Guillermo del Toro, who has spent the last two years helping Peter Jackson write and develop the upcoming Hobbit films, has decided to leave the project.
In an exclusive report filed with TheOneRing.net Sunday, May 30, 2010, Guillermo del Toro announced that the continued delay of the official start of the project has caused scheduling conflicts with other commitments.
Peter Jackson expressed appreciation for del Toro’s work and understanding for why the Director made the decision to leave. Jackson remarked, “The bottom line is that Guillermo just didn’t feel he could commit six years to living in New Zealand, exclusively making these films, when his original commitment was for three years.”
Six years? Del Toro moved to New Zealand in 2008. It was hoped at that time that the first movie would be released in December of 2010, and the second in 2011. The tentative dates were soon moved to 2011 and 2012. Is Jackson now saying the project will probably not be finished until 2014 (with the first movie coming out in 2013)?
Del Toro apparently will be leaving the project once a suitable replacement is named. He expressed his commitment to supporting the project in any way he can. “Both as a co-writer and as a director, I wish the production nothing but the very best of luck and I will be first in line to see the finished product. I remain an ally to it and its makers, present and future, and fully support a smooth transition to a new director.”
We wish Guillermo all the best in his future projects.
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