David Yates offered The Hobbit

by Liam on June 14, 2010 · 3 comments

David Yates According to Production Weekly (via /Film) Harry Potter director David Yates has been offered The Hobbit following Guillermo del Toro’s departure a few weeks ago.

On paper Yates is an ideal choice for the part. Just this weekend he wrapped filming Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II after shooting both films back-to-back. Warner Bros. and New Line are looking to do the same with The Hobbit, and having a director with experience in adapting fantasy novels onto the big screen is an advantage.

The only issue with Yates is that he will now be working flat out to finish the final Potter film (Part I just needs effects work completed) and he won’t be free to work on The Hobbit until at least June/July next year, assuming that’s the current Deathly Hallows schedule. Then Yates will probably need a break after dedicating 4+ years of his life to directing half of the Harry Potter franchise.

This might mean a December 2012 release is out the window, and fans may have to wait until 2013 to see the first Hobbit film.

Out of all the previous Potter directors I would have preferred Alfonso Cuarón (Prisoner of Azkaban, Children of Men) who has a great artful eye for fantasy, and he is actually friends with Guillermo del Toro so they know each other’s style. I do like Yates as a director though and can’t wait to see what he has done with Deathly Hallows.

What do you think of David Yates possibly directing The Hobbit?

  • http://news.infinitesims.com Dylan

    No please not Yates … look he's good and all but I feel he lacks imagination (personal opinion) … I already commeneted on him with HP films. I feel Alfonso Cuarón … with regards to when he directed HP … he took visual risks (which were great to look at) but at the same time he did not divert from the story. He somehow managed a great condensation of the 3rd book.
    Now I have not followed The Hobbit news as closely as i would have liked … but for heavens sake just let Peter Jackson direct … with Tolkien he has a proven track record. Oh well that's just my opinion! :)

  • Lilly

    Right!

  • Ctznerased

    I hope he doesn't get chosen. After Newell directed goblet of fire i thought both subsequent movies suffered from the new direction from yates. Although he may have done one of the biggest fantasy adaptations of all time he is not worthy of The Hobbit. Jackson has said he would consider doing it if they did not find anyone and I hope he would over yates. I agree Cuaron was the best thus far, and I had always hoped Del Toro would get chosen to direct a Harry Potter installment.