The Movie Insider.com

Time Warner to Downsize New Line Cinema

Time Warner Inc. announced today the consolidation of its filmed entertainment businesses, Warner Bros. Entertainment and New Line Cinema. As part of the consolidation, New Line will be operated as a unit of Warner Bros. New Line will maintain separate development, production, marketing, distribution and business affairs operations, but will closely integrate and coordinate those functions with Warner Bros.

Jackson to Produce 'The Hobbit'

Wow... this was a bit unexpected. In a surprise announcement, Peter Jackson and New Line Cinema have reached agreement to jointly make J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, a planned prequel to the blockbuster trilogy The Lord of the Rings. New Line, which has had a string of box office flops, needs it more than Jackson, who has plenty of projects already on his slate, including TinTin, Temeraire and The Lovely Bones.

Fox Walden Wants 'Seeker' of Clues

Fox Walden, which is of course short for 20th Century Fox and Walden Media (see article on production pact), has started up a very interesting marketing campaign for their first movie release together, The Seeker: The Dark is Rising. The film, which is based on the acclaimed novel by Susan Cooper, follows a teenage boy who travels through time searching for six signs that will help him save the world.

Gervais Set for 'Early Retirement'

Ricky Gervais, who is probably best known for UK's "The Office", will next star in Warner Bros.' Early Retirement, says Daily Variety. The British comic is attached to star in the feature based on Mark Perez's comedy pitch about an work-obsessed man who quits his demanding job to spend more time with his family.