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THE HOBBIT NEWS

Rumor: District 9's Neill Blomkamp Might Direct 'The Hobbit'

by Alex Billington
June 19, 2010
Source: TheOneRing.net

This is indeed only a rumor for now, but the more I think about it, the more I feel like it could actually be true. An article popped up on TheOneRing.net yesterday proposing the possibility that District 9 director Neill Blomkamp might be directing The Hobbit in place of Guillermo del Toro. First, don't forget that District 9 was a Peter Jackson production and Blomkamp has worked with him for years. In addition, TOR has been receiving tips and hints pointing towards Blomkamp, including a breakdown for the movie "which included who the director is: Neil Bloomkamp [sic]." Maybe we'll see a big announcement at Comic-Con?

TOR writer "MrCere" says that they're "not reporting that Neill Blomkamp is the director of The Hobbit," however he presents some evidence that leads us to believe it's a strong possibility that he may be. One spy report "stated it as cold, hard, unsurprising fact." Another source said that Jackson is doing everything he can to not direct the films, even though MGM and Warner Bros want him to, which is why he's going with someone he's worked with before and trusts. Apparently Jackson was planning to "rarely or never even visit the set with del Toro on the project, but even now he still hopes to be a guide rather than an overseer."

So what should we make of all this? Should we believe any of it? Well, if you trust "MrCere", and as a TOR writer you probably should, he states: "My personal opinion is that this information is correct." I, for one, agree with him and from what I can make of all this, it's very likely that Blomkamp is Jackson's top choice. Blomkamp does have other personal sci-fi projects in the works, but nothing was ready to go, which means he could easily hop on to The Hobbit. I'm a big fan of Blomkamp, but I have absolutely no clue what these Hobbit movies would look like under his direction, but I'm sure they'd be quite spectacular. Thoughts?

Filed under Hobbit, Hype, Movie News, Rumors

From around the web:

lego

Wow, just wow. if this turns out to be true that is. District 9 was an absolutely phenomenal movie which deals with very deep underlying social issues. but a transition between a CG sci-fi marvel and a middle earth fantasy may not be as seamless as it seems. imo. either way i wouldnt mind if he directed the hobbit movies.
Loser

Awesome, hope this is true
jim

omg no, we need someone with experience in fantasy and who is extremley creative and visionary
jim

and passionate for the tolkien world
Linkfx

Hmm you know I didn't even think of Blomkamp before but it's a complete possibility isn't it? I don't really know how I feel about it. He is a great director, but I feel he's just so completely immersed with science fiction...he's intelligent for sure, I just don't want to see him not making sci-fi...then again, somebody does have to direct it, it might as well be someone Jackson trusts and who is talented. I would just rather see a Jackson or del Toro visual take on this material, hopefully preproduction on the art and design are far enough along that Blomkamp would just immerse himself in del Toro's pre-existing style and feel for the Hobbit.
4k4k

As much as I loved District 9 and how awesome Blomkamp is, give Alfonso Cuaron the job. Let Blomkamp do his thing with sci-fi and the District 9 sequel.
harrison

i really wish jackson would direct but honestly i think he makes a great solid 2nd choice. way better a director than del toro
The Dude

So far Blomkamp has a pretty specific style that does not fit a Hobbit movie at all. If he can pull it off that will show some real versatility. Not saying he can't do it but it does seem a weird choice compared to Del Toro.
Xerxex

I'm sooooo sick of rumors! Just give it to Jackson. He started it, he needs to finish it. I mean how hard is this? What happened studio? Did your balls drop off? (Sorry needed to quote TDK).
Jimmy Love

Doesn't the movie have to get green lit first
Eli

I would nominate Alfanso Cuaron cause he has an eye for depth with characters. Based on District 9, Neil doesn't seem to possess that. And yeah, if they just let it go to Jackson that would be great too. Of course, I don't even care about the Hobbit now.
Hattori Hanzo

I second that Xerxex, Jackson is the man who needs to do it; we need continuity in filming Tolkien's world and Jackson has proven that he has the vision. A couple of comments on what was in the article though. The fact that Jackson was going to stay completely away from Del Toro's set now makes me glad that Del Toro has left The Hobbit. I cannot imagine middle earth without Jackson's daily input. As for Blomkamp, maybe with Jackson guiding or overseeing him all the way may be the best alternative to Jackson not directing. Look at what happened during the filming of Poltergeist. While Tobe Hooper was the official director of Poltergeist, Spielberg oversaw the project on a daily basis while he was on the set of E.T... Poltergeist and E.T. were released exactly one week from each other and they both look and feel as if they were directed by Spielberg. If Jackson oversees Blomkamp's direction of The Hobbit the same way that Spielberg oversaw the direction of Hooper's direction of Poltergeist, then I think The Hobbit will be just fine. A lot of if's yet though.
LINKFX

Alfonso Cauron is on to bigger and better things than this. The guy is 100 times the filmmaker that del Toro or Jackson are.
Hattori Hanzo

#13 said that Cauron is 100 times the filmmaker that Jackson is. I see .. Okay, to give Cuaron a handicap in that statement; let's leave out how much money his films have made in comparison to Jackson and concentrate solely on technical merits. Jackson: Won 3 Oscars. Another 77 wins & 68 nominations various film awards Cuaron: Nominated for 3 Oscars. 24 wins & 21 nominations various film awards Now, while you may like him more than Jackson and there's nothing wrong with that, you can't argue with the numbers above when it comes to your statement as to Cuaron being a 100 times better than Jackson as a film maker. Cuaron is not even in the same leauge yest as Jackson when it comes to being a better film maker. That would be like saying that Jackson is in the same league as Spielberg at this point in his career.
Al

You're putting too much in the hands of an inexperienced director. Not that he can't, but I'm just not sure. I want Del Toro or Jackson, damn it.
Rashad

Blomkamp = overrated Halfway in D9 became a trite shoot em up
Daniel Felts

I am slowly losing interest in the Hobbit. They need to pick a director and stick with him.
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2408/blackbabyjesus.gif Crapola

Weirdly enough if you look at Jackson before making LOTR no-one had a clue who he was, i remember saying to folk he made Brain Dead and they freaked out that he was going to do a Tolkien film, so really it's not that different with Blomkamp. I think Xerxex has a point though, just make it before we all die or some actors involved in it die.
yup

we should have faith in Peter Jackson. He is an incredible filmmaker and he put an amazing amount of trust into Niel for their completed projects (District 9) and uncompleted projects (Halo). If Peter Jackson chooses Niel, I think we are in for an amazing treat. There is a reason why Peter Jackson is mentoring Niel, so everyone should shut up and not question his talent or skill based off of one genre movie, but try to think about the fact that one of the greatest filmmakers in the world for one reason or the other is putting the trust of one of the most suffessful franchises into his directing hands. I think that speaks for itself.
The Rapist Tribune

I'd rather Blomkamp make at least one more movie if not more that is of his own original idea before tackling adaptations of any kind, especially adaptations like The Hobbit. He needs to get a few more hit movies under his belt and truly become a house hold name before risking his career with adaptations. But I don’t think Neil will take it anyway, because he has made it quite clear that he wishes to stay away from big budget adaptations, because of his experience with the Halo movie.
RT

Jackson or bust!
ryderup

Jackson or Spielberg!
skywalker

NO NO NO!!!!! dont do that man!!! dear Neill,boring H00bit is not in your great area man,please try D-10 or other science fiction movie.please dont do that wrong action. Guillermo del Toro refused that boring movie.NO to H00bit! just NO!
skywalker

NO NO NO!!!!! dont do that man!!! dear Neill,boring H00bit is not in your great area man,please try D-10 or other science fiction movie.please dont do that wrong action. Guillermo del Toro refused that boring movie.NO to H00bit! just NO! SAY NO TO H0BBIT! goddamn H0BBIT! we lost david fincher because of zodiac movie,we dont want to lost you too! my favorite Director.
Pandora

Neill Blomkamp Might Direct The Hobbit???? r u kidding? Neill is a super modern director,just see his short movies and Halo game cinematic trailer and D-9, i hope peter jackson dont force Neill Blomkamp to make that goddamn fosil stuff!
The movie man

ITS OFFICIAL! Neil Blomkamp to direct the Hobbit. Its a pretty bold statement but it holds true. Those that deny me are only in denile. Trust is with me, you heard it here first! Movie: The Hobbit Director: Neil Blomkamp
Clover

........told ya!
Eli

well, movie man, that sucks, unless he has PJ hanging over his shoulder.