[Professor S]

Well technically Narnia didn't bomb; it made a pant-load of money cashing in on the Christian symbolism. Did Narnia suck on ice? Debateable, but I'm biased because the second that Rhino charged into battle at the end every flaw in the film disappeared. That moment made a childhood fantasy come true (I used to draw Rhinos fighting in battles like that).

I do agree, though, that the Hobbit will bomb if PJ is not at the helm if only for the extreme fan backlash that will suck any momentum from it. Peter Jackson became a household name and an instant legend from the LOTR films. If New Line thinks they can get by without his involvement they are foolish to say the least.

But honestly, after reading that letter and the mesage from New Line that inspired it, I chalk this up to gamesmanship on both sides. New Line wants a guaranteed smash hit if they are going to settle PJ's lawsuit, and PJ doesn't want to be pushed around by a studio.

Either way, this is an idiotic and futile move by New Line.