News for Mar. 18, 2007

Bob Shaye wears many hats

3/18/07, 8:57 pm EST - Xoanon

Most studio presidents save the ink for their stars and directors. Not Bob Shaye, who now is a director of the kid flick "The Last Mimzy" and has been in the news for a near-death experience and a Middle-earth mess. Shaye is the controversial studio president of New Line cinema -- the folks who brought you the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. He's in a battle of bucks with director Peter Jackson over a proposed "Hobbit" film that Jackson wants to do after the studio pays him what he feels is more back-end money for "Rings," while Shaye says he has been paid in full. The bottom line is someone else might direct "The Hobbit," which has fans hopping mad. [More]