Del Toro leaves "The Hobbit" over stalled MGM sale

"Pan's Labyrinth" director Guillermo Del Toro has given up directorial duties on the upcoming film adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit", according to an official statement posted by the acclaimed director on TheOneRing.net website. Del Toro stated that his departure was due to the ongoing production delays caused solely by the sale of MGM Studios, who owns part of the film's rights. As there has been no buyer for the long-troubled studio, no productions have been greenlit to commence filming for the studio. This includes the latest James Bond adventure, which was set to begin shooting this summer under the direction of "American Beauty" helmer Sam Mendes. Del Toro will continue to work on the screenplay with "Lord of the Rings" writers Phillipa Boyens, Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson, the latter who has gone on record stating that he will not replace Del Toro as director on the two "Hobbit" films.

Following the debacle that was "The Lovely Bones", I think that is a mistake. Jackson needs a sure-fire hit to get him back on track, although the upcoming "Adventures of TinTin" might do the trick for that. Still, since Jackson did such a great job with bringing the "Lord of the Rings" films to the big screen, he would be a perfect choice to continue bringing the world of Middle Earth to movie sceens. But if he is adamant about serving only as producer and co-screenwriter, then so be it. While I think he should be back, I can also see why he might opt out of it. He spent seven years on the "Rings" trilogy, and if you factor in his pre-production work on "The Hobbit" and (for argument's sake) another 3 years or so on the actual "Hobbit" production, we are talking about spending a solid decade plus toiling around Middle Earth, which is a lot of time on any type of project.

So, who would be an ideal substitute for Del Toro? There are plenty of choices. Sam Raimi is free of the reigns of "Spider-Man" (he could even work Bruce Campbell in somewhere!). I'd say Tim Burton but after blowing "Alice in Wonderland", he's not really worthy of consideration. Perhaps Tomas Alfredson, who atmospheric "Let the Right One In" was one of the best vampire films made in the past decade or so? Or maybe Neill Blomkap, the young filmmaker who already has worked with Peter Jackson on the superb sci-fi drama "District 9"?

All good candidates, but the person I really would like to see call the shots outside of Jackson would be Alfonso Cuaron, the superb Mexican filmmaker who brought us "Children of Men", "Y Tu Mama Tambien" and the true standout of the "Harry Potter" franchise, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban". His unique filmmaking vision would be perfect for delivering a Middle Earth worthy of comparison to Jackson's. Of course, everything is pending on the sale of MGM, which I think is close to being placed in a Wal-Mart bargain bin. It really is a shame that a business sale has driven a talented filmmaker away from a dream project (I think he would have done a fine job with the films). Hopefully, this stalled sale won't also drive Sam Mendes away from the 007 project.