Peter Jackson Replies To New Line

By Rafe Telsch: 2007-01-10 23:01:52

If you missed the story from earlier today, New Line Cinema head honcho Bob Shaye publicly blasted Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson. Shaye told SciFi.com he will not work with Jackson, who is currently suing New Line over an issue of accounting for Fellowship of the Rings (and presumably the other two LotR films as well). Shaye stated that Jackson will not be involved in any film for New Line as long as he is still working for the company, and thus crushed all fanboy hopes of a Jackson led Hobbit adaptation.

Well, Jackson and WingNut films have replied to Shaye’s public tirade. As usual, Jackson and company reply with a focused voice that attempts to state the facts rather than dive into personal remarks like banning someone from future company endeavors. Courtesy of Ain’t It Cool News, WingNut’s official response is:

"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."

Jackson’s remarks about the LotR cast members stems from Shaye’s remark that Jackson and the cast refused to work on a project celebrating New Line’s 40th anniversary. This shouldn’t come to anyone as too surprising who has been following this developing story. Several of the cast members have publicly gone on record with loyalty toward Jackson directing The Hobbit. The idea that they would side more with him than New Line makes perfect sense, regardless of whether Jackson told them to or not.

This story is certainly far from over. Eventually this lawsuit will be settled and New Line will almost certainly have to open the books for that to happen – which seems to be what Jackson really wants. Whether Shaye will still be standing when that ends and whether he’ll stick to his guns about the Jackson ban or not will be interesting to see.

Latest Headlines:

Inglourious Basterds Banners

View-Master: The Movie

Tony Stark's Iron Man 2 Race Car

Superman May Be Done With Brandon Routh

First Look At Eminem in Funny People

Public Enemies Poll: Tell Us What You Think

Jessica Biel In Thor?

See Kristen Stewart And Dakota Fanning As The Runaways

4 Fashionable New Bruno Photos

Angelina And Jen Duke It Out As Top Female Moneymakers

Comment on “Peter Jackson Replies To New Line”

Note: This website is not meant for use by minors. The views expressed in the comments section below are not our own. This section is intended for discussion of the topic in the post above. Disagreement is encouraged, however comments which attack, insult, or threaten the author in a personal manner won't be published. Similarly, comments that we deem to be poorly worded, or wildly off topic will also not be approved and may be mocked. For free, uncensored, unfettered, and possibly dangerous discussion visit our forum.

Subscribe to topic comments

0 0 / 0
y n

John
June 17, 2007 at 16:08

ROB SHAYE SOME ADVICE:

Pay Jackson his requested amount as the sales from the Hobbit will be far greater with PJ as director. This payment will far outweigh any audit PJ could request. Secondly, go jump off a cliff with your New Line buddies as you guys like screwing things up... maybe this time you can screw yourselves up.

Fingers crossed for the inevitable.

Reply
0 0 / 0
y n

Pete
April 9, 2007 at 15:34

I'll just go ahead and third it for good measure.

ATTENTION ROBERT SHAYE:

You're a fool to think "The Hobbit" will ever succeed without Peter Jackson at the helm.
Fan loyalty is with PJ....not New Line. You will lose money and you will regret it. Your Hobbit movie will go the way "Gigli" and the latest "Superman."

On a personal note, you seem a rather bitter, greedy, arogant pig. See a therapist or die lonely.

That is all.

Reply
0 0 / 0
y n

Jabraille
March 11, 2007 at 04:05

Seconded. Motion carried!

Reply
0 0 / 0
y n

Sid
January 11, 2007 at 16:39

Let's just boycott 'The Hobbit' if it's not directed by PJ.

New Line is a bully. New Line's comments were unprofessional and arogant.

Reply
0 0 / 0
y n

Rhonda
January 11, 2007 at 12:58

So, PJ sweeps the Oscars, lines New Lines pockets with millions and millions of dollars from the movies, and from sell of other items from the movie, and what do they do but crap on him.

Seems like someone is about to get caught with their hand in the cookie jar and doesn't want anyone to find out. Or basically money hungry individuals who don't know their fan base at all.

If fans don't want anyone by majority but PJ making the movie, and the actors are backing him too, that just leaves Shaye looking like an ass, which btw he seems to be.

Hopefully someone will stall NEW LINE till the contract runs out and the rights fall back to MGM. Maybe they will make the right decision and make PJ the director of the Hobbit, as that is what the fans want, and they are the ones going to the movies, not the execs.

Reply

Subscribe to topic comments

Please login or sign up to post reply

Back to Peter Jackson Replies To New Line

Peter Jackson Replies To New Line

Comment on “Peter Jackson Replies To New Line”

Leave a Reply