You and Peter are both visionary filmmakers who will fight for those visions. What happens when you clash?
So far we haven’t come to such a crossroads. We argue and we win at different stages. But I think Peter has been, so far, the perfect producer.
Two filmmakers have produced me in my life, both named Peter. One was Pedro Almodóvar and one is Peter Jackson.
Both times my experience has been that they are perfect producers because they understand the producer is not a producer/director.
A producer is a producer. If there’s an emergency, if everything goes wrong, then the producer can – and should – have a strong opinion.
But while everything is going well, on time, on budget and is creatively solid, there’s no need for that.
Presumably working with Peter is not that much different to working with Mike Mignola on the Hellboy movies?
You nailed it. I’d say Mike is as opinionated as if he was another director because essentially he directs on the page. And Mignola, like Pedro and Peter, knows the process – they all know that at some point you’re going to be alone with the beast [laughs].
You’re going to be the guy and you can only trust your own instincts.
You’re not going to be making a phone call from a remote location to ask a question; you’re going to have to make a decision yourself.
Next: From LA to Wellington
Comments
Motley
Oct 29th 2009, 11:10
I AM SO EXCITED BY THIS - I JUST CAN'T WAIT! I love Mr Tolkien, Mr Del Toro and Mr Jackson and am really looking forward to seeing who has been cast as Bilbo, who is Smaug's voice, whether it has the warmth and humour of Tolkien and can effect like LOTR did. *squeeeee*
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Looseball
Nov 7th 2009, 16:35
Del Toro and Peter Jackson are two of the greatest filmmakers ever, I have tremendous faith they'll make an amazing film just like LOTR was and hold up to everything that he said in this interview. If I were going to cast Smaug, it would definitely have to be James Earl Jones.
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lonelymountain
Nov 7th 2009, 23:48
I do hope we get to see a bit of old Bombadil! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZbA6nMqV1g
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labrat
Nov 9th 2009, 4:04
I like the idea of a JEJones voice, but Smaug needs to be something no one has ever heard, and I hope it is not snake like (slitherin-like). But that JEJ quality. I don't know how the dragon will be able to talk without looking hooky. Same for Beorn and his animal talk, and his pets, I hope it doesn't turn into a child's cartoon. There are so many important things that need to be in the movie. Examples: Thorin's father, GFather and Dain, were involved in the goblin wars in Moria, and Thrain and Thror were bearers of the one of the Seven. Bolg was killed by them, but one of his relatives (son, brother?) was the Great Goblin. I also think that the One Ring left Gollum, not so much because of Bilbo, but because Thorin a ring heir, and Gandalf who bore one the Three, were nearby in the caves. How did the Trolls get Glamdring and Orcrist-were they in Moria or some goblin hoard for millenia? Also, I think that when Gandalf encountered friends from Rivendell during the Troll episode that these friend could have been Elrond's sons and maybe a very young Aragorn. And surely the Dwarves stayed at Bree during their trip to Rivendell and passed by Weathertop. Thorin's father was kidnapped in Mirkwood (Gloin was his companion, but was not kidnapped, luckily) and taken to Dol Guldur where he was tortured and his ring taken from him. Gandalf found him there, but was unable to save him, but Gandalf did learn about Sauron. And during Bilbo's travel year, the White Council drove Sauron out of the Dol Guldur, the same year the Ring was found by Bilbo. More as it occurs to me
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