Its back to Middle Earth for Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and the boys from New Line.
Tolkiens original literary masterpiece.
The first would deal with the 80-year old novel.
No writers, including Jackson, Walsh, and their longtime partner Philippa Boyens, have been commissioned.
(None can be, because of the strike.)
According to New Lines co-chair Robert Shaye, You cant budget an idea.
Peter wont be directing because he felt the fans have waited long enough forThe Hobbit.
(Jackson will be filmingTheLovely Bonesthrough February.)
Neither Jacksons rep nor New Line will explain how the nasty battle between the two parties got resolved.
New Lines Shaye now calls it, a misunderstanding that wound up becoming a mini-war.
I really credit Harry greatly.
Shaye and company regret how acrimonious things became with Jackson.
(In January, Shaye toldSci-Fi Wirewebsite, I dont care about Peter Jackson anymore.
He thinks we owe him something after weve paid him over a quarter of a billion dollars!)
From my side, I just regret that it happened, said Shaye.
It was a total misunderstanding about what anybody had to gain or lose.
Im extremely glad that the bad blood was just a little infection and notreally a disabling malady.
Absolutely not, said Lynne.
Regardless ofCompass performance, the studio now has a new, sure-fire hit to get underway.
Surely, though, this triumph deserves a little celebration.
Will Jackson be planning a bender back in New Zealand?
According to Kamins, not even close.
I havent even talked to Peter, he said, laughing.
He just got home from Pennsylvania, (whereLovely Bonesis filming) last night.
Additional writing and reporting by Missy Schwartz and Vanessa Juarez
