MGM to Produce "The Hobbit"

pawnder writes, "According to two sources, MGM and New Line are partnering to produce 'The Hobbit' as part of MGM's new plans to create blockbuster movies again. From theonering.net: 'Over the next few years, MGM is planning to release half a dozen films, some in the $150 million to $200 million-plus range. Studio is ready to unveil such high-profile projects as "Terminator 4"; one or two installments of "The Hobbit," which Sloan hopes will be directed by Peter Jackson; and a sequel to "The Thomas Crown Affair" with Pierce Brosnan.'" With or without Tom singing, is what I want to know.

Comments

why would peter jackson direct it?

[Frag-A-Muffin]

... one or two installments of "The Hobbit," which Sloan hopes will be directed by Peter Jackson ...

I thought Peter Jackson was quoted as saying he'd love to do it! (right after king kong?) And if they're saying the studio would want him to direct it. Umm, the only thing left I can see is financial terms. After the boatload of money he brought in for the LoTR trilogy*, I can't see them saying no to his terms :)

* yes, I know it's not really a trilogy, but that's what we're calling it cuz he made 3 movies, ok!? :P

Re:age

[Phoenix666]

That's true, and it always put me in mind of another thing that doesn't make sense if you only saw the movies: why would Sauron be afraid of Aragorn, and how is it that Aragorn was able to resist the temptation of the ring and deny Sauron the palantirs? In the movies Sauron is a seemingly omnipotent evil.

It's only when you read all the back story notes Tolkien wrote before writing LOTR that you find out that the Numenoreans, Aragorn's ancestors, were so powerful that they kicked Sauron's butt and kept him imprisoned and tortured in a tower for a long, long time. They were so powerful that they made war on the Valinor, nearly made it, but then were cast down for their blasphemy. That's when Sauron escaped, and the survivors fled to found Gondor and the Northern kingdom.

So Sauron was really more like an evil Gandalf on steroids, and knew that Aragorn had the stuff to take him down.