UPDATE: Peter Jackson To Turn The Hobbit Into A Trilogy


During SDCC 2012 we reported that Peter Jackson was in early talks with Warner Bros to turn the two-part Hobbit movies into a trilogy. The first, An Unexpected Journey, is released this December whilst the next, There and Back Again comes out same time next year. Now, The Hollywood Reporter have revealed that Jackson has entered discussions to helm a third movie, and shoot additional footage next summer.

 “If we’re going to do it, we have to make a decision soon. It’s strongly driven by the filmmakers desire to tell more of the story. It’s about taking the chance to tell more of the incredible tale with the cast we have assembled,”  their source explains.

I know what you’re thinking, there’s barely enough content in the original book to cover two movies. But, Jackson and WB have the rights to 125 pages of J.R.R Tolkien’s additional notes on the world, and there is a lot of stuff that is mentioned in the book (big battles) that isn’t written down, so that’s going on screen too.

UPDATE: Speaking to The One Ring at SDCC 2012, Peter Jackson confirmed rumours of a third Hobbit movie.

To me, this isn’t a cash grab on Warner Bros’ part, as the article clearly states this is Jackson’s idea (if we was interested in money he would have agreed to direct the two movies to start with, as it was originally set to be Guillmero del Toro but he dropped out). Jackson has a huge love for the world of Middle Earth, and I think he doesn’t want to let go. Once he’s done with this, what other childhood favorites of his will he make? King Kong was one, but he made that back in 2005. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a strange desire to re-watch the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter