Some sad news for people waiting for del Toro’s vision of The Hobbit. Due to all the delays and problems with MGM he will no longer be directing the two films. An absolute shame in my opinion. However, he is still on as co-screenwriter and maybe the look of Smaug and the other creatures will still show some of his influence.
This is what he had to say.
“In light of ongoing delays in the setting of a start date for filming “The Hobbit,” I am faced with the hardest decision of my life,” Guillermo wrote on “Lord of the Rings” fansite TheOneRing.net. “After nearly two years of living, breathing and designing a world as rich as Tolkien’s Middle Earth, I must, with great regret, take leave from helming these wonderful pictures.”
“The blessings have been plenty, but the mounting pressures of conflicting schedules have overwhelmed the time slot originally allocated for the project. Both as a co-writer and as a director, I wish the production nothing but the very best of luck and I will be first in line to see the finished product. I remain an ally to it and its makers, present and future, and fully support a smooth transition to a new director.”
Jackson stated he understood del Toro’s position: “We understand how the protracted development time on these two films, due to reasons beyond anyone’s control – has compromised his commitment to other long term projects. The bottom line is that Guillermo just didn’t feel he could commit six years to living in New Zealand, exclusively making these films, when his original commitment was for three years.”
Peter Jackson, who is producing the films had this to say.
“New Line and Warner Bros. will sit down with us this week, to ensure a smooth and uneventful transition, as we secure a new director for ‘The Hobbit.’ We do not anticipate any delay or disruption to ongoing pre-production work.”
How do you feel about del Toro leaving the project? Do you think it will still get made? Who should take over directing it?
Source: Heat Vision
