“Hobbit” Films Inch a Bit Closer to Reality

“The Hobbit,” which has been stuck in limbo this year, has moved closer to a greenlight from co-financers New Line and MGM. Though neither studio had any comment, sources close to the situation indicated that an official go-ahead on the back-to-back films may be coming within a few days. But those sources also emphasized that a greenlight is still not a certainty. There are still several hurdles, including MGM’s bankruptcy and the ongoing dispute with local actors unions. Peter Jackson, who’s expected to direct in addition to writing and exec producing, has threatened to move the production to Europe, but a source with knowledge of situation said that dispute may be settled soon.
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