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THE HOBBIT NEWS

Peter Jackson Might Direct The Hobbit... Only If He's Allowed

by Alex Billington
May 31, 2010
Source: Dominion Post

As expected, an interesting bit of follow-up news regarding Guillermo del Toro's decision to no longer direct The Hobbit arrived today by way of a new article in the The Dominion Post (via The Playlist). They actually caught up with Peter Jackson himself and talked about the news and what it means for the project's future The production is worth "many millions of dollars" to the city of Wellington's economy, which is why they're trying to do everything they can to keep things moving, too. "It was simply longer than anyone expected, the fans and the filmmakers," del Toro told them about the film's delay. But could Jackson return and direct?

The key bit of news was that Jackson could end up directing The Hobbit, if worst comes to worst and they don't find anyone. "Jackson met studio representatives yesterday to begin the search for a new director but wouldn't rule out directing The Hobbit himself if a suitable person could not be found." But it's not up to him. Like Bryan Singer, he has contractual commitments to other projects. "If that's what I have to do to protect Warner Bros' investment, then obviously that's one angle which I'll explore," he says. But he has two other films in the works, one starting next year, and "the other studios may not let me out of the contracts."

The Dominion says that the reported $150 million budget for The Hobbit is more of a "ballpark figure" and could be higher if they go 3D. Some are guessing that Guillermo was "kicked off" because he didn't want to shoot it in 3D and New Line was unhappy. I don't know if I believe that, so we'll stick to the facts. Any idea when they'll be shooting? "I just don't know now until we get a new director. The key thing is that we don't intend to shut the project down. We don't intend to let this affect the progress. Everybody, including the studio, wants to see things carry on as per normal. The idea is to make it as smooth a transition as we can."

We'll obviously keep you updated on all the latest with The Hobbit. But for now, I'd like to open up the floor to discussion, since there's a lot to consider about the future of this adaptation. Would you be happier seeing Peter Jackson return to direct both films again or should they find someone else new to direct, and who?

Explore tags: Hobbit News, Hype, Movie News, Opinions

germs

They already lost the best director for the project. The second best is Mr. Jackson himself.
Dave Lister, J.M.C.

I'd take Peter Weir as director for 'The Hobbit'. I think he'd do as good a job or even better than Del Toro or Jackson; but Peter Jackson wouldn't be a bad choice obviously.
Hattori Hanzo

Germs said: They already lost the best director for the project. The second best is Mr. Jackson himself. If you think that after directing the LOTR's, making $3 Billion world wide box office, 17 Oscars including 3 best picture noms makes Jackson second best to Del Toro, then Germs you are a fucking retard! To borrow a line from Aragorn: Mr. Jackson bows to no one!
RT

Yes. Please. Definitely the best option available, and a massive upgrade over del Toro.
germs

#3: I don't judge movies based off of how much money they make or how many oscars they win. And it's not that I think Del Toro is better than anyone else; but in this case, with already having seen three LOTR movies with Jackson at the helm, Del Toro would have been a nice change of pace. Pan's Labyrinth was an amazing movie, and I would have loved to have seen that type of fantastical imagery and story telling in The Hobbit. Not to mention that I wasn't all that impressed with Lovely Bones. BUT if Del Toro can't do it then I think Jackson is the second best choice. Oh, and please refrain from name calling every time you disagree with someone. cheers.
James A Branscome

Agreed Germs, Would have been nice to see Del Toro's amazing mind set to work on the next Tolkein Book films. Peter Jackson is still epic but will he have the zeal to keep the films historic? When Lucas returned to Star Wars it's as if he didnt even care anymore, and IMHO he butchered Star Wars's legacy, and half responsible for Jones 4 failure. If Peter returns will he try to out do himself? And not with just simply making them blockbusters, but being patient and and allowing the film to develop organically. Making sure to pay great attention to detail, the thing that most directors rush, and making sure the character development and world immersion is magical. Other nods: Alfonso Cuarón? Is Abrams capable of creating Fantasy genre?
shadow

Fran Walsh
trat

P.J. Please!
http://www.robmakesmovies.com Robert

Del Toro's influence has already been injected into The Hobbit. The creatures and characters already have his input. Essentialy, all the pre-production work is done. The only thing that's happening now is a Director to steer the performances. GdT already has a director/producer-like influence on the creation of this project.
RT

If not PJ, I wouldn't mind seeing Matthew Vaughn or JJ Abrams give it a go.
jebstuart

john hillcoat, peter jackson, peter weir,
james

Alfonso Cuarón!
http://movies.iconocritic.com peloquin

I don't think anyone should do it except Jackson, but Cuaron could be a good choice too if he has to honor his contracts (which is the respectable thing to do).
adaggio dude

paul verhooven. with ed-209 cast as smog.
Craig

As much as I loved Lord of the Rings, my faith in Peter Jackson has wavered since seeing The Lovely Bones. That movie was a mess. I'd much rather have del Toro, but I suppose Jackson is still better than most other choices.
Al

Del Toro went down fighting against 3D. good for him.
Xerxex

@Al I truly hope that was one of the reasons!!!
DoomCanoe

#10 Abrams? ewww
josh

if peter jackson becomes director, this entire two year period has been a huge waste of time. why not go with him in the first place?
8=D

yes yes yes this is destiny!!!!!!!!
cinemabandit

Not wishing to appear churlish, but I did link to this article earlier today.
Gonnarentit

IMO it would be nice to have PJ finish this off. I loved the books, love the movies so far. If jackson returns there will be a certain consistency from end to end of the entire LOTR series, and that would be nice. Having Del Toro would have been interesting in respect to seeing the differences, but in the end that may have been a distraction from what is really a good story. PJ did a pretty good keeping the characters true to the story too (with a little departure on Faramir, I admit)! Xerxex, there's gonna be epic shots of Smaug swooping down at you, wargs snapping at your throat and arrows whipping past your face... all in 3D. Too bad you won't enjoy it.
The 13th Wang

Uwe Boll. Seriously.
jim

only jackson oder guilmero can direct this movie, no one else(maybe speilberg but..). Every other director would be a fail and i would definitly not watch this shit seriously if bryan singer directs this....gg ok uwe boll would be funny ;D
jim

guilmerro was so fucking perfect, no one else brings magic and fantasy better into life then he does
Hattori Hanzo

My apologies Germ .
Sandy

My biggest problem with De Toro being imvolved in The Hobbit is that his creatures are so distintive in design and have the same sort of loo ie: Pan and Hell Boy II in particular. They would look so out of place in Middle Earth.
PhoenixWright

Sam Raimi. He's back on form now, and has worked in New Zealand and with Weta a lot in the '90s. With Jackson between him and any meddling studio, should be a fine combination.
WingIt

Fucking McG!!! YES! heh...
KB

Nobody but PJ should even touch this!!!
Tomi

BRING BACK PETER FULL TIME!! No other director can do it true justice and even Toro was not the perfect candidate.
Sharon

#3 wow, to react like that to someone who disagrees with you about a director is, well..... just plain pathetic. how old are you anyway, 11, 12...maybe 13 at the oldest?
Hattori Hanzo

#32 ---- Before mouthing off on such things, it would be a good idea to read all the posts firrst. Try reading post #26.
Kevin

Let's give Micheal Bay a chance. Maybe The Hobbit can "transform" his "bad boys" image
Ian

if they intend to shoot 3d they may as well have micky mouse direct it FFS!
harrison

best news ive heard all year, thank you del toro you did everyone a favor by making this possible and $150m is a lowball estimate, im sure it will be much more even though they should still have a number of usable set pieces from the original trilogy if they havnt been destroyed yet
vold

Peter jackson needs to do this.
R P Hayes

I am with you guys I think Peter should do it if he can work it out ! RP Hayes
Myrrhibis

While I think Jackson would be the best, given contractual obligations, I think it's unlikely. Give it to Cuaron (sp) - I liked his work in the HP series. Or, ask Kenneth Branagh if he wants a massive project like Hobbit hard on the heels of his Thor work (again, unlikely due to timeframe). Much as I love Alias, MI3, and ST reboot - keep Abrams away.
casting couch

If Peter Jackson is unavailable, Alfonso Cuarón is a very good choice.
dave V

Del Toro is great. Peter Jackson is great! Hard to choose considering this is NOT LOTR. Sad at the news of Del Toro, excited about the possible return to the helm with Peter. Having said that if Jackson cannot direct due to other project obligations my vote is also very strong for Alfonso Cuaron. HP3 is probably one of if not the best movie adaptations of the seven( or eight ) so far. He brought the series out of the adolescent Chris Columbus HP world into a more mature world we now know. Not to mention his attention to detail was delicate yet comfortably complex. And he also shows his ability to work with some real star power. Am eger for the official news on this matter!
danilo nikolic

del toro was THE best choice for hobbit movies... too bad nobody will see it in his vison... i think that PJ shouldnt direct hobbit unless you like his McDonald's(happymeal) version of LOTR. and i just want to say that who ever is gonna direct he should NEVER EVER TRY TO MAKE IT WITH THE FANS OF THE BOOK IN HIS MIND. LOTR IS TOO CHILDLISH PG-13 VERSION. hobbit should be at least nc-17 or r rated (that would be cool to see). i'm fan of the book but if they cut some small details from the book thats ok by me. my directors could be (the possible list): Cuaron, marc forster (kite runner, james bond, stay), john hillcoat(only if he can make hobbit look like "proposition") Samuel Maoz (lebanon) from the immposible list : 1. terrence malick 2. Sam peckinpah (i would give my life to see his version of hobbit) 3. Abel Ferrara 4. walter hill (southern comfort style!!!)
yumyumfish

Guillermo del toro looks just like my german teacher at school! weird! Anyway, these films are Jacksons project so he should direct them! He always does a good job anyway!
Leelee

I cannot say who is the best to direct this wondrous film. Peter did a splendid job on the others, but in the end I don't know. Whoever tackles it though, I hope and pray he or she will stay as close to the book as is possible. After all this amazing body of work came from the mind of JRR Tolkien and I would like to think he would be love the movie if he could be here to view it.