The Lord of the Rings filmmaker Peter Jackson has signed a deal to produce two films based on JRR Tolkiens The Hobbit, after resolving his legal feud with studio bosses over unpaid royalties.
London, Dec 19 : 'The Lord of the Rings' filmmaker Peter Jackson has signed a deal to produce two films based on JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit, after resolving his legal feud with studio bosses over unpaid royalties.
The filmmaker had been in dispute with bosses at New Line Cinema over income generated by the first film in the Rings trilogy, which he directed.
"I'm very pleased that we've been able to put our differences behind us. We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth," BBC quoted him, as saying.
The two Hobbit films will be filmed simultaneously, with their release planned for 2010 and 2011. 'Spiderman' director Sam Raimi is in the running to helming both.
Jackson and Lord of the Rings film writer Fran Walsh will be executive producers of the new movies.
The studios are hoping that the production of the film will start in 2009, and the two films will be shot simultaneously.
New Zealand, like other 'The Lord Of The Rings' movies will be used as the visual backdrop for Middle-earth, to tell the story of how Frodo's uncle, Bilbo Baggins, ventured from the Shire and wound up taking the Ring of Power from Gollum.
ANI