NEWS | Green Light For The Hobbit?

While other studios are cutting back on big budget tentpole films, MGM has decided to do the exact opposite and recently announced a slate of tentpole films budgeted in the 150 to 200 million dollar (US) range. Among those, which include Terminator 4 (cool) and a sequel to the The Thomas Crown Affair (huh?!?), is the one prequel most of us have been waiting for ever since we first laid eyes on Frodo and Samwise Gamgee.

That's right, not only is MGM planning to make J.R.R. Tolkien's prequel to the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, The Hobbit, but also they're planning "one or two instalments" and they'll be teaming with New Line to produce and they are hoping will be directed by Peter Jackson.

The main point of contention that had prevented The Hobbit from coming to the big screen was a complex rights issue between MGM and New Line that, for all intents and purposes, wouldn't be resolved until the universe caved in on itself but someone apparently worked some magic to clear up that issue. The only question now is, are they really willing to move forward if Jackson doesn't return to direct?

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