According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Lord of the Rings” trilogy and “King Kong” director Peter Jackson is determined to make a trilogy of his two-part film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic tale, “The Hobbit.” Jackson’s original two films, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” and “The Hobbit: There and Back Again,” are set for releases in 2012 and 2013, respectively. The original two films star Luke Evans (“The Immortals,” “Clash of the Titans”), Elijah Wood (“Wilfred,” “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy), Martin Freeman (“Sherlock,” “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”), Cate Blanchett (“The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”), Orlando Bloom (“The Three Musketeers,” the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series), and Sir Ian McKellen (“The Golden Compass,” “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy).
Jackson, according to the Hollywood Reporter, hinted at this expansion at the 2012 San Diego Comic Con, citing his desire to shoot extra footage. This footage, if allowed by Warner Brothers (and if ok-ed by the cast), will most likely take place next summer in New Zealand. Producer Fran Walsh (“King Kong,” “The Lovely Bones”) and writer-producer Phillippa Boyens (“District 9,” “King Kong”) are already figuring out the logistics of such an extension. What are your thoughts on yet another three-part movie series?