28 Nov – Upon requiring the rights to "Mortal Engines" 10 years ago in 2008, Oscar-winning director Peter Jackson was initially sure he would be directing the movie adaption. However, this all changed when he became too preoccupied with the wildly successful trilogy "The Hobbit". "I wasn't in the right state of mind," said Jackson to Empire. "I just thought I could either direct the movie in an exhausted state or I could give it to someone who is young and has a bit of energy, and simply help them." About two years ago, a new director was then announced for the movie. Christian Rivers, a longtime collaborator of Jackson, was set to direct the movie as his directional debut. Jackson did not completely let the project go, however, as he still helped direct parts of it. "Mortal Engines" is a dystopian, post-apocalyptic movie based on the first book of a 2001 book series by Philip Reeve. Dubbed as "Star Wars" meets "Mad Max" and "Harry Potter", "Mortal Engines" revs up the big screen this 6 December.