The Hobbit, sans Jackson

[House of Mustard]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061121/media_nm/leisure_jackson_dc_4

"In Jackson's letter, which was posted on the Web site late on Sunday, the director said last week a top executive with Los Angeles-based New Line Cinema called him to say the studio was moving ahead on "The Hobbit" movie without Jackson."

[Spriggan]

Eh, considering my disdain for the Hobbit as a book, any excuse not to see the movie is probably a good thing.

[Parker]

So now I just read that Zaentz, the head guy behind the Tolkien side of things, is saying New Line's rights to the Hobbit are up in a year, and that as soon as they are, he'll go straight to PJ and ink a deal that doesn't involve studios.  It seems to me this is all still very much in flux, and I'll be very surprised if PJ doesn't end up directing.

[Entsuropi]

One interview I read with Jackson says that he never hears about this sort of thing first hand - he keeps reading about how he is apparently going to work with xyz on abc on the internet. He also said his schedule was full for the next half-decade. Basically, I wouldn't hold your breath.

[Parker]

I read that interview, as well.  But the bit about New Line telling Jackson he was off the project--what started this post--came from Jackson himself.  In that letter, he openly talks about how he would have liked to been in on the project.  I personally think it's all positioning by Jackson and New Line.  We'll have to wait and see what happens.

[dawncawley]

My understanding of this situation is that it has to do with him suing the company for money he thinks he is owed from the LOTR series.

[Spriggan]

Ya it has to come from the Lawsuits, New Line has said Jackson refuses to discuss the possibilities of a Hobbit movie with them until the Lawsuit is settled (ie Jackson gets what he wants, because if he were to loose he wouldn't work with New Line again).

There's a rumor going around about Sam Rami doing the directing, one that would make me happy since that would mean Bruce Cambell  as a Hobbit somewhere in the movie.

[dawncawley]

Gotta love anything with Bruce Campbell in it

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

I have a feeling that Bruce wouldn't play a hobbit. *Possibly* an elf or dwarf. Most likely a human. But I don't see him as a hobbit.
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