Studio deal could rescue 007, 'Hobbit'

"The Hobbit" is coming, "The Hobbit" is coming. Well, eventually. . . .

The Time Warner Co. is evidently close to a deal in which the entertainment conglomerate would acquire the struggling MGM/UA movie studio. That would mean Time Warner would get the rights to the still-profitable James Bond franchise, which has been under the United Artists umbrella for 40 years now.

It also means that the movie version of "The Hobbit," J.R.R. Tolkien's prequel to the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, is closer to becoming a reality.

MGM currently holds the rights to that movie property and hasn't been willing to cede the rights to New Line Cinema, which released the "Lord of the Rings" movie trilogy. Time Warner also owns New Line Cinema, so there's definitely a vested interest here.

The Warner "suits" want to make sure this corporate acquisition — and the "Hobbit" movie — happen.

In the meantime, Peter Jackson, who directed the trilogy, is in pre-production with another big-budget fantasy film, his remake of "King Kong," which is about to begin shooting.

"King Kong" is scheduled for release Christmas 2005. The cast includes Jack Black, Adrien Brody and Naomi Watts in the Fay Wray role. And "Lord of the Rings" Gollum performer Andy Serkis will be providing Kong's movements.

Assuming all this does come to pass, Jackson had better hurry up and make "The Hobbit." Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf in the "Lord of the Rings" movies, certainly isn't getting any younger. And there's really no one else who would work in that role now. (Gandalf is a crucial character in "The Hobbit.")

• THE NAME IS BANA. ERIC BANA. Word is that Pierce Brosnan is done playing superspy James Bond, after having serious disagreements about the direction the franchise has been taking. (Brosnan has also been very public in his support of filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, who has expressed interest in remaking "Casino Royale," to make it more faithful to the Ian Fleming novel than the 1967 film version.)

Aside from Internet speculation, there's no word about a possible replacement for Brosnan in the ongoing film series. Australian actor Eric Bana has been shooting down rumors that he will be the next 007. In fact, Brad Pitt's "Troy" co-star claims he's not interested, saying, "I've said like a million times I wouldn't do it. It's never, ever, ever been something we've had a discussion about. I haven't got a bloody clue where this all started."