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Is Neill Blomkamp the next 'Hobbit' director? Maybe



News from Bree
spymaster@theonering.net

Jun 18 2010, 3:32pm


Views: 6559
Is Neill Blomkamp the next 'Hobbit' director? Maybe

Neill Blomkamp mugBefore anybody gets crazy, let me be clear that we are not reporting that Neill Blomkamp is the director of 'The Hobbit'. I am not ready to put my name or TheOneRing's name on a story that says this is fact.

However, we did receive a spy report that stated it as cold, hard, unsurprising fact. We haven't been able to get a verification but the tip stated some other information on the side that fits with other info from other sources. A bunch of little pieces of information, some rock solid, some unclear, start to form a big picture that looks like it could have Blomkamp in it. I promise to explain it all if you will keep reading!

MGM and Warner Bros. want Peter Jackson to direct both movies adapted from "The Hobbit." They are trying to talk him into it because his name can carry the films and is an obvious and bankable marketing strategy.

The problem is, Jackson really didn't and really doesn't want to be the director. If he did, he wouldn't have hired Guillermo del Toro and he would already have stepped into the void and taken on the mantle. He leaves LOTR as his legacy and doesn't feel comfortable competing against himself in that same arena. One way or another, if it is PJ vs. PJ, PJ loses.

One of those rock solid sources tell us that he is doing everything he can to serve the film but still not step into that role. He had plans to rarely or never even visit the set with del Toro on the project but even now he still hopes to be a guide rather than an overseer. This will be a lot more likely and possible if he works with a director with whom he has an established relationship. This points toward Neill Blomkamp. The two have a relationship of Jackson mentoring without taking over. They trust each other.

Despite not having a named director, the production is moving forward as if all were well and that info is oozing out from every crack everywhere. I am getting contacted by a lot of people involved in the casting process and it is in full swing. Auditions and all the surrounding busy work is happening with the same team that worked on LOTR.

One less familiar spy told us that some casting decisions have even been made, specifically regarding a dwarf or two. Directors may not have the complete casting control that outsiders imagine but doing that without a director seemed a little strange. Could it be a fib or could there be a director in place? With Comic-Con coming up (including a TORn panel to kick it off Thursday, July 22) perhaps the studio is waiting to have the world's popular culture press gathered in one spot to make its big announcement. That keeps Jackson from breaking the news here at TheOneRing.net as he and del Toro did.

Another new spy claims that shooting isn't scheduled for the end of the year as Ian McKellen and previously mentioned spies have speculated but for the very beginning of 2011. We have been posting Hobbiton-under-construction pictures for months and New Zealand's sometimes crazy weather dictates that you shoot there in the summer so December and January are the right time to begin production. All this points toward the need for a director or perhaps already having one in place.

We also rooted out the Warner Bros. report as part of the Time Warner company report from a few weeks ago. The big wigs speak and inspire hope in investors and share holders and explain how the company is moving forward. Warners spoke of two Hobbit films and even used a graphic in its presentation. (Humorously enough, it was a fan-produced, photoshoped image that has been used on the net for years now that Warners presented as its Hobbit imagry!) The point is, the big boys, the brass, the decision makers, the powerful, the rich and the accountable want this thing going forward.

Those guys are smart enough to know, and its obvious from the rest of the presentation, that when del Toro walked away, they took a financial hit and lost an asset. They value talent and they know they lost some. This is why they are pushing for Jackson but they realize other talent can be less famous and still be worthwhile. Who can make them money?

So now this spy report has come in from somebody claiming, well, lets see exactly what was said. After some offhand details that rang very true, we got to the news nugget:

(I) was given the breakdown details for the film, which included who the director is: Neil Bloomkamp.


Spelling aside, it just fits the bigger picture. On a personal note, I spent some time with Jackson and Blomkamp at Comic-Con last year in an interview room and attended the world and geek premiere of "District 9." While everybody is obligated to speak well of colleagues in such situations, the two of them were seemingly completely at ease with each other and complimented each other. From my first-hand experience, its easy to imagine them wanting to work well together. This was before Blomkamp's modestly budgeted sci-fi film without a single known star set in Johannesburg went on to be a surprise big earner and received a "Best Picture" Oscar nomination. Talent.

Those who believe he can only make documentary-style splatter films with clever curse-word filled dialog are selling the young talent very short.

In short we know from lots of sources:
1. Jackson doesn't want to do it
2. He wants somebody he trusts and can be sure of
3. Casting is happening now
4. Pre-pre-production is happening now
5. MGM and Warners need a talent in place yesterday
6. The platform for making a big genre splash announcement is approaching
7. The schedule fits with rumors from many sources
8. Many spies are sounding similar notes
9. One tells us they have seen the film breakdown with Blomkamp directing

So is Neill Blomkamp going to direct "The Hobbit"? Could be. My personal opinion is that this information is correct.
If you have further information about this or anything related please e-mail our news team at Spymaster@TheOneRing.net or me at MrCere@TheOneRing.net.


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 18 2010, 10:09pm


Views: 4709
This would be a very good choice.

Peter wanted him to do Halo and trusted that he would do it right. As to the quality of D-9, well it should have taken the golden guy (In my less than humble opinion. I liked it a lot more than Avatar. Brilliant direction start to finish.

He needs to grow a beard thoughEvil

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket

(This post was edited by Kangi Ska on Jun 18 2010, 10:11pm)


Oscarilbo
Lorien


Jun 18 2010, 10:11pm


Views: 4707
Wow... Its exactly what I imagine when I read GDT`s breaking news!

I hope this is true. I Think he would be a fantastic Director, and of course... He would use a different style, not District`s 9 style. Altough I think we would see shaking camera shots and everything, wich is a more PJ-like style in my opinion.

We`ll see what happens...

"The World is Changed, I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air"

(This post was edited by Oscarilbo on Jun 18 2010, 10:16pm)


R11
Lorien

Jun 18 2010, 10:44pm


Views: 4655
Some people may call D9

Only a splatter fest. But there was a lot of heart underneath that exterior. And a nice study of the human (and unhuman) condition. I'd like to see him get the chance myself.


ron


macfalk
Valinor


Jun 18 2010, 10:52pm


Views: 4614
I had serious troubles liking District 9 -

To be honest, I didnt like it at all. But if PJ himself could bring LOTR to life the way he did with his modest film CV before that, perhaps Blomkamp can too.

But please, the "documentary-style" has to be canned for The Hobbit!!!!!!


Pipe Dream
Gondor


Jun 18 2010, 11:26pm


Views: 4642
It's not like we have a choice right?

I liked District 9 mostly because the meat bag explosions made me laugh, maybe it'll work out. It's my guess they probably need a younger guy who will follow what has already been established and not feel the need to make too many changes, if any....plus they won't have to fork over a GDT sized salary. Wink

Photobucket

Pre-Pre-production goes ever on and on...

(This post was edited by Pipe Dream on Jun 18 2010, 11:28pm)


Malveth The Eternal
Lorien

Jun 18 2010, 11:30pm


Views: 4563
Basically...

If Neill Blomkamp is given this film, I'll stop thinking about it & never watch it. It just kills any interest I might have in ever seeing it. My interest will remain on seeing what GDT came up with - designs, concepts etc. The rest - who cares.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/CarrotField/257960949766?created


Sunflower
Valinor

Jun 18 2010, 11:31pm


Views: 4721
Once again, mmmmmm-MONEY will triumph.

Forgive me, everyone, please, but I can't help but think back to the myriad reasons why Del Toro left the project. He of course never specified what all of those were, but he hinted strongly that the MGM situation was not the only reason. Before we laud the possible appointment of Blomkamp, we need to seriously consider what these reasons might have been, and wonder what another director might do when faced with those issues, which are not going to go away, but will likely beocme even more serious. (You can't help but wonder, also..well, the cynic in me can't help wondering....if Blomkamp would exactly fit the money-hungry Suits' need for new premium "product" because, unlike Del Toro, who (maybe, just maybe?) proved "difficult" and "not a team player" on such issues as 3-D and animatronics instead of CGI and other "creative" issues, Mr. Blomkamp is a complete newbie who can be pushed around very easily, and would happliy give into whatever the studio demanded, including post-production cuts and other tinkering with the final product, say, for cost-cutting purposes. (they must slso be looking at the bargain-basement budget of the FX on D9 and thinking with Blomkamp on board, they will easily be able to get TH in with LOTr quakity at a reduced budget. THEY CANNOT. All the money has to be up there on screen for the world to see. TH cannot be a bargain-basement production.

)If he bows to unrelenting studio pressure on the 3D issue, you've lost me right there. The 3D issue was one of the reasons I guess Del Toro left, and on that issue I have changfed my mind 360 degrees. I was initially cautiously for it, but in light of how it has IMO changed Hollywood for the worse in the 6 months since Avatar, I am now against it. There has been a wholesale cheapening of product and a film being in 3D is now the cheif marketing tool the studios use, not the3 film itself. (I wil not ouruse this issue ad neaseum, don't worry.Tongue)

Unlike Del Toro, who has a history of being stubborn and fighting for the quakity of his work (as per Mimic and PL), Blomkamp would be an easy pushover. One of the reasons I lauded the appointment of Del Toro so much 2 yrs ago was not only b/c I'd been a fan of his for the past 4 yrs, but b/c I knew the climate of Hollywood had changed from 2000, the height of the indie era, even back then. And we needed a director who would not be duanted by studio pressure over any issue, and that theere would be the need to fight for the integrity of the final product That issues would indeed arise.

And this was BEFORE the Great Recession.

Don't get me wrong, I love Blomkamp and was one of the enthusiastic posters about D9 last fall, but even as much as I believe he has the potential, he is too inexperieced. He ha snot yet found his voice. One film is daunting enoughm but TWO? It would be like asking the Steven Spielberg to direct the entire "Indiana Jones" trilogy (written as 3 films) after he debuted with The Sugarland Express. As good as Blomkamp already is, you do NOT find your coneatic "voice" on such a big and high-profile project. You need to already have developed your feature-length "voice", and the depth of your vision. And what goes for you, goes even more for yoir CREW.

Likewise, I would not have wanted the Peter Jackson of "Dead Alive" to direct LOTR--he had to get that expansion of vision like "HC in first.

We had a big enough issue with Del Toro not being familar with not only TH, bit Tolkien as well. He had to go to "Tolkien school", and spent many months familarizing himself with everything Tolkien wrote. This will affect the future qality of the films. Would LOTR have been as good if PJ and crew did not have not only the complete knowledge and command and PASSION for the project that many, many months of preperation had not given him. You just CANNOT throw in a replacemernt director just to meet deadlines into a project like this. Del Toro was in the perfect place as a directort to begin filming. Knowledge, intellect, creative fire: poor Blomkamp will have none of these things. How much time will he have to "go to Tolkien school"? Will he be able to make the innumerable changes to the scriot while filming that the project will need so that it is PERFECT? ( hard enough propositon as it is, with this 2-film story expansion.)

If he was drafted, I would feel genuinely sorry for the poor guy. He would secretly be terrified, as much as he'd be exhilerated. And PJ CANNOT babysit him. it has to be YOUR product, YOUR vision on film. (I imagine he would want to put his stamp on the film too, not just stick to Del Toro's script. especially as a newbie.)

(see this Nkii Finke story on Warner Brothers and their new scripts policy: http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com
(see today;s story: "Where's My Script? Studios Crack Down..." etc. Reading the Comments tothat story is also informative, as several appear tp have been written by actial scribes...it sheds a lot of light on the wat not only WB but other studios are now operating. And TH is being made in this climate.)

Finally, as much as the prospect of Blomkamp doing the job of babysitting Del Toro's vision with PJ's crew might excite some people, I am anyhing but excited. I still think the films have lost an irreplaceable amount of quality snd prestiege. Nothing cann replace the films that would have been produced with Guillermo Navarro, Del Toro's Oscar-winning DoP, for example. A Blomkamp working with Andrew Lesnie, for example. cannot help be for me an inferior. product.

I stand by my contention from last week that we have lost something that cannot be replaced no matter how much the miney-hungry studios want to, and for me, the films will never have the same quality a and magic.

Some may dispute this and say, "Well, you have to give someone their chance," for me, that opinion would work on any other project, but not this one. We forget: this will liely be THE defenative film version of TH, a book that, least we forget, is much more of a beloved world literary classic than LOTR ever was, and has notr been filmed in the 75 years it has been around.

This is still a sad thing for me, as I happen to be one of the people who did NOT want Jackson to direct or even babysit, outsdie of writing the script. Which he'll have to end up doing now, no matter who directs.

Let those who want the films to be made *at any cost*, becuase gee, this project is TOO BIG TO IGNORE and has to be made, and have sunnier dispositions about the whole thing, chime in and carry on...but I feel a right to have the cautious skeptical POV heard at least once.

(Message to WB: you are treating TH like Harry Potter and you already have it all wrong. This is NOT Harry Potter...)

And now I yield the floor to those who may feel differently. But I hope I have broight up some issues that merit honest debate....if the studios indeed have a mole reading this site and want to guage opinion.


(This post was edited by Sunflower on Jun 18 2010, 11:41pm)


Nerwen
Bree


Jun 18 2010, 11:43pm


Views: 4564
Any clues from Neill himself?

Well, I'm not familiar with any of his work, so I can't really have an opinion. But I trust PJ and if he thinks Blomkamp would be a good choice, then he probably will be. I'm not really worried about what styles he has used before or whether he's young or experienced or whatever... but what I am wondering about is - does he know the book and love it? Whoever directs these two movies must be passionate about Middle-earth and the story, not just see it as an interesting project or a good opportunity to add something cool to their resume. So those of you who have followed the press around D9 and his other projects - has he ever mentioned LOTR/The Hobbit/Tolkien? How does he feel about fantasy in general?

"We shall be bruised and battered to pieces, and drowned too, for certain!" they muttered. "We thought you had got some sensible notion, when you managed to get hold of the keys. This is a mad idea!"


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 18 2010, 11:53pm


Views: 4568
Somehow it seem appropriate that R11 likes D9 ;) //

 

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket


Oiotári
Tol Eressea


Jun 19 2010, 12:05am


Views: 4557
my initial reaction was discomfort

but that's just due to the fact that I want GdT directing, and I'd gotten used to the idea, so anything else just doesn't feel right

but Neill Blomkamp is one of the better options that have been put forward, if you ask me
I did like D-9, and while I hope it's not the same as D-9 I think he could pull it off
but as Sunflower brought up, I don't want the film's director to bend too easily to what the studio says

well, we'll see, I can still hope for Fran directing Wink


You can only come to the morning through the shadows


weaver
Half-elven

Jun 19 2010, 12:27am


Views: 4562
Link for those like me who don't know much about him...

District 9 isn't my kind of film, so I have very little familiarity with Neill B. -- so I went hunting and found this site:

http://www.mahalo.com/neill-blomkamp

In the video clip, he talks a bit about working with Peter and Fran....

My husband and kids all saw District 9 and loved it, and they all have different ideas about what makes a film good -- if they all like something, it's usually a good sign...

So, I'm intrigued by this possibility I guess!

Nice detective work, MrCere!

Weaver




MrCere
Sr. Staff


Jun 19 2010, 12:51am


Views: 4677
Woah woah woah

First I am quite confident that del Toro didn't leave due to the 3D issue because there wasn't time or money budgeted to do 3D at all. It was going to be a 2D movie.

But what I really want to know is about this statement:

"but he hinted strongly that the MGM situation was not the only reason."

What? Where? I didn't ever read anything of the sort and if there are GDT quotes like that I really, really want to see them! Pretty please!


I have no choice but to believe in free will.

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The cake is a lie

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R11
Lorien

Jun 19 2010, 1:03am


Views: 4497
Brother Kangi

Please explain.....


Alassë
Registered User

Jun 19 2010, 1:08am


Views: 4647
I don't want the hobbit to be made anymore

I can't bear the thought of this wonderful book being wrecked. I really loved District 9, and Neill Blomkamp is a fantastic director, but I just think pursuing this once GDT left is silly. We're going to end up with a film that is significantly weaker than LotR, and that's going to ruin the enjoyment of the original trilogy. One of the reasons PJ and co produced such fantastic films is that fully immersed themselves for years in Tolkien's world- any director stepping in at the last minute here is not going to have the background or passion for these books. I'm concerned that these films are becoming more about making money, as opposed to delivering something we'll all enjoy. I don't want LotR turning into Harry Potter or Twilight.
this whole situating is very worrying Unsure


R11
Lorien

Jun 19 2010, 1:23am


Views: 4511
So much drama

 


entmaiden
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jun 19 2010, 1:26am


Views: 4478
Hmmm... I might like this choice.

I loved District 9 and it would be very interesting to see how Neil Blomkamp handles Hobbits.

sample


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 19 2010, 1:34am


Views: 4494
Well

it is R11(your handle here) a capitalized vowel followed by a whole number. D9 fits the same pattern. OK my brain just does this kind of thing every once in a while. It is how I earned my M.O. degree. Oh that is "Master of the Obvious" if you are unfamiliar with itEvil

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 19 2010, 1:41am


Views: 4530
Boy I want the Hobbit made and quick

There is a killer script, the world's best graphic crew, & PJ's WingNuts all waiting.......................................................Oh and Gandalf is waiting for Godot in OZ.
So to paraphrase a statement made here in Beautiful Downtown St. Paul Minnesota...Film Baby Film.

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket


Ethel Duath
Half-elven


Jun 19 2010, 1:47am


Views: 4467
My brain too.

That's why I get so many blank stares from my violin students . . . Evil


Elven
Valinor


Jun 19 2010, 1:49am


Views: 4515
Its an interesting idea ...

A mentorship starts with with a bond of trust and both PJ and Neil B have been well rewarded by their working partnership and its obvious in D9 - its a good start.

My hope is that if it be that Neil B takes on this project, or for any Director who takes up the Hobbit, that they feel comfortable stepping into second hand shoes and can make them their own comfortable fit. I think the wound from GdTs departure is still a bit raw for me, but the show must go on, and I trust two things - that Peter will choose who he feels is the best to lead this project forward - and secondly, if it doesn't work out with that person PJ will sense it immediately and find someone else. He's not backwards in coming forward in that area - he's replaced people before. I think if it is Neil B, I can see why he would have chosen him for this project, but I also feel that it has put pressure on the films to get a Director as quickly as possible, and I hope that hasn't compromised the 'best Director possible' for the 'most available Director' under the circumstances. If PJ thinks Neil is the Best and Available - then I trust his decision.

Nice article MrCere, thankyou! Wink

Cheers
Elven


Oiotári
Tol Eressea


Jun 19 2010, 2:12am


Views: 4529
Here's something I found

but since it's from Wikipedia and doesn't appear to have a source (unless I'm just not seeing it) I don't know how accurate it is

here it is:

Upcoming sci-fi project
Blomkamp recently received the greenlight on a new sci-fi film, due out sometime in 2011. This upcoming film is not a District 9 sequel, which has been confirmed by Blomkamp himself. Peter Jackson will not produce this project, instead it will be Blomkamp's first solo film. Production on the film is set to commence in mid-2010.


You can only come to the morning through the shadows

(This post was edited by Oiotári on Jun 19 2010, 2:13am)


Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jun 19 2010, 3:07am


Views: 4525
PJ has an uncanny nose for talent.

If he thinks someone who appears untried to the wider world actually has the goods to direct - or animate or do whatever in the movie industry - then I'm inclined to believe him.

I just wish we'd get some confirmation and a 'go'!

Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded b*****d with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.


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Woodyend
Gondor


Jun 19 2010, 3:16am


Views: 4503
I have never seen a single movie he has made.

The Hobbit will never compare in quality with LOTR. I have a feeling I will just set there watching endless special affects in a movie that has no heart. Well that’s my biggest fear.

May your beer be laid under an enchantment of surpassing excellence for seven years!
~~~~~~~~Gandalf~~~~~~~

Listen. Strange women lying in ponds, distributing swords, is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony!


Sunflower
Valinor

Jun 19 2010, 4:15am


Views: 4594
WARNING: Long and Rambling post ahead.

Tongue
Had to go away for a while, but now that I;m back I want to address first your comment MrCere.

How do you know for certain that WB was not pressuring TH to be filmed in 3D? I'm sorry, but being "quite confident" is not the same as "knowing for sure." TH has no official budget at all, the final budget for the film cannot be determined until after there is an official greenlight. I know, with the scripts (supposedly) in, there must be some idea already, but until after the greenlight is given, there would be an even better idea. And we will not know until then how much money WB is putting up, how much WB is ponying up, and how much if any PJ can or will be asked to contribute (quite a possibilty in this abysmal penny-pinching climate.)
My memory of exact posts is dim, but if Del Toro had anything defenite to say on the subject, I'll bet he posted it no later than early March. If I am wrong and Del Toro posted a statement *after March 1st* that said that TH was DEFENITELY NOT going to be filmed in 3D, then I stand corrected.

However, the number of concrete news stories, and the number of Del Toro's posts, both fell drastically beginning right around March. That is when the Big Silence began, on all fronts, (except for a few vague statements that "in a few days" we'd see some moving forward on the MGM front which turned out to be a big fat lie) and when, I am sure, the processes that led to Del Toro's departure, whatever they were, began accelerating in earnest. March, in retrospect, seems to have been the turning point.

The reason why I gave the March date is this: I believe that the success of Avatar had a very big impact on the way WB viewed their expectations for TH, possibly chnaging their POV in a very short amount of time, and we need to look at this fact. Jeff Bewkes's mind may have changed on the subject in a VERY short amount of time--like, say, the week the global box office for Avatar broke the 2.5 billion mark. And that was for ONE film. Now, if TH films were released in 2D, there would be no way the studio could charge the inflated 3D ticket prices that 3D films get, which would drastically impact the box office. True, there would probably be a last-minute post-production 2D to 3D transfer for IMAX (I'm sure they felt like they'd look like idiots if they didn't at least try this) but other wise they'd have to suffer lower box office. Yes, there are only 200+ IMAX theaters in the world and outside the US, where the films would be mostly shown in 2D anyway, this would not be an issue. But the U.S. IMAX theaters, with their fantastic repeat business for Avatar, contributed a lot to the US take and made the difference whern it came to studio bragging rights.

And bragging rights matter very much these days, since they dramatically affect a studio's stock price and market share, and if the above press release didn't make ot all the more dramatically clear, the only thing the studio appears to care about is making as much money as possible and FAST. Before March, TH was the hottest franchise in town. Now, with an Avatar sequel coming, as big as it is, monetarily speaking, it isn't the BIGGEST anymore, not by a long shot. The past year, and think 2 yrs, (not counting this yr with Avatar';s success, this will count for this year), WB is the biggest earning studio in Hollywood. This yr and next, they'll likely keep that title, with the last 2 Harry Potter films coming out. But other than TH. there is no huge epic mega-budget blockbuster franchise on the table and they are in a state of panic. I'm sure they'd like to have something to come out in 2012 or later that makes as much or more than Avatar, so thst they'll still be #1. And how better to do that than have TH in 3d?

Besides, how will a 2D Hobbit look on all those new 3D TV's that people are already beginning to buy to play their Avatar Blu-Rays on? (We've already gotten a taste of the careful, loving attention that WB is putting forth to marketing TH as something different than HP or Avatar. *cough*.)

And forgive me if I maintain the notion that there weren;t powerful forces within WB after March that were arguing that a 2d Hobbit would be a futile "swimming against the Hollywood tsunami" of 3D. And therefore counter-productive.
And that's just WB. How did the hedge fund mmanagers who took over control of MGM in late March feel abouit this issue? You can bet that the Avatar box office and 3D ticket prices were the ONLY things their mon-movie busines eyes saw and understood....

That out of the way, let me say that from my knowledge of Del Toro (nowhere near Hellmistress's of course), but just as a fan of almost 5 yrs who has readt just about everything written in English about him, let me say that he is a passionate artist who fights for what he believes in and the biggest fights he has had with studios and other corporate entities in his projects tend to be scriptoral issues. The 2 prime examples of this are his debut film, Mimic, and Pan's Labyrinth. (Notice that he has said that whoever is chosen to direct, he will be :continuing to work on the scripts." I thought they had been turned in and supposedly approved of by January? Was there some outstanding major issues with the 2nd script? He clearly is intending to see that his vision is still honored. Not having worked on a Tolkien adaptation, which tneds to further evolve organically during filming, how could he be referring to that? There must be some other difficulty.)
For details on the agonizing experience he had in making "Mimic", his debut film, see Peter Biskind's book "Down And Dirty Pictures." . (Pg 250-255.) (I just re-read that and it made me sick all over again.) He wanted Mimic to be the masterful blend of action, mystery, lyricims and ideas that his 2nd film, "Cronos", was. Watch Mimic and then Cronis and compare the two. You'll get an idea of what Hollywood wanted to shove down his throat and his own vision. DT feels s strongly about this that last year he was STILL fighting Harvey Weinstein to get the origional version of Mimic released on DVD instead of the piece of crap that is the current version.
As to the PL fight, that was with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2006. I forget if it was during first screenings or the beginning of Oscar season, DT got world very early on that AMPAS was blown away and that it was a shoo-in for BFF nom. But they had a HUGE issue with "the little girl dying" and asked why the ending could not be changed. At one point, during a meeting with AMPAS officials, according to an interview he gave, one prominent member of AMPAS told himpoint-blank, "You know that you're going to lose the Oscar", implying flat out that if Ofelia died, he wouldn't win. Of course,. DT did not care what anyone thought, Ofelia's death and redemption--her Christ-like refusal to shed innocent blood--was the whole point of the film, and he did not back down.

So I am surmusing that in addition to the 2nd script possibly having been sent back to DT for revision by a studio that, after March, suddenly maybe wanting as "kid-friendly" a film as possible, there were other business issues on the table. I very HIGHLY doubt that PJ and G were atcreative odds over anything, and whatever DT wanted, PJ tried to present to the studio. DT's fight was with the studios, not PJ.

So let me throw out an example. If it were a script issue (one of the "many and varied" reasons DT said he had for leaving) what would be the Mimic and Ofelia-like issue he had with the script? There could be several.

What does DT feel the most passionately about, and what does he talk about a lot? What would he battle WB about for sure? Monsters. Let me throw out one throry: one little factor thst he'd be fighting the studio about. This would be one of many issues he'd have over the script. but it could be a promient one.

Let me throw out the possibilty of: Smaug. It's one of the few things he was talking enthusiastically about early on so you know how close it was to his heart. (God, just saying "was"--rips MY heart out...). What if Smaug was indeed introduced up close and personal only in the 2nd film, and WB was very unhappy about the way DT wanted us to see him? Before Avatar, they probably didn't care how dark the films were. But waht if the films got very dark (or at least semi-"adult") in the 2nd film (follwing the "whimsical to darK' character development trajectory") and DT's plans for Smaug were deemed too "non-mainstream"


Compa_Mighty
Tol Eressea


Jun 19 2010, 4:34am


Views: 1546
I agree 100%

I liked District 9 quite abit... and as I've said, if Peter trusts him, so do I... chances are he also had meetings with del Toro, so he might already be up to speed on the project and what Guillermo wanted.

Judging by the last several years, the short list of directors that have Jackson's full artistic trust are: del Toro, Spielberg, Cameron and Blomkamp. With GDT out, I believe the choice is rather obvious, if we see it from that point of view.

Blomkamp's uber-breakout? Perhaps!

Let me stress once again I am almost sure there's input from Spielberg and Cameron in this pre-pre.production face... that can only be good.

Here's to Del Toro becoming the Irvin Kershner of Middle Earth!

Essay winner of the Show us your Hobbit Pride Giveway!



Alassë
Registered User

Jun 19 2010, 5:28am


Views: 1499
That's my fear too :(

 


Owain
Tol Eressea


Jun 19 2010, 6:07am


Views: 1510
Mmmmmmmoney is what get's a film made.

What myriad of reasons? He (Guillermo Del Toro) was clear in his post that the MGM situation prevented him from going further as a director on the project. Remember that he is still a writer on the project. If he was so fundamentally opposed to how the film was being handled then why continue on as a writer? Since all films are born out of the story, screenplay I don't think he would stick with a project he didn't believe in... especially since he stated that leaving was one of the hardest decisions he has ever had to make. Remember that he is also under contract with other studios for other projects and the window of time for other projects are beginning to close.

In the spirit of honest debate, as you have asked for, how would Blomkamp be an easy pushover? District 9 was a movie set in a country that allowed apartheid and analogized that situation with aliens. A white South African making a film about apartheid... not a pushover. And oh... it was nominated for an academy award... something rare for such a small budget film that had an unpopular topic, that somehow captivated audiences and did well.

There has been no news of "unrelenting pressure" for 3D in The Hobbit. Guillermo Del Toro said it was talked about literally once.

Neil Blomkamp isn't an inexperienced director... the fact that D9 went as far as it did is because of experience... has everyone forgotten that a major studio was going to sink millions into a Halo movie with him at the helm... and that was before D9.

I'm sorry but I couldn't help but laugh as I read your post. OF COURSE you are allowed your opinion, OF COURSE you can disagree but frankly a lot of what you are saying is not based in fact, which is what honest debate is founded upon.

"Question everything, embrace the bad, and hold on to the good."


ringer5150
The Shire


Jun 19 2010, 6:51am


Views: 1488
It is a wise guess he would do it especially when...

You line up the dots and connect them. For example: Sam Raimi is out because of the wizard of oz prequel he just signed onto. Alfonso Cuaron is out because he started pre-production on his film "GRAVITY." David Yates said he is not doing it. Neil is the only I can see being available to do this. Also PJ doesn't want to do it out of feeling like he is going up against himself. I guess we'll see.

Maybe Guillermo was meant to just write the hobbit and PJ was meant to direct it. And that is an encouraging thought.


Doriath
Rivendell


Jun 19 2010, 8:03am


Views: 1522
Heavy sigh

Yes, there may still be some ok things about these movies but one thing is for sure, it's not as hard for me to wait for them to come out anymore. Even though GDT did not originally have the passion for or knowledge of the material you just knew he would make it work and it would have been so very cool. With PJ we would still have a director with the passion for Tolkien and the material knowledge and that just seems too important for this project. I feel there is just too much potential for diminished quality now. I cringe at the liberties that may be taken with the story and the lack of richness we may experience. If they are just looking to make money and get some product out they might make a healthy sum in it's initial theatrical run but the die hard Tolkien fans won't be going to it more than once and may not be keen to buy home versions in any format if they don't "feel it". I mean it you moles who may be reading. Take this very seriously. Do not put out a "just add water and stir" version of this story. Very many of us can taste the difference.

The Trees will have their revenge!


Voorhas
Lorien


Jun 19 2010, 8:40am


Views: 1505
Shark Jumping

I'm beginning to lean toward this position, sadly.

It really does feel like a window of opportunity has been missed.

Whatever...it's only a movie, right?


jedihillis
Registered User

Jun 19 2010, 9:09am


Views: 1511
Yes!

Yay! I'd personally be in favor of this. I voted for him on the poll of the main page.

It just makes sense to me that Peter would choose a guy he's familiar with and trusts to handle the material. Of course, it'd be lovely if Jackson would direct it himself but he's clearly stated that he's not going to.

I see nothing wrong with giving Bloomcamp a chance. He's only made one big movie, but that movie was amazing!


Sunflower
Valinor

Jun 19 2010, 10:38am


Views: 1416
Shadows and Dreamscapes

Okay, if some of you laughed at my posts before, you're really going to laugh now, becauseI'll either come off looking like a total naieve jerk or way off the mark, out of touch, take your pick, but I hope what I say has some merit.

I've been trying to put this into words longer than I can say.Beneath all the anger, all the bitterness and the outrage, lies a deppand still-abiding sadness, a sadness that I think may never fully fade...not as long as I enter a theater or open up a magazine, let alone pop in a DVD.

I discivered Guillermo Del Toro's work almost 5 yrs ago when I entered a theater ans saw "Pan's Labyrinth." (an experience I am forever grateful to God I was able to do in a theater and not just on TV...it makes all the difference.)Sincethen, I've followed him on his website, Del Toro Films, http://www.deltorofilms.com . I lurkedf ro 2 yrs, then began posting about 3 yrs ago. I went to GDT School and followed the beginning of what I saw as his natural progression upwards in Western film, chronichling his three-prongedshutting between Mainstream Hollywood, the Spanish-Americsan cinema hybridshe created, and the lstly the beaurgeoning Mexican-Spanish Axis of blossoming artists that the Oscar success of PL has enabled to bring forth. I got to know, and will continue to know, a great bunch of people, a msall close-knit family of 45 people or so, and have been eld down strange paths, including meeting a couple of the great man;s artistic entourage. All the while I read his once in a while posts, full of the curious enthusiasm of a little kid, and then when he was announced as director of TH I gleefully followed him over here, seeking to get more people from both sites posting on the other one ( an experiment that had had only modest success.) I was convinced I had something more than special..something you don't see very often.

The trhing that has fascinated me about G is the battle he has spent the past 15 or so yrs fighting between the 2 halves of himself, as expressed in the 2 poleshe currently operstes within: the mainstream cdommercial side and the Spanish-language side as expressed in Chronos and the Spanisj Civil War Dualogy. (one of his "wish list" projects with Universal is the third inststallment of this supposed trilogy, but it does not excite me as much as the other two...for reasons I will explain later.) Disgusted with Hollywood after the experienceof Mimic, he went back and began making his own iconoclastic pieces, indulging in the subtelty, depth and lyricims he felthe was denied in Hollywood. Most directors would have stropped there, bur G felt there was an antrinsic need to operate in both spheres, that one needed the other...and not just to pay the bills or have one be leverage for the other, Except for PL, none of these felt to me fully complete. In PL he found a premis--that the adult mind needed fantasy more than the child and fantasy is a treasure that is needed and must be preserved at all costs, and the way for an adult is to begin by opening your mind to wonder. (thus I interpret it.) His last work before TH would have been was Hellboy 3, which far from being as good as many thought, was for me in retrospect an outpouring of frustrsation at the confines he was caged in, a yearning for a larger canvas to paint in. Thus the over-boiling cauldrom of creatures in the Troll Market. He was rattling the bars of the Hollywood cage and yearned for someting more. No matter the fun, seeing it now, you can tell his soul was not invested in it...

And then like a ripe plum from the sky, "The Hobbit" fell from the Movie Heaven. I don;t think for him it was just a career move...all comments at fim festivals to the contrary. He did not fake that pic with PJ.

One of the things that most excited me over these many months was not only the impending opportunity to witness how Del Toro planned to merge his 2 warring selves possibly into something new, in cinematic terms, but how he was going to finally have not omly a large enough canvas to stretch out upon and bring his formidable intellect to bear, but how the high-profile natureof TH was going to open up whole new worlds, potentially, for so many. We who not know him from DTF and were introduced to him through hos osts here, got to know the incredible depth of his knowledge. Many people may be abkle to drop the names of obscure poets, painters, authors and even gamers and musicians at the drop of a hat, but I doubt many of the current crop of directors in Hollywood, let alone their clients, browese old bookstands and can sucessfully connect a gamer with a poet, or an author with a..well, another osbscure author, and find artistic ferment and unity in such ideas. And it was not just online. Many's the time I've opened sa magazine over the past 3 yrs and found that G had an endearing habit of "relapsing" and letting slip the most oscure names and titles into interviews with mainstream publications.) How many times I've found myself thinking, "I can't WAIT to see the cover story in TIME magazie or Entertainment Weekly where he talks about Dos Passos or some unkmown German writer from 1902, and their novella about vampires." (etc etc.) And say, if LOTr was anything to go by, the "twilight" fangirls all fall in love with whoever plays Bard and want to read every article his picture is in, and are inspired to Google this German guy and read his poetry!" A silly idea, biut never underestimate the powers of peer influence on a teen..I speal from some experience. You'd never find me today with a heavy tome of Joyce under my arm (but yes, on my bookcase:), but I can always remember the distinct thrill of discovering "Ulysses" at the age of 12, simply b/c I went on an Irish binge b/c my new (and still favorite) musicians were U2.And I wanted to knoe every name any band member said in an interview. To this day, omly Harold Bloom's musings about "the snot-green sea" on the Matello Tower remain embedded in my brain (O alas!)

Silly? You betcha. What were the chances of this happeninfg with gneral audiences for TH? Maybe in America, slim...but you never know. However, the chances of some 10 yr old Russian child being led to it were great, if they didn;t know them already. How many kids in Thailand or Brazil will flock to Drood? We shall see...IF it gets made.

And that is the real revolution we hall sadly never get now. Del Toro is that rarest of breeds operating anywhere near the commercial mantream today: the one whose foundation continues tio be the Written Word. He is a truem Renaissance Man, a true intellectual, a throwback to an earlier time beofre the last 2 generations of film-mkaers when immersion in their parents; libraries was the norm and visual media were a new and yet still distant phenomenon. Listening to a GDT DVD Commenatary was fior me often like what a DVD comeatary would be if DVDs were around when Bergman or SanijatRay or Jean Coctueau were in their artistic prime. (that's what I felt Del Toro had a chance at being: the next Jean Cocteau...or bigger...PL was his "Beauty And The Beast." Beautiful haunting score and all.)

Except that with TH, he;d be splashing his Old World intelect upon the biggest of global broadcasters and influcenicng countless millions at the most jhigh-profuiler level as a result. Many times I;ve caught myself thinking, "WHAT is this guy stilldoing making horror films and ghiost stories? He should be making stuff likr Dr. Zhivago, instead." But alas....that Hollywood he had a chance of rasing from the dead. Not so now. Commerical clout is all, and omnly by rising to the highest commerical level can you be affodedthat scope and freedom. Gone now.)

The last 2 generations of Hollywood giants came of age and were the most heavily influenced not by the wriotten word, but by its 2nd generation anticideents--radio, TV, fiolms of all sorts. Pulp novels. And now, video. Blomkamp, PJ, Cameron, Spielberg--they all drop the names of film directors and TV shows more readily then authors and painters and poets for the most part. OH, there's the occaisonal Milius who seems to have that Old Worldism, but they are few and far between. This and G'd book illustrator past, the Notebook, his Brothers Grimm mentality that did not seek (unlike Spielberg with ET, for example) to candy-coat life by suggesting that there could be any easy subsitute for the loss of loved ones, who was afriad to show the lonely place the world reallywas and our honest attempts to deal with it--well...That mentality is different too. At least otdayit is. He is behind his times.

Could this have made a differnece? This big global canvas to splash his PL sensibilities on (for I am convincedhe was reaching for new ground with TH scripts--tobring a PL sensibilty to ME at the same time he was going to attemopt a sweeter, sadder and wiser tale that was a step higher than anything we;d ever seen--he was going to reach for nww ground and none of the projects he;d been offered come cloee.

Let'ssee what Universal has on trhe table for him, as per his sugggestion and theirs. First up: 2 remakes: one of Frankenstein, the other of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hide. Reamkes of film that have bave been done to death. Oh, he;d do a great job, but they're REAMKES. Nuff said.
Hellboy 3: reportedly, that's not goong to end happy. And you can;t help thinking, that the oroject doesn;t sound so fun anymore after TH that never was, but a big coming down. Drood: the most OScar potential of the bunch, but the least likely to be greenlit, now that Gi sno longer :the director of TH." It;s a murder mystery set in the catacoms of London and follows a fantasy interpretation of the last 5 yrs of Charles Dickens's life. Anyone who's read Drood will think it has some potential but then again, it;s still ofmurder mystery about CHARLES DICKENS. (I've read it , but will spare the full plot.) And finaly, the project closest ot G';s heart, and for wh9hc hw is REALLY waiting for, his lifelong dream: HP Lovecraft's story ":At The Mountians Of Madness" (ATMOM). An uncanny King Kong-like tale set in deepest Antarctica in the early 1930's that bears an uncanny plot resemblance to Tolkien's 2 Moria chapters--with much the same result. I love readng it over and over, savoring the Tolkien-like richness of cartograpjhy, richness of diescrptivedetail, and the slowe unfloding of the taler like an onion peeling, as well as the claustrophobia as I follow the 2 main characters through the Dead City and the horrors within. Del Toro;s dream is fim parts of this in Antarctica. IMO, any studio woulod jump to do this for the director of TH", but not, now, sadly, GDT, who to his dying day will bear the title of "the gut who was going to direct TH>'

If directors were plants, then I propose the follwing: that Camkeron is a tough, hardy coral; Spielberg is a solisd evergreen or a seasoned oak treee growing at the edge of his ET Cali subrub.
DelToro is the delicately blossoming flower on the tree branch at the end of PL< saying gently in the enchanted forest. Blomkamp is a new weed glistening with the morning dew, pushing up defiantly through the rubble of one of his myriad waste heaps in the steaming pike of rubbish that comnprises the New Hollywood. )sory I pull no piunches.:).

The blossom is fragile, opening subtely; it is a fleeting thing, itspetals falling yet being born again in the same spot, it is at peace with iself in the duality and chagefulness of the forest, for all its apparent stillness. Knowing death as well as life and passing of the seaons, in dignity and maturity, it is there, dappled with the gentle sunlight of the opasclent woods; heairng the cries of the animals, the hnt and the catching of prey, it remaims. It has ;earnede to accept sadness and stillness, and yet is niot at peace with them; but at times it is at peace with the enchanted forest.
The young weed ihas itsown flaring wisdom, its own keen authority--

but--BUT--

We inhabit all the more a noisy world of slums, of cities, of suburbs and the weeds and trees that dwell there. Hollywood is full of fungus-covered scrub oak. The forests of the world, with their gentle sad blossoms, are being lost; paved over, their stillness and subtelty drowned in a sea of idle chatter, electronic garble, and the cruch-crunch of booted feet. So the people; so the driectors--and their crews.

We need to reconnect with the lost enchanted forest sagain, with their whispered words, their ancient ghosts--invoked by such as Del Tor with his old musty tomes and their forgotten mysteries. For me, the cinematiccities and suburbs of the New World hold no further mysteries.
TH and Middle -earth is the forest and the blossom that are being lost. One dayit may be ready for the brash breath of the current world--but not yet.

Not at BEST anyway.

We hada happy chance at that--and that richness, we have forever lost.


Kyriel
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jun 19 2010, 10:55am


Views: 1425
Don't despair before you've even watched District 9

Yeah, it's gory, but who would have ever thought PJ could direct LotR after seeing Brain Dead? District 9 has incredible heart. Blomkamp makes us totally sympathize with and root for a pack of aliens who don't have anything approaching human faces, and he turns a nerdy doofus into a believable hero. If he's a good enough director to do that, then he's a good enough director to put the gore aside and give us the Hobbit movie we want.

I, for one, am hopeful that this rumor will turn out to be true. I'd certainly rather have Blomkamp than Yates. I barely even remember the Harry Potter movies, and I loved the books.


Those left standing will make millions writing books on the way it should have been. --Incubus


Sunflower
Valinor

Jun 19 2010, 11:06am


Views: 1387
Amen...

FYI I have stayed up most of the night rewriting a long post I had lost. That gibberish you just read (SORRY FOR typos--nodding off and have to log out) is a pale echo of what I first first had but had to get the bare bones of it down before I turn in, so it isn't lost. I can go from there tomorrow.
The flower and branch stuff, the Old World stuff I'll elaborte on tomorrow night. As well as explain about G and his crew too. And a lot of other things.

In case you are tmepted to comment: reading that--I am NOt saying Cameron, Spielberg etc are all are like the othe flora that chokes Hollywood these days--I don't call *them* fungus-covered scrub oak.(Before I get 20 angry replies.) I cal lthem the more common trees that represwnt the soothing common media that have superceded books the past 50 yrs. And esp Old stories.

Amnd I have some comments on the way you can advantage of fame and commerical clout. Blomkamp cose a much more conventional route to success. He wouls have got s nom entually...it was Del toro who needs the "legup" more,

For now--good night.


Vangalad
Lorien


Jun 19 2010, 11:25am


Views: 1439
First i want to thank

once again PJ,his team and everyone that succeeded in making LOTR a very good movie trilogy. Now,as for the hobbit,i was eagerly awaiting it's transfer into film but less thrilled than i was with LOTR. Furthermore,after GDT's departure( whom i considered the most suitable director),it feels like the director chair quest is under a rush.Whoever jumps in to direct, will more likely IMO do it without any previous involvement and preparation for the project,he will be in most terms unfamiliar with the world and stature of middle-earth and his respect for Tolkien and his devotees will be in doubt.
As we know GDT was not a big fan of Tolkien,but had great passion to deliver his vision of the particular fantasy realm along with a solid story through the book's lore and so he spent many months building his relationship with middle-earth.Then the obstacles of MGM grew strong and for some other personal or not reasons,he left and the production never started.
Now the new director, after PJ unwillingness to step in,will pick up what GDT left and in some months start shooting with the blessings of WB studios(whatever this means).N.Blomcamp is a fresh sci-fi director with his own way of filmmaking and i can't judge him by having seen only one movie.I can't say that he couldn't do the bobbit justice but i have doubts.Doubts for the artistic and sentimental effort he could give to this huge project.
I really hope we will someday see two good hobbit films but i hate to witness once more the fatal interference of studios,their lust for profits,their economic troubles and the let down of the fans.Poor product quality,lesser esthetics,money,...part of the hollywood system.


(This post was edited by Aulendil on Jun 19 2010, 11:27am)


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 19 2010, 11:35am


Views: 1462
If it is to be:

Here is to Blomkamp's uber-breakout. I refuse to despair. The Hobbit will happen. It has taken seventy years to get to this point. Everything is ready to make it the greatest fantasy film(s) of all time. It just might be that Neill was meant to have the job.


Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

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Pipe Dream
Gondor


Jun 19 2010, 11:48am


Views: 1423
A,E,I,O,U, and sometimes Y?


In Reply To
it is R11(your handle here) a capitalized vowel followed by a whole number. D9 fits the same pattern. OK my brain just does this kind of thing every once in a while. It is how I earned my M.O. degree. Oh that is "Master of the Obvious" if you are unfamiliar with itEvil


Hummm...didn't you mean a capitalized consonant? Tongue

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Pre-Pre-production goes ever on and on...


dormouse
Half-elven

Jun 19 2010, 12:50pm


Views: 1415
Well...

I can't comment on Neill Blomkamp's films 'cos I know nothing about them. If he does turn out to be the new director then I shall take it as read that Peter Jackson thinks he's up to it and can work well with him and both of those seem like plus points to me.

I would prefer to see PJ take it on himself but if he really doesn't want to I suppose that rules him out. (I don't see, though, why there has to be any sense of competition between these films and LotR, and if it were me and I did see The Hobbit as competition, I have to say I'd much rather be my own competition than hand the new film on to someone else - but maybe that's just me.)

Even more, I'd really love to see Fran Walsh do it and I've noticed over the last few weeks that her standing in the 'who do you want to see as director' poll has risen steadily. But again, if that's not to be... (though maybe there is still just a little window for hope.....)

But if it does turn out to be Neill Blomkamp then I say good luck to him, and I for one will carry on hoping for a really good film with heart and soul and hobbits and dwarves, that takes me back to Middle Earth for a few magic hours. There's no point pre-judging him - I don't know what he can or will do with The Hobbit. More important - most important - I don't think any of us knows so far what feeling he has, if any, for Tolkien's writing in general in 'The Hobbit' in particular. I really do hope that whoever directs this film cares passionately about the source material. Favourite books aren't safe in the unfettered hands of a Hollywood studio. They need people around who really know and care for them and want to make a film adaptation for its own sake, not just for the money.


Pipe Dream
Gondor


Jun 19 2010, 1:17pm


Views: 1372
There is only the one.


In Reply To
I can't comment on Neill Blomkamp's films 'cos I know nothing about them.


I guess I should clarify, there is only the one feature film. He did a few short films. One other thing is, who will be his DP and what about second unit directors? Also, if this is true, I wonder how the actors will react? An experienced actor having to put up with a green director? I hope they all bring some extra patience with them in their luggage.

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Pre-Pre-production goes ever on and on...

(This post was edited by Pipe Dream on Jun 19 2010, 1:17pm)


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 19 2010, 1:30pm


Views: 1395
OK You wany to hear about the feaver I have had for the past 5 days.

Yes I am begging for sympathy.Crazy At one point I forgot my own street address. I have only lived here for 20 years. So yes I do know the difference and am sorry I am not performing at my usual level of incompetence.Evil

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

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moreorless
Gondor

Jun 19 2010, 1:49pm


Views: 1386
I think yoiur overemphsizing some potential problems....

As far as studio interference goes remember PJ is still going to be producing and argeubley in a much stronger position now than he was as director in LOTR to get his way. That may lead to potential problems between creative talents but I highly doubt it will lead to the studio cutting back on the budget or getting the final cut.

Blomkamp may not be vastly expereinced but D9 was far from a typical debut film, while maybe not a megablockbuster the production was still pretty dam big involving many of the aspects he'll have to deal with in The Hobbit(large cast, stunts, CGI, location work etc).

Honiestly if the problem was that PJ was stepping on GDT's toes too much then Blomkamp seems like he might be a good replacement. I'd guess the working relationship in D9 was not THAT deep but they have worked together before and a new name might be a bit more accommodating(not that I blame GDT for not being so if its the case) for Jackson.


(This post was edited by moreorless on Jun 19 2010, 1:50pm)


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 19 2010, 1:51pm


Views: 1389
I am glad you wrote this

as it saves me the effort. You could not be more correct about D9. When Guillermo announced his departure two names leapt into my mind: Alfonso Cuarón and Neill Blomkamp. I knew Peter Jackson was out there but I figured if he was going to take over the directors chair he would have done it then.

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 19 2010, 1:56pm


Views: 1327
We do not know Neill Blomkamp's knowledge of Tolkien.//

 

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

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Pipe Dream
Gondor


Jun 19 2010, 2:00pm


Views: 1349
I couldn't resist...

...the irony of that post. Smile I thought perhaps you did that on purpose as a joke. Get well soon.

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Pre-Pre-production goes ever on and on...


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 19 2010, 2:08pm


Views: 1387
Thanx am slowly mending.

Still feel a little hazed over but have to face two 12 hour overnight shifts this weekend. I may be writing gibberish by Monday.

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

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Eldy
Tol Eressea


Jun 19 2010, 2:27pm


Views: 1354
I've always liked the idea of Blomkamp

I remember mentioning him very early in the post-GDT speculation, largely because of his prior work with PJ. I think this is great news, even if it isn't official. Cool



There's a feeling I get, when I look to the West...
My Tolkien site



Marionette
Rohan


Jun 19 2010, 2:37pm


Views: 1369
What can I say?

Another rumour, right.

So, I will say something the day everythign is offical XD

"Dear friend good bye, no tears in my eyes. So sad it ends, as it began"


chrismortega
Bree

Jun 19 2010, 3:10pm


Views: 1420
Neill Blomkamp on the Forums

Does anyone know if Blomkamp ever posts? It would be great if he was as open with us a G was. I suppose up until now he has had no real reason to be on here, (besides liking LOTR) but if he is officially announced as director I hope he opens a dialog with us.

Personally I found the main character of D9 unlikeable, which kind of ruined it for me. But perhaps I should watch it again as I've only seen it once.


Ainu Laire
Tol Eressea


Jun 19 2010, 3:15pm


Views: 1373
You know, same thing was said after PJ said he wouldn't direct

That is, the whole "I don't want it directed anymore". But you saw little of that once we got used to Guillermo a few months in.

I imagine that, for the most part, we'll get used to whoever the new director is.

I loved District 9 and think Blomkamp, if he is a fan of Tolkien (I really want someone who at least has read the Hobbit and liked it), would be a cool choice. If anything, it's someone PJ has already worked with and can help guide along.

My LiveJournal ~ My artwork and photography

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NARF since age 8, when I refused to read the Hobbit because the cover looked boring and icky.


Altaira
Superuser


Jun 19 2010, 3:32pm


Views: 1356
Me too, Kangi. Nicely said, Kyriel

To me, the violence in D9 was there for a purpose. First, it showed that the aliens were vastly different from us and helped illustrate how people could misunderstand and dislike them. It, plus things like the humans calling the aliens 'prawns' and putting them out of sight to live in a horrible slum, also illustrated how the humans had little to no regard for the fact the aliens were thinking, feeling beings. The only humans who would venture near them were the worst criminals, or those like Wikus who treated them more like dumb animals who needed charity.

To me, Blomkamp 'got' that completely and made us aware of it even though it was almost painful sometimes. So, it *did* help us feel that much more sympathy for the aliens once we realized they had intelligence and feelings.

Great analogy, Kyriel, to Brain Dead. PJ's earlier movies were definitely painful to watch sometimes, lol. Laugh But, not in the same way. PJ often unabashedly went in for sheer gratuitous violence and grossness. If he can produce something as breathtaking as the LOTR movies, I can definitely be convinced that a director with Blomkamp's somewhat unproven skill, and who PJ obviously believes in, could do a fine job on The Hobbit.


Koru: Maori symbol representing a fern frond as it opens. The koru reaches towards the light, striving for perfection, encouraging new, positive beginnings.



"Life can't be all work and no TORn" -- jflower

"I take a moment to fervently hope that the camaradarie and just plain old fun I found at TORn will never end" -- LOTR_nutcase



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(This post was edited by Altaira on Jun 19 2010, 3:42pm)


Patty
Immortal


Jun 19 2010, 3:33pm


Views: 1368
My sentiments exactly, Kangi...

it's not as if we have a choice, so here's hoping he does it well.

And I had thought my level of enthusiasm couldn't get any lower...

Permanent address: Into the West

Must. Have. The Precious! Give us the Blu-ray Ultimate Box Set!



(This post was edited by Patty on Jun 19 2010, 3:36pm)


Bound
Rohan

Jun 19 2010, 3:37pm


Views: 1333
Just an Idea...

I've read people's reactions to this rumour. Now everyone's entitled to their own feelings/ opinion but I can't help feel people are over reacting ...

I understand it's because everyone here is a fan of Tolkien and thus this material is close to their hearts, but this situation with the director is very common place in Hollywood. Directors are attached to projects for a long time and then suddenly leave it. Then others come in and take over it and things can work out quite good and sometimes they work out badly.

I remember George Lucas saying that Peter Jackson and Weta didn’t “have it” to make The Lord Of The Rings. …

In fact, look at it from the other point of view; directors who have huge experience can make bad movies too. I thought Jackson made a dreadful version of The Lovely Bones. It was widely panned. It just didn’t work.
I guess what I’m saying is I think the best course of action is to give the makers (who ever that is) of the hobbit the benefit of the doubt.


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 19 2010, 3:39pm


Views: 1375
D9: A story of redemption

You were suppose to dislike Wikus Van De Merwe. He was a Corporate worm/weasel. The story is about his coming to understand the aliens perspective. Do not fault a "man" until you've walked a mile in his shoes. I thought he was sympathetic in the end. All I could say was one heck of a piece of acting by Sharlto Copley for the first time out.

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

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Patty
Immortal


Jun 19 2010, 3:52pm


Views: 1356
Lucas said that?

Wow.

Permanent address: Into the West

Must. Have. The Precious! Give us the Blu-ray Ultimate Box Set!



Owain
Tol Eressea


Jun 19 2010, 4:32pm


Views: 1417
It is obvious that you have put thought into what you are posting...

... but I don't understand where you are getting all of this... even after reading your posts. You are reading into a situation and connecting dots and making a lot of hasty generalizations. Let me give you an example

"So let me throw out an example. If it were a script issue (one of the "many and varied" reasons DT said he had for leaving) what would be the Mimic and Ofelia-like issue he had with the script? There could be several."

If its a script issue then why is he staying on as a screenwriter? Why is he still anticipating the films with the rest of us? Why will he be looking for his artistic fingerprints when he is planning to be at the premiere. These are all statements he has made? He is not afraid to stand for artistic value... agreed. And he still see's that in The Hobbit. PJ stated that while deeply saddened the parting was amicable. And the reasons were consistent with what GDT stated. The "protracted" timeline. It adds up.

These are things stated directly from the parties involved.

Where are you getting all of this?

"Question everything, embrace the bad, and hold on to the good."

(This post was edited by Owain on Jun 19 2010, 4:34pm)


Oiotári
Tol Eressea


Jun 19 2010, 4:58pm


Views: 1396
Yes, I could get behind Blomkamp

but the idea will take some getting used to

After GdT stepped down and the ideas for possible new directors came out, he was on the list that I thought I could possibly work.
Not my top choice (even excluding GdT and PJ) but this could be good.

I'm not going to give up on The Hobbit, not yet anyway


You can only come to the morning through the shadows


xy
Rohan

Jun 19 2010, 5:41pm


Views: 1357
A rumour, though I still think

...that the longer a third party director isn't announced, the bigger the odds of PJ taking over.


Bound
Rohan

Jun 19 2010, 7:07pm


Views: 1341
yeah

Lucas said it back in the very early stages of the production of LOtR. It was at a point when there no footage online or any photos etc,.

Realistically one of the "magic" things about the LOtR movies was the fact that it felt like Jackson and co shouldn't be able to succeed. A director who wasn't a big name working with a no name Visual Effects company. 10 years ago that was a huge deal.


marlonbrando76
The Shire

Jun 19 2010, 7:39pm


Views: 1287
i really hope so!

it will be great if neill can direct this two movies... district 9 have a very rare quality.... heart.

is a beautiful masterpiece, in time that movie will be see like an astonish first movie of a young wonderful hope in the director's realm...

so.... god bless you mr BLOMKAMP!

take this ride in the middle hearth with your friend Mr Jackson and make our dream true!

...and please remember Mr Lee ; ) go to London for his scene : )


Uruk-Hai
The Shire


Jun 19 2010, 7:40pm


Views: 1262
Not sold on this guy.

Either way, it is what it is...when it is.


Garfeimao
Rohan


Jun 19 2010, 8:10pm


Views: 1345
I'm open to whatever PJ thinks is best

GDT may be gone, but PJ is still there and will put the best person into the director's chair that he can. And while an inexperienced director may seem like they'd be a pushover for a studio to pressure, PJ is still the producer, so there would be a buffer in place ready to make sure the best product was put on screen possible. Sure, the problem of Best Available over Best Suited is a real problem, but the current protracted financial situation at MGM is going to make this a continual problem for anyone, suited or not suited. After all, no one in this industry works on just one project without having opportunities in several others as well, which is how we lost GDT in the first place. He made it clear two years ago that the timeline for this, as stated way back then, fit with his current schedule of other obligations. The MGM situation complicated it to the point it no longer worked and he had to leave, end of story.

But do any of you really think GDT just woke up one day and went "Ooops, this is the deadline date to get started and we aren't starting, so I guess I have to quit now."? No, he probably knew months and months ago where that deadline date was, and I'm sure there were discussions as things dragged on of what other possibilities they might have to consider. His leaving was not a sudden decision with no preparation on the part of GDT or PJ, and I'm willing to bet they started putting out feelers for a replacement long before the announcement he was leaving became official. Yes, that is conjecture, but GDT and PJ knew the consequences of his leaving the project, it would be irresponsible of both of them to not have contingencies already in the works. And if they did, then it would be irresponsible of whomever they contacted not to start familiarizing themselves with the material. The idea that any new director is going to step in out of a vaccuum of knowledge is silly, who would make that kind of decision and commitment not having a clue what the project might actually entail?

I think Mrcere's logic is sound, and if it's not Neill, it will be someone equally talented, who can work within the existing creative team down there, who has a passion for the subject and who will put up the best possible product for us to enjoy. It's OK to be sad for the films that won't be made by GDT, I know I'm very depressed over that, but I am also very excited to see what someone else can do with the work.

Peace, Love and Rock & Roll,


Garfeimao
The orange stripey One



My page in the Traveling Journal


Buchanicus
Lorien


Jun 19 2010, 8:57pm


Views: 1300
Well said!


In Reply To

But do any of you really think GDT just woke up one day and went "Ooops, this is the deadline date to get started and we aren't starting, so I guess I have to quit now."? No, he probably knew months and months ago where that deadline date was, and I'm sure there were discussions as things dragged on of what other possibilities they might have to consider. His leaving was not a sudden decision with no preparation on the part of GDT or PJ, and I'm willing to bet they started putting out feelers for a replacement long before the announcement he was leaving became official. Yes, that is conjecture, but GDT and PJ knew the consequences of his leaving the project, it would be irresponsible of both of them to not have contingencies already in the works. And if they did, then it would be irresponsible of whomever they contacted not to start familiarizing themselves with the material. The idea that any new director is going to step in out of a vaccuum of knowledge is silly, who would make that kind of decision and commitment not having a clue what the project might actually entail?



My thoughts exactly. I believe this had to be a thought-out decision for weeks if not months. That if filming hadn't begun by a certain date he would have to move on. It was in no way some overnight easy decision...the man moved his family down there and was working on the project for over two years! I'm not sure why there seem to be some that think this was rash, or that there was a big argument that ended with "fine, i'll just leave"..there had to be a plan, or at least that's how it makes sense in my hand, and I think the evidence most supports this. GdT is still working on the project...as a screenwriter, he said he was still a big supporter and that he would be there at the premiere!

Great post Garfeimao.

TORn member formally known as ryan1976.

(This post was edited by Buchanicus on Jun 19 2010, 8:59pm)


Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jun 19 2010, 9:30pm


Views: 1303
It's worth noting that TLB also received a lot of praise.


In Reply To
I thought Jackson made a dreadful version of The Lovely Bones. It was widely panned.



It's more accurate to say that TLB had mixed reviews - I certainly read many reviews that were either very happy with it or disliked it a lot.

I think LOTR is a bit of an albatross for PJ. He reached such heights with those three films that any subsequent movie that doesn't get near that standard is considered a failure by him.

Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded b*****d with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.


Ataahua's stories


Woodyend
Gondor


Jun 19 2010, 9:43pm


Views: 1277
I think it will be considered a failure by anyone if it doesn’t equal LOTR.


In Reply To

In Reply To
I thought Jackson made a dreadful version of The Lovely Bones. It was widely panned.



It's more accurate to say that TLB had mixed reviews - I certainly read many reviews that were either very happy with it or disliked it a lot.

I think LOTR is a bit of an albatross for PJ. He reached such heights with those three films that any subsequent movie that doesn't get near that standard is considered a failure by him.



If PJ doesn’t direct it I vote for Fran. Also wasn’t there some press about Viggo wanting to start a new career in directing?


May your beer be laid under an enchantment of surpassing excellence for seven years!
~~~~~~~~Gandalf~~~~~~~

Listen. Strange women lying in ponds, distributing swords, is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony!

(This post was edited by Woodyend on Jun 19 2010, 9:50pm)


dormouse
Half-elven

Jun 19 2010, 10:00pm


Views: 1322
That's a very good point


Quote
But do any of you really think GDT just woke up one day and went "Ooops, this is the deadline date to get started and we aren't starting, so I guess I have to quit now."? No, he probably knew months and months ago where that deadline date was, and I'm sure there were discussions as things dragged on of what other possibilities they might have to consider. His leaving was not a sudden decision with no preparation on the part of GDT or PJ, and I'm willing to bet they started putting out feelers for a replacement long before the announcement he was leaving became official. Yes, that is conjecture, but GDT and PJ knew the consequences of his leaving the project, it would be irresponsible of both of them to not have contingencies already in the works. And if they did, then it would be irresponsible of whomever they contacted not to start familiarizing themselves with the material. The idea that any new director is going to step in out of a vaccuum of knowledge is silly, who would make that kind of decision and commitment not having a clue what the project might actually entail?


... but following that logic, don't you think that the long silence following GDT's announcement rather suggests that any feelers they may have put out to other directors were at best inconclusive? You're absolutely right that GDT must have known for some time that there would be a cut-off date for him and this must have been discussed and plans set in place - but surely if they had been able to actually find and prepare a new director the two announcements could have been made at once, with far less risk of damaging publicity. I can't see any reason for the silence except that no one had so far been willing to commit to the project.


Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jun 19 2010, 10:13pm


Views: 1265
I've just realised

that my comment (the one you have bolded) could be taken in two ways. I meant that reviewers/the public would see subsequent films as failures if they don't get near the heights of LOTR - not that PJ would see his own new film that way.

Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded b*****d with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.


Ataahua's stories


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 20 2010, 12:11am


Views: 1277
I think just the opisit would be true.

If Peter wanted it he would have taken it when GdT announced he was leaving. Instead he made his little don't panic statement assuring the studios that he would protect their investment. Beyond that point they were looking at options and probably drawing up a short list. The deal could have already been made on a handshake and become official with a formal announcement, I might suggest that this may happen along with a green light from the studios. Commin Con would be an ideal stage for such an announcement. But that might be wishful thinking.

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket


chrismortega
Bree

Jun 20 2010, 12:17am


Views: 1233
well...

I got that you were supposed to dislike him... I just never came around to liking him in the end. But I will agree that Sharlto Copley did a great job. And again... I think I just need to see it again. I think I would like it better the second time around.


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 20 2010, 12:28am


Views: 1261
Perhaps something else occurred that caused a crisis.

If Universal Studio jerked Guillermo's chain. All the studios are dying for quality product. He is contracted to direct four films for Universal and that bird may have come home to roost. With the seemingly endless delays by MGM it might been deemed wise to move on. Peter might even have suggested it. It would certainly shift the game in Peters direction. He might just be able to get the green light with him as producer and a hand picked director that he trusts. It would be wise if the money moves in this direction.

But this is all conjecture though it makes sense.

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket


Buchanicus
Lorien


Jun 20 2010, 12:42am


Views: 1258
I did enjoy it...

I actually really loved PJ's version of The Lovely Bones.

TORn member formally known as ryan1976.

(This post was edited by Buchanicus on Jun 20 2010, 12:43am)


Oiotári
Tol Eressea


Jun 20 2010, 12:54am


Views: 1267
which is why he doens't want to do The Hobbit


Quote
I think LOTR is a bit of an albatross for PJ. He reached such heights with those three films that any subsequent movie that doesn't get near that standard is considered a failure by him

That's a nasty price to pay, I don't blame him for not wanting to do The Hobbit and have it turn out really well but still be seen as a failure Frown



You can only come to the morning through the shadows


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 20 2010, 12:55am


Views: 1217
Choice of material.

I did not like the book. The writing was second rate. I think PJ's version was much better than the poor novel (This is my opinion and I am sticking to it.) The cat and mouse game in the killers house was intense and the acting was superb. I do think that peter was working against LotR. And it seems that it is popular to dis anyone who has had success. Look at Jim Cameron. Cameron just thumbs his nose at the critics and goes on to make a few more gazillion bucks.

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket


Ataahua
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jun 20 2010, 1:05am


Views: 1203
Same. /

 

Celebrimbor: "Pretty rings..."
Dwarves: "Pretty rings..."
Men: "Pretty rings..."
Sauron: "Mine's better."

"Ah, how ironic, the addictive qualities of Sauron’s master weapon led to its own destruction. Which just goes to show, kids - if you want two small and noble souls to succeed on a mission of dire importance... send an evil-minded b*****d with them too." - Gandalf's Diaries, final par, by Ufthak.


Ataahua's stories


Voronwë_the_Faithful
Valinor

Jun 20 2010, 1:28am


Views: 1271
I'm inclined to agree with you

I think this was a fairly sudden decision. Just three days before the big announcement that he was leaving, he made these very definitive statements in a conference call about a completely different subject (the the film Splice):

“On both counts, there are no final answers. It is not greenlit. That is categorical. And 3D has been discussed literally once in the room. The budget and the schedule and everything that we are handling – the cost of the film, the number of days it would take to shoot – is being handled right now without looking towards 3D. Is there a chance it will become 3D in the future? Maybe. Right now, it’s not being planned as such.” (see here)

Why would he have made such definitive statements if he knew that he was likely to be leaving? It seems to me that he would have avoided doing so. It just doesn't square with the character that he has shown. I think something happened suddenly that forced his hand. What it was, I don't think we will ever know for sure.

'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'

www.arda-reconstructed.com


Gandalf'sMother
Rohan

Jun 20 2010, 1:46am


Views: 1476
Genre director

I just do not understand why the only directors that are being considered are purely "genre" or "geek" directors. This book deserves a director that is an artist first, and a geek second. Tolkien was not a geek - he was a linguist with a passion for languages. I want someone with a passion for film. Not just someone who likes slightly oddball sci-fi.

Alfonso Cuaron would have been a perfect choice.

Ah well...

Perhaps this isn't set in stone just yet, but I am inclined to believe its the real deal...


CINE
Bree


Jun 20 2010, 1:53am


Views: 1480
Yes, indeed (and do we have any word yet on other departments heads -- DP, Production Design, Costume Design et al)

Both Pete and Richard Taylor at Weta are terrific leaders able to find unproven talent and inspire them to great achievement. Then there's the whole Kiwi "muck-in," hands-on, collaborative spirit in the New Zealand film industry that is very un-Hollywood (which is a good thing -- great, in fact).

If Blomkamp is indeed the director, I believe for all the reasons I just mentioned -- and the canniness of PJ -- things are going to turn out gangbusters. And I seriously don't believe Jackson is ever going to tap a merely bankable studio yes-man as Director. The world of Tolkien is too near and dear to our friends in Wellington for them to compromise in the least.

Faith, my friends...

Incidentally, have we heard anything yet on who some of the creative department heads may be: cinematographer, production design, art director, editors, costume design to name a few? Can we expect a lot of Rings alumni to return? I'd love to see Andrew Lesnie continue his magnificent work. If he's not available, it would be interesting to see someone like Bruno Delbonnel step in. He shot "Amelie" and the latest Potter film; both wonderful, and he has an amazing eye for fantasy stories.


Sunflower
Valinor

Jun 20 2010, 4:03am


Views: 1456
Well then...

I raise my mug of 1420 to you, dear Kangi. And give you a great big BOSIE hug.EvilEvil. I hope you are feeling better, mellon nin...if not, you may end up writing a couple of posts as gibberish-y as the epic disjointed screed I composed last night, when I was coming off having had maybe 13 hours sleep total all week.:). The folks at DTF are used to my "thinking aloud"Laugh

Again, ((HUGS)


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 20 2010, 4:13am


Views: 1456
Indeed I am on the mend and at work monitoring security all night long.

Have to have a clear head but don't move much. Thanks for the Hug and a big Paul Bunyan hug to (((you))) from the City of the Twins. Your rambles are always interesting. I can't type that fast and was born with hands closer to blunt instruments than fine ones.

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket


Sunflower
Valinor

Jun 20 2010, 4:40am


Views: 1432
Uh, Kangi...

believe me, when I get to that state of being, my typing skills are shall we say a bit less than usual. Which explains the typos and the reluctance to correct them. My hands are moving very slowly indeed.

But I do hope that some people were able to pick up some gmes from the coal nuggets in all that. I find it distressing that no-ne even attempted to address whatI said...(not that it matters, huh.)
Glad you are better, and envious that you can surf the net at "work"


(This post was edited by Sunflower on Jun 20 2010, 4:41am)


Sunflower
Valinor

Jun 20 2010, 5:15am


Views: 1417
Curious

This is what has puzzled me also, Voronwe....the Sunday night when the news broke, I posted about it on DTF, and Hellmistress's (remember her?) exact reply was: "I don't think so..Guillermo always say exactly what he means. He's not the one to say one thing and do something else."And as I know and people on here have learned, HM knows Guillermo better than any of us.

I am sorely tempted to point her to your post and ask her, but going to DTF is just as painful for me, still, as going here these days. (Party for the reason that I know for a fact that once the green-light was given and if their participation were confirned, up to a half dozen members of Guillermo's cast and crew were eager to follow their director on to TGRN. Never that now. I suspect that there are a lot of things we could have had that we never will now. )

Sources for your quotes please? If what you say is true, it sounds as if Guillermo was fired. There could have been no other reason for him to leave a project he had fallen in love with so completely, so suddenly. I too thought he was just counting down the days until the clock expired, and had gone into silence as a result. If it were a personal tragedy, a death in the family or some othert thing, that does not cause you to leave a project.

There are those who look at the words "amicable split" and think that PJ and Guillermo developed some creative differences with the 2nd script or other factors 9after all, it would not be the first time PJ has done this-remember he and Howard Shore parted ways over the score for King Kong?) but I don't think this is the case--those kinds of differences would have been worked out early on in the process. From what we knew, they were like blood brothers. (another darn thing so heartbreaking about all of this....)

If there was any sort of issue G had with anything, it must have been with studio brass at either or both studios, and this was not an issue that PJ had the power to negotiate with the studio (s) with for him.
I for one do not believe that he is going to have the complete autonomy and power that NL gave MarK Ordesky. Not anymore I don't. He had no decision-making power in how the LOTR Blu-ray was made or marketed, did he? Remember his comment that "they didn't consult with me at all..so in this case, I agree with the fans"? This shocked me, I thought PJ would have been an important partner in that process.

If such a puny thing as the LOTR DVD was not discussed with the man who made it,

Maybe Guillermo was fired for making that conference call, which discussed 3D? Well, all I can say is--Comic-Con may giive us clues. What I find fascinating is the deafening silence from the media on this. Nikki Finke had one story and that was it. She is good at ratting out info, and made her rep over the yrs.on not being afraid to post it. but I have a nasty feeling everyone involved signed non-discloures.. and you can bet your sweet bippy that Blomkamp or any other director would attempt to find out just what went wrong, and from the horses; mouth. If G has been censored on the subject, , his silence could speak volumes to a director. If there's any dark cloud hanging over the facts of Guillermo's departure, that would give me pause....

Why the heck do I keep coming here? 3 weeks later, I am still in shock and anguish over this...I suppose b'c of the possibilty of finding posts like yours, Voronwe...we may never know, indeed, but I sure as heck want to get as many hints as possible. The good folks at DTF have an elitist "phew, thank God he's gone through his "Hollywood stage" and now he's OURS again, now he can do waht he wants." attitude. None of them are Tolkien fans and only HM had taken the time to go to Tolkien School....and bless her heart, she was honest with it, too.:)


Sunflower
Valinor

Jun 20 2010, 5:33am


Views: 1418
See Voronwe's post

Very surprising, about the conference call, made just 3 days before he announced he was leaving. Did this sound like someone who had known for weeks he was on the way out, and the films were still a given Go--as Voronwe has asked? If this is true, why would he so suddenly leave? If this conference call took place on Thursday, and the announcment was made Sunday night, he and PJ must have had their discussion on Friday-Saturday morning, and then he had to have time Sat-Sunday to write the announcement and plan how he'd break the news,

The mystery (and for me, the heartbreak), deepens, if that is possible.

One last thing: those who are casually dismissing Guillermo with an "oh, well, directors leave projects all the time" kind of attitude seem to forget a certain incident that took place 3 yrs ago. If there had been just as casual a reaction as before, Peter Jackson would not today be involved with The Hobbit in any way. Not saying this is the same thing, and not accusing anyone of anything, just reflecting on the past.

and anyway the die is cast--he's gone.Can't exactly compare....that we know of.


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 20 2010, 5:48am


Views: 1439
I think that people are uncertain how to respond to what you write.

Part amazing...Part confusing as was Joyce & Kerouac. Have printed out several of your recent posts and read them closely but found myself uncertain of an adequate response. The posts were long enough that they almost called for review rather than response.

I made a similar connection to GdT through my theater viewing of Pan's Labyrinth. No movie I have seen in the past 20 years touched me...blasted me...ripped my soul and mended it the way that little movie did. I wanted to know the man behind the films. I collected all of them that I could find, consumed them, watched the commentaries and dressed as him for the Tolkien Halloween party after he was named to direct The Hobbit. Peter Jackson shares my long (55 years) love of King Kong. Guillermo shares my great revulsive love of H.P Lovecraft's works of horror fiction that I discovered when I was 12(And gave me many sleepless nights).

The loss of GdT as director of the Hobbit is a huge loss for those of us who so desired to see him make these films, but may not be a lose for him and even for us in the long run. He is as free now as he can be (given the fact that he is back in Holywood) and he is at the top of his game. He has more gifts to give us, more labyrinths of image sound and meaning. But beyond all of that: Guillermo is a regular guy...the passion...the vision without the ego and self involvement.

But this thread is not about GdT. But another who might be called to fill the shoes of The Director of the two Films made from J.R.R.Tolkien's "The Hobbit".

Neill Blomkamp is a new talent emerging from the trenches of the digital processing and design world. The style of his only major film (District 9) is a world away from Lord of the Rings but it was perfect for the story he was trying to tell. He showed his heart as a story teller and his skill as a film maker. His name will be up there with GdT's some day, weather or not he directs The Hobbits.

KS

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket

(This post was edited by Kangi Ska on Jun 20 2010, 5:50am)


Sunflower
Valinor

Jun 20 2010, 5:51am


Views: 1479
Everyone: For your enjoyment...

May as well post this here--This little gem is from Nikki Finke's site--

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com

Scroll down for--

"Here Comes Pinkberry: The Movie In 3-D!"

A spoof someone made about the current state of Hollywood.... hilarious...but in ligjht of our situation, I don't know if I should laugh or cry.

(oh, and **LANGUAGE WARNING,** of course.)


(This post was edited by Sunflower on Jun 20 2010, 5:57am)


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 20 2010, 6:09am


Views: 1420
Nothing so arcane:

I believe PJ & GdT are fast friends. I believe GdT left for a reason or reasons that came from outside of New Zealand. A final straw on the dromedary's back. It could have been economic; it could have been personal. There is no way to tell. There are no crumbs of evidence to make the case. I might not want to know if I could. The surface facts are enough. I do not need the dirt. That is why I read all of my news if I can. I do not need someone else telling me how to use my brain.

One of my mottos is: Things often appear more complicated than they are.

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket


Runk Snusgrop
Rivendell


Jun 20 2010, 6:24am


Views: 1405
Re: Once again, mmmmmm-MONEY will triumph.


Quote
on that issue I have changfed my mind 360 degrees



Don't you mean 180 degrees?

If you turn 360 degrees you're back where you started. Tongue



(This post was edited by Runk Snusgrop on Jun 20 2010, 6:28am)


Sunflower
Valinor

Jun 20 2010, 6:39am


Views: 1428
That was my chief lament

that I will try to sort out tomorrow....that Guillermo is a true intellectual,a throwback to an earlier period before WW2 when cinema was an art form headed by creative talent whose chief childhood inspiration was from literature and painting and art-ie the WRITTEN WORD, as opposed to the visual media of films, TV, rsdio, etc...after WW2 in America at least, the visual began at replace the written and people's attention spans shrunk as a result. In some curious way, Guillermo is a direct connection to Tolkien for me.

Spielberg, PJ, Cameron et al- you read their interviews over the yrs and they mention books, once in a while, authors but thweir chief love is old TV shows and films. Guillermo by contrast hants old bookshops and his deepest love is for the BOOK, the beauty of the written word, the arcane mysteries of language....with him, it is not diluted but comes from the primal source. The effect of this legacy being plugged into a mainstream Hollywood blockbuster and the American media was to have been a very poweful thing...You see it on screen. The films of these men are full of TV's forecample,..think of the soothing TV in ET. Del Toro;s films ref books (think the Bok of Crossroads, or the Chronos tome...and the Notebook he draws in as an illustrator.

I do NOT agree that Guillermo is free now to do what he wants. You are only as good as your last picture is a Hollywood truism. We forget that he signed that 4-5 picture deal with UNiversal right after he broke the news of directing TH. I remember this vividly. When was the last time a director accepted a contract for 8$-5* films, that were all seperate projectd and not part of a trilogy? I strongly doubt that Uni inked that deal with "Guillermo Del Toro, director of PL and Hellboy 3." No, they signed it with a man who was suddenly the hottest property in Hollywood--"Guilermo Del Toro, director of the 'Lord Of The Rings' Prequel.": BIG dofference in marketability to mainstream American audiences, huh? Now that TH is out, what will they do with the TV ads? "GDT, director of Hellboy 2"?

How are you going to reboot the fabled "Uni Creature Feature" with that? And lately UNi hasn't done so good with moster movies--" Wolfman" was a complete flop.
The Universal Pictures of today is not the post-Mary Parent-era Universal Studios it was 3 yrs ago. (Mary Parent, you'll remember, was CEO of Uni at the time and a huge friend of PJ who oversaw both King Kong and "co-discovered" Blomkamp. Then she was kicked out and guess where she is stuck today? MGM, and she doesn;t even have power over that sinking ship anymore--the hedge fund guys do. )

People at Nkkki's site have been saying that Universal Studios is a very different place than it was 5 yrs ago--they too now only want films based on comic books and video games. I highly doubt they regreet their contract with GDT< but only with his choices of materiel. Even if they agree to Guillermo's espotric choices of projects, they may not give him the creative carte blanche with them that his commerical post-Hobbit clout could have given him. (Do you think that the pre-LOTR PJ would have had the clout and power to introuduce the world to Blomkamp, and most important allow him to have the big-budget advertising push for D9? We saw the announce,ents, they are looking for a "marketing" push for TH. Films live and die on mega-ad busgets these days. What potential Blomkamps did GDT lie in the wings, waiting to be discovred, that may never be now?)

I relaize I am hijacking the thread, but this isn't just a thread IMO about the merits of Blomkamp or lack therof to direct TH. He isn;t just signing on--he is replacing what many feel was the "dream director" for the project, which we had for 2 yrs. And if Voronwe is right about the conference call, then I feel more than ever an ue=rge to make it clear to the studio moles doubtless studying this that this decision of appointing a hasty replacement to "protect a franchise" is not a mere business decision. They need to know what they are replacing.

Because DEl Toro is the eternal Ghost haunting the Hobbit, one cannot at this point talk of one without comparing the other....


Sunflower
Valinor

Jun 20 2010, 6:42am


Views: 1399
Once again...

Yeah, I realized that earlier. I apologize for my sleep-deprived mind last night. Which is where I'll be again, if I don't turn in--besides, I've posted enough:)

Good night from Albany, y'all...


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 20 2010, 7:25am


Views: 1357
Maybe 540 degrees? //

 

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket


dormouse
Half-elven

Jun 20 2010, 7:45am


Views: 1413
That's true

I seem to be going backwards and forwards until I just don't know what I think about any of this. I think it's possible that Guillermo knew he couldn't hold on for ever. The impression I had from the comments he made here was that delays caused by MGM were becoming an issue for him - he certainly mentioned them whereas Peter Jackson seemed inclined to play them down. But you're right that Guillermo talked as if he was staying on right up until he announced that he wasn't.

Oh, I don't know. Their business, not mine, and I'm sorry for them all, caught up in this mess when they'd rather just get on with the creative side of film making. I just hope the situation is resolved soon, for everyone's sake.


xy
Rohan

Jun 20 2010, 7:53am


Views: 1417
hmm

PJ certainly is looking for another director currently and at this point he may not want do do it. But he also said if there was no other way to protect the Hobbit he would do it - and I remember reading he was wishing he was directing as they were writing the script. So we know he is not 100% ruling it out.

Given the sudden departure by GDT - leaving all speculation aside - may make other directors weary of approaching the Hobbit. Also consider the MGM financial mess, the long delays with the movie etc...and this is not counting the time New Line has left until their right to film the Hobbit expire.

Another big pro-PJ reason is he won't stray from the current script, and will most likely keep all the sets/monsters etc - there is no such guarantee with anyone else directing. And of course the biggest reason is since he did LOTR already, it would make sense the same person handles the Hobbit.


Gildor
Rivendell

Jun 20 2010, 8:04am


Views: 1396
some thoughts...

1. Many people that post here seem unable to wait until the movies come out to form a judgment on them. Personally, I am quite happy to wait until I have the actual movie in front of me before I decide if it sucks or is brilliant or whatever.

2. Many posters seem to have a preconceived notion that a 3-D attempt (should it happen) is only for the money and will therefore be tainted, if not wholly NOT GOOD. Could you please consider the possibility that it could be a fantastic 3-D movie? With TH being 3-4 years further along in the 3-D evolution, perhaps it could make Avatar seem like amateur hour.

3. Some posters seem enamored of the idea the PJ and others hinge on your every word. All I can say is, get a life, and get a clue :)

The people already involved (included GTD for his time) are all amazing experts on movie and fantasy. I am guessing that most of us posters are not.


Gildor


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 20 2010, 8:18am


Views: 1414
Why so serious?

I conceived my abhorrence of a 3-D Hobbit by careful evaluation and study. I am not willing to wait 5 more years for 3-D to be perfected. They can remake it in 3-D after I am dead. I want to see this one in 2-D while I am not enfeebled.
" Get a life, and get a clue" are rude things to say. If people are happy why should it bother anyone.



Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket


Bound
Rohan

Jun 20 2010, 9:22am


Views: 1394
...


In Reply To

In Reply To
I thought Jackson made a dreadful version of The Lovely Bones. It was widely panned.



It's more accurate to say that TLB had mixed reviews - I certainly read many reviews that were either very happy with it or disliked it a lot.

I think LOTR is a bit of an albatross for PJ. He reached such heights with those three films that any subsequent movie that doesn't get near that standard is considered a failure by him.




I don't think it's more accurate to say that it got mixed reviews, I understand it got some positive reviews but on the whole it was reviewed badly and it was reflected in the box office.

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1189344-lovely_bones/ 33% is pretty bad.

I'm not suggesting that anyone's opinion is wrong, if you like his version of TLB - well great. I'm not trying to start an argument.

I should point out that I'm a huge Jackson fan. I have every movie he's ever made, from Bad Taste all the way up to the special edition King Kong. I think he's a great director - he has his faults, his movies are never perfect but he makes good entertaining films but TLB just was a mess. Heavy handed, insane use of CGI where it wasn't needed and some dreadful acting by Mark Walberg.

For reference - i've read the book and although i liked it, i was looking forward to Jackson doing something special with it.


Huan71
Lorien

Jun 20 2010, 10:49am


Views: 1386
I like Knagi's comment of...

...your post's calling more for Review rather than response!
I just cant type for that long...i HATE it! lol
Besides, it seems like you've some stuff to get out of your system, which is great coz' it makes for interesting reading!
Personally i don't think movies are as...um...powerfull...(or, maybe "influential" would be a better word?. I'm not sure..inspiring perhaps?) to most who watch them as they are/have been to you?
After all, most people couldn't give a spiders 8th leg about the Enigma machine.( A pet hate point of issue of mine!)
It was "just" a film...right?
I think film is more likely to reflect society than direct it (bar the odd individual, anyway). So cinema will go in the direction that it will go.
I would bet vital parts of my reproductive system that there are indie-directors who, as we type, are coming up with fantastic ideas and concepts for films! The big budget stuff is just entertainment.

As for Neil Blomkamp directing The Hobbit? Well, i've not seen D9 yet (i do intend to..when the blurry price drops! lol), so i cant comment.
But if PJ thinks he's OK then i'll go with it and give him a chance!

I disagree with you that 3D is a bad thing, or a good thing for that matter. It's just a consequence of human social evolution.
I hated Joyce..One page was enough! A book called "Dragons Egg" did it for me. It compared the evolution of a species on a neutron star, (that had 7 days to one of our seconds.) to parallels with human evolution...and eventually overtook us! Brilliant!


Huan71
Lorien

Jun 20 2010, 10:52am


Views: 1391
Brilliant...


In Reply To
You line up the dots and connect them. For example: Sam Raimi is out because of the wizard of oz prequel he just signed onto.

Ahhh, a director with no shame! Who'd-a thunk it! lol Hey, what do i know. It Might be an AWSOME movie!!


entmaiden
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jun 20 2010, 12:29pm


Views: 1410
Probably because the announcement had not been made.

I've been involved in many "secret" negotiations and discussions as part of my work, when a new client is coming on board, a client is leaving, or a key resource is being transferred. In every case, there are weeks if not months of discussion, however the public statements reveal nothing of what is going on behind the scenes.

In my view, Guillermo kept the preliminary discussions to a very small, trusted group of people. Since there was no greenlight, there was no contract, so Guillermo and Peter had no obligation to tell anyone about possible changes in the leadership team of the film. But I'm confident that they were working out a thorough transition plan before the news was released.

It's not surprising at all, to me, that Guillermo's statements in the link gave no hint of what was happening. The conference call that you mention was probably the first announcement to other parties involved in the film (maybe the studios) that he was leaving the films, but at that point the transition plan was finalized. It's likely that at that time Guillermo outlined his communication plan for the general public, and three days later he executed that plan.

I realize that we are all very interested in The Hobbit movies and want the best movie possible, however I think most of the conspiracy theories are attempting to close too many gaps in what we know with pure speculation and a lack of knowledge of the process for sensitive business negotiations.

sample


Oiotári
Tol Eressea


Jun 20 2010, 2:45pm


Views: 1341
so Comic-Con is a month away

I can't decide if that's too long for me to wait to find out (if it will indeed be announced there) or if I like that timing because then they better have someone picked out by then

nope, too long, I'm getting impatient Cool Tongue


You can only come to the morning through the shadows


Arwen's daughter
Half-elven


Jun 20 2010, 3:49pm


Views: 1392
No word that I know of

We know that GdT was planning to bring Guillermo Navarro in as DoP, but I suspect that will change now.

Grant Major and Ngila Dickson are both working on Green Lantern, filming half a world away. I don't see how they could return. The Noldor Blog reported rumors back in January that they were ready to hire people for the costume department, but I haven't heard anything since, and certainly no word -- official or otherwise -- of a costume designer.



My LiveJournal
My Costuming Site
TORn's Costume Discussions Archive
The Screencap of the Day Schedule for June


rings7
Rohan


Jun 20 2010, 3:55pm


Views: 1393
About Experience

For those who question Neill's experience, how much experience did PJ himself have when he started the LOTR trilogy? I see that for example on David Yates, who has directed the last 3 Harry Potter movies, and i don't remember he had too much experience before. I saw D9 and loved it. And if PJ trusts him (for whatever reason, money whatever) and helps these movies to be done once and for all, i'm all for this. Give the guy a break.


pasi
The Shire

Jun 20 2010, 5:01pm


Views: 1267
New hobbit director

Dear friends, like I predit a few days ago perhaps Neil Blomkamp is going to be the new Hobbit director, and I´m very very satisfay.

Another note: I have read the new words from Ian (Gandalf) about the Hobbit movie, please note that he don't mention the name of GdT, Why is be ?

Think on that

Best from Portugal
pasi


Oiotári
Tol Eressea


Jun 20 2010, 5:05pm


Views: 1205
which new words? //

 


You can only come to the morning through the shadows


pasi
The Shire

Jun 20 2010, 5:29pm


Views: 1248
the words from Ian

Dear friend
I have just read it in the frodofranscise blog (Kristin Thompson)
I think that Ian put it in the Twitter

Best
pasi


Oiotári
Tol Eressea


Jun 20 2010, 5:39pm


Views: 1226
oh, yeah, I read that

I thought I might have missed something

I'd say he probably didn't mention GdT because you can't say much in a Twitter post (or whatever you call it)
Most likely he assumed we knew about the situation (at least as far as that GdT had stepped down) because otherwise we wouldn't need reassurance


You can only come to the morning through the shadows


ringer5150
The Shire


Jun 20 2010, 6:30pm


Views: 1212
comic con annoucment would be great, but on the other hand...


In Reply To
I can't decide if that's too long for me to wait to find out (if it will indeed be announced there) or if I like that timing because then they better have someone picked out by then

nope, too long, I'm getting impatient Cool Tongue



I see it coming borderline disrespectful being that GDT is using comic con to announce his next project. Unless the plan is to have GDT announce his successor and "pass the torch" so to speak.

Maybe Guillermo was meant to just write the hobbit and PJ was meant to direct it. And that is an encouraging thought.


Silverlode
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jun 20 2010, 8:19pm


Views: 1259
Exactly. This is standard practice.

If you're not ready to publicly announce something yet, you do not give hints. To hint is no different than announcing, except it causes more chaos. PJ and GDT both know full well that one slight whiff of anything amiss would send the fans and the entertainment reporters into a frenzy. You do not unleash that before its time - not if you're smart, as both of them are.

Did GDT tell us the facts along the way which would enable us to accurately evaluate the situation? Of course he didn't - he told us carefully selected bits. Just because he posted here doesn't mean that we actually had any idea of most of what was going on. Would he have told us months ago that timing was becoming an increasing problem? No, of course not. Just think what reams of articles full of nonsense would immediately have been written, not to mention the panic it would have caused here. Our ignorance of what might or might not have been under discussion for the past few months is no indication at all of anything except that - our ignorance.

I don't for a minute believe that this was a snap decision. As I said before, I think it was a growing cloud on the horizon for some time previously. There was quite a long period of silence prior to the announcement. Do we know what was going on during that time? We do not. I would also suggest that in addition to business factors, there are undoubtedly serious family concerns as well, which have not been mentioned because they're nobody's business but Guillermo's.

Silverlode

"Of all faces those of our familiares are the ones both most difficult to play fantastic tricks with, and most difficult really to see with fresh attention. They have become like the things which once attracted us by their glitter, or their colour, or their shape, and we laid hands on them, and then locked them in our hoard, acquired them, and acquiring ceased to look at them.
Creative fantasy, because it is mainly trying to do something else [make something new], may open your hoard and let all the locked things fly away like cage-birds. The gems all turn into flowers or flames, and you will be warned that all you had (or knew) was dangerous and potent, not really effectively chained, free and wild; no more yours than they were you."
-On Fairy Stories

(This post was edited by Silverlode on Jun 20 2010, 8:25pm)


Owain
Tol Eressea


Jun 20 2010, 8:23pm


Views: 1195
Agreed

 

"Question everything, embrace the bad, and hold on to the good."


Voronwë_the_Faithful
Valinor

Jun 20 2010, 8:27pm


Views: 1255
You're both missing my point

I'm not saying that he would have said something about leaving during the conference call if he had known. What I am saying is that he likely would have avoided making specific statements about The Hobbit during a conference call that was on a completely different subject if he knew at that point that he was likely going to be leaving the project. It was, of course, inevitable that he would have been asked about The Hobbit during the conference call, but he could have easily said something vague to the affect of "I don't have anything to say about it at this time" or "there is no new developments right now." But if you look at what he did say, it doesn't seem like the type of statement that someone who was planning to leave the project would have said. Unless if was the type of person who is skilled at deception, which I don't think GdT is, or wants to be.

'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'

www.arda-reconstructed.com


Owain
Tol Eressea


Jun 20 2010, 8:30pm


Views: 1200
Actually I have reponded several times to your posts....

And don't consider myself to be no one.

You seem to skirt logic (in regards specifically to GDT leaving The Hobbit) in favor of irrational dramatic speculation that has no basis in fact.

"Question everything, embrace the bad, and hold on to the good."


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 20 2010, 8:46pm


Views: 1177
I am with you on this.

As I said earlier something happened & I would bet it was coming from outside of New Zealand.

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket


Silverlode
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jun 20 2010, 8:47pm


Views: 1220
I disagree.

These were not new questions - they've been asked and answered multiple times before, and GDT gave the same stock answers he'd given before. Reporters want quotes and soundbites; "nothing new" assumes that they and their readers know what has been said before, which is not an assumption that can be made. We follow all the developments of this movie, but many reporters do not follow every interviewee's careers with such detailed interest and the average reader probably doesn't either. Directors and actors are accustomed to the endless round of publicity interviews in which you are asked the same questions by 20 people in a row and you give them all nearly identical answers, resulting in many very similar articles. You do not get tired of repeating yourself and tell them to go refer to previous interviews for their answers. Vagueness or evasiveness would certainly have been pounced on - if not by the interviewer, then by the fans who read things into every statement.

As I said, a hint is as good as an announcement. That's not about deception, it's about doing things in order. Studios do get rather miffed if directors jump the gun on official announcements. To say that GDT followed standard practice is in no way a slur against his character. I think that the fact that when the announcement was made, it was made here is proof of his integrity and generosity toward the fans, not that I think there was ever any cause for doubt.

Silverlode

"Of all faces those of our familiares are the ones both most difficult to play fantastic tricks with, and most difficult really to see with fresh attention. They have become like the things which once attracted us by their glitter, or their colour, or their shape, and we laid hands on them, and then locked them in our hoard, acquired them, and acquiring ceased to look at them.
Creative fantasy, because it is mainly trying to do something else [make something new], may open your hoard and let all the locked things fly away like cage-birds. The gems all turn into flowers or flames, and you will be warned that all you had (or knew) was dangerous and potent, not really effectively chained, free and wild; no more yours than they were you."
-On Fairy Stories


Voronwë_the_Faithful
Valinor

Jun 20 2010, 8:53pm


Views: 1203
I respect your opinion

But I still disagree with you. Smile

'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'

www.arda-reconstructed.com


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 20 2010, 8:54pm


Views: 1212
Comic-con Announcement

I do not believe that GdT is on the outs with PJ & the Wellington people. I would not be surprised to see PJ there with the anointed one and Guillermo to make the announcement (after all it is still GdT's script and design.) But I am convinced this announcement will only come if there is a green light on the project. GdT leaving will have bought that.

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket


SirDennisC
Half-elven


Jun 20 2010, 9:49pm


Views: 1282
Maybe, maybe not

You are saying that GDT's departure was brewing for a few months -- say from right around the time Ataahua expressed concern that we might lose Guillermo if the MGM thing drags on too long -- and that his departure was only announced when he and PJ felt the time was right to do so.

VTF is saying GDT's departure was closer to a snap decision based on something that happened, changed or something that needed to change or happen but didn't.

Pretty much the only thing PJ has said about it is that Guillermo came up to him on the Saturday morning before the news broke, saying that he had to move on.

It is very likely that the idea of leaving was growing in Guillermo's heart for months... it is also very likely that something happened (or didn't happen etc) that caused him to decide suddenly to leave the project.

As various people have pointed out, the time commitment was there from the beginning. But it was getting longer all the time.

I mean it could have been anything. Maybe it had something to do with Splice? Here is a movie that was announced, made, and in theatres in less time than GDT has already worked on The Hobbit.

Perhaps the reality of Splice made the tangled mass of the Hobbit (with all the fingers in the pie, egos to stroke, and people to please) seem like more of a threat to his artistic and personal integrity than he was willing to risk on it? Perhaps being asked about the Hobbit while he was promoting Splice brought everything into sharp focus and he decided he just wasn't interested in playing anymore?

To be honest, since January, I've been losing interest in the project as well. GDT's departure may have been the final blow to any sense of looking forward to seeing this film made. (I admit to being intrigued by the idea of Blomkamp for director, but for different reasons.)

I mean we will always have LOTR. Perhaps that is enough?


(This post was edited by SirDennisC on Jun 20 2010, 9:55pm)


pasi
The Shire

Jun 20 2010, 10:48pm


Views: 1232
Can you help me

Dear friend

Thanks (again) to join the forum.
Can you help me in some doubts:

GdT is going to announce his next project in Comic Con?

But it is not related with the Hobbit?

Wy we still worring about GdT?

I think is time to focus our mind in helping PJ and all people involved in the Hobbit project, includes Neil ( District 9).

Best
pasi

p.s. sorry for my english, if I can write in Portuguese perhaps you can understand all my ideas about this all Gdt trouble


macfalk
Valinor


Jun 20 2010, 11:00pm


Views: 1167
pasi

Your english is fine, at least I understand everything. Smile

And my native tongue isn't English.


Voronwë_the_Faithful
Valinor

Jun 20 2010, 11:19pm


Views: 1183
People are interested in what GdT does

Even if it isn't related to The Hobbit or Tolkien in general, people are still interested in what GdT does. So that's why people are still talking about what he will announce at Comic-Con.

'But very bright were the stars upon the margin of the world, when at times the clouds about the West were drawn aside.'

www.arda-reconstructed.com


entmaiden
Forum Admin / Moderator


Jun 20 2010, 11:30pm


Views: 1159
I agree with Silverlode

any hint, or avoidance, would have given a clear indication that there was change in the air, and would have set off alarm bells.

I have read Guillermo's statements and nothing he said was deceptive. There was no change in the project, just his participation was changing from director/screenwriter to screenwriter only.

As a project manager in my job, I have experienced resource changes. Change is expected, and it's important that all members of the project team are able to manage the change. No one person should be indispensable, however the transitioning of key resources has to be managed, and part of that change management is having a good communication strategy.

I don't think the conference call was a game-changer. I think it was a long-planned announcement. Guillermo's public announcement three days later was part of the communication plan.

sample


duats
Grey Havens

Jun 21 2010, 12:07am


Views: 1161
Honestly

Blomkamp doesn't strike me as the right fit for The Hobbit, and this coming from an avid fan of District 9.

Honestly, if Jackson doesn't step in to direct, I can see this project being put on indefinite hold, simply because I think it's going to be incredibly hard to find a director who can afford three years to relocate to New Zealand.


Sunflower
Valinor

Jun 21 2010, 12:37am


Views: 1198
A statement from Guillermo

as per the homepage of his official website, Del Toro Films...
http://www.deltorofilms.com
(Or DTF as his fans call it.)
For those interested..it is dated June 12th.

Before he came here, Del Toro posted a lot st his own website. For those of you who want to continue to follow his career, there's the place to do it.
Haun, you are right...I have a load to get off my chest, and I don't have time to write a rough draft. My posting style has changed little in 9 yrs. Back in the First Agr I was famous for my infrequent essays:)

That'swhat I wish we had still..the editorials and such. Good as one of Quickbeam's reports is, I love a good essay too...


(This post was edited by Sunflower on Jun 21 2010, 12:40am)


CINE
Bree


Jun 21 2010, 2:04am


Views: 1160
Costumes

Thanks for the word Dianne. Hopefully fate can find a way for Grant Major and Ngila Dickson to return. Seeing the finer details on the LOTR Blu-rays made me appreciate anew just how magnificent Dickson's costumes are.

I don't know who some of the hot names in the industry are in costuming. That's more your forte -- any people in particular you'd like to see on The Hobbit if Dickson is not available?


Ethel Duath
Half-elven


Jun 21 2010, 3:33am


Views: 1155
This whole thing feels like death by degrees! (GDT leaving; the suspense . . .)

But I am still hopeful. I believe Peter wants the best, and will do his best to get just that (director included). Evil


Arwen's daughter
Half-elven


Jun 21 2010, 3:58am


Views: 1211
Hmm...

I can toss around some names I'd love to see work on The Hobbit, but just like looking at new directors there are going to be a hundred names I don't think of who would all do a fantastic job.

Some of my favorites
Colleen Atwood, who usually works with Tim Burton on movies like Alice in Wonderland and Sleepy Hollow
Janty Yates, who works with Ridley Scott on all of his big movies
Sandra Powell, who worked on The Young Victoria, Shakespeare in Love, and Aviator
Sammy Sheldon of Stardust and Hellboy II (she's currently working on X-Men: First Class, though)
Deborah L. Scott, of Aviator, Titanic, and The Patriot (currently filming Transformers 3)
Milena Canonero, who designed for Marie Antoinette as well as classics like A Clockwork Orange and Out of Africa

I think I should stop there before I break IMDB Cool



My LiveJournal
My Costuming Site
TORn's Costume Discussions Archive
The Screencap of the Day Schedule for June


Silmaril
Rohan


Jun 21 2010, 7:20am


Views: 1186
i don't want the hobbit to be made like a harry potter movie!

"district 9" is something completely different than LOTR, and i think this is better than to have someone who is doing "harry potter" movies.."braindead" had nothing to do with LOTR too Laugh

like ian mc kellen said:
Ich bin selbst ein großer Gandalf-Fan. Für mich ist dieser sanfte, freundliche, mutige Zauberer ein echtes Vorbild. Ich habe gar nichts dagegen, mit einer so wunderbaren Filmfigur assoziiert zu werden. Sauer reagiere ich nur, wenn man mich mit Michael Gambon verwechselt, dem Dumbledore-Darsteller aus den „Harry Potter“-Filmen. Dann sage ich: „Nein, ich spiele das Original von J. R. R. Tolkien, nicht die billige Kopie von Joanne K. Rowling!“

http://www.faz.net/...common~Scontent.html

"i'm a big fan of gandalf myself. he's my idol. i don't like it to be mistaken for Michael Gambon who's playing Dumbledore. i'm playing the original by j.r.r. tolkien, not the cheap copy of joanne k. rowling!"


(This post was edited by Silmaril on Jun 21 2010, 7:26am)


CINE
Bree


Jun 21 2010, 8:30am


Views: 1092
Great List (Canonero = Legend)!

I used to have the "Costume Design (Screencraft)" book by Deborah Nadoolman (not sure what happened to it). Anyways, I recall there was a great interview in there with Canonero. What an amazing filmmography she has. The woman that did Barry Lyndon! Imagine what a dream it would be to have her on The Hobbit.

And I don't see this Canonero film mentioned nearly enough, but a movie where the art of Production Designer, Cinematographer, and Costume Designer was in such perfect sync (particularly in color) was "Dick Tracy."


Huan71
Lorien

Jun 21 2010, 9:16am


Views: 1074
Posts, the Director and the vision..


In Reply To
My posting style has changed little in 9 yrs. (Back in the First Agr I was famous for my infrequent essays:)

.....and long may they continue! It was more that i was...er...'moved' ( ? Unsure) by your comment that no one had anything to say on the bigger issues you'd raised ! (I still think there's a book in you...even if it's just an Internet based one (a blog or down loadable thing possibly?)) I find it hard to have much to say on a/the new director until they have been officially announced. I'm happy to wait and see. I know who i think would be the best replacement, but they are not available. BTW, if, in your opinion (and mine..!) GDT would have been the "best man for the job", does that mean that any other Hobbit could well be an inferior (if still very good) vision? And, therefore, would it be better to call the whole thing off?


Kangi Ska
Half-elven


Jun 21 2010, 9:55am


Views: 1077
Lets call the whole thing off? NOT

I find this laughable. If it is not going to be perfect then do not do it? All art would cease with this type of thinking.
Nix the defeatism. Full speed ahead. Giving up when you have no idea of the dimensions of the challenge is silly.
Patience! The truth will be revealed in time. Then you can at least give up rationally.
The criticism of a non-existent movie also fails my reality test. Lets wait at least long enough to see who the "Chosen One" is before we declare defeat.
This is coming from me, the one with the soul of Eeyore. Let us all hope for the best. It will save a lot of stomach linings.

Kangi Ska

At night one cannot tell if crows are black or white.

Photobucket


Elven
Valinor


Jun 21 2010, 10:54am


Views: 1049
I dont think SPJ would do that ... just yet anyway ...

Im not sure PJ would have jumped into the Directors seat after GdT announced his leaving the project even if he was resigned to do it - I dont think that would have been a good move, the speculation would/may have been riffe as to why things turned the way they did.
I for one dont give up hope - if one director was found to do one film, PJ may be interested in doing the other.

Cheers
Elven


merklynn
Lorien


Jun 21 2010, 1:49pm


Views: 1003
not happy...


Quote
He had plans to rarely or never even visit the set with del Toro on the project but even now he still hopes to be a guide rather than an overseer.



If Neill Blomkamp is who we get then fine, whatever... But don't tell me that this somehow helps Peter Jackson not have to be a presence on set. The scale of the back-to-back movies is tough for even seasoned directors, so Neill, as a newcomer, will really be up against it without Peter's constant guidance / assistance. My guess is Peter will end up on the set A LOT due to the scale.

I'm so disappointed. I know this isn't official news yet, but it's still a blow from my point-of-view, having had enormous confidence in GDT in place of my ideal director, Peter Jackson. Even if I resign myself to the fact that Peter is really unlikely to step in and direct, I'd still rather see someone with a little more experience under their belt tackle such a massive task. And then on personal level, I really REALLY didn't like District 9. So, I'm not just uncomfortable about the inexperience, but its also a matter of my own tastes. So, like I said whatever. All I can do is cross my fingers and hope for the best. My enthusiasm has definitely sunk as a result of this directorial dilemma. Guillermo, I miss you! :-/


One Forum to Rule Them All.

(This post was edited by merklynn on Jun 21 2010, 1:50pm)


dormouse
Half-elven

Jun 21 2010, 2:19pm


Views: 1051
Sorry, merklynn

... but isn't there a positive spin you can put on this? If Peter Jackson is your ideal director, couldn't you be reassured by the thought that a younger, less experienced director is more likely to need and accept Peter Jackson's input?

Not liking District 9 is more of an objection, I grant you, but then, if I'd seen some of Peter Jackson's earlier films I'd have been horrified at the thought of LotR in his hands, and yet I really enjoy the films. The Hobbit isn't District 9 and if Neill Blomkamp's any good he'll have the sense to see that, and handle it in a way that suits the material.

I'd say, try not to lose hope yet. The director hasn't been announced, the film isn't made, and there's every chance that it will turn out to be brilliant. Why not - it still has very good people behind it? Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo on the script, Alan Lee and John Howe and Weta Workshop on the artistic side, Howard Shore on the music, and, as far as anyone knows, Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis.... We've waited a long time for this and despite all the upheavals I'm not ready to despair just yet!


merklynn
Lorien


Jun 21 2010, 2:37pm


Views: 1076
I'm not losing hope...

...just losing my enthusiasm instead. It's been such turmoil from a fan's point of view. Years of waiting and hoping while New Line and Jackson had their fued and then the news of the film(s) finally happening. Then looking forward to del Toro's vision with his very visual imagination and love for 'creatures' and 'fantasy'. Then the MGM thing... followed by del Toro (quite fairly) having to throw in the towel. I liked del Toro, I liked his work, and I had confidence in him. Again, I'm not saying Blomkamp isn't competent, he clearly can handle an effects driven movie, but I would have felt a little better with someone with a few more movies under their belt. Even PJ had a few behind him before he took on the insane task of the LOTR trilogy. Again, it's a personal thing for me. I didn't like District 9 one bit. I couldn't even finish watching it. :-/ The director is the most influential person on a film, so even with a lot of the 'safe hands' still present, I can no longer have that comfortable expectation anymore. I'm just drained from the journey over this stormy sea and hope that in the end the films manage to flow and not suffer from such a protracted and difficult gestation.

One Forum to Rule Them All.


Patty
Immortal


Jun 21 2010, 3:54pm


Views: 960
"Let us all hope for the best. It will save a lot of stomach linings."

Top notch philosophy, Kangi, on this and many other issues.

Permanent address: Into the West

Must. Have. The Precious! Give us the Blu-ray Ultimate Box Set!



SteveDJ
Rivendell

Jun 21 2010, 5:55pm


Views: 1063
Another big (yet disappointing) announcement? ...like the Blu-Ray fiasco?

I have a feeling we might be in store for another replay of the "Big Announcement" fiasco that was Blu-Ray release.

That is, it feels like we may in fact learn who the new director is and/or get this rumor confirmed fairly soon, but still somewhat non-publicly. Then, a "Big Announcement" will be foretold to be coming from ComicCon. And once again, we will all go nuts over what this big announcement could be (possible green light? casting? whatever else our minds think up?) -- only to have the big announcement be the "official public announcement" of who the director is. And once again, we will complain that it wasn't so big -- only because we already knew what other people probably didn't (I'm talking about the "somewhat-fan" - someone that likes the movies, but doesn't follow all the inside information on sites like this).


R11
Lorien

Jun 21 2010, 6:43pm


Views: 978
Ahhh, I see

I have to admit I was not connecting those dots . I've been using that same board name for so long it's become ingrained and I don't even think about it. It started out originally as R1 on the very first board I registered for 12-13 years ago, and the second 1 was added not long after when I found R1 was already taken on a another board I was signing up for. I didn't occur to me until later though that it's basically the designation for a class of wall insulation Crazy


ron


R11
Lorien

Jun 21 2010, 8:32pm


Views: 940
What do critics know?

The actual viewer rating at RT is 60%. The viewer rating on IMDB is 6.6 (out of 10). Those are decent numbers. Surely the dark nature of the movie accounts for much of the negativity as well, since many people don't like to watch uncomfortable/creepy content and only want happy, happy, joy, joy in their movies.


ron


Bound
Rohan

Jun 21 2010, 9:09pm


Views: 919
I agree...

I agree that critics are reviews are sometimes a harsh way to view a movie. After all a review is just one person's opinon. However most critics do it for living and don't just critise for the sake of it.

I shoud reiterate that I love Peter Jackson and have every things he's done on dvd but I think that while the Lord of The Rings movies were a historicaly a huge moment in cinema and they were amazing movies.but they are in no way perfect and i think Jackson as a pure director isn't as succesful as his movies have been.

I felt The lovely bones movie shied away from the darker conent of the story. Every beat, every decison was a mistake - bar the casting of Susie and maybe brian eno's score. I think that the overall positive feedback from "movie goers" is largely from people who are loyal to Jackson - there are a lot of them out there.

It's mad to think that what should have been a very simple and intimate story could cost €60 million to make and then be filled with pointless special effects. In truth The lovely bones told by another director would have been a wonderful movie.


Gandalf'sMother
Rohan

Jun 22 2010, 3:37am


Views: 981
Director strong enough to keep PJ out of it

The most important thing is that a director with a lot of creativity and a strong vision direct this film, so that it does not become a camel (a horse made in Committee), and primarily something directed by PJ and friends. We have already had 9 hours plus of PJ's vision, and it is time that someone with better artistic sense get a hack at Tolkien's world. We can only handle so much slo-mo, extreme closeups and mawkish melodrama.


Bound
Rohan

Jun 22 2010, 6:25am


Views: 1073
Couldn't agree with you more...

I guess my original point was there's no reason to get excitied or upset by these rumours. Directors walk out on movies all the time and others come in and take their place, sometimes its a good thing and sometimes it aint.

They need someone who as you said will have a strong vision.

I think people need to reailse that no matter who directs these two movies, be it Peter Jackson or whoever - they are not goint to be the same as the LOTR. The movies might be great and entertaining but a large part of what made LOTR special was the story behind the making of them. The long struggle, the unknown kiwi director, and untestsed visual effects company.. it was just a very special moment in time.