25-31 August 1998
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
New Line getting into 'The Hobbit' with prod'n deal - by Josh
Chetwynd
New Line Cinema announced that it will commit more than $130 million
to
produce a live-action, special effects-driven trilogy of films
based on
J.R.R. Tolkien's acclaimed trio of fantasy novels "The Lord
of the
Rings"
In addition, the company has picked up rights
to another Tolkien
classic, "The Hobbit", and secured worldwide merchandising
rights to
products based on the film property.
New Line got the project from Miramax, which had been developing
it
since January 1997. Miramax co-chairman Bob and Harvey Weinstein
will
serve as exec producers with Saul Zaentz, who originally obtained
the
rights to the novels directly from Tolkien.
The company is considering releasing the trilogy as a Christmas-summer-
Christmas event series in 2000-2001. The films will be produced
consecutively
on location in New Zealand. Principal photography will last approximately
one year,
and production is expected to begin in mid-1999.
Peter Jackson ("Heavenly Creatures") will co-write,
co-produce and
direct the franchise. His longtime production partner Fran Walsh
will
co-write and co-produce the films through Jackson's WingNut Films
banner.
Jackson's New Zealand-based special effects firm Weta Digital
will be
responsible for the computer generated visuals for the project.
"We are completely commited to Peter Jackson's vision for
this trilogy",
New Line Cinema chairman Robert Shaye said, "and we will
make sure that
he has the neccessary logistical, financial and creative support
to
complete a project of this size and scope."
Fine Line Features president Mark Ordesky was instrumental in
securing
the project and will oversee its development on behalf of the
studio
along with New Line Prods. president Michael De Luca.
The trilogy is comprised of the books: "The Fellowship of
the Ring",
"The Two Towers" and "Return of the King".
The books center on a quest
to destroy a magical ring wanted by the forces of evil.