It’s official…Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema have settled all their differences, and The Hobbit is a go.

I’m excited. You should be excited, too.

Enough from me…I’ll just let the press release from earlier today speak for itself:

ACADEMY AWARD-WINNER PETER JACKSON AND NEW LINE CINEMA JOIN WITH MGM TO PRODUCE “THE HOBBIT,” EAGERLY-ANTICIPATED FANTASY ADVENTURE EPIC

NEW LINE AND MGM TO CO-PRODUCE AND SHARE WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS

PETER JACKSON AND FRAN WALSH TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE TWO FILMS BASED ON “THE HOBBIT”

Los Angeles, CA (Tuesday, December 18, 2007) Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson; Harry Sloan, Chairman and CEO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM); Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs of New Line Cinema have jointly announced today that they have entered into the following series of agreements:

* MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute two films, “The Hobbit” and a sequel to “The Hobbit.” New Line will distribute in North America and MGM will distribute internationally.

* Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as Executive Producers of two films based on “The Hobbit.” New Line will manage the production of the films, which will be shot simultaneously.

* Peter Jackson and New Line have settled all litigation relating to the “Lord of the Rings” (LOTR) Trilogy.

Said Peter Jackson, “I’m very pleased that we’ve been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ is a legacy we proudly share with Bob and Michael, and together, we share that legacy with millions of loyal fans all over the world. We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth. I also want to thank Harry Sloan and our new friends at MGM for helping us find the common ground necessary to continue that journey.”

“Peter Jackson has proven himself as the filmmaker who can bring the extraordinary imagination of Tolkien to life and we full heartedly agree with the fans worldwide who know he should be making ‘The Hobbit,’” said Sloan, MGM’s Chairman and CEO. “Now that we are all in agreement on ‘The Hobbit,’ we can focus on assembling the production team that will capture this phenomenal tale on film.”

Bob Shaye, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO comments, “We are very pleased we have been able to resolve our differences, and that Peter and Fran will be actively and creatively involved with ‘The Hobbit’ movies. We know they will bring the same passion, care and talent to these films that they so ably accomplished with ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Trilogy.”

“Peter is a visionary filmmaker, and he broke new ground with ‘The Lord of the Rings,’” notes Michael Lynne, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO. “We’re delighted he’s back for ‘The Hobbit’ films and that the Tolkien saga will continue with his imprint. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Harry Sloan, who has been instrumental in helping us reach our new accord.”

The two “Hobbit” films – “The Hobbit” and its sequel – are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, with pre-production beginning as soon as possible. Principal photography is tentatively set for a 2009 start, with the intention of “The Hobbit” release slated for 2010 and its sequel the following year, in 2011.

The Oscar-winning, critically-acclaimed LOTR Trilogy grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box-office. In 2003, “Return of the King” swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the eleven categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The Trilogy’s production was also unprecedented at the time.

For more information about “The Hobbit” films, please visit www.TheHobbitBlog.com.

It is common for directors to stick with actors they know and work well with. There is Depp and Burton, Carter and Burton, Crowe and Scott, and now you can safely say there is Serkis and Jackson. Andy Serkis’s career was going steady until he landed the role of Gollum in The Lord Of The Rings. Everyone wanted to know who the man behind the CGI was, and that is when Serkis became well known. He then re-teamed with Jackson for King Kong, and landed a few other good roles in movies like The Prestige and Flushed Away. Now he is to reteam with Jackson again for Tintin.

Tintin will not be your average blockbuster. Not when Steven Spielberg AND Peter Jackson have said they want to work together, and direct one film each. Whoever ends up directing the thrid film will have a LOT of pressure to live up to the previous films, especially as they will be in 3D and probably amazing.

Filming is expected to start next September.

When I first read about this I nearly wet myself…with excitement. Over the past year or two people having been wondering whether Peter Jackson would return to his Middle Earth roots and direct The Hobbit. The only thing stopping this wonderful event is a rather big legal battle between Jackson and New Line Cinema over profits for Fellowship Of The Ring. I don’t know the ins and out of it but something tells me they both didn’t expect the film to make $871 million worldwide, so Jackson wants what a bit of what he deserves…moneywise.

New Lines Bob Shaye went as far as saying ‘Jackson will never make any movie with New Line Cinema again while I’m still working for the company’. As time passed he eventually came to his senses and said ‘Notwithstanding our personal quarrels, I really respect and admire Peter and would love for him to be creatively involved in some way in ‘The Hobbit.’” Then Spiderman director Sam Raimi was rumoured to directing and gave his input on the situation.

Now, MarketSaw have been told by their sources that not only is Peter Jackson returning to direct, he is also breaking it into two movies, and both will be in 3D! But not only that, apparently Jackson and New Line plan to convert the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy into 3D and release them worldwide between 2012 and 2014!

I really want this to be true. Jackson is a fan of the new 3D technology, having had a trip to the set of James Cameron’s Avatar, and as a result he will be making a couple of Tin Tin movies with someone called Steven Spielberg. I will take this news lightly as nothing is confirmed and I do not wish to suffer severe depression for the next 5 years if it ends up to be only a rumour.

Here is a little of what MarketSaw’s source had to say:

“No casting info yet. But they are looking forward to bring back Sir Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving. For these 3 actors, the chances are really good.
I’m not sure about the release date, but I think 2010 for the first film, and 2011 for second, is what they are trying to get into everybodys calendar. So it would make sense with my information of following with the converted Trilogy in 2012 – 2014. That is all happening, but there must be said, that there is a possibility of +/- 1 to 2 years to the whole thing. If I get to know more, I try to tell ya.”

I have come to realise that most films with Peter Jackson involved have problems of some sort. There is the ‘will Jackson sort things out with New Line and direct The Hobbit’ and more recently ‘Ryan Reynolds is replaced by Mark Wahlberg days before filming of The Loverly Bones‘ and something that has been around throughout all of them was whether Halo would ever be brought onto the big screen.

A ‘n00b’ director was hired, who goes by the name of Neill Blomkamp, Jackson’s WETA started work on the project and everything was good to go…until Universal and FOX pulled out last minute. The main reason was money. If Halo was going to be as good as it deserved the budget needed to be rather high, and they were not willing to risk that amount of money on a fairly new director, even if he had Peter Jackson’s backing. So time passed, Halo 3 was released to the gaming world and made $300 million in one week. However, Neill Blomkamp recently declared the project ‘dead’ and said it had been for some time.

However, according to Peter Jackson’s representative Ken Kamins, Microsoft is currently in talks with other studio’s, and WETA are still working on the pre-production. He also commented on how the creative team will stay the same.

“Everybody is supremely confident in Neal,” Kamins said. “Part of what excited Peter and Fran was Neal’s vision. We’re very confident this film will move forward with the creative partners intact, who will take the film to production.”

I have every confidence that Peter Jackson, along with Walsh and Blomkamp, can make a great movie. They just need a movie studio that has confidence, or a bit of common sense.

We wrote earlier in the week about how Michelle Rodriguez was going to New Zealand to film Avatar, before going back to the US before Christmas for her jail sentence. Well The Dominion Post is reporting that filming has officially begun.

A secret Wellington location was uncovered yesterday where 80 imitation-gun-toting, camo-wearing stuntpeople and actors had gathered for days of rehearsals.

The men and women had split into pairs to learn how to provide covering fire for their partner. The manoeuvres included plenty of macho shouting and wide-legged posturing.

Good news that filming has started, I hope we get more information about what’s happening over in Wellington, but not too much as we don’t want to be spoiled two years before it is released!

31 days of additional live photography will be carried out on Weta’s sound stages, the same Weta that did magnificent things with Lord of The Rings. It is believed that 6 of the actors hired will be what Cameron likes to call “synthespians”. Lets just say if you were amazed by Bill Nighy’s digital transformation into Davy Jones, you will be blown away with what Avatar has to offer.

Today Sam Raimi held a press conference for his latest film 30 Days of Night, and while there he spoke to IESB about two projects everyone is interested in.

On Spider-Man 4 -

Sony is currently meeting with new writers to come up with new and fresh ideas for the Spider-Man films. Is it a reboot? He hasn’t heard of a reboot but they are coming up with fresh, new ideas to see which direction they are going to go from here.

He was also asked if Tobey Maguire’s new production of the Robotech films would effect a Spider-Man production, but he just simply doesn’t know.

Thus far, he has not been asked to come back and direct or write.

On The Hobbit -

He’s heard that Peter Jackson is again talking to New Line and thinks it would be great for Jackson to come back and direct the prequel because he would be the best director for that film.

However, if they decide Jackson will only produce then he would love to throw his hat in the ring to direct.

When asked about the rumors around town about exactly that happening, Jackson producing and him directing, he said he doesn’t know about that.

Ian McKellen has said he hopes to regain his beard and staff, even if Peter Jackson is not able to direct him. There have been some legal issues with Peter Jackson and New Line over his income for Fellowship Of The Ring, meaning that he may not be able to return to direct. New Line’s Bob Shaye even went as far as saying ‘Jackson will never make any movie with New Line Cinema again while I’m still working for the company’. However, recently things have calmed down, with Shayne saying ‘I really respect and admire Peter and would love for him to be creatively involved in some way in ‘The Hobbit.’ Mckellen recently said:

“When Peter announced he had withdrawn from The Hobbit, he sent me an e-mail saying, ‘Because I am not going to do it, it doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Of course, you must play Gandalf whether I direct or not.’”

“I am glad to read that it is looking more and more likely…I would be disappointed if they didn’t want to have the original Gandalf.

I suppose if I am still functioning and working well, it is very likely I would be asked to do it and if I were, I would be very pleased to do it.”

Ian McKellen was a great Gandalf, and even earned an Oscar nomination for his role. My favourite scene in the whole franchise, well one of my favourites as there are so many, is when Gandalf politely asks the Balrog to not follow them. As the Balrog did not wish to co-operate a battle ensured, resulting in Gandalf levelling up from Grey to White.

It is good news to hear that he is willing to return, and that things are happening behind the scenes which will result in ‘The Hobbit’ being brought to the big screen.

Sam Worthington was a virtual unknown until he landed the lead role in James Cameron’s Avatar. If I were in his shoes I would want to run around and tell everyone is in the world. Its not every day to get to work on a movie like Avatar. However, as with most big movies, contacts have to be signed so that the actors, camera crew, extras and even cleaners don’t reveal anything. I suppose this is good as it stops the movie being spoiled, however, for those wanting to see the movie NOW, it is a blatantly slap in the face for freedom of speech.

Anyway, before things get political, Worthington spoke to film writer Erin McWhirter about what filming Avatar was like, especially as he spends around 16 hours on set.

“It’s been endless, you never know when it’s going to end . . . it’s just big, I wasn’t expecting anything (upon accepting the role), I was just going in blind. It’s always overwhelming when you get any film because you never think you are going to work again.”

I can imagine working on such a film will be tough, especially as Cameron is known for his ’strict’ directing style. Avatar is currently in New Zealand, working with Peter Jackson’s WETA. Filming is expected to continue to until February, with a first glimpse of the film expect in March.

ComingSoon.net has got a huge list of the films and there updated starting dates. Movie Studios are pushing movies forward to escape the possible Writers Guild, Directors Guild and Screen Actors Guild strikes. Here’s a shortened list of films we care about!

BOND 22 7th January 2008
DRAGON BALL Z Fall/Autumn 2008
THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL 3rd December 2007
WOLVERINE 7th November 2007
MAGNETO 1st January 2008
WOLFMAN 28th January 2008
JUSTICE LEAGUE 11th February 2008

I am actually excited. Wolverine is starting next month, with Magneto starting a few months later. James Bond is also returning, following on from the great Casino Royal. This strike actually has some positive sides!