Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson; Harry Sloan, Chairman and CEO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM); Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs of New Line Cinema have jointly announced today that they have entered into the following series of agreements:

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.

Said Peter Jackson, "I'm very pleased that we've been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line. 'The Lord of the Rings' is a legacy we proudly share with Bob and Michael, and together, we share that legacy with millions of loyal fans all over the world. We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth. I also want to thank Harry Sloan and our new friends at MGM for helping us find the common ground necessary to continue that journey."

"Peter Jackson has proven himself as the filmmaker who can bring the extraordinary imagination of Tolkien to life and we full heartedly agree with the fans worldwide who know he should be making The Hobbit," said Sloan, MGM's Chairman and CEO. "Now that we are all in agreement on 'The Hobbit,' we can focus on assembling the production team that will capture this phenomenal tale on film."

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."

"Peter is a visionary filmmaker, and he broke new ground with The Lord of the Rings," notes Michael Lynne, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO. "We're delighted he's back for The Hobbit films and that the Tolkien saga will continue with his imprint. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Harry Sloan, who has been instrumental in helping us reach our new accord."

The two Hobbit films - The Hobbit' and its sequel - are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, with pre-production beginning as soon as possible. Principal photography is tentatively set for a 2009 start, with the intention of The Hobbit release slated for 2010 and its sequel the following year, in 2011.

The Oscar-winning, critically-acclaimed LOTR Trilogy grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box-office. In 2003, Return of the King swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the eleven categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The Trilogy's production was also unprecedented at the time.

For more information about The Hobbit films, please visit www.TheHobbitBlog.com.

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New Line Shows Some Love for Peter Jackson and The Hobbit

The drama between Peter Jackson and New Line over the lawsuit and who will direct The Hobbit got a bit more interesting today. Michael Lynne, co-chief executive and co-chairman of New Line Cinema said in an interview that he hasn't ruled out having Peter to direct The Hobbit. Sci Fi reports:

Lynne's comments, made in a video posted Oct. 4 on Rose's Web site, came while he and Shaye were being interviewed together; they are among the first public statements by New Line softening Shaye's adamant statements blacklisting the director. (Shaye himself earlier told the Los Angeles Times that he "would love for [Jackson] to be creatively involved in some way in The Hobbit.") "The truth is, whatever Bob said, from that point of view, was really Bob's statement," Lynne said in the Rose video. "And New Line hasn't taken a position on that thought and doesn't take a position on that thought. We have had a disagreement with Peter over auditing. It happens a lot. ... It ought to be resolvable. And what happens going forward in terms of working together or not, you know, the future will tell that tale."

Lynne's comments also appear to be part of a softening at the studio toward Jackson; this week's Entertainment Weekly magazine features a cover story suggesting that the feud between New Line and Jackson may be nearing a resolution. Another sign: New Line appears to be losing the legal battle against Jackson with regard to Rings profits. Last week, a federal judge imposed a rare $125,000 sanction against the studio for failing to turn over potential evidence Jackson argued could help him prove that accounting tricks cheated him out of tens of millions in profits. New Line has said it won't appeal the sanction.

Rumors have circulated that New Line was eyeing other directors to take on The Hobbit, including Spider-Man helmer Sam Raimi. Lynne wouldn't confirm those reports, but said that Raimi would be a good candidate, as would Jackson himself. "I don't think that's a resolved issue either, one way or another," Lynne said, adding later: "Peter Jackson certainly could direct it."

Shaye backed away from his harsh comments made about Jackson earlier this year, blaming it on emotions running high. Perhaps he should ask his doctor is Paxil is right for him.

Jackson's rep issued a non-committal statement to a New Zealand newspaper saying "Peter and [co-writer and producing partner] Fran [Walsh] have always wanted to do The Hobbit, but whether that happens is yet to be decided."

They had better get moving before the cast is too old to do the movie. Perhaps some kind of group counseling would be of value? Because we are losing patience with this situation.

Posted on October 8, 2007
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Is Peter Jackson Back on Board for The Hobbit?

We hardly dare to hope that this is really true, but The L.A. Times is reporting that New Line is once again speaking to Peter Jackson about the possibility of directing The Hobbit.

Eager to move ahead with "The Hobbit," New Line has quietly been trying to mend fences with "Rings" filmmaker Peter Jackson, who has sued the company over his share of profits from the first "Rings" films. When asked if it was true that company insiders had been in talks with Jackson's reps, Shaye replied, "Yes, that's a fair statement. Notwithstanding our personal quarrels, I really respect and admire Peter and would love for him to be creatively involved in some way in 'The Hobbit.' "

Fans want Jackson in the director's chair for The Hobbit and no one else. Shaye needs to make it happen. Grovel if need be, but make it happen.

Posted on August 13, 2007
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