By Chris Kavan - 05/29/10 at 10:33 AM CT
You know what I could do with having never been invented? Red Ink. It always seems to get in the way of things: highways, universal health care, movies I really want to see.
Case in point: The Hobbit. Guillermo del Toro's The Hobbit was announced not too long after Return of the King wrapped up in '03... it's seven years later and now, once again, there is no word on when The Hobbit will see the light of day.
In fact, del Toro now says the project isn't even greenlit. You would think a franchise that made BILLIONS of dollars would be a lock to be made, but blame MGM for the holdup. The struggling studio has its own problems, and until they are resolved, The Hobbit shall remain in limbo.
Let's face it: Lord of the Rings is the 2000 generation's Star Wars - full-blown fantasy greatness with geek chic appeal. To see The Hobbit wallow in some kind of movie purgatory kills me a little inside. I for one would be one of the first in line to see this prequel, but I would also like it if some actors (Ian McKellen) return as well. The longer this project is delayed, the less likely that may be.
Plus, del Toro says that nearly every other aspect is ready from character and set design to costumes. They just need approval from the movie gods to go on. I hope MGM gets straightened out, if not, someone else better step up, because if The Hobbit ultimately goes away, it will be a dark day.
