Peter Jackson to be involved in Hobbit movie after all

[Teresa Edgerton]

Originally Posted by Dean F. Wilson

Thirdly, there was animosity between Gandalf and Saruman, and we know the latter imprisoned the former. Do you think he just said "get to the top of my tower" and Gandalf did so willingly? I think it makes sense that Gandalf would try to get out, and since both are wizards, do you really expect this would happen without magic? Tolkien actually doesn't tell us much about what happened here. He lives it up to us to decide the details.

I always wondered why Gandalf would submit tamely -- which is the impression one gets from the books. But, in fact, there are obviously holes in Gandalf's account of what happened between him and Saruman.

Aragorn falling off the cliff was just nonsense. Expanding Arwen's role did make sense. Slipping her in near the beginning instead of Glorfindel struck me as a very good way to do it, and I also liked it later when Elrond narrated that little flash-forward to what her life would be after Aragorn's death. Otherwise, I think they handled a good idea (giving Arwen more of a presence) badly.

However, off the top of my head, I can't think of any holes (you will pardon the expression) in the plot of the Hobbit that the screenwriters would be so mightily tempted to fill in -- except what Gandalf and the White Council were up to with the Neuromancer while Bilbo and the Dwarves were having their problems elsewhere, but this is something I would love to see, if they did it well.

Oh ... and they could do a flashback to Gandalf's previous trip to Dol Gulder, where he got the map from Thrain. I'd like to see that, too.

I've always been curious about those two episodes.

[Dean F. Wilson]

I agree wholeheartedly with you, Teresa. I found a lot of Arwen's scenes in the films somewhat cringeworthy, but others do work (like those you mentioned above). I tend to "switch off" when I see Liv Tyler though

I'm also really interested in seeing what happens with the Necromancer and the White Council. I think they could do this really well. It was kind of "tacked on" at the end of The Hobbit, and feels like an excuse to get rid of the powerful Gandalf so Bilbo can be the hero, so developing these scenes (especially in light of LOTR) would be wonderful to see.

I could imagine the whole second film revolving around the Necromancer (perhaps that may be the film title?), with Gandalf's first trip early on, the Council, etc., and ending with the attack (as a final battle, mirroring the end battle of The Hobbit). I'm just wondering if they'll have any rights issues with taking any material from Unfinished Tales, etc., since they don't have film rights for those books.

Hopefully we'll be getting video updates as the project progresses.

-D

[Majimaune]

Originally Posted by TK-421

X-Mas has come a week early folks!

Now, if Ian McKellan could only play Gandalf (a role he has said in past interviews he would like to play again).

I see no reason why he wouldn't. My question is who will be Bilbo?

[TK-421]

I hope it is Ian Holm. He was a good Bilbo. A little makup and he's a young Bilbo again.

[Majimaune]

And some strings. He had strings pulling his face back in the little part he played young Bilbo.

[Steve S]

I imagine Bilbo will be recast (and the prologue for the Fellowship of the Ring will be 'tweaked' for some future edition of the film!) and I had seen gossip that Martin Freeman was being considered. Interesting choice but probably just baseless rumours and I'd be surprised if any decisions had been yet; they need a director first!

[Dean F. Wilson]

Martin Freeman has the right look, and is a good actor (and I believe he could play a young Ian Holm/Bilbo quite well). The thing is, however, they might get a complete unknown.

More recently, Ian McKellen said he'd replay Gandalf. Woohoo!

-D

[Majimaune]

Good good. Sir Ian Sir, Ian, Sir Ian. I am Gandalf you shall not pass. Sir Ian, Sir Ian, Sir Ian.

[Wiglaf]

In retrospect, the 1977 version was overly short but, two movies? One slightly longish one should do it. I'm sure Beorn will be cut, so unless they add a ton of back story, what will the added material be.
Will they do a scene of Bilbo's version of chapter 5? So we will know that he lied?

[Majimaune]

Originally Posted by Wiglaf

In retrospect, the 1977 version was overly short but, two movies? One slightly longish one should do it. I'm sure Beorn will be cut, so unless they add a ton of back story, what will the added material be.
Will they do a scene of Bilbo's version of chapter 5? So we will know that he lied?

Thats an interesting thought. I think that they will do the non-lie and he will tell the lie, as in the book.

[Dean F. Wilson]

As far as I'm aware, the first film will tell the story of the Hobbit, while the second will link it up to LOTR (including scenes from the White Council, attacking the Necromancer, etc.). Remember how Gandalf basically says "I did this stuff" at the end of the Hobbit? The stuff he said he did would most likely make up the bulk of the second film. Indeed, it may be called The Necromancer.

Oh, and something you guys might be interested in:

Guillermo del Toro will direct both. The contract isn't signed yet, but it's 99% certain, and should be officially announced from PJ's party soon.

-D

[Hilarious Joke]

I still think its fascinating how the ring was such an innocent little thing that made you go invisible and that was found by chance in The Hobbit, but in LOTR it became the be-all and end-all.

Anyone else find that interesting, or is it just I?

[Overread]

hmm - there is more to it in the Hobbit - but at that time the Dark lord was not fully prepard to return to power - so he and the ring were lying low. Once he came to power and made this known to the world, the ring started to wake up as well and affect its barer

[Hilarious Joke]

I'm a little disappointed that there aren't any really good books written using another author's world, such as Middle Earth. Oh wait, except for Dragonlance. I really like that.

[n25an]

personally, I cann't wait for the movie... hobbit... I saw the dragonlance movie and I am itching for it to be told with as much flair as lord of the rings... peter jackson would do well to tackle the dragonlance series... he has the room to work and he definitely has the chops...