The Hobbit Still Waiting for the Green Light
Posted 05.29.10 by Ryan
Peter Jackson revealed last month that the upcoming
The Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hobbit, wasn't "delayed" since the movie "has never been officially announced as a 'go' project, nor have we ever announced a date." Director Guillermo del Toro has now confirmed that the two-part prequel is still in a holding pattern, according to ComingSoon.
It's not greenlit. That's categorical.... We've been caught in a very tangled negotiation.... There cannot be any start dates until the MGM situation gets resolved. They do hold a considerable portion of the rights.
The Hobbit isn't the only movie that is suffering from MGM's financial woes. Progress has also stalled on James Bond 23, the follow up to Quantum of Solace. Should the issues be resolved, however, Del Toro says The Hobbit is ready.
We have designed all the creatures, we've designed the sets and the wardrobe. We have done animatics and planned battles sequences.... We are very, very prepared for when it is finally triggered.
Del Toro also says that 3-D has been discussed "literally once" and that the budget for The Hobbit is not accounting for the currently popular format. With MGM suffering through financial problems, 3-D could be the answer, so expect that to possibly change.
Del Toro and Jackson are both confident that the movie will be made. In Jackson's interview last month, he revealed that the script was "finished," and that he was "pretty optimistic that we'll be shooting before the end of the year." He was quick to add: "I'm not announcing it, though."