With Peter Jackson’s astonishing announcement that The Hobbit will now be THREE FILMS… you know there is a lot of excitement on The Hobbit Discussion Board!  We thrive on these moments!!  It all started when poster Lily Brambleburr of Bindbale Wood discovered Jackson’s facebook announcement.  Check out the seismic reaction here.  As of today, there have been over 7,700 hits on this post!

It’s safe to say that the debate and excitement continues as evidenced in Black Breathalizer’s post, “Three Films” News will have No Effect on Film One.  Check out the fascinating thoughts and forecasts here.  What do you think?

The 3-film announcement also launched this inspired post by Thomas Monteath.  Here’s a taste of this insightful offering:  ”I want to make the case here that a Hobbit trilogy should not only work, but could redefine what we think is possible in cinema, and do Tolkien’s world (beyond just his individual books) true justice.”  Check it out here and share your thoughts.

Never fear!  Even with all of the excitement, we still do investigate other pertinent issues, such as poster nobofthepony’s question that we’ve all wondered at one time or another… How will they handle Bilbo’s invisibility?  Please join in the speculation and let us know what you think.

We’ll share more topics next week and hope you can join in on the conversation!  Don’t forget, TheOneRing.net’s Message Boards have over 8,000 registered Tolkien fans, just like you.  Let your voice be heard!

Visit YouTube now to see an exclusive clip of the “Looking Back” featurette!

Jackson, will be directing a Tintin sequel if the December film performs well at the boxoffice. Jackson told audiences the decision to do the films with Spielberg was easy. “I took two or three seconds to decide to work with him,” he said.

Jackson first appeared on screen interacting with a CGI Snowy (a little white dog from the story) in an apparent screen test. As the lights came up in the 6,000 seat hall, Peter Jackson was on stage to raucous cheers after a few moments of confusion or disbelief.

“You guys pirated the screen test,” he joked. “I thought we had agreed to destroy it.”

Spielberg’s first visit to the convention started with a montage of his cinematic history and then vocal adoration from gathered masses, many who had been waiting for hours to have a chance to see the director speak. They were treated to the pair who showcased two or three action heavy minutes from the film.

Each director has a fondness for the property. Jackson read it as a kid while Spielberg was exposed as an adult after hearing comparisons to his landmark Raiders of the Lost Ark films.

Jackson said he has no new interests since the age of 17 and those interests still inform his decisions about what films to make. Spielberg thanked attendees for remaining young at heart.

“Supporting these movies, staying kids no matter what your age. I’m not ready to grow up. When I grow up that is when I’ll stop making movies, which I don’t intend to do,” Spielberg said.

“He makes movies for the kid I was and still am,” Jackson said.

Jackson was influenced by Spielberg and realized after watching Jurassic Park that computers would play a big part of his future in movies. His Weta Digital has become one of the leaders in the world with films like Avatar and now Tintin.

“If not for Jurassic Park, none of that would exist,” Jackson said.

He also spoke about The Hobbit, explaining that the break the production is currently on (although work continued in London recently) was largely to accommodate Martin Freeman, who was always the first choice to play Bilbo Baggins. His current work on Sherlock Holmes (along with Benedict Cumberbatch voicing Smaug) meant that the production must wait for the television schedule.

Jackson felt the break was healthy for everybody involved in the production.

“It is great,” he said speaking of the film. “I’m having a hell of a time. I’m enjoying it way more than I ever thought I would.”

Andy Serkis, Gollum in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and in the coming two Hobbit was on hand and was the first person in line to ask the directors a question. Disguised in sunglasses and with an accent, he wasn’t immediately recognizable.
More updates soon!

TORn staffers Suvi and Garfeiamo contributed to this report.

Welcome to our collection of TORn’s hottest topics for the past week. If you’ve fallen behind on what’s happening on the Message Boards, here’s a great way to catch the highlights. Or if you’re new to TORn and want to enjoy some great conversations, just follow the links to some of our most popular discussions. Watch this space as every weekend we will spotlight the most popular buzz on TORn’s Message Boards. Everyone is welcome, so come on in and join in the fun!

What movie do you nominate for PJ to direct after he’s finished The Hobbit? On the Off Topic Board, we’re already planning Peter’s life for him after he’s finished the 2 installments of The Hobbit!  What would you like to see him do?

And if you are in Los Angeles soon, don’t forget to take the Universal Studios backlot tour to see KING KONG 3-D for yourself! [Learn More]

We received more images and video of a very large animal trekking its way to Universal Studios! This time, it is leaving a path of destruction through Los Angeles’s famous Santa Monica Pier. Check out the video above, and we’ve got a few great photos posted after the break. (Obviously this is a promotion for Peter Jackson’s KING KONG 360 3-D Ride that will be opening at Universal Studios Hollywood very soon – and since it is such a fun promotion, we just have to share it with you all!)

Surfers, tourists, and local Los Angelenos alike were stunned yesterday morning by a rather HUGE mystery: the discovery of 15 foot long footprints in the sand at Santa Monica Pier!

A local fisherman was perhaps the only person who caught a glimpse of the creature responsible. “Everything started shaking,” he said. “Then I saw this thing. Bigger than any whale…eyes dark and menacing, teeth as big as the poles under the pier here.” Police are cautioning people not to panic, and to be careful not to fall into the deep footprints on the beach. Residents and tourists are wondering what kind of monster could be responsible for footprints so massive.

Some people are suggesting that the footprints belong to none other than King Kong, who has been making his way through Los Angeles en route to his new home at Universal Studios Hollywood. Last week, Kong wreaked havoc at Dodgers Stadium by marking up the baseball field with his gigantic footprints, similar to the ones found at Santa Monica Pier. King Kong will be headlining King Kong 360 3-D, the brand new, revolutionarily interactive attraction designed by esteemed director Peter Jackson, and it’s possible that Santa Monica Pier was just his latest stop on his journey to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Do you think King Kong is accountable for this giant mystery at Santa Monica Pier?

For more information on Peter Jackson’s KING KONG 360 3-D Ride at Universal Studios, visit the Official Website.

After getting over the shock and feeling the loss of our message board member’s departure, and wishing him all the best, the question now becomes: Who will direct “The Hobbit”? We have some ideas and maybe even some insights.

Peter Jackson: Current Hobbit co-writer and producer, he says he will not let the project fall apart but he told the Dominion Post: “If that’s what I have to do to protect Warner Bros’ investment, then obviously that’s one angle which I’ll explore.” It sounds like Jackson is reassuring Warners and fans not to despair. Conversations with the studios and Jackson on a replacement have already started and it isn’t as though there aren’t talented directors who would want to tackle these films. For example . . .

Neil Blomkamp: His “District 9″ came from the ashes of the failed “Halo” film, with Peter Jackson producing and earned an Academy Award nomination for “Best Picture.” Jackson thought the young director could handle the giant, special-effects-heavy video game film and then he made the independently-financed Wikus Van De Merwe film with down-on-their-luck aliens who crave cat food in Johannesburg. It earned over $200 million worldwide. Imagine what he could do with Weta and a budget. (And, we note, little or no studio interference!)

Sam Raimi: This man is a true geek (in a good way) and before del Toro was signed, we kept hearing his name as a strong possibility for “The Hobbit”. He has made action-oriented films with lighthearted moments and has nailed genre characters while producing big-time profits for studios. Fans who haven’t forgiven him for “Emo” Peter Parker need to have a guffaw with him for “Drag Me to Hell”. He gets it. Would he direct after not being the first choice? Bruce Campbell as Bard the Bowman?

Alfonso Cuaron: A lot of fans (and one would assume studio types) would love to see GDT’s friend step in to fill the gap. The director of a book-adapted Harry Potter film that runs circles around the rest in the series and especially the transcendent “Children of Men,” would be welcome. But unless this MGM situation gets settled soon (and we maintain from whispers that it might), what advice do you think he would hear from his pal Guillermo?

Andrew Adamson: It seems almost impossible that Adamson could direct and produce Narnia movies and Shrek movies and then fly under the radar as well as he has. Like Jackson, he calls New Zealand home and is based just a short flight up the island in Auckland. He already has extensive experience with Weta (LOTR’s, Narnia’s and the Hobbit’s special effects house) and might make the smoothest transition to helm the films. He may lack the “edge” that del Toro and Jackson and even Raimi and Blomkamp have shown in their bodies of work or it may be that he just hasn’t had the opportunities. Still, it seems impossible not to have him in the conversation.

Steven Spielberg and James Cameron are unlikely candidates despite what some fans wish for. Jackson’s circle of friends is pretty interesting though and Cameron raves about working in New Zealand and with Weta but there is nothing to suggest either of these busy guys are an actual possibility. Other names are being thrown around the internet wildly. Some are guesses, some are speculation and some are completely absurd. Hey! Why not Woody Allen? He directs movies after all!

Remember, Jackson wasn’t a proven big-budget commodity when New Line took a chance on “The Lord of the Rings,” more than 10 years ago. He had directed some splatter films, “Heavenly Creatures,” and “The Frighteners,” before New Line handed over the reigns. He appreciates and develops unheralded talent and may pull a director out of his hat. Imagine the size and scope of what “Halo,” would have been and he was perfectly willing to let the unknown Blomkamp have a go. Remember too that the project fell apart because the studios couldn’t come to terms on how to divide the (probably) billions with each other and it had nothing at all to do with the rookie director.

To be clear, the project lives on, Guillermo’s and Jackson’s influence remain and “The Hobbit” will go forward with a new director. Who? When? Stay tuned and you will know when we do.

Agents, directors and spies around the world feel free to send information to Spymaster@theonering.net or contact me directly at MrCere@TheOneRing.net.

Wellington Chamber of Commerce has said that the film is worth “many millions of dollars” to Wellington’s economy and further delays may mean the film does not start shooting until next year.

Del Toro announced yesterday he had quit the The Lord of the Rings prequel over frustration with repeated delays. He had commitments to other films and said his resignation was “the hardest decision I’ve ever taken”. Read more

A total of $15,000 in cash will be awarded to the best short films depicting Kong’s journey back to Hollywood. Universal Studios Hollywood plans to use the winning videos in the park, online, and for broadcast.

Here is a link to the competition page on Zooppa.

Your Mission
We’re looking for the best short films showing King Kong’s journey as he heads to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Imagine what would happen if Kong went through your town?

Bring King Kong into your world and show us the aftermath!

If you need a little inspiration, check out the teaser above.

Requirements
Films should be 1 to 3 minutes in length.

Every creative submission must include the following information: name of the attraction, location and opening date as indicated below.

1. Name: “King Kong 360 3-D”
2. Location: “Universal Studios Hollywood”
3. When it’s Open: “Summer 2010”

All work should show your depiction of the impact that King Kong might have on his way to Universal Studios Hollywood.

Do NOT use a logo for Universal Studios or King Kong 360 3-D in your short film.

If you’ve already uploaded work including one of these logos, it is okay to leave it up. This will not help or hurt your chances of winning.

King Kong Visuals
As part of the creative challenge, you will use your imagination to depict King Kong as the behemoth, iconic figure the world has come to know without actually showing him.

You cannot show any visuals of King Kong.

With massive feet measuring 15’ long and 9’ wide, his footprints will be hard to miss.

Additional Contest Rules
All entrants must be 18 years of age or older.

Entrant acknowledges that the reputation of Universal Studios Hollywood in the community and in the eyes of the general public as a family-oriented entertainment destination is of the utmost importance to Universal Studios Hollywood.

In accordance, all submissions must regard social conventions and public morals and decency, and may not commission any act or involvement in any situation or occurrence degrading Universal Studios Hollywood in society, or bringing Universal Studios Hollywood into public disrepute, contempt, scandal or ridicule. Any such disregard of the above may be actionable by law.

Contest rules and related agreements have been modified for this contest. The terms and conditions for this contest may be found in the Brief Files. NOTE THAT BY ENTERING THIS CONTEST, YOU ARE AGREEING TO THESE CHANGED TERMS & CONDITIONS. IN PARTICULAR, YOU ARE GRANTING AN EXCLUSIVE LICENSE TO BOTH ZOOPPA AND UNIVERSAL STUDIOS TO USE YOUR ENTRY MATERIALS IN ANY WAY THEY SEE FIT.

All individuals performing in your contest entry must be at least 18 years old, unless you are the parent or legal guardian of the child performer, in which case you hereby grant your consent to the performance by the child performer in your contest entry.