WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Hollywood director Guillermo del Toro said Monday that production delays have forced him to quit the planned film version of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," a two-part prequel to New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson's blockbuster trilogy "Lord of the Rings."

"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," del Toro told a "Lord of the Rings" fan website.

"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," he said, noting the film still hadn't been given the green light by MGM, the struggling Hollywood studio.

Matt Dravitzki, a spokesman for "Hobbit" producer and "Lord Of The Rings" director Jackson, said del Toro would not be speaking to reporters Monday.

The announcement by del Toro reflected Jackson and del Toro's "full sentiments at this time," he said.

Del Toro would continue to co-write the screenplays with Jackson and his wife, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens.

Jackson reached a deal in late 2007 to make two films of "The Hobbit." He is serving as joint executive producer with Walsh.

Last week, del Toro, who directed "Pan's Labyrinth," "Blade II" and the two "Hellboy" movies, told journalists the "Hobbit" films, which have been plagued by delays, still hadn't been given the go ahead.

"There cannot be any start dates until the MGM situation gets resolved," del Toro said. "They do hold a considerable portion of the rights."

Reports emerged late last year that MGM was teetering on bankruptcy and del Toro said those issues had caught the "Hobbit" films in a "tangled negotiation."

"We have designed all the creatures. We've designed the sets and the wardrobe. We have done animatics and planned battles sequences ... We are very, very prepared for when it is finally triggered," he said.

Jackson told "We feel very sad to see Guillermo leave The Hobbit, but he has kept us fully in the loop and 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. http://www.TheOneRing.net:

"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. Guillermo is one of the most remarkable creative spirits I've ever encountered and it has been a complete joy working with him."

He would discuss options for a new director with MGM this week, Jackson told the website.

"We do not anticipate any delay or disruption to ongoing preproduction work," he said.

Last month, Jackson dismissed rumors that the "Hobbit" movies have been delayed by production problems, insisting the project was still in its early stages.

He told Moviefone.com, "Well, it's not really been delayed, because we've never announced the date. I mean it's sort of interesting because the studio has never greenlit The Hobbit, so therefore The Hobbit has never been officially announced as a 'go' project, nor have we ever announced a date."


Fuente: The Huffington Post

"El hobbit" de tolkien es uno de los mejores libros que lei en mi vida, la ambientación es exelente, recuerdo que en dos semanas me comi el libro. Si sale la película espero que este buena y no sea como muchas otras, una mierda.

No me extraña en nada, hace años que sigo las desventuras de este film (devenido en dos), las idas y vueltas, la caotica eleccion del cast, el nunca definido guion, las peleas con la produccion, es logico que del Toro se hinchara las pelotas y diera un paso al costado.
En un principio me alegro la idea de hacer dos peliculas, una adaptando "El Hobbit" y otra narrando la juventud de Aragorn, lo que nunca imagine es que fuera tan complicado llevarlas adelante sobre todo cuando se hicieron tres films mucho mas largos y complicados de hacer como es la triologia de ESDLA y el increible exito que tuvieron.

Yo quiero adaptacion de el silmarillion.

Que sea un documental onda los del history channel. Y aparece Gandalf hablando sobre como Eru la tiene re grande (a la llama imperecedera digo).

Y tenemos un par de trolas que se hacen pasar por Ainurs y se ponen a cantar cumbia.

Apoyo la mocion de EmanuelVR, y propongo a Fito Paez como Melkor.

Apyo la mocion que apoya la Hormiga Electrica... y que Mr T sea Fingolfin

todos los directores debe desertar cuando se encuentran con que tienen que hacer que los animalitos del bosque ponen la mesa en la casa de beorn.

No me importa ya quién la dirija, pero quiero que salga de una vez a ver qué onda... Me caía bien Guillermo del Toro como director para The Hobbit, pero bue.

Despues de que se bajo del Toro surgieron rumores que el mismisimo Peter Jackson se iba a hacer cargo de la direccion de "El Hobbit", el productor del proyecto dijo:

"Si eso es lo que tengo que hacer para proteger la inversión de Warner Bros., entonces, evidentemente, eso es un opción que voy a valorar", dijo. Sin embargo, de partida su contribución como director se antoja algo difícil ya que al parecer tiene ya firmados un par de contratos para otras tantas películas con otros estudios, el primero de ellos de cara al año próximo, y "Los otros estudios no me dejan salirme de los contratos" remató Jackson en declaraciones a Dominion Post.

Parece que la definicion del film va para largo.

que la dirija mel gibson... y que Bilbo sea Jesús y los enanos los apóstoles. "Thorin, antes de que los trolls se hagan de piedra me negarás tres veces"