Guillermo del Toro Leaves "The Hobbit"

[maninblack]

Source: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/05/31/del-toro-quits-as-director-of-the-hobbit/

The creative team for “The Hobbit,” the long-awaited live-action film adaptation of J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel about the diminutive fantasy hero Bilbo Baggins, has shrunk. Over the weekend the filmmaker Guillermo del Toro said he was departing the project as its director, amid uncertainty about a start date for shooting and the future of the studio releasing it.

In a statement posted Sunday on the Tolkien fan Web site TheOneRing.net, Mr. del Toro, whose films include “Pan’s Labyrinth” and the “Hellboy” movies, said: “In light of ongoing delays in the setting of a start date for filming ‘The Hobbit,’ I am faced with the hardest decision of my life. After nearly two years of living, breathing and designing a world as rich as Tolkien’s Middle Earth, I must, with great regret, take leave from helming these wonderful pictures.”

The online post said that Mr. del Toro would remain a screenwriter on “The Hobbit,” which is planned to be released in two parts in December 2012 and December 2013, and produced by New Line Cinema and MGM. Last year MGM, which also owns the film rights to the James Bond franchise, put itself up for sale, and is continuing to seek potential buyers for the studio, which carries $3.7 billion in debt.

Peter Jackson, the director of the “Lord of the Rings” movies and a writer and executive producer of “The Hobbit” films, said in the online posting that he was sad to see Mr. del Toro step down as director but understood his decision.

“The bottom line is that Guillermo just didn’t feel he could commit six years to living in New Zealand, exclusively making these films, when his original commitment was for three years,” Mr. Jackson said.

Mr. Jackson said he and his producing team would meet this week with studio executives “to ensure a smooth and uneventful transition, as we secure a new director for ‘The Hobbit,’” adding, “We do not anticipate any delay or disruption to ongoing pre-production work.”

[TGC]

I would not get my hopes up for this or another Bond movie for like at least 5 years. MGM is fucked.

[Jimmy]

This sucks big time. I think Del Toro would've really brought something special to the table. Plus he & Jackson seemed like the perfect match. I'm sure they'll find a perfectly fine replacement, but it's still shitty news.

[Gene Kiniski]

What's the issue on Bond films?

[GA!]

What's the issue on Bond films?

MGM is under financial difficulties right now, so can't commit to funding such a big franchise.

[Herr Matzat]

What's the issue on Bond films?

MGM is under financial difficulties right now, so can't commit to funding such a big franchise.

financial difficulties sounds way to tame for a $3.7 billion debt.

[TGC]

What they should do is sell off the franchises they have that still have legs and try to save themselves. I would be shocked beyond belief if any other studio or any group of investors is going to buy a studio that is almost $4 Billion in debt.

[zero]

Problems with MGM aside, why is it so difficult to get this damn movie made? They should've had plans in place the minute Fellowship of the Ring became a hit.

[The Viper]

Who or what the hell is a "Guillermo del Toro?"

[zero]

Directed both Hellboy movies, Blade 2, Pan's Labyrinth, etc. Google is your friend.

[apsham]

Hell, or just reading the initial post.

[SeanDMan]

How can they be in so much debt given how well Casino Royale did?

[Crybaby Bunting]

I'm confused: MGM studios made North By Northwest... but also Superhero Movie.

I don't know whether I want them to survive this or rot in hell for eternity.

[maninblack]

Who or what the hell is a "Guillermo del Toro?"

Clearly, you've never met an actual Hispanic person in your life

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

How can they be in so much debt given how well Casino Royale did?

The executives all bought solid gold Bentleys and installed shark tanks in their homes.

[HeartlineTwist]

It sucks because del Toro would have been perfect, but I can't blame him. Six years is a long fucking time to commit to a movie (or in this case, movieS) or a single project.

[Skummy]

How can they be in so much debt given how well Casino Royale did?

The executives all bought solid gold Bentleys and installed shark tanks in their homes.

And then filled the shark tanks with solid gold Bentleys.

[GoGo Yubari]

Who or what the hell is a "Guillermo del Toro?"

Okay, sorry, are you making deliberately awful posts in order to win your little game with Invader Z or whatever? Because that is so not on.

[probablyoliver]

How can they be in so much debt given how well Casino Royale did?

The executives all bought solid gold Bentleys and installed shark tanks in their homes.

And then filled the shark tanks with solid gold Bentleys.

And then filled the solid gold Bentleys with smaller shark tanks.

It's all a vicious circle, really.

[probablyoliver]

Wait, no, I missed out on an awesome pun. Lemme try again.