By Jake Coyle, AP Entertainment Writer
Dec 18, 2007
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Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema have reached an agreement to make J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," a planned prequel to the blockbuster trilogy "The Lord of the Rings."

Jackson, who directed the "Rings" trilogy, will serve as executive producer for "The Hobbit." A director for the prequel films has yet to be named.

Relations between Jackson and New Line had soured after "Rings," despite a collective worldwide box office gross of nearly $3 billion an enormous success. The two sides nevertheless were able to reconcile, with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) splitting "The Hobbit" 50/50, spokemen for both studios said.

"I'm very pleased that we've been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line," Jackson said in a statement. "We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth."

Two "Hobbit" films are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, similar to how the three "Lord of the Rings" films were made. Production is set to begin in 2009 with a released planned for 2010, with the sequel scheduled for a 2011 release.
[Edited 12/18/07 9:06am]

I always enjoyed reading The Hobbit more so than "The Lord of the Rings"

Shawnt25 said:

Ditto. I couldn't figure out why they didn't make The Hobbit a movie FIRST. It's so much more exciting.

Shawnt25 said:

Same here.

YAY!!

evenstar said:

Oh, btw; GAY!

Carrie ... you closed a thread about hobbits earlier today !

HamsterHuey said:

nonono, all the gay hobbit action goes on in the lord of the rings.

One4All4Ever said:

Dominatrix Mod.

HamsterHuey said:

I'm just hoping my Secret Santa sends me the action figure


with
the
wigs

One4All4Ever said:

A, secret santa. That is SO 2002.

Why 2 movies?

Hobbit could be made well with one 2hr movie.

Will it be in 2 parts or will the sequel be something else all together.

lust said:

2 movies = more money made. And it looks like they are just splitting up the story of The Hobbit in two movies.