<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

This article refers to the live action 2011 movie. For the 1977 cartoon, see The Hobbit (1977 movie). For other uses, see The Hobbit.

The Hobbit
Release Date	2011
Genre	Sci Fi
Director	Guillermo del Toro
Screenwriter	J. R. R. Tolkien (novel)
Stars
Studio	New Line Cinema Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Wingnut Films

The Hobbit is a planned fantasy film based on the novel The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien. The film is currently in development by New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in corporation with Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh. Production of the film was stalled due to an extended dispute between Jackson and Walsh and New Line Cinema who financed Jackson's previous films, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, a huge financial success for New Line. Jackson was slated to bring The Hobbit to the big screen as well but disagreements over payment for The Lord of the Rings series stalled production on The Hobbit and New Line began exploring other possible directors for the film. On December 18, 2007, New Line and MGM announced they would co-finance and distribute The Hobbit to be produced by Jackson and Walsh. New Line will handle US distribution while MGM will distribute the film internationally.

The film was slated to go into production as soon as possible, with a release tentatively set for 2011 and an as yet untitled sequel, which will be filmed simultaneously.

The film's production was again jeopardized when, in 2008, the Tolkien estate launched a lawsuit against New Line Cinema charging New Line had failed to pay the 7.5% of gross profits from the Lord of the Rings series. The series has made almost $6 billion worldwide and the estate is seeking $150 million and the right to terminate any future projects based on Tolkien's work, including The Hobbit.

Despite the lawsuit, production for the film went ahead and Guillermo del Toro known for his work on Hellboy and Pan's Labyrinth was chosen as the film's director.

Related Terms and Articles

• The Hobbit (novel)

External Links

• Hollywood Reporter - new line, MGM back Jackson's Hobbit
• The Hobbit Official Movie Blog
• The Hobbit at Internet Movie Database
• The Hobbit at MRQE.com
• Tolkie estate sues New Line Cinema
• Del Toro, Jackson Talk Hobbit at Sci Fi Wire