Hobbits on the horizon for Peter Jackson
ComingSoon.net has reported that the Lord of the Rings director has given in and agreed to direct The Hobbit films as no suitable replacement has been found after the original director Guillermo Del Toro departed the production due to other commitments.
The Hobbit had been expected to begin shooting late last year but the financial problems of backers MGM had caused the production to stall, a problem that has affected the next James Bond film in much the same way.
Del Toro’s departure was a huge blow to fans and many thought that the films might well be cancelled. Jackson, who repeatedly turned down directing the films himself has apparently had a change of heart and will be returning to Middle Earth. A number of other high profile directors such as District 9‘s Neil Blompkamp and Daid Yates of the Harry Potter films were rumoured to be posible replacements, but it seems that Jackson’s involvement was vital to securing the funding needed to get The Hobbit back on its feet again.
Here at JOE, we think that this is great news and as amazing as a Del Toro-directed Hobbit film might have been, the thought of Jackson returning to his roots after the misfire that was The Lovely Bones has us rubbing our hands in anticipation. Now let’s just hope they get a move on and start shooting soon.
Bruce Willis to re-team with Sixth Sense director
Bruce Willis is in talks to star with Gwyneth Paltrow and The Hangover’s Bradley Cooper in the latest film from the director of The Sixth Sense. The proposed film will tell the story of a father (Cooper) who discovers he has supernatural powers as he desperately searches for his kidnapped daughter.
The Sixth Sense was a brilliant film that was notable for three things: scaring the shit out us, that twist at the end and the revelation that Bruce Willis could actually act.
The director of that film, M. Night Shyamalan (try saying that five times fast) cast Willis in his follow up, Unbreakable, a film that was even better than their first collaboration. Then they went their separate ways.
Shyamalan went on to direct a series of rubbish films that culminated with the execrable The Happening in 2008. Willis also has had a less than stellar record over the last few years with the limp Die Hard 4.0 and more recently with comedy dud, Cop Out.
Despite their recent flops, we hope that this is a return to form that results in another strong turn from Willis and that will wipe our memories clean of guff like The Village.
Shyamalan’s next film, The Last Airbender is based on a hit animated TV show and will be in cinemas in August. Willis will be seen next in retired assassin comedy RED in October, a film which looks like it could be fun.
Here come the Little Fockers.
For those of you who loved Meet the Parents and gritted your teeth through its lame sequel, Meet the Fockers, you will be delighted to know that the third film in the Ben Stiller/Robert Di Nero franchise, Little Fockers is well on its way. Check out the newly released trailer below which doesn’t look too bad and has the welcome addition of Jessica Alba and a mildly amusing Viagra gag.
