Peter Jackson Confirms 'The Hobbit: Part 3' For Summer 2014 Release

News

by Kevin Jagernauth
July 30, 2012 11:58 AM
16 Comments

Get your wallets out kids, because after hints at Comic-Con and reports emerging last week that serious talks were underway between Peter Jackson and Warner Bros., it looks like Middle Earth is going to be up on the big screen for the next three years. That's right, "The Hobbit: Subtitle To Be Determind Later" (aka Part 3) is gonna happen. Here's what Jackson had to say on Facebook:

It is only at the end of a shoot that you finally get the chance to sit down and have a look at the film you have made. Recently Fran, Phil and I did just this when we watched for the first time an early cut of the first movie - and a large chunk of the second. We were really pleased with the way the story was coming together, in particular, the strength of the characters and the cast who have brought them to life. All of which gave rise to a simple question: do we take this chance to tell more of the tale? And the answer from our perspective as the filmmakers, and as fans, was an unreserved ‘yes.'

We know how much of the story of Bilbo Baggins, the Wizard Gandalf, the Dwarves of Erebor, the rise of the Necromancer, and the Battle of Dol Guldur will remain untold if we do not take this chance. The richness of the story of The Hobbit, as well as some of the related material in the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, allows us to tell the full story of the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and the part he played in the sometimes dangerous, but at all times exciting, history of Middle-earth.

So, without further ado and on behalf of New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Wingnut Films, and the entire cast and crew of “The Hobbit” films, I’d like to announce that two films will become three.

It has been an unexpected journey indeed, and in the words of Professor Tolkien himself, "a tale that grew in the telling."

Cheers,

Peter J

Clearly, Jackson didn't read our open letter on the subject, but suffice to say, we'd rather seen him to do anything else than this. Official details are likely a bit further down the line, but Jackson has already said there is more material he wants to adapt. "We also have the rights to use this 125 pages of additional notes where Tolkien expanded the world of ‘The Hobbit’…Fran [Walsh] and I have been talking to the studio about other things we haven’t been able to shoot and seeing if we persuade them to do a few more weeks of shooting, probably more than a few weeks actually, next year. And what form that would actually end up taking, well the discussions are pretty early…" he said at Comic-Con, adding: “There’s other parts of the story that we’d like to tell that we haven’t been able to tell yet.”

Previous reports have suggested two months of shooting are being planned for next summer, though principal cast were not optioned for a third movie, and new deals will have to be struck for anyone returning. Meanwhile, the trades add that a summer 2014 release has been pegged (meaning the last chapter will come less than a year after "The Hobbit: There And Back Again") and as for a title? Nothing yet, but recently domain name registrations (via /Film) suggest "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" and "The Hobbit: Riddles in the Dark" could be in the mix.

But needless to say, the Jackson faithful will be thrilled, while everyone else? Well, we'll see. As we've said before, while the "Lord Of The Rings" films naturally fit itself into a trilogy format (with extended versions for each on Blu-Ray), while "The Hobbit" is already being parceled out from one book into three movies, with stuff Tolkien left out being used as padding. Let's hope Jackson finds a way to make it all work.

News

More: Peter Jackson, The Hobbit, The Hobbit: Part 3

16 Comments

| Reply
jim | December 12, 2012 10:04 AMReply

Why do they make movies about ANYTHING? Moviemaking is a profession, and is meant to produce INCOME. The better the movie, the more INCOME is generated. It's as simple as that. Sooooooo sit back and enjoy the movie if it's good and if it's bad, leave and go home. sheeeeeeeesh.
eddie zee | October 2, 2012 4:02 PMReply

One word: Ratagast

That Ratagast is a major character in the movies (and only mentioned in The Hobbit) is a clue that the movies will go waaay beyond the book.

Yes, there's cause to be skeptical. Sure, they'll make a fortune.

But Peter Jackson has proven himself to be both a masterful filmmaker AND a true fan. He's the most uniquely qualified director in the *world* to make these films. And coming off the momentum of the LOTR series, he's sure to make a hit. This series is a dream come true for Tolkien fans.

Personally, I can't wait!
nightshade | August 27, 2012 6:04 PMReply

The Hobbit : Milking the cash cow

I'm a fan, but you need to quit while you're ahead or something as dire as the Indiana Jones and the crystal skull could result.
Jon | August 14, 2012 3:01 PMReply

If you have read the book, you will know that Gandalf disappears for quite some time, and the absent is unexplained until the original trilogy. It was never explained in the movies, besides perhaps in passing, and this is an excellent opportunity to represent and explain Tolkiens world as he imagined it. Three parts has the advantage to the creators of being able to pull in more money, but honestly, its their job.
Charles | August 10, 2012 10:29 AMReply

If you can't imagine Peter Jackson producing three exceptionally-crafted films from the wealth of material available, then you've no imagination at all. There's a dozen books of lore plus the appendices to augment the original Hobbit novel, perhaps even something from the Silmarillion.. He clearly loves the material, & has had more experience with it than almost anyone- why not trust that he'll treat this trilogy with the same thoughtfulness & care as the first (which could not have been made better imo)? To look at this project as merely The Hobbit in movie form is shortsighted- it's another chance to explore Middle-earth, with a much bigger budget! (& an accusation of money grubbing? really? lol c'mon..)
Jason | August 5, 2012 3:47 PMReply

Well, I am a huge fan of the dwarves more than any other characters in the LOTR...will be awesome to see an entire army! Dain's march to the Lonely Mtn and their involvement will be fantastic!!! Just hate to wait 6 more mths to see the finale.
Lisa | August 1, 2012 2:43 AMReply

Perhaps he should have done the Lord of the Rings in 2 parts each, there was at least material there that wasn't even touched on, but to drag The Hobbit out two 3 parts...(two parts I can see) just feels like a money grubbing move.
Taylor | August 14, 2012 12:43 PM

I agree with you 100%.
Troy | July 31, 2012 3:39 PMReply

What pessimists! LOTR trilogy was terrific, Jackson has proven he can take Tolkien's writing and apply it to a large scale. This "worrying about all the extra information" is wonderful, I've read The Hobbit and the trilogy multiple times leaving me only to wonder in my imagination discovering the necromancer, battle of Dol Guldor, I'm ecstatic that Jackson is taking this on he's proven he's capable of understanding Tolkien's vision. I wouldn't call Jackson dried out, he has done other films since LOTR but realistically that's always what he'll be compared to and known for. The Hobbit will be excellent, not only because of all Tolkien's well written extra material and Jackon's overall view and skill in portraying the story. Three films sounds perfect.
Bakunin | July 30, 2012 7:30 PMReply

Peter Jackson has officially become dried out. Instead of pursuing original material he needs to drag out The Hobbit into THREE films? What's wrong with just having ONE film based on the novel and keep it as a nice little companion to the original, epic LOTR trilogy? Pretty soon he'll be a punchline in the Lucas tradition.
Lee | July 31, 2012 4:08 AM

wrapping The Hobbit in just ONE film is even worse idea than this news. I agree with Mason though, I too rather see a 3 hours two films. But then again, I believe in Peter Jackson.
Okay... | July 30, 2012 2:14 PMReply

Not the happiest about this news. It just seems like when all is said & done & you watch the trilogy after the entire thing is released it'll just drag on too long.

Either way, I also think we should all just write HOBBIT 3 on our calenders for December 2014. No way in hell do I see them breaking tradition & release this film in the summer.
MAL | July 30, 2012 2:14 PMReply

Perhaps they are doing the "bridge" film that was speculated about at the earliest stages of development after all. Not sure how I feel about it but I love the world he created on film and don't mind being immersed in it another couple of hours if there is compelling enough material.
Mason | July 30, 2012 1:10 PMReply

I would rather see them just lengthen the 2 they already have. I mean i know real fans were pissed at how much was left out of the LOTR movies, but 3 movies for the hobbit is a little much. They should just do a separate Silmarillion if that's what they are using material from.
Mason | July 30, 2012 1:11 PM

I have always been against the 90 minute rule in movie theaters. Just make 2-3hr movies.
PapushiSun | July 30, 2012 12:25 PMReply

I've a really bad feeling about this trilogy.