More "Hobbit"

From Variety.com:

Inside Move: It's hard to be a 'Hobbit'
New Line, MGM, Jackson tussle over pic
By NICOLE LAPORTE, NICOLE LAPORTE, DAVE MCNARY, DAVE MCNARY

Who's the boss of "The Hobbit"?

This question has been growing more heated in recent weeks as the principal parties involved in the film -- New Line, MGM and director Peter Jackson -- have been duking it out, each staking their claim as a key player in "The Hobbit" along with a prequel to "The Lord of the Rings."

( background info about rights situation and yesterdays' news behind the cut )

All of this has riled MGM, which in recent weeks has been openly touting the fact that the newly revamped studio is serious about making "The Hobbit" -- with Jackson.

An MGM spokesman said that "the matter of Peter Jackson directing 'The Hobbit' films is far from closed."

Though New Line no-commented inquiries about Jackson's statement, the mini-major's move is a loud statement to both MGM and Jackson that the studio is in the driver's seat when it comes to "The Hobbit."

Jackson noted in his letter that New Line exec Mark Ordesky, who shepherded the "Rings" trilogy, explained that New Line is ditching Jackson because it has a "limited time option" on the film rights obtained from Saul Zaentz.

There are already online revolts from fans who can't fathom a "Hobbit" directed by anyone else, and Jackson makes clear in his letter that he's not budging on the issue of the lawsuit or "The Hobbit."


And this from TORN:

Weta keen to return to Middle-earth

11/20/06, 10:24 pm EST - Tehanu

The severing of ties between PJ and New Line did not mean Weta was automatically barred from doing The Hobbit, according to Weta chief Richard Taylor. "Peter would not impress that on us," Taylor said, adding that he did not know much about the Hobbit project yet and had not had a chance to talk to Peter.
Taylor said he wasn't aware that negotiations between Peter and New Line to film The Hobbit had gone as far as they had. "I was only aware they had gone as far as they had by reading today's article."

"We're hopeful that we may be invited to work on The Hobbit. There's nothing more that we would like to do in our careers."

Taylor said that Peter would "celebrate" if Weta got that opportunity.

Hobbit redux

... this time from the Hollywood Reporter:

Jackson tells fans of NL dispute
By Anne Thompson

Nov 21, 2006

Much to the distress of his fans, Peter Jackson has announced that he is no longer planning to direct "The Hobbit," a prequel to his mega-successful "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, because of an ongoing accounting and legal dispute with New Line Cinema.

( again cut for known info )

New Line declined comment on Jackson's version of the events, and it is unclear whether the studio has begun to approach other directors.

In the opinion of one source close to the negotiations, New Line was trying to "play on Jackson's heart strings and get him to settle for a low number" in the lawsuit because it knew how much he wanted to return to Middle-Earth and "The Hobbit."

For their part, New Line chiefs Robert Shaye and Lynne also have reasons to want to mount a new Tolkien movie. The studio enjoyed three boom years while it was releasing the three "Rings" movies, but it hit a boxoffice drought this year.

New Line may hold rights to the property, but Jackson still has leverage of his own. If another director attempted to take on "Hobbit," he would first have to face the fury of Jackson's loyal fans. Ian McKellen, who plays Gandalf in the "Rings" trilogy, and Andy Serkis, the real-life reference point for Gollum, also could refuse to work for another director out of loyalty to Jackson. At the moment, McKellen is said to be waiting to see how the matter is resolved before making any commitment to the projects. And Jackson's Weta Digital, the FX house that expended considerable R&D on the computer-graphic character Gollum, would be unlikely to turn its code over to New Line, just as Pixar Animation held on to the "Toy Story" code when the Walt Disney Co. was talking about producing "Toy Story" sequels.

For its part, MGM remains optimistic. Said spokesman Jeff Pryor, "We still believe this matter of Peter Jackson directing 'The Hobbit' is far from closed."

While "Hobbit's" fate remains undecided, Jackson and Walsh are writing their indie adaptation of Alice Sebold's 2002 novel "The Lovely Bones," which is slated to start shooting in fall 2007.

Well, we know that WETA would work on The Hobbit anyway (though yes, I doubt they'd just turn over the code if New Line would want another company to do it), but it's good to see that the author seems to share the viewpoint that the (negative) fan reaction would matter, and that the actors' involvement is far from certain, if NL go ahead and get another director.

Everyone who's disappointed with the current situation regarding The Hobbit - let New Line know!

From TORN:

Let your Voice be Heard!

11/21/06, 12:25 pm EST - Celeborn

TheOneRing.net and the entire Tolkien community spent the last day reacting to the jaw-dropping letter we received from Peter Jackson concerning The Hobbit. Thanks to the support of many Ringers, we've compiled a contact list of individuals and companies who have a say in the decision making process and the events that have lead to Peter Jackson and his team dropping involvement with The Hobbit. We encourage you to make your voices heard and send letters and emails to the entities on this list. [Read the Letter] [React]