Guillermo del Toro leaves 'The Hobbit'

UPDATED

After spending the last two years developing "The Hobbit" as his latest directing project, Guillermo del Toro has announced he is leaving the helm of the J. R. R. Tolkien adaptation. 

“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,” Guillermo wrote in his announcement on "Lord of the Rings" fansite TheOneRing.net. “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."

He said he would continue to co-write the screenplays with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Phillippa Boyens.

The walls started to crumble for del Toro in recent weeks as the uncertain future of MGM put the project, which was to have been two movies, in a limbo state. The producers had been hoping to be in production this summer but no greenlight was forthcoming. 

"There cannot be any start dates until the MGM situation gets resolved because they do hold a considerable portion of the rights and it's impossible to make a unilateral decision by New Line or Warner," he reportedly said last week promoting "Slice," an upcoming horror movie he is also producing. "We really believe that dates will be known after the fact of MGM's fate...We've been caught in a very tangled negotiation." 

But insiders at New Line say the sale of MGM is not holding up the production and the first movie will meet its target release date.

The delays put pressure on del Toro, who has a laundry list of development projects set up at Universal that will keep him busy for the next 10 years, in a position of cutting bait or staying on for more uncertainty. The director moved his wife and children to New Zealand for the shoot, and the first movie was aiming for a December 2012 release.

"The blessings have been plenty, but the mounting pressures of conflicting schedules have overwhelmed the time slot originally allocated for the project," said del Toro in his statement. "Both as a co-writer and as a director, I wish 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."

Jackson stated he understood del Toro's position: "We understand how the protracted development time on these two films, due to reasons beyond anyone’s control – has compromised his commitment to other long term projects. The bottom line is that Guillermo just didn’t feel he could commit six years to living in New Zealand, exclusively making these films, when his original commitment was for three years."

Jackson said development on "Hobbit" would continue apace, although his statement did not specifically address any possible postponement of the release date.

"New Line and Warner Bros. will sit down with us this week, to ensure a smooth and uneventful transition, as we secure a new director for 'The Hobbit.' We do not anticipate any delay or disruption to ongoing pre-production work," he said.

 - Borys Kit

Comments

[Sstrudell]

Just get it done

[Chemilux]

this is bad news... certainly no other director could be as "right" for this film as Del Toro. Who will they hire in his place?? I hope Guillermo continues delivering great films for a long time, and that The Hobbit won't be much affected by this. (It already has, in a big way, but let's leave it at that.)

[m3 ds real]

Ohh, it is really very bad news, Guillermo del Toro is really great director. He had given his best in many movies and done great job since last two years. Why he is leaving all of sudden. Well, let's see now what happen.

[low carb pita bread]

Whocan blame him, if after two years they're still in no-man's land.

[Mathieu]

Sam Raimi was vying for the job when Del Toro pipped him to the post. He shares Del Toro's and Jackson's quirky sense of humour, he is an influence on Jackson's vibrant camera style, and he's worked extensively in New Zealand and with Weta before in the 90's. Perfect fit.

[Gandalf the Wise]

Well, I guess this DOES leave the door open for one of the other screenwriters to put his Middle Earth directing hat back on, doesn't it...? ;)

[Hoekmania]

I guess Raimi is a god alternative...

[Jason R. Hicks]

I wonder if this will put Jackson back in the Directors chair? If not him, I'm rooting for Raimi.

[Jason R. Hicks]

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10648842

[Monika]

We will miss Guillermo del Toro. Only good news is that you will continue writing screenplay with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Phillippa Boyens.I think the problem of MGM will be sought very soon and the situation will become as earlier.

[labatterie]

I hope Guillermo continues delivering great films for a long time, and that The Hobbit won't be much affected by this.