Geoff Murphy To Direct The Hobbit Movie?
Written by ady on January 5, 2008 – 3:57 pm -There are some interesting names being passed around the various LOTR fan sites as regards the available directors job that is now officially vacant since Peter Jackson declared he would produce but not direct.
Sam Raimi has made it no secret he’d absolutely love the job. It was way back in July 2007 that I first reported his interest in directing The Hobbit. Since then he’s regularly “let slip” that if it were offered he’d be keen to accept and I can’t say as I would mind if it were or mind if it weren’t. He’s obviously a capable guy but while I’ve enjoyed his work, its never exactly “lit my candle.”
Guillermo del Toro is another who has let it be known he’s interested and I could see Jackson prefering to work with a “young gun” rather than someone established. Cuaron would also fall in that category and either of these being given the job would be an exiting prospect.
Sam Raimi would be the money mens choice with the 3 recent blockbusters already under his belt, he would be seen as the banker. However, if we are to believe the money men, Harry Sloan (MGM CEO) and Bob Shaye at New Line Cinema, then Peter Jackson has full control and he gets the final decision on who directs.
So keeping that in mind, I like the option put forward by “Jim” who posted this comment to an earlier post suggesting Geoff Murphy for the job. Geoff was Peter Jackson’s second in command during the making of the Lord of The Rings trilogy and the fellow Kiwi is someone Jackson would have complete faith in. As Jim says, this appointment would ensure continuity from the original movies and their would be no risk of a falling out half way through production.
Perhaps it will be taken one step further and Peter Jackson will have life partner Fran Walsh direct or at least co-direct with Geoff Murphy. Perhaps worth an outside bet?
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Posted in The Hobbit Movie |
January 7th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
Please !!! Peter Jackson for director !!!
Or, if not, Guillermo Del Toro or Alfonso Cuaron…
but not Geoff Murphy !!!
January 10th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Geoff Murphy is not a great choice. That’s bad.
January 11th, 2008 at 12:22 am
In my opinion, and I believe that I have good eye for matching directing styles/ability with movie concepts, Peter Jackson should be the only choice for director of a theatrical production of The Hobbit. Although any production studio would do well to finance the development of another Tolkien idea-based film, doing so without the guidance of Jackson would not be a good idea for any party. Purely to cash in on the notariety, established success, and popularity of The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, despite Jackson’s absense on the project, would still be foolish, as it would artistically lack and box office would see only an early surge based on the anticipation of another Jackson directed film, however, then quickly fall off in ticket sales as those who saw the premier would express their disappointment and report their negative criticisms to other possibly interested movie going friends. The dominoe effect from that point would end in a disappointing net profit margin for the studio and rampant diappointment and blanketing negative view of possible further Tolkien related projects in the works. Why would his happen? The reason lies in the artistic styles and vision of each director that can be seen in their previous projects. While I am a rather big fan of the Spiderman series and think that Sam Raimi did a good job with it, his style does not follow the obvious, distinct style of Jackson that can be seen throughout the LOTR movie trilogy. The same with Del Toro and his filmographic portfolio. I have read all the books and can tell you that The Hobbit requires every bit as much accurate translation to the screen in epic proportions as the LOTR did. It is a story that not only is the prequil to the LOTR but it is a tale of heroism, mystery, constant adventure, and mythology that interpretted incorrectly could lead to a disasteroulys disappointing film. The screenplay, plot structure, cinematography, editting, and especially casting are all intricate steps in creating a movie like the LOTR. Without Jackson’s vision, a big screen live action version of The Hobbit should not happen.
January 11th, 2008 at 12:44 am
Josh, Jackson is involved, he’s executive producer rather than director as he was previously.
January 11th, 2008 at 12:55 am
I realize that. However, soley being the director wouldnt put him in the position to have artistic control over the movie. Being a director, Jackson had much license over the production of the LOTR movies. However, bringing in another director, Del Toro Raimi, whomeve you may, could and most likely would create artistic conflicts and differences in opinions that could and would most likely cause the film to suffer in the wake of the calamitous and rough fusion of two styles. That is why I said that it is important that a director be found that has a style that follows that of Jackson. I believe that Jackson should have total control or that the project should never be undertaken.
January 11th, 2008 at 1:09 am
That was the thinking behind the suggestion of Geoff Murphy. They have worked together (LOTR) and PJ would probably be more at ease with him in the directors chair rather than working with a big name. More importantly though, I believe Geoff will know exactly what PJ requires from him.
January 11th, 2008 at 1:20 am
I suppose if Jackson gives Murphy the thumbs up and has his artistic input throughout production, you can’t argue with the collaboration there.
January 11th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Jackson can still use Murphy in the second crew as he did on LOTR… but he’s the real author of the trilogy LOTR and the only one to direct this one and transform a simple blockbuster into a wonderfull masterpiece.
January 19th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
“but he’s the real author of the trilogy LOTR”
PJ is not the author, J.R.R. Tolkien is. PJ is the butcher who mutilated one of the greatest tales ever written.
January 23rd, 2008 at 10:35 pm
I really hope that Peter does it…
January 24th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
In France, directors are considered as authors… especially directors like Peter Jackson…
PJ didn’t “mutilate” anything… he just adapted Tolkien’s masterpiece the best way possible for the screen… movies are not books and a good adaptation always means cuts in the books…
Really sorry for the Tolkien fans who never understood that…
About Geoff Murphy, he’s obviously a very good second crew director, but as a director he only done two good movies (Utu & The quiet earth) and the rest is absolutly awful…
I just love Bilbo (the Tolkien book) and I just wish the best adaptation and direction for it… and I really think PJ is the only one who really can handle it..
February 9th, 2008 at 1:00 am
honestly the lotr movies are much better than the books
February 11th, 2008 at 5:39 am
First off peter Didn’t Butcher anything!!! he had to cut out parts and thats what directors have to do!!! he simply put them together and created a masterpiece with only 9 hours for all three books!! i commend PJ for the job he did and he is the only person i can see directing it…… New Line messed that up though so del torro i hope with PJ all over his case and having lots of control… i hope so or else the movie could be a bust with a big name director!!