Basically, "We're still waiting"...

The Lord of the Rings and King Kong director talked to Empire Online, trying to temper unwarranted fan optimism by addressing rumours about one of the most anticipated cinematic projects of recent times.  The Lord of the Rings itself garnered quite a bit of interest, but no-one outside of the production knew that it would work.  Now that Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens have proven definitively that they can handle the cinematic version of Middle Earth, The Hobbit is pretty much certain to be excellent at the very least.

Contrary to recent reports that he would be directing both films, to be filmed in 3D with a combined budget of $500 million and released in 2012 and 2013 respectively, there is no official greenlight yet, so such details are speculative at best.  In Jackson’s own words, “There is only one thing you want to believe and that’s when the studio announces a greenlight.”  It would seem that following the rumour mill on this one is like looking into a Palantir: fascinating, frustratingly uncertain, and if you set too much store by it, or get too obsessed, then it’ll drive you crazy.

MGM’s financial troubles (and the resulting complicated rights situation that Warner Bros. are currently trying to sort out) are responsible for The Hobbit’s ongoing, epic journey to the screen.  At this point, many fans feel like Frodo making the arduous trek through Mordor.  Hopeful rumours are like being offered lembas bread and then having it snatched away before getting the chance to eat it.

It seems silly that the copyright and bankruptcy laws are so complex as to make it possible that even such a sure-fire smash hit as The Hobbit might not get made.  With Bond 23 being shelved earlier this year, it doesn’t look good for the studio’s smaller movies, like Cabin in the Woods (despite being already completed and getting great buzz).

Peter Jackson confirms that he’s still a writer and producer on The Hobbit, and seems generally positive about progress towards the films getting made.  He says that while he’s enthusiastic about the project, he always holds back from giving total emotional commitment to a film until it gets the greenlight.

More tidings as we get them.

Empire Online

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