Thompson on Hollywood

Peter Jackson is Back in Middle Earth as The Hobbit Starts Production

Am I crazy, or doesn't writer-director-producer Peter Jackson look happy again? In the years since he completed The Lord of the Rings trilogy (which grossed a total $3 billion worldwide; extended DVD due June 28), he shot the gargantuan budget King Kong (which would have been hugely successful if it had cost less) and the smaller-scale The Lovely Bones, which cost more than the literary delicacy should have. He produced protege Neill Blomkamp's District 9 as well as collaborating closely with director Steven Spielberg on the Tintin trilogy; the first is due this December.

By Anne Thompson
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March 21, 2011 11:45 AM
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Sony Negotiating MGM Distrib and Financing Deal, Including Bonds

Sony and MGM have been in bed together for some time. One of many investors in the company, Sony has released the last two Bond films, and wants to release the next two as well, reports the the LATimes. Streamlined MGM has been strapped for cash for some time, come through bankruptcy, and now has two new CEOs, industry vets Roger Birnbaum and Gary Barber, who are seeking to avoid the risk and expense of marketing and releasing their own movies. They are talking to several studios about a worldwide distribution deal for MGM's films and home video, as well as financing on some films such as Sam Mendes' Bond 23, starring Daniel Craig.

By Anne Thompson
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February 9, 2011 3:07 AM
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Casting Watch: Theron vs. Rapace For Alien, Hobbit Reunites Cast, Hawkes and Parker for Indie Drama

- Charlize Theron won't be joining Leonardo DiCaprio, Armie Hammer and new cast member Ed Westwick in Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar. Naomi Watts and Amy Adams are being eyed by Eastwood to fill the role of Helen Gandy (Hoover's personal secretary). Who can blame Theron for turning down a secretary when she's set to play the Evil Queen in Unviersal's Snow White and the Huntsman. Twentieth Century Fox reportedly is rewriting their Alien franchise prequel for Theron, but director Ridley Scott seems to be favoring Dragon Tattoo's Noomi Rapace. Theron is the only female movie star beyond Angelina Jolie who can carry an action movie--while less-known Scandinavian import Rapace is a gamble. She and Rapace would certainly bring different things to the character of Elizabeth Shaw.

By Sophia Savage
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January 11, 2011 6:29 AM
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Elijah Wood Confirmed to Star in The Hobbit, Treasure Island

Elijah Wood is on the comeback trail. The Lord of the Rings star has signed to reprise his role as Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson's prequel of The Hobbit, even though it takes place some 60 years ahead of The Fellowship of the Ring. (Spoiler alert: he's part of a narrative framing device.) The two-parter will be filmed back to back in two parts in New Zealand. Warner Bros. is partnering with MGM.

By Anne Thompson
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January 8, 2011 1:31 AM
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Warner Bros. Takes On International Distribution for Peter Jackson's The Hobbit

Warner Bros. has reached a deal to handle the international theatrical and video distribution on MGM's behalf for Peter Jackson's Lord of The Rings trilogy prequel, The Hobbit (in two parts), adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien's novel. MGM will oversee international television licensing for the films and both studios will collaborate on the films' marketing and release.

By Sophia Savage
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January 6, 2011 9:15 AM
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The Hobbit's Cast, And A Good Day for New Zealand Cinema

While Peter Jackson and Warner Bros. deal with the issue of whether or not to shoot The Hobbit in New Zealand, the director has confirmed the casting of the film. (UPDATE: Video of Jackson and co-producer and co-writer Philippa Boyens' NZ TV interview below.)

By Sophia Savage
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October 22, 2010 8:45 AM
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Weekly Wrap: Awards and Festivals, News, Media, Celebs

In the past week, TOH looked at Names That Rule in Moviesphere, considered Recycling at the Cinema [pictured: DiCaprio and Hall, potentials for Great Gatsby remake] and pondered the five things that went wrong with Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps.

By Sophia Savage
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October 22, 2010 7:23 AM
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The Hobbit New Zealand Filming Fracas: Not Resolved

While the blogosphere goes mad with various reports about how or where Peter Jackson's green-lit The Hobbit will be filmed, it seems that the guild problems with shooting in New Zealand have not been resolved. Jackson is still threatening to shoot elsewhere--London perhaps--which could cost New Zealand untold millions. While New Zealand plans to fight to keep the two Hobbit films when Warners brass arrive next week, it may be too late.

By Anne Thompson
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October 21, 2010 6:52 AM
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Production News: Bourne Without Bourne, Mad Max Stalls, Eastern Promises 2

- Writer-director Tony Gilroy is trying to have it both ways. He confirms that The Bourne Legacy will be made without Matt Damon - but he contradicts himself. "This is not a reboot or a recast or a prequel. No one's replacing Matt Damon," Gilroy says. "There will be a whole new hero, a whole new chapter…this is a stand-alone project" that happens to be using the title of Robert Ludlum's book, "but will not use the story":"The easiest way to think of it is an expansion or a reveal…Jason Bourne will not be in this film, but he's very much alive. What happened in the first three films is the trigger for what happens. I'm building a legend and an environment and a wider conspiracy...the world we're making enhances and advances and invites Jason Bourne's return [down the road]…Everything you saw in the first three films actually happened, and everyone who got into them will be rewarded for paying attention. We're going to show you the bigger picture, the bigger canvas. When you see where we're going and see what we're doing it'll be pretty obvious."

By Sophia Savage
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October 11, 2010 12:36 PM
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Director Watch: Snyder Takes Superman, Gilroy on Bourne 4, Hobbit Inches Closer, Luhrmann Goes Glee

- Superman has a new daddy: Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) will direct Warner Bros' franchise revival, with Christopher Nolan and Emma Thomas producing--the dynamic duo that rebooted Batman. Nolan came up with the story; Batman Begins scribe David S. Goyer wrote the screenplay, which brings back villain General Zod. “I feel super awesome,” Snyder told the LAT, while admitting that he lies awake at night thinking of how his Superman - who "has to be a man" - will be recreated. No boys need apply for the job; this is a the "biggest and baddest of them all," Snyder says, "The greatest of them all, right? We all want to know how the next chapter takes shape. I want to know how it will take shape.”