MGM unveils tentpole films including 'The Hobbit' and 'Terminator 4'

[The Clown Prince]

From Comingsoon.net and Variety...


In a Variety (http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117949787?categoryid=13&cs=1) article talking about MGM's move back into the tentpole business, the trade mentions a few highly-anticipated projects that are in the works:

Over the next few years, MGM is planning to release half a dozen films (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=16424#), some in the $150 million to $200 million-plus range. Studio is ready to unveil such high-profile projects as "Terminator 4"; one or two installments of "The Hobbit (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=16424#)," which Sloan hopes will be directed by Peter Jackson (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=16424#); and a sequel to "The Thomas Crown Affair" with Pierce Brosnan (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=16424#).

It has already announced a "Pink Panther (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=16424#)" sequel and the next 007 pic "Bond 22," due out in November 2008. "Rocky Balboa" unspools in February.

The pics are all franchises that MGM owns the rights to through its 4,000-title library. The goal is to release two or three tentpoles a year, all of which will be made with financial partners, including Wall Street money or other studios.

Stay tuned for more news on these projects, and you can read the full article (subscription required) at the link above.

We all knew that Terminator 4 was going to happen, so I'm not surprised by this. But regarding The Hobbit, it has been in legal limbo with New Line owning the film making rights and what I thought was Warner Brothers owning the disbtribution rights. But according to this article MGM supposedly has both now? But the article mentions making these movies with financial partners.

Anyways, it mentions too about maybe two installments of The Hobbit. I honestly think that would be too much. And if Jackson directs it, it will be at least 3 hours which I think will be enough time to cover the material. But I could be wrong. I don't remember the book all that well.

Still, it's exciting to think that we'll be going back to the world of Middle-Earth again. And this time, Smog the dragon will be shown in all his glory. Ian McKellan, and Andy Serkis have said before in interviews they would love to come back for The Hobbit. However, it's unclear if Jackson would use Ian Holm for Bilbo unless he uses the same age reversing movie tech that was used on McKellan and Patrick Stewart for X-Men: The Last Stand.

The Clown Prince

[Discloner]

Sweet, on the Terminator 4 front. I'm excited to see where they're going to take us...since supposedly it'll deviate from the "Chased by a robot" norm that the prior 3 films have been. Color me slightly surprised as to the Hobbit news, considering didn't Jackson say he wouldn't be doing it anytime soon (also...isn't his plate getting increasingly full as it is right now?)?

Interesting to say the least. :)

[Cortez2301]

wow "The hobbit"!That must be cool.I can't wait.

[Lord Dalek]

From Comingsoon.net and Variety...



We all knew that Terminator 4 was going to happen, so I'm not surprised by this. But regarding The Hobbit, it has been in legal limbo with New Line owning the film making rights and what I thought was Warner Brothers owning the disbtribution rights. But according to this article MGM supposedly has both now? But the article mentions making these movies with financial partners.
New Line never had rights to the film. Them making the film was all dependent on Time Warner buying MGM (which they didn't =( ).

[TheMecca]

Terminator 4 is officially subtitled "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP MAKING THESE MOVIES".

[Lord Dalek]

Terminator 4 is officially subtitled "FOR THE LOVE OF GOD STOP MAKING THESE MOVIES".There's a Terminator 3?!? :p

[Silly McGooses]

Will Ahnold be in T4? Will Steve Martin be in Pink Panter 2? I hope Steve doesn't waste his insane tallents on that. He is such a good actor, and such a fantastic writer.

[Cortez2301]

There's a Terminator 3?!? :pYep:http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=80242

[The Clown Prince]

New Line never had rights to the film. Them making the film was all dependent on Time Warner buying MGM (which they didn't =( ).

Ah, gotcha. The ol' memory was a little vague thinking back to interviews during Return of the King's release. But man, I could have sworn that New Line had the film making rights when they nabbed The Lord of the Rings trilogy. But I guess not.

It's too bad for New Line not being able to get to make it since it was them and Peter Jackson that made this whole thing happen. Now another studio get's to capitalize on New Line's success.

I wonder if New Line will allow MGM access to a lot of the set pieces, weapons, costumes, etc from Lord of the Rings?


The Clown Prince

[The Clown Prince]

Will Ahnold be in T4?

Ever since T3's release, the question of whether or not he would be in it has been up for debate. The producers Mario Kassar and Andy Vajna have said that the story will take place after the events of T3. But how far into the future "future" is known only to them. They already said that Nick Stahl probably wouldn't be coming back as John Connor even though he is under contract for at least a 4th film, the decision not to have him I believe is for creative purposes. Meaning this might take place well into John's 40's? I don't know.

Going back to Arnold, his involvement was dependent on whether or not he was still Governor at the time of filming. About a year and a half ago, it was reported that once a story was settled on, the decision was made to write two screenplays. One with Arnold in it in a full capacity, and one without him in it but with a possible cameo appearence.

But that was a while ago, and I'm sure things have changed. I guess we'll have to wait and see what makes the news in the coming months.

The Clown Prince

[Frank Castle]

Back when Arnold got elected as the governor of Cal., he was asked if he had any replacements in mind for another Terminator and he really wanted to see The Rock get the role.

[Michael24]

Yay for TERMINATOR 4! Love the first three (T3 being my favorite), so I'm looking forward to T4, especially if it means we'll finally see the war against the machines.

[Lord Dalek]

But that was a while ago, and I'm sure things have changed. I guess we'll have to wait and see what makes the news in the coming months.

The Clown PrinceConsidering recent events I expect Ahnold to have a free schedule come Feburary.

[Moto Pete]

excited about " Hobbit"

[Beat]

There's a Terminator 3?!? :p

I still refuse to acknowledge its existence.

[Classic Speedy]

I'd rather have a Jingle All the Way 2, and I think Conan O'Brien Ahnold agrees. "I hereby declare today to be Jingle All the Way Day! GHAH GHAH!!!" (bites)

My Arnold impression always ends with him eating a sausage, for some reason.

[Gpoliceman]

Who has read "The Hobbit"? What's it about? Is it worth turning into a movie?

A long, long, long time ago my sister read it and I remember her saying that most of the book was about how the hobbits lived, about their community, and so on. That doesn't sound like a compelling movie.

Greg

[Czar Gato]

Who has read "The Hobbit"? What's it about? Is it worth turning into a movie?

A long, long, long time ago my sister read it and I remember her saying that most of the book was about how the hobbits lived, about their community, and so on. That doesn't sound like a compelling movie.

Greg It's the prequel to Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. It's purpose is to basically tell how the ring came into Bilbo Baggins' posession (though I don't recall if it was written before or after the LotR books were). Much of the book is set as a journey to battle the dragon Smaug, IIRC, so very little of it takes place in the Shire where the Hobbits live.

Technically it should be perfectly adaptable as a film if the other movies are any indication- the overall tone and environments are the same, and there's plenty of action to go around- but I personally would hope that it'd be made only if Peter Jackson were involved; his formula isn't broke, so there's no reason to fix it.

[purplehairedwonder]

but I personally would hope that it'd be made only if Peter Jackson were involved; his formula isn't broke, so there's no reason to fix it.
I agree completely. I haven't been able to bring myself to read the book after watching that horrible cartoon adaptation (our 8th grade class went to see FotR before Christmas break so they played it so people would understand the context). It was so terrible that I have flashes of it whenever I try to open the book and I just can't do it. But if Peter Jackson directed the adaptation, I'm sure things would be completely different. I only read the LotR trilogy after seeing the films, after all.

[.Automatisch]

As I remember it, T4 was basically "confirmed" around the time T3 was announced because the studio wanted to finish the series with the war in the future... So I can only assume that will be what we get. If it is farther into the future, then Arnold's likeness would be important to the T-800s. I think it would be cool to end the movie with a T-800 being sent back in time, thus looping the series together.

[beyondthewall]

It's the prequel to Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. It's purpose is to basically tell how the ring came into Bilbo Baggins' posession (though I don't recall if it was written before or after the LotR books were). Much of the book is set as a journey to battle the dragon Smaug, IIRC, so very little of it takes place in the Shire where the Hobbits live.

Technically it should be perfectly adaptable as a film if the other movies are any indication- the overall tone and environments are the same, and there's plenty of action to go around- but I personally would hope that it'd be made only if Peter Jackson were involved; his formula isn't broke, so there's no reason to fix it.



I always thought of The Hobbit as fairly different than lotr. The Hobbit is a lot more of a happy-go-lucky adventure (almost like Chronicles of Narnia in tone), while lotr is an all out epic. I actually think The Hobbit is the better story, if only because its a lot more fun.

On a separate note, I'm surprised at how many people haven't read lotr and The Hobbit. I thought this place was for nerds like me!:(

[PeppeRaskell1]

After the success of the three LoTR movies, I knew we'd get a Hobbit picture somewhere along the line.

I'm wondering if it will be any good, since "Fellowship," "Two Towers" and "Return of the King" will definitely be a tough act to follow...

PeppeRaskell1
"Just ask King Kong...."

[Kaner]

It's the prequel to Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. It's purpose is to basically tell how the ring came into Bilbo Baggins' posession (though I don't recall if it was written before or after the LotR books were). Much of the book is set as a journey to battle the dragon Smaug, IIRC, so very little of it takes place in the Shire where the Hobbits live.

Technically it should be perfectly adaptable as a film if the other movies are any indication- the overall tone and environments are the same, and there's plenty of action to go around- but I personally would hope that it'd be made only if Peter Jackson were involved; his formula isn't broke, so there's no reason to fix it.

Don't forget the battle of five armies. A massive melee fought between men, elves, dwarves, goblins, and the giant eagles.

-Kaner

[silverwings]

Frankly, if they can't get Peter Jackson to direct, I'd rather not have a Hobbit Movie.

I think the consistancy will be needed, as well as Weta. I want to see them attempt the dragon. :D