The Hobbit
 

MGM to Unveil New Tentpoles!
Source: Variety September 11, 2006


In a Variety article talking about MGM's move back into the tentpole business, the trade mentions a few highly-anticipated projects that are in the works:

Over the next few years, MGM is planning to release half a dozen films, some in the $150 million to $200 million-plus range. Studio is ready to unveil such high-profile projects as "Terminator 4"; one or two installments of "The Hobbit," which Sloan hopes will be directed by Peter Jackson; and a sequel to "The Thomas Crown Affair" with Pierce Brosnan.

It has already announced a "Pink Panther" sequel and the next 007 pic "Bond 22," due out in November 2008. "Rocky Balboa" unspools in February.

The pics are all franchises that MGM owns the rights to through its 4,000-title library. The goal is to release two or three tentpoles a year, all of which will be made with financial partners, including Wall Street money or other studios.

The Hobbit (film or films) will be produced in partnership with New Line

Another article: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/24456

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Peter Jackson needs to direct this, along with the crew he had the first time for the trilogy. I wonder who they'll get to play Bilbo...and if characters like Gandalf and Elrond are going to be played by the same actors as before...hmmm...

the thought of seeing the Battle of Five Armies between elves, humans, dwarves, orcs, wargs and Beorn with the eagles on the big screen has me excited.

I think it's something that Jackson wants to do but I guess it depends on his schedule over the years. I'd be excited if Serkis plays Gollum again and I can just imagine the fun they'd have with the dragon Smaug. Bring it on I say!

I will see this ONLY if Jackson does it. After the LOTR trilogy, I couldn't imagine that world any different.

I couldn't imagine this being directed by anyone else but Peter Jackson and I'm willing to bet that he doesn't want to hand over this universe to anyone else either. Of course if this goes down Serkis will reprise his role. Same goes for goes Mckellen and Weaving. Man, this would rule so much. Smaug, Beorn, the Battle of the Five Armies, Riddles in the Dark, the spiders of Mirkwood Forest, oh my.

He better hurry up then. McKellen will be pushing up daisies pretty soon.

Yeah, and I couldn't see anyone else playing Gandalf either. But hey, Christopher Lee is 17 years older than Mckellen and he's still trucking along.

Terminator 4 and The Hobbit? I can't wait.

Dunno if its Peter Jackson but he's already done a mock Hobbit trailer. just do a search for it with your download program... got me all excited