Peter Jackson's production companies are remastering and expanding the Beatles Anthology series for Disney+, including a new ninth episode with unseen behind-the-scenes footage, to mark the series' 30th anniversary, along with a new album and updated book.
Peter Jackson collaborates with Colossal Biosciences to resurrect the extinct giant moa, blending genetic engineering with cultural heritage to reconnect the Māori people with their history and ecosystem, while sparking global discussions on ethics and conservation.
Peter Jackson is collaborating with biotech company Colossal Biosciences to de-extinct the South Island Giant Moa, a large extinct bird from New Zealand, aiming to inspire scientific interest and ecological restoration, while also working on a new Lord of the Rings film. Jackson's involvement includes collecting DNA from Moa bones, with the project leveraging advances in genetic engineering to potentially bring the bird back to life.
"The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim" is an animated film that revives the spirit of Peter Jackson's original trilogy, focusing on the legendary riders of Rohan and a central shieldmaiden character. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, the film maintains the visual and thematic continuity of Jackson's work, with contributions from original concept artists and voice actors. While praised for its adventure and drama, the film also faces criticism for perpetuating some of the racial stereotypes present in Tolkien's work. It releases in U.S. theaters on December 13.
The Beatles' 1970 documentary "Let It Be" will be available for streaming for the first time ever on Disney+ starting May 8. The film, which follows the band as they recorded their final studio album, has been restored by director Peter Jackson and will offer fans a new perspective on the iconic band's history. This release comes more than 50 years after the band's breakup and coincides with other recent Beatles-related announcements, including a newly released song and plans for a four-part biopic series directed by Sam Mendes.
The Beatles' 1970 documentary "Let It Be" has been restored by Peter Jackson and is set to premiere on Disney+ on May 8, marking its first official release in decades. The film, notorious for being suppressed by the Beatles' camp, has been revitalized using the same technology as "The Beatles: Get Back." Jackson's restoration includes improved visuals and remastered sound, aiming to provide a more positive portrayal of the band's interactions during the making of the "Let It Be" album.
The Beatles' "Let It Be" film, directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg and restored by Peter Jackson, will be available on Disney+ on May 8, over 50 years after its original release. Jackson's restoration aims to provide a new perspective on the film, emphasizing happier moments and the band's camaraderie. The release coincides with the completion of the Get Back story, as Jackson sees the two projects as part of one epic narrative. The news follows recent music releases by Ringo Starr and Beyoncé, and Sony Pictures' announcement of four films centered on each band member, set for release in 2027.
Unity Software, a videogame software provider, is cutting 3.8% of its global workforce, eliminating 265 jobs, and ending an agreement with Peter Jackson's visual effects company as part of a "reset." The company faced backlash in September for imposing new fees on game developers, leading to a drop in share price. Unity's CEO retired in October, and the company is now under interim leadership. In addition to job cuts, Unity will shut down offices in 14 locations and reduce its office footprint. The company plans to refocus its business and reduce the number of activities it engages in.
Giles Martin, son of The Beatles' producer George Martin, revealed that George Harrison wouldn't have been bothered to release the track "Now and Then" due to the poor quality of the demo. However, the release of the track was approved by George's widow Olivia and son Dhani. The music video for "Now and Then," directed by Peter Jackson, was released, featuring rare and unseen footage from the 1995 recording sessions.
The Beatles' "last recorded" song, Now And Then, is set to become their 18th number one single in the UK, outselling the rest of the top five combined in its opening weekend. Originally written by John Lennon and developed by his bandmates, including the late George Harrison, the song was finally finished and released with the help of advanced technology. This would be The Beatles' first chart-topper in 54 years, with their last being The Ballad Of John And Yoko in 1969. The accompanying music video, directed by Peter Jackson, features archive footage of the band and new segments recorded by Sir Paul McCartney and Sir Ringo Starr.
Filmmaker Peter Jackson has hinted that there may be more unreleased Beatles music in the vault, following the release of the band's last song, "Now and Then." Using his technology from the documentary "Get Back," Jackson was able to turn a demo by John Lennon into a proper Beatles song. He revealed that there is footage from "Get Back" where one or more of the Beatles riff on musical ideas in the studio, suggesting the possibility of creating more songs. However, Jackson has not had conversations with Paul McCartney about it yet.
The music video for "Now and Then," considered the last Beatles song, has been released, featuring never-before-seen archival footage of Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, and the late John Lennon and George Harrison. Directed by Peter Jackson, his first foray into music video production, the video is described as "poignant and humorous," celebrating The Beatles' enduring love for one another. Jackson expressed the pressure he felt in creating a video for such an important project, but with the help of footage from McCartney, Starr, and others, he achieved a balance between sadness and humor, resulting in a video he is proud of.
Director Peter Jackson has created a music video for "Now and Then," a new Beatles track generated using AI technology. The video features footage of the surviving members of the Beatles playing alongside digitally manipulated images of John Lennon and George Harrison from the 1960s. The video has received mixed reviews, with some finding it disturbing and tactless, while others appreciate it as a nostalgic tribute. The use of AI in music production raises questions about the limits of technology and the responsibility of artists.
Director Peter Jackson has created a music video for the Beatles' final song "Now and Then" with the help of AI technology. The video features rare and unseen footage from the band's recording sessions in 1995, as well as performances by Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Jackson aimed to capture the essence of the Beatles' irreverent and humorous spirit, while also evoking emotion through the power of the song. The video is set to be released soon.
The Beatles' final single, "Now and Then," is a modest demo recorded by John Lennon in the late '70s that has been transformed into a full-band production with the help of artificial intelligence. The song, completed during the mid-'90s sessions, features a guitar part by George Harrison, who passed away in 2001. While the AI-assisted production enhances the song, it remains a heartfelt curiosity, with lyrics expressing appreciation, nostalgia, and wistfulness. Despite not living up to the band's iconic body of work, "Now and Then" serves as a four-minute closure and a reminder to cherish every Beatles moment.