ROTTEN TOMATOES: Sam Raimi Has Been Discussing "Hobbit" Plans

Sam Raimi Has Been Discussing "Hobbit" Plans

by Scott Weinberg | January 30, 2007

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At first it just seemed like a smart fanboy's best-case scenario: If Peter Jackson can't (or won't) direct "The Hobbit," then how about that Sam Raimi guy?!?!? Well, now it seems that the filmmaker has actually discussed it with some studio folks!

That's pretty much all we know (courtesy of IGN Movies and The L.A. Times) -- that Mr. Raimi (director of "The Evil Dead" flicks, the "Spider-Man" trilogy and a bunch of solid genre titles like "Darkman," "A Simple Plan," and "The Quick and the Dead") has informed his Sony pals that he's considering/discussing/pondering about "The Hobbit" project.

Which has got to annoy the folks at MGM, who definitely still seem to want Jackson on the job. But let's face it; New Line's gonna get this project moving well before the rights revert back to the Saul Zaentz company ... and we all know how likely it is that Peter Jackson will work for New Line again.

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(1-20 of 41 posts) | Reply

hard8 writes:
on Jan 30 2007 10:37 AM

[b]no[/b]
that is all.

(Reply to this)

Merlin235 writes:
on Jan 30 2007 11:03 AM

I think he'd do a fine job. Better than most. Besides, out of all the people in the world, does anyone really believe that the only person who can realize a Rings movie is Jackson? I'm sure other people have pretty great visions for it as well. I say give it to Uwe Boll....he makes pretty good movies, doesn't he?

(Reply to this)

nogard64 writes:
on Jan 30 2007 11:45 AM

Raimi is the man if he can't do it no one can!

(Reply to this)

AstroZombie138 writes:
on Jan 30 2007 11:48 AM

As long as Bruce Campbell gets a role. He'd make a great dwarf.

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Super Simba writes:
on Jan 30 2007 12:05 PM

Hmm...He might do an interesting job of it. I really enjoy the Spider-Man films, although if I had my pick it would be Jackson directing this. Oh well.

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didyma2 writes:
on Jan 30 2007 12:41 PM

I would appreciate some continuity in the series. I suppose Sam Raimi would do an all right job, but I want Peter Jackson to direct it. He loves the book, as he is a fan of LOTR and Tolkien's work in general. Sam Raimi would probably approach it as just another project. I would see The Hobbit once, if directed by Raimi, but I wouldn't see it multiple times as I have with Jackson's work. I'm quite disappointed in New Line for accusing PJ of being greedy. Talk about hypocritical! If he is greedy, they are doubly so! Isn't that what contracts are all about, to spell out what happens in any eventuality? Just go by the contract!

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Azlam Orlandu writes:
on Jan 30 2007 01:18 PM

I doubt Raimi would approach this as just another project, he knows how important genre films are to the fans, especially The Hobbit. While I'd like to see the continuity continue it looks like we're going to have to accept the fact that it isn't going to happen. If New Line insists about going ahead without Jackson, then I'd hope that they at least get someone like Raimi who's a solid filmmaker.

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alsanali writes:
on Jan 30 2007 01:22 PM

I don't get why everyone thinks that Peter Jackson is the ONLY man for the job. Eight years ago, who would have believed that the director of movies such as Dead Alive and Meet the Feebles would go on to LOTR? Raimi is just as talented as Jackson. In the end its a question of dedication. We know that Jackson is extremely dedicated, but who's to say Raimi isn't just as dedicated?

I think Raimi now is a better choice than Jackson because the truth is The Hobbit is drastically different from LOTR. A new perspective is just what this project needs and Raimi is just that.

OR we could just have Michael Bay direct.

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dracus writes:
on Jan 30 2007 01:22 PM

If Jackson doesn't do it, they might as well give it to Tarrantino and really have fun with it. Yep, Michael Madsen as Gandalf, Steve Buschemi as Bilbo, Samuel L. Jackson and Travolta armed to the teeth wasting a whole shire full of Mother****in Hobbits! Bloodfest with some incredibly cool music!

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medicineman writes:
on Jan 30 2007 02:04 PM

For all you morons out there who think that the likes of Raimi, Michael E-Bay, Cuaron, and all the others can even come close matching Peter Jackson�s touch when it comes to Hobbits, remember this; The Lord of the Rings Trilogy has earned in the vicinity of 4 BILLION dollars worldwide and received 30 Academy Award nominations that saw all three of the movies up for best picture and The Return of the King winning. And how many best picture nominations have the Spiderman movies received?

If they want to make The Hobbit a popcorn flick then by all means give it to Raimi, Michael E-Bay or Cuaron but if they want The Hobbit to have continuity and the same class as LOTR�s then they have no choice but to give it to the one who has proved and earned the right to direct it; Peter Jackson. They might as well give it to Jackson, anyone else would simply imitate him anyway. �nuff said!

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FireflyFan4evr writes:
on Jan 30 2007 02:20 PM

BOOOOOOOOOOOO. why sam raimi??? i know i'm in the small minority here, but of all the Evil Dead and Spiderman films, they are all either boring or borderline terrible. If it can't be Peter Jackson who has already proven himself competent with the content, why should it go to someone else?

and commence the flaming by people who can't take other people's opinion into consideration.....

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Zee-Mann writes:
on Jan 30 2007 02:39 PM

"Raimi is just as talented as Jackson."
Of course, you can debate this with other directors too. The reason it seems awkward that Jackson won't be directing it is:
1. He already did the Trilogy, proving he knows what he's doing.
2. Do we need ANOTHER take on Middle-earth? And only within a few years?

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Vortex&Vertigo writes:
on Jan 30 2007 03:14 PM

Stating that only Peter Jackson can do this film is quite ridicoulous, inmature and demostrates a total lack of knowledge about how Hollywood works. First of all Sam Raimi and Peter Jackson have the same love of horror movies. The hobit will let Raimi closer to the genre he loves just as Jackson got the chance, Both have directed b movies in the past and finally both have directed sci-fi movies in the past, Spider-man for Raimi and the frighteners for Jackson. To me it makes total sense that if Jackson can't do this Raimi can be the best choice.

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leebrandt33 writes:
on Jan 30 2007 03:25 PM

[b]RAIMI WILL NOT DIRECT IT[/b]
This is all just bulls#&t.
Raimi WILL NOT direct this. Why? Because New Line owns the rights to make the Hobbit, but MGM owns the distribution rights. So MGM may just go 'screw you, we're not gunna distribute it' and New Line will end up with a really expensive movie that won't be shown anywhere.
MGM holds all the cards on this one, and the New Line rights to the project will expire soon.

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dagreenman18 writes:
on Jan 30 2007 04:49 PM

FUCK NO!!!!!! MAKE SURE RAMI GETS NOWHERE NEAR IT. NO PETER, NO MOVIE!!!!!!

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dracus writes:
on Jan 30 2007 04:59 PM

In reply to this comment (#854324)
'Stating that only Peter Jackson can do this film is quite ridicoulous, inmature and demostrates a total lack of knowledge about how Hollywood works. '
Nah, that's not immature and ridiculous. New Line is the one being immature and ridiculous. Now on the other hand what I said about Tarrantino ranks right up there with New Line. "There are too many Mother****in' directors trying to get on this Mother****in' Hobbit plane!" What New Line need's is a visit by Mr. White and Mr. Orange.

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Cindy_Lou_Who writes:
on Jan 30 2007 05:16 PM

I think Dracus is in desperate need of a new Mother****in Tarrantino movie LOL

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WileyMan writes:
on Jan 30 2007 07:18 PM

I want Peter Jackson to direct this because of continuity. It's as simple as that. I don't care how talented the "other guy" might be the movie won't have the same feel. The special effects will look different. The art direction will feel alien. And New Line will have to find different actors (good luck with Gandalf). While The HOBBIT is tonally a different kind of story I still want Middle-Earth to look the same. You can change the music and add more humor but as soon as Gollum comes on screen looking nothing like he did in the original trilogy the spell is broken and everyone watching the movie will be thinking the same thing, "This is really different." That's a big distraction that will pull me away from the enjoyment of the story. That�s why I won�t see it.

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phranq writes:
on Jan 30 2007 07:49 PM

[b]Guys, Gals,... and Hobbits....! UNITE!![/b]
First, consider that nothing states a second competing Hobbit film couldn't be made.
Let New Line make their pic.

1. If the fans unite that we will support a PJ film over a last-ditch greedy substitute (New Line, not nec. Raimi) then a second movie might be persued.
2. Actors (etc.) like Ian Holm had previously stated "Jackson or Bust". If true, they can serve as further holdouts on a proper Hobbit through MGM.
3. I agree with leeBrandt33. It is a strong possibility.

Therefore, if fanboys, girls, and movie execs alike would (for once) stick to their committment of support then irregardless if New Line tries making thier own, a proper or competing version very well could be made. Fan support + anti-new Line sentiments + key actor hold outs + near future Rights transition to MGM = PJ Hobbit!

Lastly, we all know PJ is The Director for the job. Why? Because he truly is personally invested in the Source material since a child. He 'got it'. The nuances of LOTR from numerous readings that seeped into the production. Now, Raimi is a very good director. Could do a passable job. But the only reason I think fan-communities support him is due to his awesome Spidey interpretation for film. Raimi also 'got it'. But his passion was Spidey, NOT LOTR! Hobbit and subsequent LOTR continuity MUST be given to PJ.

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jeremyf1977 writes:
on Jan 30 2007 07:54 PM

[b]Get the Fuck over it already.[/b]
Sam May or may not Direct and Write the Hobbit. Get the Fuck over it get off the fucking internet go to the gym get laid and get the fuck over who should direct a movie.

(Reply to this)