Peter Jackson Cuts Sundance Short; Returns to New Zealand for 'Hobbit' (Video)

The director and producer, in Park City for the world premiere of his "West of Memphis" documentary, tells THR what work remains to be done on his highly anticipated project.

6:34 PM PST 1/21/2012 by Sophie A. Schillaci

Comments

Just one day after the premiere of the Sundance's headline-making documentary West of Memphis, producer Peter Jackson is cutting his Park City visit short to tend to another project.

Damien Echols and Lorri Davis 'West of Memphis' Sundance 2012

Sundance 2012: Tears and Anger as Peter Jackson's 'West of Memphis' Premieres

West of Memphis: Sundance Film Review

Peter Jackson's 'West of Memphis' Reveals New Witnesses in Long-Running Case

•Sundance Film Festival 20...

THR's Complete Sundance 2012 Coverage

"I'm heading back to New Zealand tonight and back into The Hobbit," Jackson told The Hollywood Reporter in the THR Video Lounge at the film festival. "On the day I arrive I'm going back into the cutting room."

Fans can rest easy knowing that the highly anticipated Lord of the Rings prequel is on schedule for its December release, with shooting set to resume in February. So what work remains left for Jackson and his crew?

"About 100 days of shooting," he said. "Which will take us through to July, and then the first movie comes out in December."

PHOTOS: The Scene at Sundance Film Festival

Jackson was joined by West of Memphis director Amy Berg, whose film was received to an emotional audience during its Jan. 20 premiere at the MARC theatre. On hand for the showing were Jackson and wife Fran Walsh, who produced the film alongside Damien Echols and wife Lorri Davis. Victims' parents John Mark Byers and Pam Hobbs were also in attendance. The film has generated buzz as a result of positive reviews and revealing new interviews, which could provide reason to open another investigation that implicates Terry Hobbs in the infamous 1993 murders of three eight-year-old boys in West Memphis, Arkansas.

For more on West of Memphis, watch our full interview below.