After spending six years back in the world ofJ.R.R. Tolkeindeveloping, writing, and expandingThe Hobbitinto a trilogy of new films, directorPeter Jacksontook some much needed time off. However, with the concluding installmentThe Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armiesnow having been released two years ago, it appears that Jackson is ready to get back into filmmaking gear—albeit not as a director just yet.
Jackson and hisHobbitscreenwriting team ofFran WalshandPhilippa Boyenswill co-write an adaptation of thePhilip ReevenovelMortal Engines. Yes indeed, Jackson will be serving as a collaborator onMortal Engines, but he’s not the captain. Directing duties will fall toChristian Rivers, a visual effects supervisor who first worked with Jackson as a storyboard artist onDead AliveandHeavenly Creatures, then serving as visual effects art director onThe Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ringand moved up to splinter unit director on the final twoHobbitmovies. Most recently Rivers served as second unit director onPete’s Dragon, and now he’ll be helming a film of his own with an Academy Award-winning screenwriting team handling the script.
The book is the first installment in a sci-fi/fantasy series that’s planned as a feature film franchise.Mortal Enginestakes place in a world thousands of years in the future, where Earth’s cities roam the globe on gigantic wheels in a struggle for ever-diminishing resources. The story’s hero, Tom Natsworthy, crosses paths with a woman from the Outlands that kicks the adventure into high gear.
Jackson and Walsh will also produce the film, with Boyens co-producing. MRC and Universal are backing the venture, with production set to begin in New Zealand in spring 2017. Rivers has an Oscar of his own for his visual effects work on Jackson’s 2005 filmKing Kong, so one imagines he’ll be able to visualize this world with ease.
As for Jackson’s nextdirectingeffort, things are still mum. Word surfaced recently thathe’s developing a “secret” projectatSteven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, and thatTintinsequelis apparently still alive in some form, with Jackson poised to take the helm. For now, he seems plenty happy reuniting with Walsh and Boyens on this sci-fi/fantasy project without the pressure of also directing.
[Update:Click herefor what Jackson had to say about the project on his Facebook page.]
