Yes it's true Tolkien fans, the massive production delays on The Hobbit movies have claimed their biggest victim. None other that the director himself Guillermo del Toro.
The two picture deal which saw Peter Jackson And del Toro joining forces to bring Bilbo Baggins back to the big screen was set to start production this summer but unfortunately MGM placed the project in limbo recently and it seems that move pushed those closest away from the project altogether.
Guillermo stated:
“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. 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. "The blessings have been plenty, but the mounting pressures of conflicting schedules have overwhelmed the time slot originally allocated for the project. 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."
Peter Jackson then responded:
"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. 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,"
Very unfortunate for LOTR fans, but there you go...
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