15 Things That Almost Completely Changed The Hobbit Trilogy

6. New Line Banned Peter Jackson From Making Films For Them

Back in 2005, New Line and Peter Jackson weren't exactly the best of friends; the director launched a lawsuit against his studio claiming he had lost revenue from merchandising associated with The Fellowship Of The Ring and was seeking an audit to discover whether they had withheld money from him. The direct believed the lawsuit was minor - which it clearly would have been had the studio had nothing to hide - and indeed that he should be allowed to make The Hobbit while it was unresolved. Unfortunately for him, New Line co-founder Robert Shaye reacted in entirely the opposite way, and boldly ruled out any future film collaborations between his studio and Jackson, accusing him of greed. MGM then halted production as they wanted Jackson involved, and after New Line made a string of flops Shaye suspiciously came back round to the idea, attempting to build bridges with Jackson.