Thaindian News

By Meena Kar
June 1 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Director Guillermo del Toro has reportedly stepped down from the post of director for the prequel to ‘Lord Of The Rings’ due to constant delays to the project. The director revealed in one of his fan websites that due to the problems of studio delays and schedule clashes, he will be taking, in his words, ‘the hardest decision of his life’. He said that he will though continue to co-write the screenplay with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Phillippa Boyens.

According to Guillermo del Toro no progress can be made until the MGM situation is resolved. MGM which is reportedly bankrupt has stalled the project for uncertain time. Guillermo del Toro whose previous credits as director include ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ and ‘Hellboy’, moved to New Zealand with wife and child to shoot for the film. Earlier he revealed that he was hoping for a December 2012 release and according to that he was scheduled to stay in New Zealand but the MGM hassle might have added three more years to the commitment.

Peter Jackson addressed the media and said that Guillermo del Toro will not be able to continue with the project due to time issues, in the meanwhile the replacement director will be finalized after talks with other executives. He though did not disclose any release date. Guillermo del Toro though has said that he will be an active part of the magnanimous project. ‘The hobbit’ will be a two part prequel to ‘The Lord Of The Rings’ which is based on J.R.R Tolkien’s book of the same name.