Peter Jackson released from making LOTR prequel...
 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article...462766,00.html

What's your opinion? Do you think New Line Cinema did the right thing by cutting out Peter Jackson, or do you think they shot themselves in the foot by letting him go?

Apparently he was let go because he wanted more money for the LOTR movies and the related merchandise (he got $200 million, which is a nice chunk of change, but the article says the movies and merchandise made almost $5 billion, but it probably made even more than that), and New Line probably used that as a reason for not re-hiring him.

Do you think that the Hobbit will be as good without Jackson? Or will another director somehow be able to do a good variation of it? I don't think I'll go see it without Jackson being involved in it, unless they bring in another director I like (and if it's Paul WS Anderson or Uwe Boll, it's going to get trashed to heck and what not lol).

I dunno, it doesn't make sense why they released him.

Releasing Jackson would be like if they had George Lucas do Star wars 1,2 4,5 and 6 then having someone else make the 3rd movie or something like that.

Its just dumb.

Another director couldn't do what Jackson did. Jackson was a rabid LotR fanatic before he touched the movies. And now, especially considering this prequel will deal with a lot of material from the Silmarillion, you need a historian's approach to do it properly. The Hobbit could be done by a monkey. Take from the page. But the Silmarillion is dense material and requires a very delicate, academic touch. They better not fuck up the directorial process by hiring some jag off.

Actually, that would have made a lot of sense, considering how craptastic 1 and 2 were. A lot more sense than cutting Peter Jackson from The Hobbit, anyway.

I have an uneasy feeling that no matter who they pick, even if he's a great director, will completely ruin this prequel. :(

I agree with Ayos, here. I can't see another director in Hollyweird having the same sort of love for the project that Jackson did. Of course, that being said, if we got someone with a more literal translation approach... I wouldn't be too upset.

MISTAKE. New Line will wisen up, you watch.

It's all very well bitching and saying New Line have made a mistake, but then a lot of people would have said that when the signed Jackson to do the LotR trilogy. Why can't someone else come along and do an impressive job? This could be seen as a mistake, but there's no way you can say that for sure until the film is released.

I betcha the crew and possibly even actors will follow his departure. I don't doubt that another director *could* do a good job, but it introduces a discomforting possibility for disaster. And I don't know if I could stomach a "Hobbit" that's blatantly out of continuity with the LoTR flicks.

Come on... these names shouldnt even been mentioned there. :p

While I know we can't judge whoever they hire as a new director untill we see results, but c'mon, Peter Jackson spend a DECADE of his life creating this world visually for the big screen, made lots of money for New Line, he asked for his fair share and THIS is how they repaid him?!

Its like Matt Groening with Fox on Futurama or something. Obviously New Line decided to value money and crappy movie tie ins than actual good quality films.

Regardless on whether or not a new guy will make a better movie, booting off Jackson for asking his fair share like he was chopped liver is NOT at all respectable.

Here's the link to his email. People please write and tell New Line that this is unacceptable and is a fine example of coporal greediness and impatience than actual creativity and INTEGRITY.

http://www.theonering.net/staticnews/1163993546.html

Man, if they even THINK of doing the Silmarillion, I am so not going to see it. That book is like a fucking encyclopedia, and I really wouldn't want to watch the thing in an EPIC 8 hour film. NO THANKS. (I could hardly read the damned thing it was so epically BORING, though IMPORTANT I guess)

But seriously. I think they should reconsider. I think Jackson proved himself with the trilogy as a great director - especially for these literary fantasy classics. I would go see The Hobbit, but I doubt I could say I would enjoy it as much as I would with Jackson direction. At least we'd have some directing continuity with Jackson. I fear what the results would be if he WAS released and they continued despite it.

And you're sure that news is accurate? I mean, Jackson did write and official letter to One Ring .net who DO have contacts with the man, unless this is NEW news that he hasn't heard about it yet?

That would be very disappointing if it were to hold. Someone should be scolded for the idea even being considered.

See, I'm thinking the reason Peter Jackson allowed it to get this far (this wasn't a one-sided thing, I'm sure) is because he wanted them to know he was serious about it. They didn't jump on the train when they should've and let him have time to get involved in things like King Kong and the like, when they should have at least inked a deal with him once Fellowship hit big. I don't think New Line took him seriously enough, and now when he played his cards they cut him. It can't last, with the way the trilogy played out and the fan base that supports Jackson now, plus that deadline looming over their heads - they surely know that a half baked attempt of a movie pulled together, even on a preliminary level, within a year won't work out. Jackson will probably win out in the end with a better deal, a better cut of the profits, and just as much creative power over the project as he ever had. The only downside is that we'll be waiting that much longer for it to come out.

More power to Jackson if that's the case. Screw New Line... :D

I probably could care less about the prequels if he isn't part of it, but would most likely see it if he is. Not for any particular reason, I just liked his direction in the others and don't feel like I have to see the upcoming films otherwise. Oh well, I guess I'll wait and see.

So he just gave up? Is that it?

No, New Line 'let him go.' It's not over, anyway. Read between the lines and you see that there's still a chance (although we don't know how good that chance is, currently) that he'll helm the thing once it gets underway. Eventually.

Peter Jackson: I want the opportunity to make more money off these films.

New Line: No, get the fuck out of my office.

Peter Jackson: Fine, but I'm taking WETA with me. You can't be friends anymore.

New Line: Fine, we never liked you or WETA anyway. We have funner director/design team friends to hang out with.


That with millions of dollars on the line.

Well and succintly put.

Peter Jackson: 1
New Line: -1

Just so's we're clear, George Lucas didn't direct ep. V or VI. He merley wrote the story to both. Leigh Brakett wrote the screen play, Irvin Kershner directed ep. V, and Lawrence Kasdan wrote the screen play, and Richard Marquand directed ep. VI.

Keep in mind how few of the actors would be involved in The Hobbit. Hugo Weaving and Ian Mckellen are the only ones that come to mind, and maybe the actor who played Bilbo (can't remember his name) but i have no idea if they'd go with a younger actor anyways or not.

As for my opinion on the possibility of Jackson not directing The Hobbit, it's a little angering, as Jackson is obviously the right man for the job. He knows the books well, and he's already done three monumental films based around that world. Anybody would be daft to willingly pick anyone else over Jackson. Here's me hoping that Jackson will direct it, but that's not to say i won't go and see it if somone else does.

I wouldn't know, i haven't actually read the Silmarillion (yet), not sure if i ever will or not. I wasn't aware that those characters would be returning.

Also, i said that, not orion. Sorry, i screwed up that post pretty royally there, hence the editing.