New Line Cinema has finally come to its senses and allowed Peter Jackson to oversee the making of two films based on The Hobbit. (New Line co-chairman Bob Shaye not so long ago: “Peter Jackson will never make The Hobbit on my watch”. Hand that man the silver-handled revolver.)
But…two films? Compared to The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit is essentially a pamphlet. Either we’re going to get lots…and lots…and lots of shots of Bilbo meandering across beautiful New Zealand scenery, or it’s going to be less of an adaptation and more of a jumping off point. There isn’t even an obvious spot in the book to break so the first film ends on a satisfying note.
Having said that, I have every faith that Peter Jackson will ensure a great experience that is both faithful to the spirit of the book and meet the demands of story-telling in the film medium. Unlike some spineless directors who cave in at the first sign of pressure from the philistine impulses of the Hollywood money-men (Chris Weitz, I’m looking at you), Jackson has proven that quality will never be compromised.
I agree, though I am concerned that he won’t be directing them.
At least as the exec he will have final say on the director, and whoever it is, I presume he will be looking over their shoulder every step of the way…
Will be interesting to see how he can stretch the story into two films
I just hope there as good as Lord of the rings.
Totally agree with your comments about some directors.
If you could choose the cast for a series of films based on The Age of Misrule series who would you pick.
Over on John Scalzi’s Whatever it’s rumoured that only the first movie may be based on the book; the second quite possibly will be a sequel covering the time between The Hobbit and LotR.
http://scalzi.com/whatever/?p=214
Ed – hmm, not sure I want to see a story set in Tolkein’s world, but created by other writers. I know Jackson was looking at the various appendices to see what he could cull. Just as long as it’s not a film of The Silmarillion.
George – there are quite a few good 20-something actors in the UK at the moment who would work for AoM. I turned this one over on the messageboard recently – I’ll try to dig out some of the suggestions and post them here.
I wonder if, and hope, Ian Holm would not be too old by the time this thing was made. But I probably wish in vain.
Ian Holm is a great actor, Bill, but I think you may be right.
Sam Raimi has been reported in Variety as directing The Hobbit
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117978006.html?categoryid=13&cs=1
Sam Raimi would be great.
in tv production, for example, it’s not at all unusual for the producer guy(s) to be the creative source and control of the project and the director(s) to be more-or-less a hired gun. think of 6 Feet Under, Weeds, etc. in the case of a powerfully creative guy like Jackson it is not much of a stretch to imagine that he’ll be using that kind of model on these projects … or not. :) just speculating on the possibilities.
I think you’re right. If his name is on the project, he’s certainly going to make sure it meets his own exacting standards.
But it’ll be interesting to see if he does go with a director like del Toro or Raimi – those egos in one room would make for interesting production discussions!