We’ve seen the ice starting to melt between New Line and Peter Jackson over the last little while… and it looks like they’ve finally come to an agreement. Peter Jackson will be an executive producer on The Hobbit movies (there will be 2 of them) with New Line. No director has been announced yet.
The good folks at CNN give us this:
MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute two films, “The Hobbit” and a sequel to “The Hobbit.” New Line will distribute in North America and MGM will distribute internationally. Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as Executive Producers of two films based on “The Hobbit.” New Line will manage the production of the films, which will be shot simultaneously. Peter Jackson and New Line have settled all litigation relating to the “Lord of the Rings” (LOTR) Trilogy.
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.”
So there you have it! Peter Jackson will be involved with The Hobbit (Although how involved he’ll be is not really clear… he’s only the executive producer). It’s nice to see two sides that were so pissed at each other can get some common sense and sort their stuff out for the mutual and greater good. Maybe the WGA and Producers Assc. can do the same thing.
So what do you think? Are you thrilled with this news? Sad? Ok with it? Wish Jackson was directing?
This does really open up the whole discussion about who is going to direct The Hobbit films now. I’m still thinking the smart money is on Sam Raimi. But Frank Darabont would be great with me too.
