The Hobbit...will it be made?

[gnomon]

I'm really bored.

Anyway, as a general discussion, the current status of a live action production of Tolkien's "The Hobbit" is currently in limbo. New Line Cinema still owns the rights to production until 2009. However, Peter Jackson, director, co-writer and producer of the "The Lord of the Rings" movies will not be participating in any manner with any New Line production since Robert Shaye, New Line co-chairman, has stated that Jackson will never again work with New Line. Why? Over a dispute upon Jackson's request of an audit on the profits of "The Fellowship of the Ring".

I'm interested because I thought Jackson and Fran Walsch could have taken the book, written a script more for the adult market and produced a very fine film. Especially since Andy Serkis and Ian McKellan would be probable actors to return to the storyline. Some rumours have placed Sam Raimi as a probable director for the movie under New Line's production. I love Raimi's movies but am skeptical of anyone, considering the success of Jackson's Rings, succeeding with an adaptation. I think "The Hobbit" is even more difficult to adapt considering it would be translating what was a children's book to a level equivalent to that of the Rings.

I was impressed with the production value and the adherence to the story, as much as possible, as Jackson, Walsh and others pulled off. I would be very interested in seeing "The Hobbit" being made.

Anyone else?

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I read a small bit about it the other day.
It will be interesting to see if any of the original actors will be in it, and if it will be on the same level as what Jackson did the The Lord of The Rings.
I will definitly have to watch it if it comes out.

 

[Quagmire]

Part of the buzz is that Ian McKellan wouldn't be appearring in the New Line production of the Hobbit, pending the probability that Jackson would direct another version with a different studio once NLC's production rights expire.

I think McKellan's Gandolph is pretty much essential to the project at this point, and would make a huge difference at the box office. Of course, New Line and McKellan know this too so who can say?

 

[cardero]

I heard the production might fall into Sam Raimi's lap. If he is not boggled down by another Spiderman sequel I thing he would seriously consider it. One fantasy book series that I thought would make a good film was that (and someone help me with the title) Thomas Covenant series about the anti-hero who had leprosy.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

Why would it not be made....It will be a massive money spinner.

 

[Quagmire]

I heard the production might fall into Sam Raimi's lap. If he is not boggled down by another Spiderman sequel I thing he would seriously consider it. One fantasy book series that I thought would make a good film was that (and someone help me with the title) Thomas Covenant series about the anti-hero who had leprosy.

I know what you're talking about Cardero; The name of the series was (something like) The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever. I think the authors name was Stephen Donaldson.

Your right, it would make a decent movie if (like anything else) it was done right.

 

[Todd]

I'm really bored.

Anyway, as a general discussion, the current status of a live action production of Tolkien's "The Hobbit" is currently in limbo. New Line Cinema still owns the rights to production until 2009. However, Peter Jackson, director, co-writer and producer of the "The Lord of the Rings" movies will not be participating in any manner with any New Line production since Robert Shaye, New Line co-chairman, has stated that Jackson will never again work with New Line. Why? Over a dispute upon Jackson's request of an audit on the profits of "The Fellowship of the Ring".

Anyone else?

You must be reading my mind. I'm working from home today, but put in a DVD of The Fellowship of the Ring extended edition to listen to while I work.

Regarding the question. If Jackson doesn't do this, someone will. It's too good of a story for film makers to pass up, especially in this day and age where they have somewhat run out of story lines to make. It's only a matter of time. Now, we can only hope that it would be as good as The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I think Ian McKellan, from what I remember of The Hobbit, is the only original they need. A different Biblo would be odd, but a different Gandalf would be heresy. Movie blashemy at it's worst.

 

[eudaimonia]

I know what you're talking about Cardero; The name of the series was (something like) The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant the Unbeliever. I think the authors name was Stephen Donaldson.

Your right, it would make a decent movie if (like anything else) it was done right.

It will never happen. You can't have a major movie nowadays in which the hero of the story (even if he is an "anti-hero") rapes someone as a major plot point. The project would never get off of the ground.

And that's a shame, because the Chronicles are a great fantasy series.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[doppelganger]

I think Ian McKellan, from what I remember of The Hobbit, is the only original they need. A different Biblo would be odd, but a different Gandalf would be heresy. Movie blashemy at it's worst.

They'd need Elrond, too.

 

[Quoth The Raven]

I heard the production might fall into Sam Raimi's lap. If he is not boggled down by another Spiderman sequel I thing he would seriously consider it. One fantasy book series that I thought would make a good film was that (and someone help me with the title) Thomas Covenant series about the anti-hero who had leprosy.

I always thought the Rift War series would make excellent movies. And Mordant's Need, too.

 

[angellous_evangellous]

I love Raimi's movies but am skeptical of anyone, considering the success of Jackson's Rings, succeeding with an adaptation. I think "The Hobbit" is even more difficult to adapt considering it would be translating what was a children's book to a level equivalent to that of the Rings.

The entire Lord of the Rings saga was written for children - but children who received better educations than college-educated Americans.

That Jackson could pull it off indicates to me that it can be done by others, and perhaps better. He didn't work alone - for one thing - and the ground has been broken, so others can follow in his footsteps and perhaps produce better work.

 

[Mike182]

I'm really bored.

Anyway, as a general discussion, the current status of a live action production of Tolkien's "The Hobbit" is currently in limbo. New Line Cinema still owns the rights to production until 2009. However, Peter Jackson, director, co-writer and producer of the "The Lord of the Rings" movies will not be participating in any manner with any New Line production since Robert Shaye, New Line co-chairman, has stated that Jackson will never again work with New Line. Why? Over a dispute upon Jackson's request of an audit on the profits of "The Fellowship of the Ring".

I'm interested because I thought Jackson and Fran Walsch could have taken the book, written a script more for the adult market and produced a very fine film. Especially since Andy Serkis and Ian McKellan would be probable actors to return to the storyline. Some rumours have placed Sam Raimi as a probable director for the movie under New Line's production. I love Raimi's movies but am skeptical of anyone, considering the success of Jackson's Rings, succeeding with an adaptation. I think "The Hobbit" is even more difficult to adapt considering it would be translating what was a children's book to a level equivalent to that of the Rings.

I was impressed with the production value and the adherence to the story, as much as possible, as Jackson, Walsh and others pulled off. I would be very interested in seeing "The Hobbit" being made.

Anyone else?

it would be interesting to see, but the thing is, the Hobbit wasn't meant to be an epic the LOTR was - Jackson can go over the top with the epic battle stuff with the battle of the five armies. other than that, the style that the Hobbit was written in is completely different to the style LOTR was written in, i hope Jackson (if he's gonna do it) will be aware of this and cater his production accordingly.