ollowing is the complete text of Robert Shaye's missive sent to the Partners of TheHobbitFilm.com:ollowing is the complete text of Robert Shaye's missive sent to the Partners of TheHobbitFilm.com:
Thank you very, very much for the incredible outpouring of support for LOTR, and for your eagerness to see The Hobbit.
We at New Line are most touched and appreciative of your compliments, as well as for your passion for the remarkable work of the author, the filmmakers, talent and craftspeople.
We are also, like you, most anxious to see The Hobbit realized.
Please be assured that there is in no way a crass argument with MGM or anyone else over money or rights. In fact, no discussion about any settlement of our respective claims has been commenced. When and if such discussions ensue, be assured that we intend to be equitable and appropriate to the spirit of Tolkien and The Hobbit. We will, as much as possible, "do the right thing", respecting the incredible loyalty and appreciation of the worldwide LOTR/Hobbit fans. We hope that MGM will feel the same way.
However, we also wish to have the film overseen by the best possible mentors --- and for us, if possible, that means Peter and Fran. They are totally occupied with King Kong now, and will remain thus, we believe, for the next 24 months or so.
So our efforts will take time to realize.
Sincerely,
ROBERT SHAYE, Founder, Co-Chairman and Co-CEO, New Line Cinema
From your Dragonmaster's perspective, that means that we, the many fans of The Hobbit who have devoted ourselves to the cause will have to have a little bit more patience. But the most important thing we Hobbit fans can do RIGHT NOW is to hold on, believe and hope.
Why hope, I hear you asking?
Well, I have believed for so many of my journeys over the aeons --- and I think that there are a few of you out there who would agree with me --- that there is no greater power in the Multiverse than the unstoppable force of Hope. Hope encourages us to believe in our dreams, to share them with others, to give a little bit of love to others when it is needed. For, once we saw Aragorn in his full regal splendor as King of Gondor at the end of Return of the King, did we not leave the theatre not just with tears streaming down our faces, but with hearts filled with Hope?
If I were Aragorn the King, I think I would not hesitate to share the answer to that question. Besides, 24 months doesn't really mean the end of the Hobbit dream. It just gives us the time we need to rally others to our cause, and to keep up the rally until such time that we are certain that Peter and Fran can indeed be free to take the project on.
So in closing, heed the wisdom of a foolish old beetlehead (that, of course, would be me!), and hold on to the power of Hope. Believe long enough, tell others about our efforts .... and maybe, just maybe, The Hobbit will indeed become a reality. The 1977 Rankin/Bass animated adaptation need not necessarily be the ONLY one. Making a motion picture is a process that takes time. Robert Shaye and the goodlies of New Line are simply asking for our patience; accordingly, your Dragonmaster joins him in suggesting likewise.
And remember: Hope is always there within every one of us. Even if, as Bilbo Baggins once grumbled, adventures tend to make one late for dinner! (Heh-heh!)
