IT HAS COME.....The Hobbit Movie...
Jean just SMS me the piece of new that The Hobbit will FINALLY be made into not 1 but TWO Movies.
Here're some articles I found online about it:
From nzherald.co.nz
Jackson signs deal for The Hobbit - but won't direct
10:10AM Wednesday December 19, 2007
By Russell Baillie
Peter Jackson landed back in New Zealand today with a surprise Christmas present for his Wellington studio team - the greenlight to reprise Middle-earth once more with two films adapting The Hobbit.
Plans to make J.R.R. Tolkien's earlier tale about Bilbo Baggins, which set the scene of the Lord of the Rings, had been snared in litigation and between Jackson and New Line, the studio which backed the trilogy over earnings from the films, as well as rights issues with another studio, MGM.
But all parties have come to an agreement meaning Jackson and partner Fran Walsh are to executive produce the two films to be shot back-to-back in 2009. At this stage no decision had been made on who might direct the films.
Spokesman Matt Dravitski said Jackson was hesitant to direct it himself and likened his involvement to that of George Lucas' in the original Star Wars trilogy - having established the franchise, Lucas had other directors do parts two and three.
The Weta Workshop and Digital teams only woke to the news today that The Hobbit was a go after the agreement was finalised in the United States yesterday. Jackson signed the deal after finishing the American shoot of his next directorial effort, an adaptation of Alice Sebold's The Lovely Bones. Shooting resumes on the film in New Zealand in late January.
It was also too early to say who, if any, of the Lord of the Rings cast might reprise their roles, where and when the film shoot might take place in New Zealand, or whether the hundreds of New Zealanders who appeared as extras in the LOTR would be needed again.
"We had just about got to the end of people sending us photos of themselves dressed in various velvet creations and now that's going to start up again," laughed Dravitski.
The strike by the writer's guild meant there would be no script for the film until that dispute was settled, which could also delay the start of filming.
So far as Jackson's protracted wrangle with New Line goes, it appears the parties are making nice after what appeared to be a long and ugly dispute over money owed by the studio, headed by Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, to the film-maker from the three films.
In a prepared statement Jackson said: "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."
It appeared the agreement had been brokered by MGM boss Harry Sloan whose company has long held the distribution rights to any film of The Hobbit.
Said Lynn: "We greatly appreciate the efforts of Harry Sloan, who has been instrumental in helping us reach our new accord."
The Hobbit films have tentative release dates of 2010 and 2011.
From http://www.thehobbitblog.com/?p=41
PETER JACKSON AND NEW LINE CINEMA JOIN WITH MGM TO PRODUCE "THE HOBBIT"
December 18, 2007
ACADEMY AWARD-WINNER PETER JACKSON AND NEW LINE CINEMA JOIN WITH MGM TO PRODUCE "THE HOBBIT," EAGERLY-ANTICIPATED FANTASY ADVENTURE EPIC. NEW LINE AND MGM TO CO-PRODUCE AND SHARE WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS. PETER JACKSON AND FRAN WALSH TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE TWO FILMS BASED ON "THE HOBBIT".
Los Angeles, CA (Tuesday, December 18, 2007)
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.
About New Line Cinema Corporation:
Celebrating its 40th anniversary year, New Line Cinema is the most successful independent film company in the world. Its mission is to produce innovative, popular and profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. In 2005, New Line partnered with HBO to form Picturehouse, a new theatrical distribution company to release independent films. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line's Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc. (TWX).
About Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.:
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., through its operating subsidiaries, is actively engaged in the worldwide production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home video, interactive media, music and licensed merchandise. The company owns the world's largest library of modern films, comprising around 4,100 titles. Operating units include Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc., United Artists Films Inc., Ventanazul, MGM Television Entertainment Inc., MGM Networks Inc., MGM Domestic Networks LLC, MGM Distribution Co, MGM International Television Distribution In, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment LLC, MGM ON STAGE, MGM Music, MGM Worldwide Digital Media, MGM Consumer Products and MGM Interactive. In addition, MGM has ownership interests in international TV channels reaching nearly 120 countries.
MGM ownership is as follows: Providence Equity Partners (29%), TPG (21%), Sony Corporation of America (20%), Comcast (20%), DLJ Merchant Baing Partners (7%) and Quadrangle Group (3%). For more information, visit www.mgm.com.
About Peter Jackson/Wingnut Films:
Peter Jackson is one of the world's most successful filmmakers. His monumental achievement co-writing, co-producing and directing The Lord of the Rings trilogy (with fellow Academy Award winners and frequent collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens) earned a total of 30 Academy Award nominations and 17 Academy Awards. Jackson and Walsh received their first Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay for their acclaimed film Heavenly Creatures. Jackson, through his New Zealand-based Wingnut Films banner, also was responsible for the globally successful 2005 remake of King Kong which earned over $500 million worldwide and 3 Academy Awards. Currently, Jackson is directing an adaptation of The Lovely Bones, from the acclaimed best-selling novel by Alice Sebold. He is also developing a trilogy of films with Steven Spielberg based on Tintin, the world renowned comic book series by Herge.
YES YES YES!
Another thing to give me a purpose and kick to continue with my plan to revive my LOTR Group starting next year, and continue making my LOTR Costumes and Armor until I have all that I want (ya, especially Arwen's and Galadriel's Wardrobes). Ya, the team was suppose to be revived this Dec after the success of our team at CosCon but there was just too little time to work on Armors.
So if anyone is interested in joining in the Singapore Lord Of The Rings Team, just Gimmie a Buzz okiday?
