Hey all,
I just learned from Peter Jackson that there will now be three Hobbit films. So that is happening. Here is the published note of Peter Jackson's Facebook page:
"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"
So to all of you who are excited about revisiting Middle Earth, huzzah! To all of you who are Tolkien purists who object to the movies anyway, be aware. I'm not exactly sure where I fall in regards to this announcement, but regardless, I will be dressed up for the release come December.
Cheers, indeed! Also here is the eighth production video:
