'I'm a little bored of movies' - Peter Jackson

Explains Xbox fascination.

Peter Jackson says that he's "a little bored of movies".

Last night the Lord of the Rings director revealed that he was forming Wingnut Interactive - an off-shoot of his Wingnut Studios company - to explore partnerships with Microsoft Game Studios, including an original chapter of the Halo franchise with Bungie and a second, unnamed title for Xbox 360 and Live.

In a roundtable discussion with Peter Molyneux and Bioware's Dr. Greg Zeschuk this morning, Jackson expanded on his reasons, and said that his changing attitude to film led him to explore other options - of which games are one.

"I've got to the stage now where I just end up catching something on DVD and I'm more excited about games coming out in the next 2-3 months than films," he said.

"That created an awareness in me of the shift in entertainment options out there, and if I'm feeling that other are too." On his approach, he said that his ideas - stories, scenarios and so on - might not always be suitable for film, and that's what he intends to explore with Wingnut Interactive.

"We're not going to force a round peg in a square hole," he said.

On his choice of Xbox 360 as the platform, he told attendees at Microsoft's press conference last night that he saw Xbox 360 and Live as "an amazing living canvas ... which allows the storytellers of our time to express themselves in a new medium".

"From a movie-maker's point of view, it is clear to me that the Xbox 360 platform is the stage where storytellers can work their craft in the same way they do today with movies and books but taking it further with interactivity," he concluded.

Comments (71) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Yossarian #1 5 years ago

    "I'm just getting too skinny. Time to get into videogames."
  • Stormflood #2 5 years ago

    "I'm a little bored of movies."

    I know how he feels, I watched his King Kong
  • Blerk #3 5 years ago

    "And Microsoft are paying me a fuck-load of money, too!", he didn't add.
  • kaosridder #4 5 years ago

    You cynical people, you.
    He is doing it out of love. Pure love says I.
  • bigbadbeasty #5 5 years ago

    ""I'm a little bored of movies."

    I know how he feels, I watched his King Kong"

    My god, me too. Please PJ don't remake any more films, just make a Braindead sequel or something.
  • MyPointIs #6 5 years ago

    Having someone like him saying he's more excited about coming games than movies is something VERY positive for anyone interested in games. And I wish you could stop complaining and just appreciate it.

    But of course, his movies are over-rated and you all would've made them better.
  • Subquest #7 5 years ago

    good news - a high profile director moving into the games industry can only be a good thing, albeit horribly entwined with MS publicity - even though a 360 is on my xmas list.
  • Jesus: Action Figure #8 5 years ago

    "But of course, his movies are over-rated and you all would've made them better."

    No. I wouldn't have made them better.

    I wouldn't have made them at all!

    Muahahahaha!

    etc etc
  • Mr_Whacker #9 5 years ago

    Give the bloke a break. After the cash he earnt for New Line with LotR he can make a crappy remake if he likes. But just one.
  • Tonka #10 5 years ago

    From a movie-maker's point of view, [...] the Xbox 360 platform is the stage where storytellers can work their craft [...] taking it further with interactivity

    I hate it when Film directors say that. I don't think that they have it in them to create something interactive. Please prove me wrong Mr Jackson.

    I've got to the stage now where I just end up catching something on DVD and I'm more excited about games coming out in the next 2-3 months than films

    +1
  • el_pollo_diablo #11 5 years ago

    Despite the fact that the Lord of the Rings films left me completely cold, Peter Jackson is one of the few directors who I don't instantly want to punch to death the moment I see them.

    He could have picked something better than Halo to have a go at though. Stubbs the Zombie.
  • ram #12 5 years ago

    Shouldn't the title read

    'I'm a little bored of food' Peter Jackson

  • Darkedge #13 5 years ago

    well George Lucas did a similar thing with LucasArts and they did some good games.. until they became as crap as their mr whippy hair cut founder
  • Mr_Brown #14 5 years ago

    I know the feeling too. Only decent movies these days come from Asia and Europe. Sick to death of American Comedies which aren't even funny...
  • el_pollo_diablo #15 5 years ago

    Anchorman notwithstanding I hope.
  • Tricky #16 5 years ago

    Anchorman notwithstanding I hope.

    Oh God, you are joking, surely? I managed to last roughly half an hour with that piece of shite and in that time not a single smile crossed my face.

    Will Ferrell always seems to be a funny guy in other people's movies, but I've yet to see him in a movie where he's the lead and have him actually make me laugh.
  • spliffhead #17 5 years ago

    Bad Taste FPS with the original cast please Pete!
  • Hugundo #18 5 years ago

    "We're not going to force a round peg in a square hole,"


    Calm down.
  • Kostabi #19 5 years ago

    What percentage of Wingnut Interactive does Microsoft own?
  • space_ace #20 5 years ago

    i'm a little bored of pj




    sorry :)
  • Carrybagma #21 5 years ago

    Oh my god - the luvvies are invading gaming.

    "New mediums, dahlinks! New mediums!"
  • Rambaldi #22 5 years ago

    "I hate it when Film directors say that. I don't think that they have it in them to create something interactive"

    Speaking from experience?

    Really, who the hell are we to have a go at the artistic and creative abilities of the director of the LOTRTrilogy? So what if Kong wasn't amazing: he did it for fun and as a personal ambition. How does it compare to what you last did for a bit of fun? Grow up guys.
  • AaronTurner #23 5 years ago

  • Artemis_Matsas #24 5 years ago

    Mr. Jackson, please cut the crap and start working on the Hobbit movie!!!

    Now!

    Get going!

    /cracks whip
  • Pooley #25 5 years ago

    I think it was only time before PJ got into the games market. His latest ventures have been remakes, King Kong and now Dambusters, which fits in nicely with all the game sequels. ;)

    However, if he were to do a "Bad Taste" video game, then that might be very interesting! Imagine the visuals of Dead Rising with the story of Bad Taste. I so want to play as Derek. Climbing trees is out of the question though...
  • prettyboytim #26 5 years ago

    Really, who the hell are we to have a go at the artistic and creative abilities of the director of the LOTRTrilogy?

    I don't think anyone's saying he can't make a good movie, but there's really no proof that being able to make a good movie is in any way related to the ability to make a good game.

    So what if Kong wasn't amazing: he did it for fun and as a personal ambition. How does it compare to what you last did for a bit of fun? Grow up guys.

    Apples and Oranges. Some of us can't spend $207,000,000 and take a couple of years out of our lives to do something 'for a bit of fun'. I'm not saying he isn't talented at filmmaking; he obviously is, but we have no way of knowing whether he's any good at making games.
  • Tonka #27 5 years ago

    Speaking from experience?

    No I just pulled that one straight out of my ass you fucking numbskull.
  • mazzl #28 5 years ago

    pj let's the swearing come out alot here et EG! wow..
    but this could mean that games are getting better scripts, so that good :)
    aslong as he's not just going to make movie-tie ins.. those suck!

    ps. still waiting for a good teerminator 2 game :)

  • J*C #29 5 years ago

    Whats with all this i hate peter jackson and his movies shit? the LOTR movies were fucking well done, and you all know it! tossers the lot of you. sounds like a lot of you are pissed, because he's supporting microsoft. HA!
  • Bezzy #30 5 years ago

    "an amazing living canvas ... which allows the storytellers of our time to express themselves in a new medium".

    it's more about player expression than developer expression for me. But whatevs. Everyone's entitled to an opinion. And everyone's entitled to an opinion of everyone else's opinion... in my case, it's a fairly negative one.

    No-one is entitled to an opinion of someone's opinion of someone else's opinion. That's where I draw the line. GO AWAY META COMEDIANS.
  • paulf #31 5 years ago

    I really liked King Kong (both the film and the game) and look forward to see what he comes up with
  • phAge #32 5 years ago

    "Having someone like him saying he's more excited about coming games than movies is something VERY positive for anyone interested in games. And I wish you could stop complaining and just appreciate it.

    But of course, his movies are over-rated and you all would've made them better".

    STFU n00b. Cynical is the new black, donchaknow?
  • Mashum #33 5 years ago

    Professional film maker to make a few games and maybe elevate the quality of a game storylines and acting above laughably crap?? Sounds good to me and I don't give a fuck who he is getting paid by.
  • Rambaldi #34 5 years ago

    @ Tonka

    "you fucking numbskull"

    Eloquent...no really

    @Prettyboytim

    "there's really no proof that being able to make a good movie is in any way related to the ability to make a good game"

    Agreed, but neither is there overwhelming evidence to suggest that directors are incapable of making games. Point is we should give him a chace instead of getting precious.

    "Apples and Oranges. Some of us can't spend $207,000,000 and take a couple of years out of our lives to do something 'for a bit of fun"

    Painting, writing a song or a play, sketching, dancing, acting..none of these require a great deal of cash. My point was: unless you've created anything of artisitc worth yourself, keep your half-assed opinions to yourself (I don't mean you by the way :)
    Edited by 1 at 28/09/06 @ 13:08
  • Rambaldi #35 5 years ago

    Too true. Mary Whitehouse was right after all ;(
  • MyPointIs #36 5 years ago

    @phAge: There's no need to disrespect you know?

    Cynicism: Describes the opinions of individuals who maintain that self-interest is the primary motive of human behavior, and who are disinclined to rely on sincerity, human virtue, or altruism.

    Then your world is a very sad one, and I'm quickly getting sick of it.
  • captain_cupcake #37 5 years ago

    I prefer Sir Humphrey's take:

    "A cynic is what an idealist calls a realist"

    Cynical is the new black

    Yeah, but was also the old black too...
    Edited by 1 at 28/09/06 @ 13:50
  • Mr_Whacker #38 5 years ago

    Don't forget that he's a gamer too. We all bang on about where Developers are going wrong all the time. Its his opinion that he can do a decent job of it. Its no less valid because he made his name in a non-interactive medium.
  • el_pollo_diablo #39 5 years ago

    Rimbaldi said:

    Point is we should give him a chace instead of getting precious.

    I'm with you to a point, but would you say the same thing if was Uwe Boll? :)
  • kangarootoo #40 5 years ago

    "and you all would've made them better"
    "My point was: unless you've created anything of artisitc worth yourself, keep your half-assed opinions to"

    I don't agree with either of those statements. As consumers we pay the bills so,

    1. We can express our opinions as often as we want, we paid so we get to moan. If you express them in unconstructive ways then we risk looking like ignorant fools, but that doens't affect our right to an opinion.

    2. We don't NEED to be able to do a better job ourselves to criticise. Thats why we PAID someone else to do the job for us. When was the last time you saw a surgeon in a malpractice case telling the relatives of the deceased "I bet you couldn't have done any better"? When was the last time you saw an ageing football coach being required to be better at actually playing than the footballers he instructs? Its just nonsense.
  • kangarootoo #41 5 years ago

    For context, I quite like PJ's films. I thought KK had some issues, and not all of the LOTR films were quite my thing (2 was my fave as it happens), but you can hardly call them total crap. On the whole, very well turned out I thought.
  • red_ray #42 5 years ago

    The article seemed to miss off the more interesting quotes from the bearded wonder:

    "Despite being married I never get any sex" quipped Jackson. Who went on to say " The wife says it's her but I see the look in her eyes everytime i put on my Gimli costume. Then yesterday while reading the fantastic Eurogamer I came across the article "Games make you have sex", and I thought bingo, what if i could create a game for the missus! So I decided right then - video gaming that's the way of the future if if it'll help me get my knob polished while I am brandising my axe".

    Jackson's and his WingNuts were unavailable to comment on any improvement in his success rate or the title of his forthcoming game.
  • Mr_Whacker #43 5 years ago

    I actually think Jackson is one of the only directors on the current circuit who can competently express fantasies, dreams and imagination of his characters, as he does in Heavenly Creatures. Its called 'inner life' in BS speak. I think that was instrumental in LotR working (for Golem, Frodo's burden, the sense of the age and scale of Middle Earth and a sense of menace whilst the villain barely exists). The other is Gilliam - check out Tideland if you like quirky, dreamy films.

    Plus Braindead is hilarious.
  • gamesb*tch #44 5 years ago

    His attempt can't be any worse than the half assed piece of crap that was King Kong the game, oh, now hang on a minute... :p
  • PES_Fanboy #45 5 years ago

    I hope he's a better games designer than Hideo Kojima is a film director.

    Zing!
  • Rambaldi #46 5 years ago

    @el-pollo-diablo

    "I'm with you to a point, but would you say the same thing if was Uwe Boll? :)"

    On principal, yeah, give the guy a chance. OK, his films have been poor, but his films are all about games so I guess that makes him the most qualified director to make the move to the games industry.
  • Rambaldi #47 5 years ago

    @Kangarootoo

    "We don't NEED to be able to do a better job ourselves to criticise. Thats why we PAID someone else to do the job for us. When was the last time you saw a surgeon in a malpractice case telling the relatives of the deceased "I bet you couldn't have done any better"

    But Jackson's not the one saying "I bet you couldn't have done any better". It's me, another consumer. I might say to someone involved in a malpractice suit "we don't understand the pressures that surgeons work under and all human beings make mistakes from time to time. Joining the 'sue for everything' bandwagon however makes everyones life gradually worse".

    /flies back from tangent

    "When was the last time you saw an ageing football coach being required to be better at actually playing than the footballers he instructs? Its just nonsense"

    Yes it is, but an ageing football coach is perfectly entitled to criticise as he will have had years of experience playing football and learning the game inside out at a professional level. Quite dismilar to someone who has never directed a game or a film, slagging off someone with a superb track record in one for having ambitions in the other.

    I'm all for free speech. I'm even more for informed judgement.
    Edited by 1 at 28/09/06 @ 15:47
  • MyPointIs #48 5 years ago

    If anything, history has shown that people who are brilliant in one area, often excel in more.
  • Drakron #49 5 years ago

    "The Dig" Spielberg.

    (Not George Lucas, George Lucas is credited in Star Wars games but always in "Special Thanks";)

    However what happened? it was done in the decline of adventure games and the rise of 3D ... its still a great classic adventure game.

    However directing a movie and being lead developer on a game are completly diferent things, everyone sould remenber how "Wing Commander" movie end up.

    So explain to me why sould somewhat without ANY experience in game development would help video games ... its in no way diferent that Tony Blair saying he is going to start working on video games.
  • Dynamize #50 5 years ago

    I wonder what the Chris Avellones, Warren Spectors, Broussards etc of the world will have to say about these film director types muscling in on their territory.
    I'd like to hear what their take on it is, since they're in a position to know implicitly what it's like to be in a lead position on a project, and perhaps suggest where a film director background would help or hinder games devving.
  • paulf #51 5 years ago

    whether you like his films or not you cant deny he is successful

    3 oscars
    3 of the top 12 grossing films of all time (worldwide box office)
    slimmer of the year (2005 tv quick magazine)
  • kangarootoo #52 5 years ago

    @Rambaldi

    You as a consumer telling another consumer that they have no right to voice an opinion is what I have an issue with.

    In fact your qualifications don't really even come into it. The whole idea that someone should shut up "because they haven't created a blockbuster film yet" is what I am saying is nonsense. Everyone has the right to voice criticism, plain and simple.

    "I'm all for free speech. I'm even more for informed judgement."

    I half agree with you, informed judgement is to be preferred, but I don't believe it should be at the cost of free speech.

    If someone says something that you think is wrong, tell them why you think it is wrong, have a discussion based on the facts and maybe you will bring them around.

    Don't just tell them top shut up, citing a lack of "qualifications" as the reason. Its not your right to decide who is qualified to voice their opinions, and neither does it actually help you because you never give yourself the chance to debunk what might reasonably be a load of cobblers.


    We are sort of splitting hairs a bit too.

    "Quite dismilar to someone who has never directed a game or a film, slagging off someone with a superb track record in one for having ambitions in the other."

    This can be divided into two seperate things.

    "Quite dismilar to someone who has never directed a game or a film"

    I would say this is irrelevant.

    "slagging off someone with a superb track record in one for having ambitions in the other"

    This I would agree with. Its just cynisism speaking when people do that. However, what definies the "superb track record" partof that statement?

    Films are made for people to watch. If the people watching the filmdon't like it, you can't defend it by saying "well no-one in the audience is a film director" can you.

    Who cares whether someone understands how film making works. "Entertainment" doesn't care. If I watch a film and I get bored, I'm bored, end of story. No-one is going to tell me I have no right to be bored because I didn't study film making!


    I'm rambling a bit now, but I hope you get my point. Its a pity that this discussion has to be attached to the work of one particular director, because it means people get edgy if others start criticising the work of someone they respect. I like PJs work, but that doesn't stop me taking issue with your assertions.

    :)
  • Mr_Whacker #53 5 years ago

    "So explain to me why sould somewhat without ANY experience in game development would help video games ... its in no way diferent that Tony Blair saying he is going to start working on video games."

    Thats daft. If everyone thought like that then nothing would ever have been done ever. And nobody would be able to start a career in games. Why not instead say 'Good luck to you Jackson, it won't be easy but I HOPE it works out well' because that way we all have an actual chance of a win.

    And further to that history (especially in science) has indeed shown quite a few examples of people outside of a field waltzing in a sorting out problems. The others are all too close to the forest, so to speak.
    Edited by 1 at 28/09/06 @ 17:27
  • Rambaldi #54 5 years ago

    @Kangarootoo

    "I half agree with you, informed judgement is to be preferred, but I don't believe it should be at the cost of free speech."

    The liberalist in me agrees with you, but the cynic is pulling his hair out.

    Look at it from personal experiences: if you're doing something that you've done before and are doing well, you don't take kindly to people butting in with ill-informed and naive comments. More patient people than me will perhaps take the time to illustrate to the other person their shortcomings wheras I'd rather flash them a look that says "please, for your own sake, shut the fek up and let me get on with this, will you?"

    So yes, I'm perhaps a bit draconian when it comes to people with little experience sticking their two-penneth in. Freedom of speech is vital in situations where a person is being wronged. Freedom of speech in a situation where a person IS plain wrong is a liberalists dream and a pragmatists nightmare.

    I believe some wise man in China once said something about truly wise men saying very little...clealry I'm not wise!
    Edited by 3 at 28/09/06 @ 19:07
  • Rambaldi #55 5 years ago

    Anyhoo: a list of reasons why he SHOULD get involved in games:

    a) He's a talented, dedicated and focused chap with years of experience in the arts
    b) Few games pay enough detail to well-considered and delivered story telling so his experience could enrich games a great deal. Story telling: the real next gen!
    c) We live in a world where employers have realised that people with a wide variety of career backgrounds are more versatile and ultimately desirable than people who've stuck in the same job their whole live. Perhaps they're onto something?
    d) His recent films contain stunning special effects created by a team of his own who could be put to great use on games
    e) He loves games and is mad-keen to get involved with making them

    What more do you want?!
    Edited by 1 at 28/09/06 @ 17:36
  • Rambaldi #56 5 years ago

    Look, we're all entitled to an opinion on things OK? We all come here to chat about playing games, buying consoles, what devs are doing etc. etc. We all bring different experiences, opinions, backgrounds and preferences. Cool. I just get a bit peeved when some oik comes out with knee-jerk comments along the lines of "directors couldn't make games...just becuse...so there" when they're clealry lacking in any objectivity or experience in either field. In such an instance, yeah, stick your head above the parapet and expect someone to take a pop. I'm more than happy to oblige.

    And yes you're quite entitled to think I'm moron.
    Edited by 2 at 28/09/06 @ 19:15
  • GitSomE_UK #57 5 years ago

    Peter Jackson is a poncey muppet... his films are crap King Pong, Lord of the Bling and anything else he has done or will do.

    He's well overrated IMO
  • GitSomE_UK #58 5 years ago

    Rambaldi and Jackson sitting in a tree K I S S I N G - ner ner ner ner so there

    I still think PJ is crap... cos.... he is you'd think being a director he could maybe direct a shaver to sort out that scrag end of a beard he has. No wonder he has no luck with the ladies.
  • kangarootoo #59 5 years ago

    @Rambaldi

    I agree with all your a-e list items. Like I said, I had no issue with PJ getting into games at all, just with your response to those who disgreed.

    I don't think you're a moron, if thats any consolation (just wrong, ahahahaha) ;)

    @GitSomE UK

    With the kind of money he is pulling down, he would have noooooo problem with the ladies if he so chose.
  • admir #60 5 years ago

    i want hollywood to keep away from games. wonder how much MS paid him?
  • Psi #61 5 years ago

    so he's doing a remake of the dig?
  • ChromeMud #62 5 years ago

    If PJ can create an involving story line that immerses the player into the
    game world then I'm happy with that and good luck to him.
    LOTR was an incredible challenge and although different from the books, I thought that it was great entertainment if a little boring in places.PJ can certainly
    create fantastic worlds.

    As for Halo Wars,the fact that the game hinges on a war in it's storyline seems to me that it makes sense to create an offshoot to the story by creating an RTS to show the GREAT BATTLE!
    As for Halo Kart...well you can already race jeeps with mates on certain maps so there!
    Halo Tennis...I'll just shut up now.
  • CyRUS- #63 5 years ago

    Braindead the game would be interesting ;) - otherwise, king kong was so bad that he should never be allowed to make another movie again - as for computer games, he has the potential to perhaps make some vaguely fun experiences...
  • Rambaldi #64 5 years ago

    @admir

    "i want hollywood to keep away from games"

    /breathes deeply and thinks of kangarootoo's wise words

    OK..why? Can you give us one decent reason why? Games have been moving ever closer to hollywood production values and styles over the last generation but rarely pull-off the story telling aspects. A game that we say has a 'good' story has by filmic standards a cheesy 80's story. Wouldn't it be great if more directors/screenwriters/editors/cinematographers etc. with a real passion for games brought their expertese to the table and worked in partership with game developers?

    /breathes out and forgets kangarootoo's wise words

    Shut up you ill-informed dickwad!

    /attains zen
  • chavatar #65 5 years ago

    OK..why? Can you give us one decent reason why?

    One argument would be that the majority of hollywood output is mass-market dross, sequels, style over substance.

    Your comments are a tad harsh. PJ is one of the better creatives out there, I have no problem. But Hollywood values and ethos in general (which I believe are already happening) - it's a valid opinion to express reservations.
  • Mr_Whacker #66 5 years ago

    On Hollywood and games - Where I think games need to borrow from movies is not in trying to copy its techniques verbatim (cutscenes=bluergh) but in the way cinema, especially Hollywood can take any subject and make a film out of it. Games ought to do the same to avoid the designed for 16-35 yr old males factor and truly start to appeal to the masses. Imagine if games were mature enough to deliver an interactive experience about for example, Erin Brokowich. Just as an example of variety and maturity of subject matter. I haven't seen it. Honest. My Mum would buy into it though.
  • kangarootoo #67 5 years ago

    "Games ought to do the same to avoid the designed for 16-35 yr old males factor and truly start to appeal to the masses"

    Damn right.
  • Azazel #68 5 years ago

    /assumes slack-jawed drooling 100 yard stare*

    "...but, ...but, he won an oscar! That means he's good in our culture!"

    Actually fk it, The Lord of the Rings wasn't that bad... The first film I can live with. Although I got very close to hating it based on the number of people trying to persuade me that it contained some deeply philosophical points about friendship, betrayal, love, death, fking LIFE MAAAAN and the Kyoto treaty. But that isn't the films fault. It's a nice bit of escapism where every last bit of the imagining - down to the name of Aragorns great-great-great-granda - is done for you.

    And as a production it should go without saying that it's fking amazing.


    *models own
  • admir #69 5 years ago

    Rambaldi
    29-Sep-06 08:22:11 @admir

    "i want hollywood to keep away from games"

    /breathes deeply and thinks of kangarootoo's wise words

    OK..why? Can you give us one decent reason why? Games have been moving ever closer to hollywood production values and styles over the last generation but rarely pull-off the story telling aspects. A game that we say has a 'good' story has by filmic standards a cheesy 80's story. Wouldn't it be great if more directors/screenwriters/editors/cinematographers etc. with a real passion for games brought their expertese to the table and worked in partership with game developers?

    /breathes out and forgets kangarootoo's wise words

    Shut up you ill-informed dickwad!

    /attains zen
    ignore poster

    hollywood cant make a decent movie based on a game and you want them to make games . dude are u fucking crayz?
  • Bates #70 5 years ago

    Peter Jackson is a hack. How can you take one of the best books ever written is taken and turned into a series of movies that are liitle more than chaved up Krull remakes! Dumbed down lowest common denominator trash of the worst kind! Unforgivable! And King Kong as a Jack Black vehicle? Fuuuuuuck!

    It all went to shit after the excellent Frighteners for Pete. Except in the money bags sell out sense of course.
  • Azazel #71 5 years ago

    Actually I know what it was I didn't like about LotR....

    You're sitting there enjoying it somewhat and then it suddenly goes all 'Titanic' on yer ass...

    feckin' panpipes...