One thing I agree with that the AICN reporter commented on, I don't like having to read about that part of the business.
But, it's no secret that the accountants took over making films from the directors a long time ago. It's only recently with films by Lucas and Rodriguez where we're starting to see directors take back some of that power. This whole deal between New Line and Jackson sucks and the only people that could get shafted are the fans if the Hobbit sucks because NL changes the entire production, writing and directing team (not to mention the FX crew).
Personally, I don't want to see the Hobbit if Jackson doesn't make it. I don't doubt that there are other directors that could make the film, but one thing that I would love to see is a consistency in the production that would make a cohesive 4 film epic along with LOTR and I think Jackson can do that. Someone else would have to put their own spin on things and that would ruin it for me.
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