As Jackson said, “It’s not really been delayed, because we’ve never announced the date.” The film is, as it has been for a long time, in development. That means scripts get written, and broken down into scenes with cost estimates, possible actors and potential audiences are considered and budgets are written up so studios can gauge potential profits against costs. Then with money in place, a film gets the magical greenlight and goes into pre-production where actors and crew are hired. Contrary to reports, this has not happened yet but we do know designs, costumes, creatures and many elements of the film have been underway. There is obviously enough development budget and work in place to hit pre-production running when that green light gets turned on. Everybody knows two ‘Hobbit’ movies will happen. Guillermo del Toro’s latest comments (remember, in reaction to a false report about a greenlight and the film’s 3D status) are just a restating of what TheOneRing exclusively reported way back on March 17; the MGM financial mess is holding up “The Hobbit”. It has been confirmed many times in many place since then but this isn’t new at all, it is just still the situation as it has been for months. But, there are a lot of signs that Warner Bros. is frustrated, things are moving forward and November is still a target for a start date.
To go with all these facts, our best “guess” is that some official word will come down from the studio in about the next two weeks. As you might imagine, we will report on it ASAP when it becomes official.
Kaitlin from zooppa.com sends this in: I read your article on King Kong invading Dodger stadium and I thought the “King Kong’s Path to Universal Studios Hollywood” short film competition on Zooppa would tie in nicely.
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.
Rumors have hit the interwebs today that there is an now an official greenlight for ‘The Hobbit’ which we have learned is not true and further have learned that that 3D is a bit unlikely at this point. A greenlight would mean that Warner Bros. either with MGM or despite MGM and its uncertain future, have approved a budget and put the movie-making machine in motion. We checked with our global spy network and our own Xoanon heard back from sources in New Zealand that this is not true. So fans, calm those heart palpitations. Update #1: Another rock-solid trusted source has checked in with duplicate info so if there were any doubts, obliterate them. No lights are green*.
On the side of good news, a completely different source (yes, a third) confirmed that word is out to those involved with the production to prepare for a potential November start date. So while there isn’t officially a ‘go’ on the pair of films to be directed by Guillermo del Toro and produced by Peter Jackson, the film industries in Hollywood and Wellington are still keeping that target in mind. That, as Kiwis can tell you, turns out to be just about the right time to shoot on Hobbiton. And, if it wasn’t clear already, the moment, yea, the instant we hear official word has been given, we will post it here. *Update #2: There is nothing definitive but a highly placed source also tells us today (thanks to the ‘green’ ruckus) that 3D looks less likely at this point. Reading between the lines, 3D would add to both budget and schedule and the parties involved don’t want to sacrifice story or shooting time just to have 3D flicks.
Promotion continues for Peter Jackson’s KING KONG 360 3-D Ride at Universal Studios!
Catastrophe stuck at Dodger stadium early yesterday morning, when giant ape footprints were found lining the baseball field, tracking from home plate through to center field. Further investigations revealed that the footprints belonged to none other than King Kong, who had decided to monkey around in the famous stadium on his way to headlining a new attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood, King Kong 360 3-D. Continue reading “Peter Jackson’s Kong invades Dodgers Stadium”
Ringer spy Earl provided a story hot of the presses from the Los Angeles Times that says MGM’s management is no longer in control of the studio’s fate and that debtholders are now the decision makers.
The MGM Saga is developing into a film-worthy drama all its own (one that will never get a greenlight) and the article states: “The internal divide and lingering uncertainty demonstrate how tortured MGM’s reorganization process has been and how the balance of power has shifted from management to lenders.”
For fans this means that non-entertainment types are now calling the shots and how that plays out is completely unpredictable. There is one tidbit about the two movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” to be directed by Guillermo del Toro and produced by Peter Jackson:
“Though Time Warner’s bid has not been officially rejected, people at the media giant’s Warner Bros. studio have been frustrated by the protracted process, in part because it and MGM co-own the rights to movies based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” which are currently in development.”
The article explains a lot more of the intricacies of what is going on. How does this fit with the report that filming will start in November? We have our feelers out and will update you as soon as we hear anything definite.
Linuxelf sends along a few more videos from the LOTR golden days. Take a look at the ROTK Golden Globe wins, a party at 3Foot6 and Wellington’s famous Cuba Street.
Reports around the wwwebs are proclaiming that “‘Lord of the Rings’ prequel on hold” or “The Hobbit On Hold Indefinitely” which surely makes readers click headlines but aren’t actually accurate. They are suggesting the comments that director Guillermo del Toro made in a conference call this week somehow contradicts what Peter Jackson said about the production to MoviePhone on April 16. (Summarized here.) It doesn’t.
