The fact that Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh are the executive producers of these two films means a great deal. But what it means above all else for them is one thing - power. They will be in charge. They will be the boss. They will have the last word. No running to anyone else for approval. No hiding from studio executives who want to poke around on set. No arguement about final cut or anything else. Jackson and Walsh will be gods on this film
I would guess that they will get the best possible financial deal that anyone has ever recieved for a film.
In the movie business, the studios will sooner part with money than with power. To get this deal done they had to part with both.
And as a side note, this probably puts the final two nails into the coffin of any sequels to GOLDEN COMPASS. New Line is going to marshall their economic and production forces behind these Middle-earth films and are not going to waste resources on something which has proven to be a loser.
The next year will be extremely interesting as we get the announcement of director (in all probablity Jackson), cast members, and other talent. It will be a very interesting year.
Let the speculation begin.
