Peter Jackson To Produce 'The Hobbit'

[trashtalkr]

Jackson To Produce Lord of the Rings Prequel

Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema have reached agreement to make J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," a planned prequel to the blockbuster trilogy "The Lord of the Rings."

Jackson, who directed the "Rings" trilogy, will serve as executive producer for "The Hobbit." A director for the prequel films has yet to be named.

Relations between Jackson and New Line had soured after "Rings," despite a collective worldwide box office gross of nearly $3 billion -- an enormous success. The two sides nevertheless were able to reconcile, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) splitting "The Hobbit" 50/50, spokemen for both studios said Tuesday.

"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," Jackson said in a statement. "We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth."

Two "Hobbit" films are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, similar to how the three "Lord of the Rings" films were made. Production is set to begin in 2009 with a released planned for 2010, with the sequel scheduled for a 2011 release.

Source: CNN

He did a great job directing the LOR trilogy so I'm sure The Hobbit is going to be amazing also

[AYHJA]

LOTR was so awesome though...I guess I'll have to read the books, get some cliff notes or something, to see how things would pan out in a prequal...Maybe we'll get to see what happens up until the first part of the trilogy...

[cornrow]

Great news! My girl and I were talking about this last night. Can't wait for the movie. LOTR was just about as classic as they come....I don't except these installments to be any different.