Still buzzing from the advance buzz of “The Golden Compass” at New Line’s 40th anniversary gala in New York on Friday night, New Line’s co-chairmen and co-CEO’s Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne were in great spirits — so we figured they wouldn’t mind a little “Hobbit” question. After all, “Golden Compass” features a mini “Lord of the Rings” reunion of sorts, with Ian McKellan (who of course played Gandalf) voicing the panserbjørne Iorek Byrnison, and Christopher Lee (who played the traitor wizard Saruman) making a cameo in the Magisterium (The voice you hear in the trailer is pre-McKellan, with a different voice actor).
So could a bigger “Lord of the Rings” reunion be in the making, as a “cautiously optimistic” Entertainment Weekly reports, possibly with Peter Jackson as the executive producer and someone else directing “The Hobbit”? (Hear what we learned after the jump.)
Neither New Line nor Jackson’s camp would give comment to the magazine, but Shaye and Lynne, as much as they tried to dodge it, did give comment to us. “One film at a time!” Shaye laughed. “‘The Hobbit’ is in the future,” Lynne said, somewhat mysteriously. Does that mean there’s hope? “There’s more than hope,” Lynne said with a wink, as he walked away. So no details yet, but plans are definitely underway.
(Watch below for a video report on a possible “Hobbit” flick)
With “The Hobbit” seemingly in the cards, who do you think should be in the film? Sound off below!
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October 10th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Lynne says “more than hope”? I trust (as Gandalf murmurs in the films) that it is “more than a fool’s hope”. We have been waiting long enough for a movie that will make “Golden Compass” look like a straight to video B-flick….
October 10th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
It would appear that public pressure, as well as pressure from the LOTR cast, are having their effect. Of course, Shaye and Lynne are also well aware that the clock is ticking on their rights to make The Hobbit; Saul Zaentz ain’t gettin’ any younger either!
October 10th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
It’s not like Hollywood has shown us anything all that great lately, or that they have sooo many great ideas in the works. This is a sure thing, and most likely another trilogy. I’m surprised they didn’t get going on it as soon as Jackson was rested up from LOTR. Like you guys said, the carry-over cast isn’t getting younger for a movie that’s a prequel.
October 10th, 2007 at 3:36 pm
I hope they are serious about this and not playing games. The Hobbit is long overdue, but only Peter Jackson can direct it.
October 10th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
I don’t understand why they are loosing time about some money when the Lord of the Rings costs millions! It’s really urgent to start the Hobbit now! This waiting and uncertainty is cruel and let’s the film crew and cast grow older! We want exactly the same crew and cast as before and no other director! In such expensive projects no mistakes are allowed!!! So please hurry and don’t loose anymore time - we are waiting!!!
October 10th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
im hoping for a start date of 2010 so i have time to establish myself in hollywood. sadly im still an unknown at the moment.
October 10th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Peter Jackson is the only director I will feel comfortable with in “the Hobbit.” If there is any other director, I will seriously consider not going to see the film once it is out. If New Line wants “a sure thing,” (money-wise) this is the only option. PJ deserves a shot of the prequel of a trilogy he made into some of the best movies ever.
October 10th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
I just hope that Bob Shaye and Mr. Lynne know how sharp the edge of the knife they’re standing on is. They have a smash hit on thier hands and becuase of pride they are willing to risk offending the people they will market this movie to. They might as well release it under the title: “we don’t care about who you want to direct this movie, so take it away Sam Raimi!”.
October 11th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
My guess is, that talks have been going on for some time and have probably progressed quite far already. Keeping the creative team together just makes WAY too much common (and financial) sense. I’ll bet that negotiations with PJ are feverishly rolling forward in hopes of getting some kind of surprise announcement trailer tacked onto the beginning of The Golden Compass. How cool would that be?!
Here’s how I’d do it: Start with the New Line logo in the mist … then fade to black. Then fade up on that oh-so-familiar font saying something like: “Even the greatest adventure … begins with a single step …”
Then a shot of a tentative hobbit foot crossing the threshhold of Bag End and stepping onto the road.
Cut to black.
Then the words “Christmas 2009″ fade onto the screen.
Then the audience soils itself from pure, unadulterated glee!
October 11th, 2007 at 3:34 pm
The Hobbit (Part 1?) for Christmas 2009 or maybe even summer 2009 would be awesome. We can all agree. Sounds like a very strong possibility now that PJ will direct. At the very LEAST I believe he will sign as executive producer with WETA on board to do all the visuals. So worst case scenario PJ will produce with (Sam Raimi?) directing. I do believe, however, that PJ will end up directing. Let’s keep those fingers crossed…
October 11th, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Peter Jackson is about to start filming the Lovely Bones in my area (Chester County, PA). We have lots of beautiful rural countryside with rolling fields, woods, and even the Brandywine River! My fellow Tolkien geeks and I are hoping and praying that PJ realizes that this is the perfect place to start filming the Hobbit - he can start while he is finishing the Lovely Bones. He could also use the Appalachains of PA or western Maryland for the Roast Mutton chapter - those mountains can be very creepy (Blair Witch, anyone?), and then I imagine that he might want to go back to NZ for Rivendell, the Misty Mountains, etc. I hope that the Hobbit happens and I hope that they keep Beorn in the story (Daniel Day Lewis?)
October 11th, 2007 at 7:00 pm
As everybody knows - PETER JACKSON is the only Hobbit who can direct ‘THE HOBBIT’! Peter, please made us, fans, HAPPY!
October 12th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
PJ would not be a good choice for the entirely different tone of the Hobbit. He emphasises the grotesque and the horrific, which is inappropriate for what’s essentially a children’s tale.
As an enormous Tolkien fan, I’d be happy to see the reins handed to another director. Perhaps a Chris Columbus type who’ll be happy to produce a completely faithful adaptation a la Harry Potter.
The really crucial thing is that Weta must, must be retained for all design work…
October 16th, 2007 at 4:06 am
Oh, for the love of god! Stop bickering, you know PJ is the only sensible choice. ALL the fans of LOTR think PJ did some ground-breaking and remarkable work on the trilogy and are expecting even more from the Hobbit. Don’t undermine our expectations! Remember we pay your salaries.
October 16th, 2007 at 8:06 pm
Only Peter can direct this movie. Lynne sais in one interview that Sam Raimi is the best director today, but they seem to forgett that the world of Spideman is like at piss in the ocean compared to the world of Tolkien. Only one man know that world well enough, and most of all love it from the bottom of his heart, and that one is Peter Jackson. As an hardcore fan I wouldnt watch the movie if Peter dont direct it.
October 18th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Obviously only PJ can direct this film! With the LOTR films under his belt, aa new direting style could ruin it! As to who should be in it, i think:
Gandalf-ian mckellen
bilbo-ian holm
thranduil-jason isaacs(think lucius malfoy wiv pointy ears)
elrond-hugo weaving
and all the other original actors/actresses that are in the hobbit book and had a small spell in any oof the LOTR films, eg Gloin. oh, and obviously elrond’s twins elladan and elrohir should make an appearance, why weren’t they in LOTR?
November 18th, 2007 at 9:12 pm
I agree - only Peter Jackson and Weta could do this movie. What an opportunity! And bring back as many of the cast as can possibly be found.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:23 am
It should be time nowto resolve problems between New Line Cinema and Peter Jackson!! Me, and I am sure millions of LOTR fans only want Peter Jackson to direct “The Hobbit”.
He has earned New Line Cinema a lot of money, ok as he did himself, but rightfully so!!
He was the one who put New Line Cinema “on the map”,
and could make the Hobbit movie as good as LOTR, also helped with original cast members, who also show mucheagerness to continue with Peter Jackson.
New Line Cinema; stop thecrap and let Peter Jackson direct this movie!!
from: Rudolf van Veluwe
November 22nd, 2007 at 9:59 am
definetly peter jackson, this movie is way overdue! it should have came out first!
December 5th, 2007 at 3:28 pm
I can see it now….
Black screen
Slowly you see round glasses, a beard, and two bare feet emerge from the blackness.
It is Peter Jackson
He looks neutral at first, then begins to smile his warm smile as he says
‘It’s on’
Black screen
OMFG!! The audience would just freak