Dwayne Johnson's SAN ANDREAS Release Moves Up One Week

New Line's disaster movie SAN ANDREAS has a new release date one week earlier. The Dwayne Johnson project is now slated for a late May 2015 opening.

The movie was originally slated for June 5th.

In SAN ANDREAS' new berth it will attempt the subduction of some serious competition, namely a Cameron Crowe comedy, “INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3”, MONSTER TRUCKS and the second frame of TOMORROWLAND which will still be red hot.

Joining Johnson in the cast will be Alexandra Daddario (TEXAS CHAINSAW 3D), Carla Gugino (ALMOST HEROES 3D), Ioan Gruffudd, Will Yun Lee and Kylie Minogue.

Here's the movie's storyline:
In the aftermath of a massive earthquake in California, a rescue-chopper pilot (Johnson) makes a dangerous journey across the state in order to rescue his estranged daughter.


I'll have more details on the exact date soon.

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF FIVE ARMIES Banner Released In Higher Resolution

Click on Banner to Enlarge

The banner that was seen at the San Diego Comic Con has now been released in higher resolution and it is gorgeous. The banner shows the chronology of what takes place in the final chapter of THE HOBBIT's trilogy of movies starting with Smaug's rage on Laketown to the huge final battle sequences.

The best way to experience this banner is over at EW - click here to view it with a moveable virtual magnifying glass to blow up all the intricate details. Imagine these shots in beautiful native HFR 3D captured on Red Epics with 3ality Technica rigs! Can't wait.

Here is the movie's storyline:
THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES brings to an epic conclusion the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield and the Company of Dwarves. Having reclaimed their homeland from the Dragon Smaug, the Company has unwittingly unleashed a deadly force into the world. Enraged, Smaug rains his fiery wrath down upon the defenseless men, women and children of Lake-town.

Obsessed above all else with his reclaimed treasure, Thorin sacrifices friendship and honor to hoard it as Bilbo’s frantic attempts to make him see reason drive the Hobbit towards a desperate and dangerous choice. But there are even greater dangers ahead. Unseen by any but the Wizard Gandalf, the great enemy Sauron has sent forth legions of Orcs in a stealth attack upon the Lonely Mountain.

As darkness converges on their escalating conflict, the races of Dwarves, Elves and Men must decide – unite or be destroyed. Bilbo finds himself fighting for his life and the lives of his friends in the epic Battle of the Five Armies, as the future of Middle-earth hangs in the balance.

THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES opens on December 17 in 3D, HFR 3D, IMAX 3D and flat.

Must Watch: TV Spot #3 For THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY

Yes! More Middle-earth! I soak this stuff up just as fast as Peter Jackson and the studios can release it! We get a few more snippets of the biggest movie left in 2012 with this third TV spot for THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY.

Here's the storyline for the movie:
THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY follows title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor, which was long ago conquered by the dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain, first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever… Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s "precious" ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities… A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

Hit the jump for more...

SAN ANDREAS: 3D Has A New Writer Quilling The Quake

Carlton Cuse

Writer Carlton Cuse (LOST, BATES MOTEL) has been signed on to write SAN ANDREAS: 3D for New Line.

Also attached to the earthquake thriller are director Brad Peyton (JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND) and producer Beau Flynn (HANSEL AND GRETEL: WITCH HUNTERS) who is also teeing up a third JOURNEY installment.

From Variety:
"Story takes place when a massive quake strikes California and centers on one man who must make the treacherous journey across the state to rescue his estranged daughter."

What I want to see is a realistic earthquake movie that truly shows what would happen during "the big one". Not the outrageous outcome of Emmerich's 2012, but something that I can suspend my disbelief and get drawn into, especially in 3D. It can be done. If you'll remember 1974's EARTHQUAKE, the scariest thing for me as a child was when those people were swept down in the dark sewer system and not all the buildings collapsing. If you humanize it, people will get it.

More info when it happens!

Must Watch: HAROLD & KUMAR'S Red Band Trailer! NSFW

Hey guys - check out the latest trailer for A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS! Love the winks toward 3D too.

There is a "baby on drugs" warning to go with this trailer though. If you can't handle it, don't watch it! :-) Tongue in cheek of course. A lot is given away in the trailer so that means one of two things generally: One, this is but a small slice of a truly hilarious movie full of surprises and shocking smiles. Or two, the trailer has ALL the funny parts in it, setting us up to spend our money on something not worthy. Personally I think it is option 1 given the pedigree of the franchise, so get ready for some holiday fun!

Here's the storyline:
Six years have elapsed since Guantanamo Bay, leaving Harold and Kumar estranged from one another with very different families, friends and lives. But when Kumar arrives on Harold's doorstep during the holiday season with a mysterious package in hand, he inadvertently burns down Harold's father-in-law's beloved Christmas tree. To fix the problem, Harold and Kumar embark on a mission through New York City to find the perfect Christmas tree, once again stumbling into trouble at every single turn.

Director: Todd Strauss-Schulson
Writer: Jon Hurwitz
Studio: New Line Cinema
Cast: John Cho, Kal Penn, Neil Patrick Harris

Check it out:



A VERY HAROLD & KUMAR 3D CHRISTMAS sleighs us all on November 4!

See: Three FINAL DESTINATION 5 Posters

Well the first three FINAL DESTINATION 5 posters have dropped and they are pretty much standard fare for the franchise - what can I say? The ominous skull is present in all of course and the prerequisite teens in peril / cowering! Looks to be somewhat higher stakes though regarding special effects as a lengthy suspension bridge will take massive damage this time around for the opening death scene.

Click the images to enlarge. Check out the higher resolution version over at IMP Awards (via Collider).

You all know the premise - Death comes after a group of teens that "mistakenly" avoid death in some horrific accident only to be reassigned a future death in the order in which they should have perished. And most of those deaths are quite inventive indeed.

FINAL DESTINATION 5 is special though. It is being shot with the Cameron - Pace Group's Fusion 3D Cameras, the same ones that Michael Bay used to shoot TRANSFORMERS: DARK OF THE MOON. So it's in native 3D, just like it's immediate predecessor.

Here is the official description and synopsis from last fall:
Production is underway on New Line Cinema’s fifth installment of the “Final Destination” franchise, which began back in 2000, with the original film quickly becoming a cult hit. The new victims of Death’s plan are part of a cast led by Emma Bell (Frozen, TV’s “The Walking Dead”) and Nick D’Agosto (Fired Up!, TV’s “Heroes”). The film is being shot on location in Vancouver, Canada.

The second of the “Final Destination” films to be shot in 3-D, Final Destination 5 is being directed by Steve Quale, marking his major feature film directorial debut. Producer Craig Perry (”American Pie”) returns for the fifth time, working with executive producers Sheila Hanahan Taylor, Erik Holmberg, Richard Brener, Walter Hamada and David Neustadter. The screenplay was written by Eric Heisserer, with revisions by Gary Dauberman; Heisserer is no stranger to the horror genre, having penned New Line’s recent hit A Nightmare on Elm Street.

Final Destination 5 brings together an ensemble cast that includes Bell and D’Agosto, along with Miles Fisher (TV’s “Mad Men” and “Gossip Girl”), Arlen Escarpeta (Friday the 13th), Jacqueline MacInnes Wood (TV’s “The Bold and the Beautiful”), P.J. Byrne (Dinner for Schmucks) and Ellen Wroe (TV’s “Huge”). Rounding out the rest of the cast are Courtney B. Vance (TV’s “FlashForward,” “ER”), David Koechner (”The Office,” Anchorman) and “Final Destination” franchise icon Tony Todd (Hatchet II).

In this fifth installment, Death is just as omnipresent as ever, and is unleashed after one man’s premonition saves a group of coworkers from a terrifying suspension bridge collapse. But this group of unsuspecting souls was never supposed to survive, and, in a terrifying race against time, the ill-fated group frantically tries to discover a way to escape Death’s sinister agenda.

Collaborating with Steve Quale behind the scenes are director of photography Brian Pearson (Drive Angry 3D, My Bloody Valentine 3D); production designer David Sandefur (Repo Men, Journey to the Center of the Earth); editor Eric Sears (Shooter) and costume designer Jori Woodman (Eight Below).

The film is a production of New Line Cinema and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Stay tuned for more developments on this film! Can't wait to see the results from the CPG Fusion system again soon...

FINAL DESTINATION 5 opens August 26.

THE HOBBIT Movies Have Names And Release Dates! Mini Synopsis Too!!

Man, these movies can't come soon enough! Seems like it has taken forever since we broke the news that Jackson is back directing and that they will be in native S3D, but we are almost there.

Here is the official press release (emphasis is mine - photo is not official):

“THE HOBBIT: AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY” AND “THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN” ARE ANNOUNCED AS TITLES OF PETER JACKSON’S EPIC TWO-FILM ADAPTATION OF J.R.R. TOLKIEN’S TIMELESS CLASSIC THE HOBBIT

First film slated to open on December 14, 2012 and second film to be released on December 13, 2013

New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures and MGM have announced the titles and release dates for filmmaker Peter Jackson’s two-film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit. The first film, titled “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” will be released on December 14, 2012. The second film, titled “The Hobbit: There and Back Again,” is slated for release the following year, on December 13, 2013.

Both films are set in Middle-earth 60 years before Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings,” which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar®-winning “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.” The adventure of “The Hobbit” follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug.

Under Jackson’s direction, both movies are being shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming is taking place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.

Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, the character he played in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, and Martin Freeman, who just won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the BBC series “Sherlock,” takes on the central role of Bilbo Baggins. Also reprising their roles from “The Lord of the Rings” movies are: Cate Blanchett as Galadriel; Orlando Bloom as Legolas; Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo; Christopher Lee as Saruman; Hugo Weaving as Elrond; Elijah Wood as Frodo; and Andy Serkis as Gollum. The ensemble cast also includes (in alphabetical order) Richard Armitage, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O’Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas, and Aidan Turner.

The screenplays for “The Hobbit” films are by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson. Jackson is also producing the films, together with Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham. The executive producers are Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner, with Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer.

“The Hobbit” films are productions of New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television licensing being handled by MGM.

Hopefully Jackson will release another behind-the-scenes clip of what they are doing on the HOBBIT sets soon! More when I get it...

Read: The Synopsis For JACK THE GIANT KILLER!

Very cool. I'm really looking forward to this project from Bryan Singer. JACK THE GIANT KILLER has a real opportunity here to capitalize on the "brand", yet be somewhat original at the same time. That all should point to success.

The photos are spy shots from the set!

Here's the official release:

Principal photography is underway in London on acclaimed filmmaker Bryan Singer’s 3D epic action adventure JACK THE GIANT KILLER, with Nicholas Hoult in the title role of Jack, for New Line Cinema and Legendary Pictures.

JACK THE GIANT KILLER tells the story of an ancient war that is reignited when a young farmhand unwittingly opens a gateway between our world and a fearsome race of giants. Unleashed on the Earth for the first time in centuries, the giants strive to reclaim the land they once lost, forcing the young man, Jack, into the battle of his life to stop them. Fighting for a kingdom, its people, and the love of a brave princess, he comes face to face with the unstoppable warriors he thought only existed in legend—and gets the chance to become a legend himself.

Hoult and Singer recently collaborated on the Singer-produced “X-Men: First Class,” for release later this year. JACK THE GIANT KILLER also stars Eleanor Tomlinson as Princess Isabelle; Stanley Tucci (“Captain America: The First Avenger,” “Julie & Julia”) as the deceitful Lord Roderick; Ian McShane (“Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides,” HBO’s “Deadwood”) as the besieged King Brahmwell; Bill Nighy (“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”) as the giants’ leader General Fallon; and Ewan McGregor (“Star Wars,” “The Ghost Writer”) as palace guard Elmont.

Singer will direct from a screenplay by Darren Lemke and Christopher McQuarrie and Dan Studney, story by Darren Lemke & David Dobkin. The film will be produced by Neal Moritz, David Dobkin, Bryan Singer and Patrick McCormick.

The creative filmmaking team includes Singer’s longtime collaborators, director of photography Newton Thomas Sigel (“X-Men,” “Superman Returns”) and editor John Ottman (“X2,” “Superman Returns”). The production designer is Gavin Bocquet (“Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith”).

JACK THE GIANT KILLER is filming on location in and around London, and is scheduled for a summer 2012 release.

A New Line Cinema presentation, in association with Legendary Pictures, the film will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Bring it on!!

Images source: DailyMail

Watch: New FINAL DESTINATION 5 Trailer!

Hey guys - thanks to Alexandermcn for the heads up - we have the new FINAL DESTINATION 5 trailer! Yes another iteration of the license to print $$$ is upon us and in native 3D.

Here's the storyline:
In Final Destination 5, Death is just as omnipresent as ever, and is unleashed after one man's premonition saves a group of coworkers from a terrifying suspension bridge collapse. But this group of unsuspecting souls was never supposed to survive, and, in a terrifying race against time, the ill-fated group frantically tries to discover a way to escape Death's sinister agenda.

Director: Steven Quale
Writer: Eric Heisserer
Studio: Warner Bros Pictures
Cast: Emma Bell, Nicholas D'Agosto, Miles Fisher
Release: August 12, 2011



I think these movies give the Spike Channel's 1000 WAYS TO DIE a run for its money! Love the inventiveness. That bridge is fodder for quite a few demises I am sure...

You can follow all of our continuing FINAL DESTINATION 5 coverage right here.

Brendan Fraser Not Returning To The Center Of The Earth?

Brendan Fraser may not be making that trip after all. According to Deadline, Fraser is closer to leaving JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH 2 than returning, as the project will be going forward with a different director than Fraser would prefer. Eric Brevig (Fraser's choice) is still engaged with YOGI BEAR and is not available for the sequel and which has prompted New Line / Walden to set up Brad Peyton (CATS & DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE; a conversion btw) for the director's chair. JOURNEY will be shot in native 3D, just like the original.

It doesn't matter who is at the helm for actor Josh Hutcherson (Fraser's nephew in the original) - he is returning for the sequel.

I see Fraser returning. Personally I think the two parties will meet somewhere in the middle and get him back in the driver's seat. Fraser has a HUGE worldwide following and is needed to ensure a successful second crack at the franchise. Just a hunch. What do you think?

Tolkien Trust Settles With New Line - THE HOBBIT's Journey Set To Begin

Jim here. Not that this is a surprise, but New Line has settled their lawsuit with the Tolkien Trust over royalties that were allegedly due to them following the LOTRs release. THE HOBBIT may proceed (as if it were ever in question).

The trust was seeking $150 million. The settlement is confidential - nothing has leaked yet.

Christopher Tolkien stated: “The Trustees regret that legal action was necessary, but are glad that this dispute has been settled on satisfactory terms that will allow the Tolkien Trust properly to pursue its charitable objectives. The Trustees acknowledge that New Line may now proceed with its proposed films of ‘The Hobbit.’”

Good news indeed. Now that they can legally talk about what they are going to be doing with THE HOBBIT - best they come clean about it being in 3D. Don't you think? :-)

It's Time. Warner Swallows New Line!

** UPDATE: Both Shaye and Lynne are leaving Time/Warner. Again, I am not surprised.

As I suspected, Time/Warner has dropped the gauntlet and it was more than only a massive reorg, but rather a complete ingestion. Reported by Variety today, New Line has been dissolved. It is unknown what Bob Shaye will be doing or not doing with the company.

Further, there is no word on what this does to appease the lawsuit with the Tolkien Trust regarding LOTRs revenue sharing. Hopefully this is cleared up fast so that "The Hobbit" may proceed! In 3D of course.

"Star Wars: The Clone Wars", "Monsters vs. Aliens", "Journey To The Center of the Earth 3D" & "Fly Me To The Moon" Sneak 3D Previews at ShoWest !!

Jeffrey Katzenberg is going to be giving the audience at ShoWest 2008 an advance sneak peak of 2009's "Monster vs. Aliens" during his Opening Day Welcome Remarks. It will be presented with RealD 3D technology. Katzenberg will begin his speech at 9:15am, Tuesday, March 11th 2008.

Summit Entertainment is also giving attendees a sneak 3D preview of this year's "Fly Me To The Moon" on a first come - first served basis at the Jubilee Theater, Bally's Hotel. There will be two presentations - one at 11am and another at 11:45am on Wednesday, March 12th. The movie will be in wide 3D release on August 22nd. Dolby 3D will be used for these screenings.

New Line Cinema & Walden Media are giving ShoWest patrons an FULL advance screening of "Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D". There will be two screenings - one at 3:45pm (Jubilee Theater, Bally's Hotel) and the second at 4:15pm (Le Theatre Des Arts, Paris Hotel), both on Wednesday, March 12th. The movie is pegged for a July 11th wide release in 3D theaters. RealD 3D technology will be used for the presentations. Expect an appearance by Brendan Frasier there as he is also picking up the "Distinguished Decade of Achievement in Film" award at 6:30pm later that day.

**UPDATE: Variety has posted a correction that "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" will NOT be in stereographic 3D. Needless to say I will be watching them much closer now before I post them as being gospel. Now I have to change half a dozen things on the blog, along with being very disappointed.
As part of a group exclusive footage presentation of several Warner properties including "The Dark Knight", "Get Smart" and "Speed Racer", Warner Bros. Pictures is presenting a sneak peak at "Star Wars: The Clone Wars" which is a 3D movie slated for an August 15th wide release. The screenings will both happen at 2:45pm at Le Theatre Des Arts, Paris Hotel and the Jubilee Theater, Bally's Hotel on Thursday, March 13th.

ShoWest is at Bally's and Paris in Las Vegas from March 10th to 13th.

Umm, damn. Wish I was going! What a lineup... Can't wait for the reviews!!

New Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3D Trailer Available

Here you go guys! The new trailer for New Line's Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3D.

I've got to say that the movie had better be better than the trailer - I'm not particularly fond of it. The premise requires a whole lotta suspension of belief and it is a challenge for me to get that done with just a trailer. The humor looks like it could save the movie - don't know about the effects yet.

Don't get me wrong - I'll be first in line; but I will be blunt if the movie warrants it in my review when it happens. I hope it really surprises me - I really do. Heck I enjoyed "Blast From The Past" so who knows? Brendan Frasier could pull this out of the lava for me.

I would be interested to know your thoughts on the trailer...

Jessica Biel Lands on Planet 51

Variety reports that Jessica Biel is teaming with Dwayne Johnson, Seann William Scott and Justin Long to voice New Line's first animated feature film "Planet 51". The movie is also being produced in stereoscopic 3D. July 24th, 2009 has been pegged as the release date with its actual production completed in March 2009.

The premise is that Johnson (astronaut Chuck Baker) lands on Planet 51 thinking it was barren but discovers that it is really inhabited with a 1950's type of civilization that is frightfully concerned about being invaded by aliens! Of course hilarity ensues.

The writer of "Planet 51", Joe Stillman has boatloads of obvious talent as he wrote Shrek and Shrek 2. The movie is being made by Ilion Animation out of Spain.

Looks out of this world!

MarketSaw's Best List of Upcoming 3D Movies has been updated.


Photo courtesy of WireImage

Source: Cameron Elated With Terminator 4 and More New Line / "The Hobbit" Trouble Brewing

Firstly, I am sorry to pass along that things are not looking rosy at all for "The Hobbit" getting made on Peter Jackson's original schedule. Of course the Tolkien Trust lawsuit throws a huge wrench into the works, but on top of that my source reports that Time/Warner is seriously considering a large cutback in personnel at New Line. A very large cutback that will order New Line to trim itself relatively soon; no exact time line yet on this.

Secondly, Kirsten Myburgh has NOT been confirmed as being cast as the lead in "Tintin" but rather is simply another one of the casting calls at this point. A short list if you will. However there remains strong interest in him and he could very well be chosen.

Thirdly, I can confirm without a shadow of a doubt the James Cameron is NOT directing one of the "Tintin" trilogy movies. The term used by my source is, and I quote: "Absolute Bullshit". You can take that to the bank. We still stand behind our man Robert Zemeckis as being the third director for the "Uber 3D Director Trio" joining Spielberg and Jackson. As I previously posted today, Cameron is more than likely lending out his 3D facilities for the "Tintin" shoot.

Lastly, we can confirm that James Cameron is elated with McG who is directing the fourth Terminator picture. He is especially happy with the selection of Christian Bale as the older John Connor. After being somewhat distance and vocal about his disappointment in Terminator 3 (he said: "The film is very spunky, perhaps too spunky") Cameron is now feeling the pride of a father as he sees his child grow up and he wants to help out. Despite losing control over the franchise, he did indeed recommend Sam Worthington to McG for the Marcus role. The audience will be able to identify with Marcus a great deal even as the movie turns very dark in the future time line. They also spoke at length about visual style and what events should take place in the movie. Call Cameron's involvement: "Executive Producer-In-Law".

I simply LOVE that Cameron is even a little involved here! Yes, Terminator 4 is not in 3D but heck I have got the info so I am gonna share! When Terminator came out and I heard all the effects and story hype I was skeptical because they didn't spend all that much money at all. But Cameron really pulled it off and in typical style - changing Hollywood. I have a deep seeded feeling that "Avatar" is going really blow the lid off of things for the industry - the guy has the guts AND the budget! Cameron is the very definition of "paradigm shift".

The Hobbit stage photo courtesy of Ian Umlauff

Digg This!

Just When You Thought The Smaug Was Clearing...

Whoa. I had to read this news item twice - it clearly states that New Line has not paid ONE CENT of the Lord Of The Rings contractual agreement to the Tolkien Trust (the estate of the Tolkien family) for revenue earned from J.R.R. Tolkien's writings. So the Trust is suing New Line for:

1. $150 Million in unpaid earnings.
2. Punitive damages (not disclosed).
   

Further - and the one that hurts most - is that the rights to The Hobbit may now be revoked from New Line! The Trust is also suing for a court order to terminate any rights to "The Hobbit" that New Line may hold.

Again, I must reiterate that we feel Peter Jackson will still direct one, if not both Hobbit films no matter who holds the rights, but *sigh* this looks like it may delay the film even more.

Makes me wish the rights had gone to a major studio originally - although Peter Jackson was definitely the key to the success. Hang in there Peter!

New Line NOT Merging With Warner; Shaye and Lynne NOT Retiring

Contrary to reports stating that New Line Cinema will dissolve into Warner and that Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne will retire - that simply is not true. I have a close source who has cast a huge dispel over that rumor. Time Warner has New Line as a business unit, but the two operate as separate entities with Shaye and Lynne at the helm. New Line claims to be the most successful independent film company in the world.

So the status quo stays put. Regardless, "The Hobbit" stays on track. No further news on when Peter Jackson will be announcing that he is directing the pair of movies and that they will be in 3D (along with a 3D re-master of the LOTR trilogy) - but we are all looking forward to that day!

More news when I get it.

Journey 3D: Seven New Images

Rope of Silicon (who has placed a rather large brand on each of the images; so I am not copying them here) has gotten exclusive first looks at some images from Journey 3D. Take a look here. Yes, I have asked to be placed on New Line's blog rotation for exclusivities! :-)

Ummm, the pics kinda don't look all that great... Maybe it is just because they are the first ones off the press and they haven't been through the process yet. Or not. Here's hoping the CGI kicks ass. Although I am a passionate believer in 3D, I will pan a movie if it sucks!

New Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3D Poster Released!

Dinosaurs - what a blast from the past! Brendan Fraser, same goes for you! Just kidding man - I loved you in that movie. Christopher Walken owned it too.

But to the point, here is the brand spankin' new "Journey To The Center Of The Earth" 3D Poster courtesy of New Line. Thanks guys! Check out that yellowish thing just above Fraser's head...

Click for a larger view...

Digg This!