Peter Jackson and The Hobbit Petition Response

A little under a month ago a petition and open letter to MGM was put together by the good folks over at The One Ring (A Lord of the Rings fan site) in response to the news that they were finally going to be moving ahead with “The Hobbit”. News that we’ve all been waiting to hear ever since the end credits on Return of the King rolled.

So what was this petition all about? Well… it was a petition asking for a number of things, but at the top of the pile was that they get Peter Jackson back to direct. To quote the open letter:

So first things first, would somebody please call Peter Jackson? Now! Today! New Line and PJ still have this sticky lawsuit left over from the LOTR films so we are a bit concerned. Jackson has made it very clear, over and over, even again this week, that he has not yet been invited to the table to have Hobbit discussions. Let the lawyers handle the lawsuit and please, please, get the creative folks together immediately.

They then went on to talk about casting:

It goes without saying that Sir Ian McKellen must return as Gandalf and our Gollum must be Andy Serkis, without a doubt. Casting for Elrond should also be finished and if I were producing I would ask Orlando Bloom to walk through the screen during the battle of five armies.

Let me say this right up front so there is no misunderstanding:

IF I WERE IN CONTROL OF THE UNIVERSE, I WOULD GET PETER JACKSON BACK TO DIRECT THE HOBBIT AND GET IAN MCKELLEN BACK AS GANDALF. There, are we clear on that point? I loved the job both of them did with the Lord of the Rings films and would LOVE to see them both back. HOWEVER…

I find the whole idea of thinking any casting or director decision “MUST” be any one person, who already happend to play the role or direct a film, a bit silly. Peter Jackson did a magnificent job with LOTR… but how are we to know if someone else might not have done an even better job? We don’t know. Ian McKellen was nothing short of fantastic as Gandalf… but how are we to know that another actor wouldn’t have done an even better job? We don’t know.

All of that is to say that I would LOVE IT if they were both back… but folks… it’s not the end of the world if another director takes the helm for The Hobbit or if another actor puts on the grey robe as Gandalf. Who knows… the new people might even do a better job?

The response from MGM came in, and in it they confirmed they have talked to Jackson’s people:

“Peter Jackson’s phenomenal success with The Lord of the Rings trilogy makes him the first and most ideal choice for directing The Hobbit,” said MGM COO Rick Sands. “MGM would be thrilled to collaborate with the Academy Award-winning director on this MGM New Line Cinema production. And, I’m sure to the delight of the 50,000 filmgoers who have petitioned us in recent weeks, demanding we bring this film to fruition, we have had a few initial conversations about the project with Mr. Jackson’s representatives.”

All of that to say some phone calls were made, but no one has actually talked to Jackson himself yet.

If I were a betting man (which I”m not) I’d bet 3 to 1 that Peter Jackson WILL NOT be back to direct The Hobbit. I wish he would, but I just don’t think it’s going to happen (I’d love it if I were wrong on this one). I guess we’ll just wait and see how it all pans out. (Via)

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31 thoughts on “Peter Jackson and The Hobbit Petition Response

  1. Last night I was watching the first half of ‘The return of the King” (extended edition.) I’m in the middle of a LOTR run. These films have reached me in such a profund way, I love them so much!
    I read Tolkien’s books first (which I love and will read again and again) and of course I noticed all the variances, shifts or additions of plot and omission of characters…but then there are those moments where you can hear the poetry of Tolkien return…Especially in the extended edition where Eowyn is given Faramir’s dream of a wave rising over green lands…when she says she ‘stood on the brink and all was utterly dark in the abyss before my feet…’ word for word this is Tolkien’s voice. It’s right there in print…albeit movie Eowyn is at the ‘wrong locale’ should be “houses of healing” according to book.
    Still the hat is tipped to Tolkien…And the poetry comes through like sun illuminating a darkling forest or the first star to shine its light the clearer through the clouds of doom…
    The red sun rises….forth Eorlingas!! The spears like a winter thicket…The maiden…like the first cold before spring…

    A man I am not!! (book)
    I am no man!! (movie)
    As Rob said, without Peter Jackson and the actors Ian McKellan, Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving there is a HUGE unforgivable loss of continuity. These films have had an enormous impact for the better in thise uncertain and sometimes “deceptive” world of ours.
    One could believe in a lost history…history became legend…legend became myth (there are rumors of underwater cities the world over even being tackled by National Geographic and the date of humans upon this planet is constantly being pushed back)One can dream…:-)
    After seeing these films, I always feel uplifted…I feel that hope we so long for…I feel thanks for the GOOD that does exist in the world. I cannot imagine another Gandalf that is not Ian McKellan…Who else could purr and spit out Gollum’s twisted vocabulary better than Serkis??? And I again give another vote to Hugo Weaving…He said he would be interested in doing the Hobbit…
    (what is this nonsense about “casting for elrond anyway???”)
    LOTR’s are not films I can just “put on the shelf” for a discount price..they are something much more and represent something much greater than simply a “hollywood blockbuster” or ‘cult favorite.’
    I pray that everyone comes to their senses…
    No matter what, I believe that PJ would do this film from his heart!
    I for one could not wait to see “Smaug” be given life and voice…
    We would find that not all black birds are bad and that unlike crows…ravens do not work under the empoyment of Saruman….the thrush the keyhole of light….
    And hey I’m not too concerend with the soberelf(greenleaf) verses drunk-woodelves-king case ( adding artisitic license.) That bridge will be crossed but its not the most imperative.
    Keeping PJ, Ian, Hugo, and Andy though IS!!! A must!!!
    Let’s hope in this caes with the times we are all given the right decision is MADE!!!
    Peace on a Good Green Earth!!!
    Hobbit M

  2. LOTR was not just entertainment or film…It was as Tolkien wrote it. History/ then legend/ then myth. We in America are living the same darkness, and it is real. the Hobbit will be no more than a silly or pretentious prequel if it is reduced to the realm of just another flick. Peter Jackson crafted LOTR into a truth that needed telling. a powerful warning about OUR uncertain future.
    . . .And as a TRUE story it demands the continuity of Peter Jackson, Ian McKellen, Hugo Weaving, Andy Serkis and the rest of the applicable LOTR cast and the New Zealand background for the film to bear the power of the original LOTR. I will only see the Hobbit if it is real!! juanita trent

  3. I find it offensive that Paramount would even consider another director for “The Hobbit”. They are making the same mistake Fox did with X-men 3. Hiring another director changes the vision, the story, and the actors direction. X-men 3 suffered from trying to make a deadline rather than a film. In my opinion, Paramount shoudl pay what they owe and fire Shaye (the exec.) who decided to isolate a large fan base from their movie, “The Hobbit”. Get your act together or get fired Shaye.

  4. Honestly I think a version of the Hobbit done without PJ is Blasphamy. LOTR may not have pleased all the fans of Tolkien but it did please many of us and won over many more that would have never given Tolkien a try. I for one dont see how they (NewLine) expect to pull off a cheap attempt at recreating what Peter and WETA did on the first 3 films, they were nothing short of brilliance. Also I for one wouldn’t want to watch a Hobbit movie without Ian McKellan as Gandalf, Hugo Weaving as Elrond, and Andy Sirkis as Gollum. Really Ian Holme would be nice as Bilbo but this would be a 60 year younger Bilbo and they could get away with someone similar looking. and I could really care less about giving the rest of the cast of LOTR cameos in the Hobbit, if they werent there they dont need to be. BUT the Gandalf, Elrond, and Gollum all need to be played by the same actors (IMO) for concistency sake any other actors in those role would just seem cheesy and cheap. Really New Line is just thinking they can rub peters face in the lawsuit about their accounting practices of srewing people over and trying to make a quick buck, and THINKING they can produce as good a movie as the first 3. I for one wont go see, buy the DVD, or spend any of my money on a lesser product than the fans deserve.Why settle for second best? when if they thought about it new line/MGM know PJ and WETA are the right(ONLY) team for the job of doing this movie, for the fans, and not just to cash in by putting out a substandard movie that wouldn’t stand up to the expectations that we the fans are placing on this movie

  5. what planet are these people on,it was peter Jackson`s skillful eye for detail & commitment that pulled the print from the pages and transferd them loveingly to the big screen.i personally believe that the dye is cast, that for the hobbit to be made by any other than peter Jackson, it might as well stay in print, so that the real fans of Tolkien have something to enjoy.

  6. I have to agree with the majority of the people here. The Hobbit and this ‘second prequel’ wouldn’t be the same unless they had Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and the staple charactors like Hugo for Elrond, Ian for Bilbo, Sir Ian for Gandalf. These people are already established as the charactors that they played in LotR. It is extreamly important that they continue to play these charactors.
    And now, for all of you who don’t like what other people are commenting and are bashing their opinions the answer is clear; don’t read them.

  7. I think if it’s at all possible, I think that all of us fans of the LOTR movies,books,etc really REALLY need to get together and let our voices be heard. WE WANT PETER JACKSON to make the Hobbit. PETER JACKSON wants to make the Hobbit. We as fans have a voice on this matter. We all need to respond to New Line about this, It really gets me that New Line would tell Jackson they no longer want him as director. What is New Line thinking!!! That has to be the worst mistake New Line could make. Are the people at New Line going out of their minds. THE FANS are being cheated. And New Line is to blame. Does New Line not have any common sense whatsoever?? Look the FANS want Peter Jackson to direct the Hobbit. He made the world of Middle-Earth live and breath on the big-screen, he did it with a determination, a love, a passion that came from the heart, his cast and crew all deserve credit for making the LOTR movies so special. Not to mention the fact all the money these movies made. Why did they make so much money?? because the movies made a connection with the fans. All the money , all the Awards won, all the acclaim, came because of the connection with the fans, the movies were well made, the fans of these movies know what they want. They want the Hobbit made by Peter Jackson. He’s the man who has the BEST plan for this movie. The FANS know it. And why New Line doesn’t know it is beyond me. Does New Line really think that Ian McKellan,Chris Lee,Andy Serkis,Liv Tyler,Hugo Weaving,Cate Blanchett,John-Rhys Davies,Orlando Bloom etc would be as interested in help making the Hobbit without Jackson. For ALL parties involved please PLEASE don’t ruin this. Where there is a will there is a way. We the FANS of LOTR, Hobbit etc really need to get vocal about this. If we have to petition New Line everyday then so be it. WE WANT THE HOBBIT..WE WANT PETER JACKSON.

  8. Now it seems that Jackson will not direct the Hobbit, this sucks, everyone and their mother knows that Peter Jackson is the man to make the Hobbit. New Line will regret this decision. With Peter Jackson you already have a built in fan-base from LOTR. The fans know that Peter has a love and a passion for the Hobbit, just as he did for the LOTR movies. That’s why the fans loved the LOTR movies so much. I know that many MANY fans of LOTR are very upset with New Line about this. Without Jackson the Hobbit wouldn’t be as good. Bet you Ian, Hugo,Liv, Christopher Lee, none of them would return. This movie would more than likley be a bomb at the box office.

  9. bilbo after finding the ring didnt noticably age… ian holm would still work as bilbo and maintain continuity with the lotr movies… sir ian mckellen is perfect for the role of gandalf… keep elrond just as he was in the lotr… after all he is about 3,000 years old and looks about 45 in the lotr films… elves age slowly…p.s. i dont know the actors name …im losing my memory…ha ha..

  10. I believe that PJ probably wants to make this film as much as his fans want him to. I hope so at any rate. As far as the same actors returning to their roles… I think the film needs as many of the original actors as it can get.It should maintain continuity with the trilogy. I’m sure that MGM and Newline understand that it will be much better for marketing purposes.And as far as how well replacement actors go I would say this…Everybody has his or her own favorite Bond. And Michael Gambon is a fine actor but he is no Richard Harris. he lacks the sense of humor and fun that Harris brought to the role of Professor Albus Dumbledor

  11. ONE DIRECTOR TO FILM THEM ALL!! Remember people, movies are made solely to make money, it is a money-making aspect of hollywood to make extra cash with the help of familiarity and resonance: same names, nostalgic themes, same director, composer, etc. (Give it to George Lucas to film everything on blue screen instead of New Zeland). I do believe they will wait till PJ and wife are clear from their busy load and not only direct but produce The Hobbit. Also Ian will play the wizard again(being the only Oscar nom in the bunch) I also believe fans can contribute to changes in future movie: ala Mr. Lucas killing a certain digital comic relief in third act). What happens when great movies go toward the Dark side?: they become Aliens vs Predactor(without Ripley), Robocop 3 (without Weller),Jurasic 3 (without Steven), Predactor 2 (without Arnold). The Hobbit has a buit-in audience that will spend extra million$ if it has PJ, Weta, Ian, Howard Shore on-board. New Line Cinema know$ this.It is like seeing a family again on Thanksgiving.

  12. I realise theres a lot of interest in who could possibly play Gandalf, Gollum and Elrond. Why does no one care who plays the pivotal role of Bilbo who is after all much more significant than Gandalf and Gollum in this movie? I for one would love to see Ian Holm come back for Bilbo but he may be a little old any thoughts????

  13. I think alot of fans let their emotions get in the way of things like this and it causes them to make up their mind before they see the movie, which is regrettable. However, Ive had the same happen to me plenty of times. Its very easy to care so much about a character or story and to allow yourself to put blinders on as to what will be successful or not. Ive learned to try my best not to judge a movie before ive seen it regardless of who is in it and whats been said (and it is at times very dificult to do so) but the fact remains, you cant KNOW if a movie is good or not until you have seen it.

    The Fellowship of the Ring was one of the best theater experiences Ive ever had. It was the first movie I had seen in years that really had me feeling like kid again and getting lost in the story. McKellen was a huge part of that in how he pulled off Gandalf. But, I still think they can hand the movie over to someone else (who cares about the story) and make a great movie, with a different cast as well.

  14. I would “guesstimate” about a 5% drop in revenue for every
    instance of a major actor in a returning role being absent.
    (including pj)

    The movie would still make bank.

    If PJ was gone, the feel would be different…. but…..
    the Hobbbit does read very different than LOTR.

  15. While I concede that it won’t be the end of the world if Ian McKellan isn’t cast (although it would be pretty damn close) my expectations would plummet if anyone else put on the wizard’s hat. It’s not a necessity, but it would be a pretty good idea on the part of the studio.

  16. The only one I couldn’t live without is Serkis. Gollum is more iconic than the Sir Ian Gandalf IMO. Weta also has to be involved, no idea if that could happen without PJ. They were responsible for the feel of the movie, which would be more noticeable in its absence than someone like Patrick Stewart playing Gandalf after the first 5 minutes. The character of Gandalf has MUCH less range in the Hobbit (maybe has zero arc at all) and could therefore be played by a lesser actor. The only characters with arcs are Bilbo, Gollum, Bard, and Thorin.

  17. Hey there M_D

    Oh I’m not saying you (and some others) wouldn’t be devestated. All I’m saying is that the movie could work just fine (and maybe even better, although I doubt that… but it is possible) with another actor as Gandalf.

    Ian McKellen doesn’t HAVE to be Gandalf for the movie to work… you (and some others for sure) just really WANT him as Galdalf. I do to.

    Cheers!

    ~John

  18. Keep in mind also that Jackson is being offered projects left right and center.

    Just today I read that they are offering Jackson the remake of Dambusters. There is a lot of rumour to this, but its not the only project being offered.

    Jackson is a professional, and he loved working on LotR but he isnt going to hold his breath waiting for the legal dust to settle. He is going to take on jobs that he wants to do. The more he takes on, the less likely he will do Hobbit. He is already busy well into ’08 with Halo and Lovely Bones.

  19. I’m sure the film wouldn’t be a monetary failure if Ian McKellan didn’t return, but it would be a failure in my PERSONAL opinion.

    The only reason the Dumbledore switch didn’t miss a beat is because, as I already stated, the original actor was dead. If they switched the actor for no reason whatsoever, there would have been a terrible outcry. Imagine switching the actors of Indiana Jones, Luke Skywalker, Harry Potter, or any other iconic hero who has not died or outgrown the role. There would be huge repurcussions if that were the case.

    I’m not saying that non-geeks would notice the difference. I’m just saying that the uber Lord of the Rings geeks like myself would be devastated.

  20. Hey M_D

    You said my argument doesn’t hold water… and yet you fail to explain how.

    On top of that… you went on to prove my point for me.

    With Dumbledorff (sp?), another actor played the role… doen’t matter the reason… and guess what… Harry Potter was just fine and the character of Dumbledorff (sp?) was just fine too. The series didn’t skip a beat, even with a new actor.

    I agree with you that it is “PREFERABLE” that McKellen do it… but to say he “MUST”, as if to say the film would be a failure otherwise, is just untrue in my opinion.

    Good discussion,

    Cheers!

    ~John

  21. Maybe Bryan Singer could direct. I understand he has a great plot idea for The Hobbit.

    Bilbo returns from a journey to find the she-hobbit he loves has given birth and is living with a co-worker named Rickard. Is the baby-hobbit Rickar’s or bilbo’s?

    Meanwhile Smaug steals a magic ring from Bilbo’s house. He discovers that if he brings the ring into contact with water, he can cause rocks to grow out of the water. Smaug comes up with a plan whereby he will throw the ring into Belegaer (the great sea) and cause a great island to grow. But the growing of the island will cause Lindon, Eriador, Rohan, and gondor to be flooded. Smaug can then sell real estate to all the men, dwarves, elves, and hobits.

  22. I agree that PJ isn’t a must for the director’s seat, but I disagree with your views on Ian MacKellan. Your argument that different people play Bond and Dumbledore don’t hold water. First of all Bond has been around for multiple decades and therefore it’s impractical to have the same actor for all movies. And with Dumbledore, the original actor died or else he would have been Dumbledore for the rest of the movies. Saying that Gandalf could be played by a different actor in The Hobbit is equivalent to saying that Indiana Jones 4 could be made without Harrison Ford as Indiana (assuming it ever gets made).

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