For some time now, I’ve been saying that for one reason or another, Peter Jackson would NOT be back to direct the upcoming Hobbit film(s). I’ve also said that it wouldn’t be the end of the world if I was right. Just 5 or 6 weeks ago I wrote:
I find the whole idea of thinking any casting or director decision “MUST” be any one person, who already happend to play the role or direct a film, a bit silly. Peter Jackson did a magnificent job with LOTR… but how are we to know if someone else might not have done an even better job? We don’t know. Ian McKellen was nothing short of fantastic as Gandalf… but how are we to know that another actor wouldn’t have done an even better job? We don’t know.
If I were a betting man (which I”m not) I’d bet 3 to 1 that Peter Jackson WILL NOT be back to direct The Hobbit. I wish he would, but I just don’t think it’s going to happen (I’d love it if I were wrong on this one).
Well boys and girls, it’s now official. Peter Jackson is NOT going to be involved in the new Hobbit film(s) in anyway way, shape or form due to an inability to come to an agreement with the folks at New Line.
Here are the Cole’s notes of Jackson’s Letter:
– Wingnut (Jackson’s company) is suing New Line (and has been for years now) believing they are owed more money over Fellowship of the Ring
– New Line recently called Wingnut to discuss a package deal to settle the lawsuit and make a new deal for the Hobbit.
– Wingnut refuses New Line’s offer. Wingnut explains that they want to first settle the lawsuit on it’s own without being tied to a new deal before even considering a new movie deal.
– New Line tells Wingnut that since they only have the rights to make these new films for a limited period of time, they will be proceeding on the new Hobbit films without Wingnut, since Wingnut refuses to participate before the lawsuit is settled (which could be years and years).
You can read the whole letter here.
Ok, so what do I think of all of this? Well, a couple of thoughts come to mind… all of which will be very unpopular (but that’s just par for the course around here).
1) After reading the letter, and seeing through all the PR Spin bullshit, it looks to me like Wingnut was trying to hold a gun to New Lines Head. “Either do things our way, or we won’t play ball”. New Line said “Fine, then we’ll play ball without you”.
2) THIS IS ALL ABOUT MONEY from BOTH New Line and Wingnut. Wingnut wants more money from the old film and refuses to budge until they get it (rightly or wrongly). New Line wants to give them as little as possible (rightly or wrongly). Both sides are acting like babies. Yes, they each have money on the line with this lawsuit, but they both stand to MAKE SO MUCH MORE working together on the new projects. But neither of them will budge.
3) I’m getting really sick of Jackon’s PR people trying to spin everything as if Jackson’s shit doesn’t smell like everyone else’s. Despite what the letter says, this is as much about money for Wingnut as it is for New Line, and this is as much Jackson’s fault for not being willing to compromise on the lawsuit as it is New Line’s. The only difference is that New Line isn’t putting out letters to fans pointing the finger at the other guy while acting all innocent. It reminds me of the Halo bullshit all over again… and we all know how that turned out.
4) This is a DAMN SHAME. I would have loved to see Jackson return to the Shire again.
5) This isn’t the end of the world. As I said above, who is to say another director won’t do an even better job than Jackson? We don’t know… because Jackson’s Middle Earth is the only one we’ve seen so far. Many thought it was unthinkable that George Lucas wasn’t going to direct The Empire Strikes Back… well guess what? Many people think it was even better than the first Star Wars now. This could happen again. I’m certainly not saying it will… BUT WE JUST DON’T KNOW.
So there you have it folks, it’s done. Peter Jackson and Wingnut will not be involved in The Hobbit film(s). I am sad, disappointed in New Line and Wingnut both… but at the same time I’m still looking forward to going back to the Shire, even with another director, and hope he’ll do just as good, or an even better job than Jackson did. It’s possible it could happen. We’ll have to wait and see.
Leave your thoughts below.
