Peter Jackson credits passing of collaborator Andrew Lesnie as reason for 12-year film hiatus
Acclaimed and accomplished filmmaker Peter Jackson, most known and loved for bringing J.R.R Tolkien’s fantasy epic book series, The Lord of the Rings, to the big screen throughout the early 2000s, has shared with fans the reasoning behind his 12-year hiatus from film.
As reported in World of Reel, following the 25th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring, Jackson credits the passing of cinematographer and Jackson collaborator Andrew Lesnie in 2015 as why he hasn’t taken to the director’s chair since 2014’s The Battle of the Five Armies.
“That was a terrible blow to me, losing Andrew,” the director revealed before then confirming his over-a-decade-long break “wasn’t a conscious decision”.
He added: “...After [Lesnie’s passing] I made a documentary using old footage, and then I made a documentary about The Beatles, using old footage they had shot, and looking back I realize that I’ve avoided doing drama films because I’d have to work with someone else who isn’t Andrew, and I think his death changed my creative path.”
However, fans need not mourn his absence from filmmaking for too long, as the director also stated that “will” be a time when he returns to direct feature films. That “day is getting closer,” Jackson affirms. “It’s certainly taken [him a long time to get there.”
Jackson and Lesnie’s work together includes the spectacular The Fellowship of the Rings in 2001, The Two Towers in 2002 and The Return of the King in 2003. The duo also collaborated on the prequel series The Hobbit from 2011 to 2014.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
About the Author
