Weird. Peter Jackson.
- Thread starter Death May Die
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DemonX v.2.0
Smile!
Aazealh said:
Well thats news to me. You see, I have very little knowledge in music.
Im also just looking for an excuse to complain
Shaye: New Line Blacklists Jackson
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
In the latest comment in the controversy surrounding a proposed movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, New Line head Robert Shaye told SCI FI Wire in no uncertain terms that the studio won't work with Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson on that film or any other film. Ever. At least not as long as Shaye is in charge.
Shaye's comments marked the first time a New Line executive has commented publicly on the fracas since Jackson announced that he has pulled out of the project and also appears to harden New Line's position against Jackson.
"I do not want to make a movie with somebody who is suing me," Shaye—New Line's chief executive officer—said in an interview on Jan. 5 while promoting The Last Mimzy, a New Line family fantasy that marks his first time in a director's chair since 1990's Book of Love. "It will never happen during my watch."
Jackson had told TheOneRing.net in November that he and partner Fran Walsh were bowing out after New Line, which produced the Rings films and has production rights to The Hobbit, told them the studio was moving ahead with the project without them. Jackson has said he won't discuss The Hobbit until a lawsuit against New Line over Rings accounting practices was settled.
As far as Shaye is concerned, Jackson is no longer welcome. "There's a kind of arrogance," Shaye said. "Not that I don't think Peter is a good filmmaker and that he hasn't contributed significantly to filmography and made three very good movies. And I don't even expect him to say 'thank you' for having me make it happen and having New Line make it happen. But to think that I, as a functionary in [a] company that has been around for a long time, but is now owned by a very big conglomerate, would care one bit about trying to cheat the guy, ... he's either had very poor counsel or is completely misinformed and myopic to think that I care whether I give him [anything]."
Shaye, who was also an executive producer on the Rings films, added: "He got a quarter of a billion dollars paid to him so far, justifiably, according to contract, completely right, and this guy, who already has received a quarter of a billion dollars, turns around without wanting to have a discussion with us and sues us and refuses to discuss it unless we just give in to his plan. I don't want to work with that guy anymore. Why would I? So the answer is he will never make any movie with New Line Cinema again while I'm still working for the company."
Shaye said that many of the Rings trilogy actors "suddenly, because, I'm guessing, of Peter's complaint," have declined to participate in celebrating New Line's 40th anniversary. "I'm incredibly offended," he said. "I don't care about Peter Jackson anymore. He wants to have another $100 million or $50 million, whatever he's suing us for. He doesn't want to sit down and talk about it. He thinks that we owe him something after we've paid him over a quarter of a billion dollars. ... Cheers, Peter."
New Line's hardened position against Jackson isn't the end of the story, of course. MGM, which owns the distribution rights to The Hobbit, on Nov. 20 told Variety through a spokesman that "the matter of Peter Jackson directing the Hobbit films is far from closed."
In his own online statement, Jackson said that New Line executive Mark Ordesky, who shepherded the Rings trilogy, argued that New Line is dumping Jackson because the studio has a "limited time option" on the film rights, obtained from Saul Zaentz.
Source: Sci-Fi Wire
In the latest comment in the controversy surrounding a proposed movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, New Line head Robert Shaye told SCI FI Wire in no uncertain terms that the studio won't work with Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson on that film or any other film. Ever. At least not as long as Shaye is in charge.
Shaye's comments marked the first time a New Line executive has commented publicly on the fracas since Jackson announced that he has pulled out of the project and also appears to harden New Line's position against Jackson.
"I do not want to make a movie with somebody who is suing me," Shaye—New Line's chief executive officer—said in an interview on Jan. 5 while promoting The Last Mimzy, a New Line family fantasy that marks his first time in a director's chair since 1990's Book of Love. "It will never happen during my watch."
Jackson had told TheOneRing.net in November that he and partner Fran Walsh were bowing out after New Line, which produced the Rings films and has production rights to The Hobbit, told them the studio was moving ahead with the project without them. Jackson has said he won't discuss The Hobbit until a lawsuit against New Line over Rings accounting practices was settled.
As far as Shaye is concerned, Jackson is no longer welcome. "There's a kind of arrogance," Shaye said. "Not that I don't think Peter is a good filmmaker and that he hasn't contributed significantly to filmography and made three very good movies. And I don't even expect him to say 'thank you' for having me make it happen and having New Line make it happen. But to think that I, as a functionary in [a] company that has been around for a long time, but is now owned by a very big conglomerate, would care one bit about trying to cheat the guy, ... he's either had very poor counsel or is completely misinformed and myopic to think that I care whether I give him [anything]."
Shaye, who was also an executive producer on the Rings films, added: "He got a quarter of a billion dollars paid to him so far, justifiably, according to contract, completely right, and this guy, who already has received a quarter of a billion dollars, turns around without wanting to have a discussion with us and sues us and refuses to discuss it unless we just give in to his plan. I don't want to work with that guy anymore. Why would I? So the answer is he will never make any movie with New Line Cinema again while I'm still working for the company."
Shaye said that many of the Rings trilogy actors "suddenly, because, I'm guessing, of Peter's complaint," have declined to participate in celebrating New Line's 40th anniversary. "I'm incredibly offended," he said. "I don't care about Peter Jackson anymore. He wants to have another $100 million or $50 million, whatever he's suing us for. He doesn't want to sit down and talk about it. He thinks that we owe him something after we've paid him over a quarter of a billion dollars. ... Cheers, Peter."
New Line's hardened position against Jackson isn't the end of the story, of course. MGM, which owns the distribution rights to The Hobbit, on Nov. 20 told Variety through a spokesman that "the matter of Peter Jackson directing the Hobbit films is far from closed."
In his own online statement, Jackson said that New Line executive Mark Ordesky, who shepherded the Rings trilogy, argued that New Line is dumping Jackson because the studio has a "limited time option" on the film rights, obtained from Saul Zaentz.
Well that article certainly makes it sound like Jackson is a jackass, but that's just one side of the story so it's hard to tell what's true or not from it. I'm not sure if the details of their contention have been publicly revealed or not. Anyway, as far as MGM and Saul Zaentz are concerned Peter Jackson is the one to direct the movie. So it's basically a matter of time because New Line Cinema absolutely needs to get the project done this year, before their rights to it expire, and it's not going to be easy if everybody's against them.
Rhombaad
Video Game Time Traveler
Hmmmm...I guess I'm still confused about the whole lawsuit issue. Is Shaye saying that they've already payed Jackson what they owe him, but he wants more? Or are they saying they're in the process of paying him back and that they've already given him 250 million dollars so he should just be quiet (which is the impression I got from Shaye's quotes in the article)? 
Rhombaad said:
That's it yeah. Basically Jackson is asking for more money, saying the accounting for the Lord of the Rings movies wasn't done correctly. New Line Cinema is saying they gave him the money the contract planned and that nothing is wrong, implying he's just an ungrateful, money-grabbing opportunist. They're also saying he refuses to even discuss the matter with them, as hard to believe as it is.
I'm actually a little curious about this whole affair, I'd like to know who's the cheapskate.
CnC said:
True, it's on another level altogether.
Rhombaad said:
Well, as long as he deserves it or it's part of the contract, he has a right to claim his money. Even if he's already super rich. Now don't get me wrong, I understand your point, but you have to think from the point of view of these people. Honestly I don't really know what to think, but I hope for Peter Jackson that he's not just pulling his claims out of his ass, because he'll really pass for a disgusting ingrate if it's the case. New Line Cinema gave him a chance after he had been rejected by everybody else, and the proposal for a trilogy with the appropriate funding came from them too. On the other hand, if it turns out Jackson's lawsuit is legitimate, New Line's public image will suffer badly.
Ye ask and ye shall receive:
Peter Jackson Answers Lord Of The Rants
Source: Nikki Finke; Deadline Hollywood
I have Peter Jackson's response today to New Line's Bob Shaye telling SCI FI Wire that the studio won't work with the Lord of the Rings franchise director on the proposed movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, or any other film. Ever. "I do not want to make a movie with somebody who is suing me. It will never happen during my watch." Shaye said this and more in an interview on January 5th while promoting the film he's directed, The Last Mimzy. Shaye's comments included personal attacks on Jackson, calling him "arrogant... misinformed... myopic..." Shaye also said he was "offended" that many of the Rings trilogy actors "suddenly, because, I'm guessing, of Peter's complaint," have declined to participate in celebrating New Line's 40th anniversary. And Shaye, who himself is obscenely wealthy, kept making a big deal about "the quarter of a billion dollars" paid to Jackson already for the Rings trilogy.
But here's what Peter Jackson says:
"Our issue with New Line Cinema has only ever been about their refusal to account for financial anomalies that surfaced from a partial audit of The Fellowship of the Ring. Contrary to recent comments made by Bob Shaye, we attempted to discuss the issues raised by the Fellowship audit with New Line for over a year but the studio was and continues to be completely uncooperative. This has compelled us to file a lawsuit to pursue our contractual rights under the law. Nobody likes taking legal action, but the studio left us with no alternative. For over two years, New Line has denied us the ability to audit The Two Towers and The Return of the King, despite repeated requests. Film auditing is a common and straightforward practice within the industry and we don't understand why New Line Cinema has taken this position. In light of these circumstances, I didn't think it was appropriate for me to be involved in New Line Cinema's 40th Anniversary video. I have never discussed this video with any of the cast of The Lord of the Rings. The issues that Bob Shaye has with the cast pre-date this law suit by many years. Fundamentally, our legal action is about holding New Line to its contractual obligations and promises. It is regrettable that Bob has chosen to make it personal. I have always had the highest respect and affection for Bob and other senior management at New Line and continue to do so."
Peter Jackson Answers Lord Of The Rants
Source: Nikki Finke; Deadline Hollywood
I have Peter Jackson's response today to New Line's Bob Shaye telling SCI FI Wire that the studio won't work with the Lord of the Rings franchise director on the proposed movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, or any other film. Ever. "I do not want to make a movie with somebody who is suing me. It will never happen during my watch." Shaye said this and more in an interview on January 5th while promoting the film he's directed, The Last Mimzy. Shaye's comments included personal attacks on Jackson, calling him "arrogant... misinformed... myopic..." Shaye also said he was "offended" that many of the Rings trilogy actors "suddenly, because, I'm guessing, of Peter's complaint," have declined to participate in celebrating New Line's 40th anniversary. And Shaye, who himself is obscenely wealthy, kept making a big deal about "the quarter of a billion dollars" paid to Jackson already for the Rings trilogy.
But here's what Peter Jackson says:
"Our issue with New Line Cinema has only ever been about their refusal to account for financial anomalies that surfaced from a partial audit of The Fellowship of the Ring. Contrary to recent comments made by Bob Shaye, we attempted to discuss the issues raised by the Fellowship audit with New Line for over a year but the studio was and continues to be completely uncooperative. This has compelled us to file a lawsuit to pursue our contractual rights under the law. Nobody likes taking legal action, but the studio left us with no alternative. For over two years, New Line has denied us the ability to audit The Two Towers and The Return of the King, despite repeated requests. Film auditing is a common and straightforward practice within the industry and we don't understand why New Line Cinema has taken this position. In light of these circumstances, I didn't think it was appropriate for me to be involved in New Line Cinema's 40th Anniversary video. I have never discussed this video with any of the cast of The Lord of the Rings. The issues that Bob Shaye has with the cast pre-date this law suit by many years. Fundamentally, our legal action is about holding New Line to its contractual obligations and promises. It is regrettable that Bob has chosen to make it personal. I have always had the highest respect and affection for Bob and other senior management at New Line and continue to do so."
and now they put entire article on the yahoo today...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/eonline/20070111/en_movies_eo/d1f45be38812_4842_a8ba_17681258dea9
This is turning into such a soap opera that I don't actually even care anymore...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/eonline/20070111/en_movies_eo/d1f45be38812_4842_a8ba_17681258dea9
This is turning into such a soap opera that I don't actually even care anymore...