Has the red tape come unstuck long enough for Peter Jackson and New Line to make the much-hankered-for “Lord of the Rings” prequel, “The Hobbit”? Quite possibly.

A spy for TheOneRing.net was recently in the New York offices of New Line Cinema and clearly saw 'The Hobbit' on the film schedule for 2007.

"Please leave my email anonymous as I have some very exciting news to report. I was in New Line's NY offices to discuss upcoming projects when I clearly saw something very intriguing on a year planner. 'The Hobbit' was clearly marked on what looked like July 2007. I couldn't exactly take a moment to investigate the calendar with my audience in the room, but it definitely said 'The Hobbit'. Lets hope this is a PJ project!"

This does fit in with recent rumours suggesting that the WETA workship has indeed begun work on “The Hobbit”.

Peter Jackson has always been keen to make the LOTR prequel, but has stressed time and time again that they are complex legal issues that have to be handled before any such film can happen. In short - though New Line has the rights to make the film, MGM have the power to distribute it.

"I think there is probably a will and a desire to try and get it made. But I think it's gonna be a lot of lawyers sitting in a room trying to thrash out a deal before it will ever happen”, Jackson said last year.

If the rumour is to believed, it would seem such a partnership may have been agreed on.

"I'd be interested in doing it because I think it would give continuity to the overall chapter", the ever-thinning director said.

Last year, Jackson mentioned a possible 2008 or 2009 release date for such a film, if they could work it out. "Three or four years would be accurate, I would say”.

If “The Hobbit” happens – and again, Jackson said it will feature most of the same cast from the previous movies, including Liv Tyler – it’ll fix on the hobbit Bilbo Baggins (played by Ian Holm in the previous films) as he travels across the lands of Middle-earth with a band of Dwarves and a wizard named Gandalf on a quest to restore a dwarven kingdom and a great treasure stolen by the dragon, Smaug.

Everyone says its absolutely crazy that i havent seen it, but (and im gonna start a fight now), i lost interest during the first one. It was funny (like hahaha, furry feet) for the first 6 hours, but then i got bored and didnt finish it.

But i shall rent it out and watch it without giving up

Everyone says its absolutely crazy that i havent seen it

It's one of the few movies where I support the good guys, so it has to be good. I have not seen a movie with so much heart in a while (Return Of The King). Who will ever forget Sam's neverending dedication to Frodo, and also, one of my all-time favourite scenes, "For Frodo."

I don't know if I'm excited about this.

I was NOT excited about LOTR, even though I've been a huge fan of the books since 1996 when I read them twice. I had very concrete ideas about how certain characters looked, about how some scenes played out.

For example: When the Horsemen of Rohan ride past Legolas, Aragorn and Gimli. In my mind (and in the book... there weren't rocks or anything... they were in the open, but because of the cloaks (as shown in the movie at the black gate) they were not seen by the riders until Aragorn spoke)... that scene for me saw the riders coming from the left with the three-some sitting undersome scarce foilage... and now it will never be like I imagined it

Also, they will have to do a great job on Smaug, otherwise it'll be a little silly.

Also, they will be cutting huge amounts (AGAIN) of story to make a single movie... that always sucks.

What would you like to see more off HoI? You think Peter Jackson / WETA are the right people to do this?

...(like Ian McKellan and Ian Holms?) and they are both oldish already so they could die any moment...

Don't tell them that dry.gif Christopher Lee is 84!

Besides, if they shot it at once and just cut it into 2 films they wouldn't have to worry about them popping off.

I hope they don't plan on using Ian Holm. Bilbo was young (well, much younger than he looked in LotR) and that must exclude Holm (Holm is 75 this month). Gandalf can definately be the same (McKellan is only 67).

Most probably expect that a live-action THE HOBBIT will be made at some point in the not too distant future (when ash falls from the scorched troposphere like so many deathflakes and a hulking, beast-like Scott Baio roams the New Pangea in search of surivivors to enslave), but, if an email sent to the folks at Empire has anything to say about it, New Line has the movie scheduled to go into production in the middle of next year. Keep in mind this is VERY MUCH a rumor but, if there is any validity to it all, this would most likely put the release of THE HOBBIT within the next 2-3 years (and, while Peter Jackson would probably be on as a producer, I doubt the likelihood of him working on this project over the next couple of years). Head HERE if you want to read the email, which comes from someone at TheOneRing.com who allegedly picked up the info while at the NL offices discussing other projects.

What I feared is that Peter Jackson as producer buzz, seems only the logical step to make for studios seeing as Jackson has stated that he wants to get away from epic things etc... Can't blame him after giving 5 years or so to LOTR (if it isnt more).

Head HERE if you want to read the email

I guess WETA can make Ian Holm look younger with same good CGI and make-up...

I didn't know Christopher Lee was that old!

2 movies is very unlikely HoI, just deal with it, they WILL cut some parts

My only worry is Smaug... if they fail to pull it off, he could end up looking silly. And with Jackson not directing, WETA might not be on board for this one.

It’s official. “The Hobbit” will indeed be getting the big-screen treatment over the next couple of years.

According to Variety, the “Lord of the Rings” prequel – which the studio hopes Peter Jackson will direct – is one of several big-budget films that the crowd have in the works.

In addition, they’re also prepping a fourth “Terminator” movie, and a sequel to the Pierce Brosnan starrer “The Thomas Crown Affair”.

“The Hobbit”, said to be budgeted in the $150-200 million dollar range, will be produced in partnership with New Line.

Interestingly enough, Harry Knowles over at Aint it Cool says he spoke to Peter Jackson today and he knew nothing of the project. "... he did say that he woke up this morning to see that MGM says he's making THE HOBBIT with them, which was strange. He said that as unbelievable as it may be, he's never once talked to any studio, be it New Line or MGM, about doing THE HOBBIT. So, as of today Jackson has not talked to anybody about doing the movie, but he did say he'd like to do it, even though his schedule gets more crowded every passing week. So, if MGM wants to do this thing it might be a good idea to see if Jackson is up for it, no?", writes Knowles.

The pics are all franchises that MGM owns the rights to through its 4,000-title library. The goal is to release two or three tentpoles a year, all of which will be made with financial partners, including Wall Street money or other studios.

Thats a high budget considering the LOTR movies had a budget of $100 million a piece (around there I think). With all the experience they have now in the effects department (and traditional effects) they should be able to deliver some nice eye candy.

October 25, 2006 - MGM and New Line Cinema are moving ever closer to making J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit a big-screen reality. And now it seems that the studios may be planning not one, but two films based on the 1937 fantasy novel.

MGM chief operating officer Rick Sands revealed the plans this past weekend during a trade show in Orlando, Florida, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The Hobbit follows Bilbo Baggins on an adventure with a band of dwarves and the wizard Gandalf as they attempt to reclaim the dwarves' stolen treasure and restore their kingdom

This is the second time in the past month that Sands has publicly commented on the project. A few weeks ago, he issued a statement in response to a fan petition urging MGM and New Line to pursue Lord of the Rings helmer Peter Jackson as the director of The Hobbit.

"Peter Jackson's phenomenal success with The Lord of the Rings trilogy makes him the first and most ideal choice for directing The Hobbit. MGM would be thrilled to collaborate with the Academy Award-winning director on this MGM New Line Cinema production," Sands said.

I think that making 2 films out of the Hobbit could work. Film 1 from beginning until when Bilbo gets the ring and escapes. Film 2 from that point until the end... there really is a lot of 'story' material.

I doubt they will make two movies...

In a move that’s destined to have the Hobbits picketing, New Line is said to have shafted director Peter Jackson from “The Hobbit”.

Jackson said in a statement to TheOneRing.net that he would’ve definitely been back to direct the “Lord of the Rings” prequel, but its no longer his decision.

“Several years ago, Mark Ordesky told us that New Line have rights to make not just The Hobbit but a second "LOTR prequel", covering the events leading up to those depicted in LOTR. Since then, we've always assumed that we would be asked to make The Hobbit and possibly this second film, back to back, as we did the original movies. We assumed that our lawsuit with the studio would come to a natural conclusion and we would then be free to discuss our ideas with the studio, get excited and jump on board. We've assumed that we would possibly get started on development and design next year, whilst filming The Lovely Bones. We even had a meeting planned with MGM executives to talk through our schedule”, said Jackson. “However last week, Mark Ordesky called Ken and told him that New Line would no longer be requiring our services on the Hobbit and the LOTR 'prequel'. This was a courtesy call to let us know that the studio was now actively looking to hire another filmmaker for both projects.

“Ordesky said that New Line has a limited time option on the film rights they have obtained from Saul Zaentz (this has never been conveyed to us before), and because we won't discuss making the movies until the lawsuit is resolved, the studio is going to have to hire another director. Given that New Line are committed to this course of action, we felt at the very least, we owed you, the fans, a straightforward account of events as they have unfolded for us.
“We have always had the greatest support from The Ringers and we are very sorry our involvement with The Hobbit has been ended in this way. Our journey into Tolkien's world started with a phone call from Ken Kamins to Harvey Weinstein in Nov 1995 and ended with a phone call from Mark Ordesky to Ken in Nov 2006. It has been a great 11 years.
“This outcome is not what we anticipated or wanted, but neither do we see any positive value in bitterness and rancor. We now have no choice but to let the idea of a film of The Hobbit go and move forward with other projects.”

Though he thinks he’s no longer in the race, MGM says they’re not going to give up on Peter Jackson directing “The Hobbit”.

Yesterday, the “Lord of the Rings” director told TheOneRing.net that New Line have removed him from the project. The filmmaker’s statement also reiterated in detail his stance on "The Hobbit" -- that he is not willing to have a serious conversation about directing the film until his ongoing lawsuit with New Line over what he considers improper accounting practices over "LOTR" profits is settled.

New Line's given reason for proceeding sans Jackson is that the studio's rights to the pic are about to expire, and seeing as the lawsuit with Jackson isn't moving ahead, well, the message was that New Line is.

An MGM spokesperson tells Variety today that they’re going to fight for Jackson. The spokesperson states, "The matter of Peter Jackson directing 'The Hobbit' films is far from closed."

You only have to do a Google search for one of the “Rings” forums to see what size backlash this one’s had.

Chris Pirrotta, co-founder of TheOneRing.net says "They [the fans] are very upset, - We are seeing calls for everything from letter writing campaigns to a boycott of the studio."

No doubt a ploy to keep the infuriated fan boys at bay, New Line are said to have asked Sam Raimi – replacing Peter Jackson – to direct “The Hobbit”, according to TheOneRing.net.

The “Spider-Man” and “Evil Dead” filmmaker has a huge following among genre buffs, so the news may just cool a few maddened ‘Rings’ fans down.

One man that won’t be happy with the decision – in fact, he won’t be happy until Jackson is re-hired for the job – is actor Ian McKellen, who plays Gandalf in the series.

McKellen tells TheOneRing.net that "It's hard to imagine any other director matching his achievement in Tolkien country."

Despite his falling out with "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy director Peter Jackson, who sued New Line regarding "The Fellowship of the Ring," New Line founder and co-chairman Robert K. Shaye is pressing ahead and eyeing a 2009 release for The Hobbit.

The New York Times interviewed Shaye last week and said:

And he would not comment on reports in the news media that the "Spider-Man" director Sam Raimi had been asked to direct "The Hobbit." He said, however, that although there was no workable script yet for the film, he intended to release it in 2009.

Will Sam Raimi, or another director come on board? Stay tuned for more news as it comes in regarding the high profile project.

Sam Raimi is in the race, we know that, but Aint it Cool now says filmmaker Peter Weir (“Master and Commander”, “Dead Poet’s Society”) is also under consideration to direct the forthcoming ‘Rings’ prequel, “The Hobbit”. Sounds like Bobby Shaye’s keeping his options open.

Either would probably make a good movie out of “The Hobbit” – but it will be kinda sad to see Peter Jackson’s name missing from the opening crawl won’t it?

Remember the rumours suggesting Sam Raimi was in the running to direct “The Hobbit”, following Peter Jackson’s kafuffle with New Line? Well, sounds like they’ll stay just that – rumours, with Raimi today quite optimistic that “Rings” helmer Jackson will indeed helm the prequel.

"There's no better choice to direct 'The Hobbit' than Peter Jackson. I'm a fan of 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy and Peter Jackson's a brilliant filmmaker and he would be the guy I think everybody would love see direct it”, Coming Soon quoted the “Spider-Man” director as saying at the press conference for “30 Days of Night”. “And I hear [New Line and Jackson are]talking, too, from what I read in the trades, I don't really know first hand, hopefully he will direct it and give us his great version of it. If he doesn't direct it and decides to produce it, I'd love to be considered as the director."