the list.

So when you have the support of the overwhelming support of the general population, the academy (and all award ceremony voters), and the world's critics - I have to believe in there somewhere that the film has some merit.

I know Jackson went off base with some story elements of all three books - and I understand your beef with that. But "for anyone that knows anything about film" as you put it, there would be absolutely no plausible way of bringing those stories to life in the time manner that Jackson did. The films would have been 5-6 hours a piece - and I personally would have loved to have seen it all as well - I just also realize that it wasn't realistic to do so. Jackson is passionate about the books far more than you or I - most likely anyway. It was his life long dream to bring LOTR and King Kong to the big screen - and he poured his life into both of those projects. I agree with you - Kong was great. All I am saying is that Jackson made some judgement calls about what could and could not be included - and I am far more happy with what he left in then what he left out.

I don't mean to sound rude in these comments at all - and I totally respect your opinion. I'm sorry if the comments were a bit direct. These movies weren't for everybody and I certainly understand your grievance about the adaptation that Jackson chose. I just think that if anybody else attempted to make this new set of films it would be an incredibly difficult task that would essentially be starting at square one. It will be hard to find a notable director to take on the massive project and to follow up the world wide phenomenon - and they will most likely being doing it without WETA, Ian McKellan, Andy Serkis, Barry Osborne, cooperation of New Zealand, and a great deal more. I just think throwing away Jackson - you're script writer, director, producer, and connection to all assets in the previous movies - is a stupid move. A new take from someone might be interesting but I think it would be an unwise move.

Hope it works out the way you would like it too - and have a Happy Thanksgiving good sir.

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This entire incident is ridiculous. I mean for me at least , Jackson played a key role in the trilogy and he was therefore necessary for The Hobbit. He is the bigger man in this event since he was respectful enough to adress the fans in a letter he issued. This also raises the eternal paradox of art, did he quit because of the money or because of the principal??
i think u guys will find the following post intresting.
(see)
http://mediafan.wordpress.com/2006/11/21/a-sad-time-for-lotr-fans/

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