It was bound to happen sooner or later – Guillermo Del Toro is exiting the director’s chair of The Hobbit for greener pastures. Actually, the big reason for Del Toro for leaving is the continued financial problems MGM is having, which is holding up the entire green light signal for the film. Start dates continue to be pushed back, which forced Del Toro to honor other commitments he’s made to other studios.
“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”, says Guillermo. “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. I remain grateful to Peter, Fran and Philippa Boyens, New Line and Warner Brothers and to all my crew in New Zealand. I’ve been privileged to work in one of the greatest countries on earth with some of the best people ever in our craft and my life will be forever changed. 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 wlsh 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”.
With this news, does this mean that Peter Jackson will step up to the plate and direct this two parter, or will that job go to someone else. It’s really sad that MGM is in the financial debacle it is now, as it is totally screwing with so many films and franchises at the moment. Having seen many of Del Toro’s fantasy filled films, I’m not sure I would have liked his look dropped on to the film.
We’ve covered the delays and MGM problems that have delayed this film, and once again I wonder if this film will ever get made.
2 Comments
This annoys me. He would have been perfect, but maybe now we can get that perfect
Dr Strange movie :) Always look at the bright improbable side of life *whistle* *whistle* *whistle, whistle, whistle*
I know that Del Toro had his detractors, but I was looking forward to his work on this. Still, maybe it will be a kick in the pants for the studio and the project will get moving again. Maybe they could get Terry Gilliam?