What is Really Going On With 'The Hobbit'?

Is it Jackson? Is it Raimi? What up?

By: Brad Brevet
Published: Monday, August 13th 2007 at 6:04 PM

Over the past week there have been several stories in regards to the pending feature film adaptation of The Hobbit.

Obviously fans would love for Peter Jackson to return to direct what would end up being the fourth film in his franchise, but due to tensions between Jackson and New Line Cinema that has been a bit of a sticky situation. Cue Sam Raimi, whose name has been rumored as the second in line to direct the film should Jackson not return.

Where this gets interesting deals with some comments recently made to the LA Times by New Line studio founder Bob Shaye who was asked if it was true that company insiders had been in talks with Jackson's reps, Shaye replied, "Yes, that's a fair statement. Notwithstanding our personal quarrels, I really respect and admire Peter and would love for him to be creatively involved in some way in The Hobbit."

Many will key on the fact that Shaye is talking to Peter's people, however it seems the "some way" portion of that statement is where your eye should be drawn as IESB is reporting that Raimi is leaning towards directing The Hobbit as his next big project, which means he would be passing on a Clash of the Titans remake over at Warner Bros. which was the other Raimi rumor.

IESB's source tells them that while Raimi would direct Jackson would be attached to produce.

Further news on the flick was reported by Stuff.co.nz who reports that Ian McKellen was heard saying there was no doubt that a rumoured reprisal of his Gandalf role in a film version of The Hobbit would be discussed with Jackson and Walsh.

The site also quote's Jacksons's spokesman saying, "Peter and Fran have always wanted to do The Hobbit but whether that happens is yet to be decided."

In one final link to the story LatinoReview just posted an article saying, "You can now file [Raimi] being the new Hobbit director in FACT rather than fiction."

Maybe a happy collaboration has been found… We'll have to wait and see.