[grimtales1]

I thought King Kong was very good and spectacular to look at - overlong though, I mean did it really need to be 3 hours long?!

[You_mo]

I wonder if they'll do the Hobbit they way Tolkien meant it to be? As a story written and narrated by Bilbo based on his adventure rather than just show the adventure.

[Assa2]

Originally Posted by CJWALKER

You obviously dont understand the process of film making!

You CANNOT end a 12 hour trilogy, something which spanned 3 years by having the main characters coming home to even more heartache!

Weve HAD the war, weve HAD the death and despair, a Movie like this needs a happy ending!

How would I as a movie goer have felt if when Frodo returned to the shire it had been destroyed!

The very thing he'd been fighting to protect! It would have been an utterly depressing end and made the entire journey feel pointless!

I'd respectfully suggest you sit down and watch the films again, because in essence that's exactly what happens for Frodo. I know what you are trying to say, and I agree. But that's what makes the films so excellent, so near to perfect as is humanly possible. Acurrately respresenting what happens in the books at the end would have been a huge mistake. You cannot bring the events to a massive crescendo and conclusion only to then embark on a new and ultimately worthless adventure when the 4 hobbits return home and find the Shire destroyed. It just about works in the books as a way to demonstrate how the hobbits have changed aftet their adventures and as a metaphor for the evils of industrialisation. In the films it would have failed. But what the end of the films do show is that through saving Middle Earth Frodo has changed so much that The Shire no longer exists for him, in that The Shire is a metaphor for innocence and youth and Frodo has grown up. Frodo knowingly sacrificed himself in body and mind to destroy the ring and in so doing sacrificed a part of himself. When you watch the films back you can see that process happening and see Frodo is aware of that from quite early on.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings. As a fan of the LotR books and all things Tolkien and a fan of films I can safely say that the films were a worthy respresentation of the books in film form and were among the greatest films ever made. The Hobbit will be every bit as good but very different in fell and look and I for one cannot wait.

[performingmonk]

Originally Posted by You_mo

I wonder if they'll do the Hobbit they way Tolkien meant it to be? As a story written and narrated by Bilbo based on his adventure rather than just show the adventure.

Considering Elijah Wood is in this, as well as rumours of Ian Holm, I think we are going to see the story being told by Bilbo to Frodo, or maybe even by Frodo.

I think I would prefer it if we didn't see Frodo, only heard his voice. I mean, how could they explain him looking 10 years older than what he did in LOTR?? The same goes for other supposed cameos like Orlando Bloom and Christopher Lee. They can't get away from the fact that they look 10 years older.

[Assa2]

Originally Posted by performingmonk

Considering Elijah Wood is in this, as well as rumours of Ian Holm, I think we are going to see the story being told by Bilbo to Frodo, or maybe even by Frodo.

I think I would prefer it if we didn't see Frodo, only heard his voice. I mean, how could they explain him looking 10 years older than what he did in LOTR?? The same goes for other supposed cameos like Orlando Bloom and Christopher Lee. They can't get away from the fact that they look 10 years older.

But Sir Ian McKellan will be OK? Film make-up is a wonderful thing an all of the cast will look the right age.

[brangdon]

Originally Posted by CJWALKER

Weve HAD the war, weve HAD the death and despair, a Movie like this needs a happy ending!

That's the kind of stereo-typical hollywood thinking that marrs these films, in my opinion. It's similar their their introducing the warg attack in the second film, because they think Aragorn needs to be put in jeopardy. It's formulaic.

And the book does have a happy ending, of a sort. And the film's ending seemed interminable, so really wasn't that great.

[Conall Cearnach]

I'm another one in two minds over Jackson directing this. On the plus side we know that this will give a consistent look to Middle Earth and I think that was one of the things he got right with the LoTR movies (except the wargs and one or two little things).

What I didn't like were the changes made to some of the characters like Faramir and Theoden to name but two. These went from being great captains and men of action to being extremely wishywashy. I hope something similar doesn't occur with Thorin. Other changes like those made in The Two Towers spoiled that movie for me. That warg attack scene was completely pointless. Also the Elves at Helm's Deep. They were only added in so that Liv Tyler would have a bigger role in the movie. She was then edited out in post production with some reshoots taking place after the release of Fellowship and the feedback the changes made to her character in that movie was received.

So with Jackson at the helm should we expect to see Arwen at the Battle of the Five Armies? Perhaps Bilbo will be the one to shoot Smaug. Will Gollum follow Bilbo all the way from the Misty Mountains? These are the type of things I dread and I have little faith in Jackson keeping faith with the source material.

[grimtales1]

Originally Posted by You_mo

I wonder if they'll do the Hobbit they way Tolkien meant it to be? As a story written and narrated by Bilbo based on his adventure rather than just show the adventure.

Don't they kind of show him working on the book in LOTR (when Frodo reads the title "There and Back Again - a Hobbit's Tale by Bilbo Baggins")
I thought Tolkien called the book "Over the Hill and Back Again" as a subtitle but maybe wrong
I thought it was kinda funny having Ian Holm play Bilbo in the films BTW, 30 or so years ago, Ian Holm played Frodo, in a BBC radio version of LOTR.

[pazza_73]

For those moaning about Jackson, who would you rather have? Roland CGI Emmerich? James 3D Cameron?

Jackson loved the books and spent a long time getting the screenplay together. Not all elements from a book can be transferred onto the big screen, as it's a different medium and requires some skill to do this. Not everyone was going to like it, but despite the changes, it worked very well, and beautifully shot.

Hence a good reason why the film never materialised in the 50 preceding years since the book was published.

[mialicious]

[quote=CJWALKER;47367106]I am beyond excited that Jackson is directing, its going to feel like a proper sequel![/QUOTE]

you mean a prequel...

i prefered the hobbit book to lotr, im looking forward to it

[Dai13371]

Originally Posted by Iggyman

Can't think what there is to be excited about - Jackson will make a complete hash of The Hobbit, just like he did with the LotR trilogy.

Controversial opinion you have there . I can't see many agreeing with you though but at least you didn't just come out with "they are shite" and leave it at that. Many Tolkien aficionados (I am not one of them, although I consider myself a film buff.....although I have been so left out of the frame regarding cinema now these last few years) consider the films to be fine adaptations. One I know can quote every poem and every song from Tolkien's catalogue and still thinks the films are peerless possibly because he realises you cannot adapt a film from a book without leaving or adding elements which please some and anger others. I am sorry that something which gave me so much pleasure gave you so little.

[Conall Cearnach]

This is why I have my doubts about Jackson directing this project.

http://breakingnews.iol.ie/entertain...le-491107.html

"Irish actress Saoirse Ronan’s casting in ‘The Hobbit’ appears to have been confirmed.

The ‘Lovely Bones’ star has long been linked to the role of elf warrior maiden Itaril in the fantasy prequel and though she has insisted she has not had a formal offer for the movie, the film’s casting director Ros Hubbard says the 16-year-old star has signed on."

He's inventing characters (and presumably events) just to get an extra movie out of this and thereby messing with something that has been so well loved for 75 years.

[NorfolkBoy1]

The problem with all of Tolkein's work is the complete lack of female characters, particularly in The Hobbit, it's no surprise that he'll have to add a female character or two to redress the balance.

Eowyn is the only strong female in the books of LOTR, hence Arwen getting a bit 'beefed up' in the films.

Let's not even start on issues of race in Tolkein's work.

[Jay Seery]

Apparently production on both films has finally started today in New Zealand. Fingers crossed that there are no major hiccups during filming etc, the film's been delayed enough as it is.

I loved what Jackson did with the LotR trilogy (but saying that, I haven't read the books) and am thrilled that he's helming The Hobbit. Sucks that a potential released date is so far off, though!

[Starcaller]

I'm really excited for The Hobbit! I have every faith that Peter Jackson will do a terrific job on it.

[Dai13371]

Originally Posted by grimtales1

I thought King Kong was very good and spectacular to look at - overlong though, I mean did it really need to be 3 hours long?!

Really wish PJ did what no other director has done and shown how the hell they got KK onto the freighter.

[Pinkvelvet]

I actually don't mind if they change The Hobbit slightly to make the films better. I was totally against the changes in LOTr but the thought of 2 more films set in Middle Earth outweighs any concerns over changes of material.

[leosw4]

Yes I am very excited.

Whilts a prequel (of sorts) this is a stand alone story and I cant for wait to see Smaug the Dragon in all his glory.

The fact that where going to see Gandalf, Gollum and the rest on the big screen again is fantastic.

[Conall Cearnach]

Originally Posted by leosw4

Yes I am very excited.

Whilts a prequel (of sorts) this is a stand alone story and I cant for wait to see Smaug the Dragon in all his glory.

The fact that where going to see Gandalf, Gollum and the rest on the big screen again is fantastic.

Yes it will look spectacular that's one thing no one can disagree with. I'm looking forward to seeing Smaug the Magnificent in all his glory too. I don't think I've ever seen a dragon in a movie that I really like. The Dragonslayer one was pretty good for its time though.

[Ben Etchells]

Which characters will be returning? I'd like to see more Merry & Pippin (but i doubt it)

[Conall Cearnach]

Originally Posted by Ben Etchells

Which characters will be returning? I'd like to see more Merry & Pippin (but i doubt it)

They're not born yet during the events in the Hobbit which take place 80 or so years before the main action in LOTR. Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond, Glóin (Gimli's dad), and of course Gollum all pop up. There's a possibility we might see Saruman, Galadriel and Celeborn as they got up to stuff that is talked about but not seen in the book. We should also see the stone trolls and how they ended up that way. There's a big battle scene with several hundred elves involved so maybe Legolas might pop up there.

[Jay Seery]

Originally Posted by Conall Cearnach

They're not born yet during the events in the Hobbit which take place 80 or so years before the main action in LOTR. Bilbo, Gandalf, Elrond, Glóin (Gimli's dad), and of course Gollum all pop up. There's a possibility we might see Saruman, Galadriel and Celeborn as they got up to stuff that is talked about but not seen in the book. We should also see the stone trolls and how they ended up that way. There's a big battle scene with several hundred elves involved so maybe Legolas might pop up there.

Cate Blanchett has been confirmed to reprise her role as Galadriel Am very exited.

I'm curious to see how Elijah Wood's return pans out... the whole 'having Frodo narrate the introduction' idea is just an idea, isn't it?

http://bit.ly/eqR6zp

[Conall Cearnach]

Originally Posted by Jay Seery

Cate Blanchett has been confirmed to reprise her role as Galadriel Am very exited.

I'm curious to see how Elijah Wood's return pans out... the whole 'having Frodo narrate the introduction' idea is just an idea, isn't it?

http://bit.ly/eqR6zp

Maybe he'll be reading from The Red Book to Sam's children. That would be great.

[Virgil Tracy]

Ian Holm should do the narration .

[DarthFader]

I love Lord of the Rings. I play Lord of the Rings Online, so was really looking forward to these films, until I found out one thing about them. The fact they will be in 3d. I think the films would have been fabulous without the gimic of 3d. Just my humble opinion of course and hope to be prooved wrong.

PJ