It's Official: Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh to Produce "The Hobbit"

Read the press release here:

PETER JACKSON AND NEW LINE CINEMA JOIN WITH MGM TO PRODUCE "THE HOBBIT"

December 18, 2007

ACADEMY AWARD-WINNER PETER JACKSON AND NEW LINE CINEMA JOIN WITH MGM TO PRODUCE “THE HOBBIT,” EAGERLY-ANTICIPATED FANTASY ADVENTURE EPIC

NEW LINE AND MGM TO CO-PRODUCE AND SHARE WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS

PETER JACKSON AND FRAN WALSH TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE TWO FILMS BASED ON "THE HOBBIT"

Los Angeles, CA (Tuesday, December 18, 2007) Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson; Harry Sloan, Chairman and CEO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM); Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs of New Line Cinema have jointly announced today that they have entered into the following series of agreements:

* MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute two films, “The Hobbit” and a sequel to "The Hobbit." New Line will distribute in North America and MGM will distribute internationally.

* Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as Executive Producers of two films based on "The Hobbit." New Line will manage the production of the films, which will be shot simultaneously.

* Peter Jackson and New Line have settled all litigation relating to the "Lord of the Rings" (LOTR) Trilogy.

The rest of the press release is mostly kissy-face making up over the lawsuit. All is forgiven as long as there is oodles of money to be made. Cynicism aside, I'm really happy to hear this news (sorry, papersky, I know you're not.) The press release ends: For more information about "The Hobbit" films, please visit www.TheHobbitBlog.com.

Today's Wizard Rock recommendation

The Weasel King has released a new song, "They Can’t Catch Us All." Go check it out here.

[As ever, a comment if you like, to assuage our curiosity, is always appreciated by The Management.]

The odd painfulness of hope

Rob meets with the district manager at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday. After that . . .?

You know, hope at this stage is almost painful. It hurts in a way. I find tendrils of thought slithering up: if this works out, you know what this means? I could actually eat dinner in a restaurant, or even buy a goddamned cup of coffee without feeling guilty. We could finally get Fiona her braces. We could actually start saving for college for the girls and for retirement again. The girls could start having music lessons again. Maybe we'll know by this time next week. Maybe all that money we've been hoarding for when the unemployment runs out will be freed up; I could even maybe get a couple of the Christmas presents I didn't quite dare buy. And . . . and . . . and . . .

I get angry at myself. Shut up I tell myself fiercely. Don't do this to yourself. Don't hope. What if it all goes wrong, somehow? What if it all falls through?

You've made it this far, pinching your pennies and surviving on nothing but sheer nerve and determination. Don't stop the discipline now. Don't even dare to let yourself think that you're at the turning point, that things will get better, that you can ease up.

Because i don't think I'd survive the disappointment if it turns out that I can't.

I've tried not to complain. But it has taken me a bit by surprise, that this (hopefully last) part is so hard. Waiting and not knowing and wanting it so badly.