Third Hobbit Film Officially Confirmed
Director Peter Jackson has confirmed last week’s rumors that his forthcoming film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy epic The Hobbit will indeed be a trilogy of films. Adding a third film to two previously announced big screen adventures.
Although some fans have question where Jackson would find enough new material to stretch out the series, it now appears that the new footage will bring to life “related material from the appendices of The Lord of The Rings”. The new trilogy of films will compliment and mirror Jacksons previous 9 ½ hour Lord of the Rings Saga and give the studio another bite at the lucrative Middle Earth Box Office.
Here is what Peter Jackson had to say about the decision via an official statement:
It is only at the end of a shoot that you finally get the chance to sit down and have a look at the film you have made. Recently Fran, Phil and I did just this when we watched for the first time an early cut of the first movie – and a large chunk of the second. We were really pleased with the way the story was coming together, in particular, the strength of the characters and the cast who have brought them to life. All of which gave rise to a simple question: do we take this chance to tell more of the tale? And the answer from our perspective as the filmmakers, and as fans, was an unreserved ‘yes.’
We know how much of the story of Bilbo Baggins, the Wizard Gandalf, the Dwarves of Erebor, the rise of the Necromancer, and the Battle of Dol Guldur will remain untold if we do not take this chance. The richness of the story of The Hobbit, as well as some of the related material in the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, allows us to tell the full story of the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and the part he played in the sometimes dangerous, but at all times exciting, history of Middle-earth.
So, without further ado and on behalf of New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Wingnut Films, and the entire cast and crew of “The Hobbit” films, I’d like to announce that two films will become three.
It has been an unexpected journey indeed, and in the words of Professor Tolkien himself, “a tale that grew in the telling.”
Cheers,
Peter J
Dan Aykroyd Confirms Ghostbusters 3 Again
Dan Aykroyd has spent most of the past year casually slipping mentions of Ghostbusters 3 into conversations and during one of his most recent interviews he once again emphatically confirmed that Ghostbuster 3 IS still going to happen but that Bill Murray definitely won’t be involved.
Ethan Cohen was recently hired to produce a new draft of the script, with Aykroyd’s previous efforts being rejected by Bill Murray who allegedly introduced it to his shredder. Years of Dan Aykroyd’s vocal determination to bring a third installment of the popular supernatural comedy franchise to life have so far failed to overcome Bill Murray’s skeptical reluctance.
Dan Aykroyd continues to claim that, perhaps unsurprisingly, the studio is happy to see another Ghostbusters film become a profitable reality. He also confidently asserts that they now have a ‘good structure’ for the new film, even without Bill Murray’s character Peter Venkman.
Fan opinion remains fiercely divided over whether a new Ghostbusters film would be worthwhile without the presence of Bill Murray. The first two Ghostbusters films were largely seen as star vehicles for Murray’s zany comedic persona, despite a strong ensemble cast of stars and writers actually being responsible for the franchise.
Time will tell whether or not Aykroyd’s most recent claims will prove to be unrealistic rumor stirring or actual lead to anything official this time.
James Franco Plays Drug Dealing Villain Again
James Franco is set to play and evil meth drug Barron named Gatnor in a new Jason Statham starring action adventure ‘Homefront’. Gavel voiced action star Statham is playing an ex-DEA agent who attempts to retire to a quiet country town with his family, but crossing paths instead with the local drug lord.
Statham’s Expendables co-star and action movie legend Sylvester Stallone has provided the script for ‘Homefront’, with Kiss The Girls director Gary Fleder taking over duties behind the camera. It’s pretty much guaranteed that there will be plenty of exploding meth labs and gruff voiced one liner in this one.
Russell Brand Set To Play Cupid
British funny-man Russell Brand is reportedly set to star in a new Warner Bros romantic comedy called Cupid. Brand will be playing a cynical version of the arrow wielding love god who finds himself challenged to create the ultimate romance. It’s a slightly ironic casting choice given the recent high profile failure of his marriage to perky pop superstar Katy Perry.
Cupid will be directed by Joe Nussbaum, most recently responsible for lackluster Walt Disney effort The Prom, snow white themed comedy flop Sydney White and a straight to DVD American Pie effort The Naked Mile. Perhaps not the most inspiring CV…
Brand most recently brought his grungy Lothario charms to the big screen in rock musical Rock Of Ages and will soon be lending his voice to senile gadget maker Dr Nefario in Despicable Me 2. He’s also being strongly rumored to be in contention to replace Jim Carrey in Pierre Pierre
Prometheus Sequel Officially Confirmed
Ridley Scott had always intended his Alien prequel/spin-off Prometheus to be the first part of a new pair of films. Thanks to a solid box office showing despite the lackluster response of fans and critics, 20th Century Fox has now confirmed that there will be a sequel, most likely titled Paradise.
Fox president of productions Emma Watts revealed the proposed next space adventure will not arrive in cinemas for at least two or three years. She confirmed that she believes:
“We have to get it right… we can’t rush it”.
Stars Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender are reportedly already signed up to reprise their lead roles with Director Ridley Scott said to be ‘incredibly excited about the movie’. With Prometheus screenwriter Damon Lindelof now tied up with countless other projects, it’s unclear if the suddenly in-demand writer will play any part in fabricating a script for the sequel.