Peter Jackson to Make Hobbit Movies
December 18, 2007

We just got a press release from New Line and Santa has granted our deepest wishes early this year - Peter Jackson is going to produce two films with New Line based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit. The films will shoot simultaneously in New Zealand in 2009 with the first film hitting theaters in 2010 and the second film in 2011. Peter Jackson has settled all of his problems and litigation around the way New Line handled The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and now The Hobbit can move forward. Do you think the failure of New Line's potential new franchise The Golden Compass had something to do with this announcement? Who do we thank personally for not seeing The Golden Compass?

The films will be co-produced and co-financed by New Line and MGM and Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson will also be executive producers. It's not immediately clear if Peter Jackson will direct, but with all litigation about the LOTR movies set aside and with the late starting date, you have to assume that he will.

Peter Jackson says in the press release that all New Line issues between him and his producing/writing partner Fran Walsh and the company have been resolved. He says, "I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a legacy we proudly share with Bob and Michael, and together, we share that legacy with millions of loyal fans all over the world. We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth. I also want to thank Harry Sloan and our new friends at MGM for helping us find the common ground necessary to continue that journey."

"Peter Jackson has proven himself as the filmmaker who can bring the extraordinary imagination of Tolkien to life and we full heartedly agree with the fans worldwide who know he should be making ‘The Hobbit,’" said Sloan, MGM’s Chairman and CEO. "Now that we are all in agreement on 'The Hobbit,' we can focus on assembling the production team that will capture this phenomenal tale on film."

Bob Shaye, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO comments, "We are very pleased we have been able to resolve our differences, and that Peter and Fran will be actively and creatively involved with ‘The Hobbit’ movies. We know they will bring the same passion, care and talent to these films that they so ably accomplished with ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy."

"Peter is a visionary filmmaker, and he broke new ground with ‘The Lord of the Rings,’" notes Michael Lynne, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO. "We’re delighted he’s back for ‘The Hobbit’ films and that the Tolkien saga will continue with his imprint. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Harry Sloan, who has been instrumental in helping us reach our new accord."

The Lord of the Rings movies made almost $3 billion worldwide and the final film, Return of the King, won eleven Academy Awards.

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