A new week, and with it comes, as usual, another snippet of news/filmic rumour concerning the upcoming movies The Hobbit, which in only the past couple of months have been delayed because of financial issues that have led to the sale of MGM Studios, been given an official release date (which suggested that filming could easily progress), confirmed to be delayed again, and most recently lost its director; a position which may soon be filled, by non other than Neill Blomkamp (District 9).
Neill is something of a Peter Jackson (writer and director for The Lord of the Rings trilogy; the Hobbit sequel movies) prodigy; as he was extremely unknown until Jackson picked him to direct their planned adaptation of Xbox classic Halo (another movie that has been lingering in development hell for several years), and thoroughly supported his production of District 9; so it’s no surprise that he is reportedly next in line to don the megaphone for the Hobbit (especially when he was originally rumoured to be involved even before Guillermo Del Toro was given the job).
His involvement isn’t confirmed however, as he is committed to making another low-budget sci-fi movie this year, and hasn’t publicly expressed any interest in hoping over into the fantasy realm of Middle Earth, although sources that are very close to Jackson and the production company behind the films, have clearly stated that Blomkamp is very close to getting the job.
He’s never tackled anything on the same scale as The Hobbit, but proved with District 9 (and its Oscar nominations) that he can definitely make note worthy films, especially with the support of Jackson; whom MGM and Warner (as well as several legions of Lord of the Rings fans) would still prefer to direct himself (hoping to replicate the success of his last trilogy), despite him wishing to simply oversee the project.
Casting for the films is still moving ahead, bit by bit, although everyone that signs on is doing so with the understanding that practically nothing can go ahead before the financial issues of MGM, and the rights issues that are plaguing the studio, and the film’s production, can be resolved; issues that mean even if Blomkamp does agree to direct, there’s not going to be a start date anytime soon, and the delays could eventually lead to him leaving as well.
For the minute it’s all just speculation (although it’s fairly well informed speculation), as nothing has been officially confirmed, however it’s fairly likely that if anything does officially materialize, it will probably be announced at Comic-Con; which is being held in the San Diego Convention Center next month (July 22-25).
