THIS IS THE BEST NEWS... I'M VERY EXCITED!!!!!! :taz
PETER JACKSON AND NEW LINE CINEMA JOIN WITH MGM TO PRODUCE "THE HOBBIT"
December 18th, 2007 by xoanon | Discuss
December 18, 2007
ACADEMY AWARD-WINNER PETER JACKSON AND NEW LINE CINEMA JOIN WITH MGM TO PRODUCE "THE HOBBIT," EAGERLY-ANTICIPATED FANTASY ADVENTURE EPIC
NEW LINE AND MGM TO CO-PRODUCE AND SHARE WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS
PETER JACKSON AND FRAN WALSH TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE TWO FILMS BASED ON "THE HOBBIT"
Los Angeles, CA (Tuesday, December 18, 2007) Academy Award-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson; Harry Sloan, Chairman and CEO, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM); Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs of New Line Cinema have jointly announced today that they have entered into the following series of agreements:
* MGM and New Line will co-finance and co-distribute two films, "The Hobbit" and a sequel to "The Hobbit." New Line will distribute in North America and MGM will distribute internationally.
* Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh will serve as Executive Producers of two films based on "The Hobbit." New Line will manage the production of the films, which will be shot simultaneously.
* Peter Jackson and New Line have settled all litigation relating to the "Lord of the Rings" (LOTR) Trilogy.
Said Peter Jackson, "I'm very pleased that we've been able to put our differences behind us, so that we may begin a new chapter with our old friends at New Line. 'The Lord of the Rings' is a legacy we proudly share with Bob and Michael, and together, we share that legacy with millions of loyal fans all over the world. We are delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth. I also want to thank Harry Sloan and our new friends at MGM for helping us find the common ground necessary to continue that journey."
"Peter Jackson has proven himself as the filmmaker who can bring the extraordinary imagination of Tolkien to life and we full heartedly agree with the fans worldwide who know he should be making 'The Hobbit,'" said Sloan, MGM's Chairman and CEO. "Now that we are all in agreement on 'The Hobbit,' we can focus on assembling the production team that will capture this phenomenal tale on film."
Bob Shaye, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO comments, "We are very pleased we have been able to resolve our differences, and that Peter and Fran will be actively and creatively involved with 'The Hobbit' movies. We know they will bring the same passion, care and talent to these films that they so ably accomplished with 'The Lord of the Rings' Trilogy."
"Peter is a visionary filmmaker, and he broke new ground with 'The Lord of the Rings,'" notes Michael Lynne, New Line Co-Chairman and Co-CEO. "We're delighted he's back for 'The Hobbit' films and that the Tolkien saga will continue with his imprint. We greatly appreciate the efforts of Harry Sloan, who has been instrumental in helping us reach our new accord."
The two "Hobbit" films – "The Hobbit" and its sequel – are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, with pre-production beginning as soon as possible. Principal photography is tentatively set for a 2009 start, with the intention of "The Hobbit" release slated for 2010 and its sequel the following year, in 2011.
The Oscar-winning, critically-acclaimed LOTR Trilogy grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box-office. In 2003, "Return of the King" swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the eleven categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The Trilogy's production was also unprecedented at the time.
For more information about "The Hobbit" films, please visit www.TheHobbitBlog.com.
AWESOME!!!! I wonder if it is going to be 2 films covering the Hobbit as I am unaware of any sequel.
yes it's going to be two films covering the Hobbit. PJ has always said this book needed to be two films.
Question is does Ian Holm reprise his role as Bilbo?
I would say no.. he's too old for the role. I know when they did the flashback in LOTR of Bilbo finding the ring they pulled his face back with tape to make him look younger.
SWEEEEEET WOOOOOOT, I had always predicted that Peter would have his hand into the "real" version of the Hobbit and it came true!! However, I have my doubts that Ian will do it. Although to be honest, I think I would rather see a different hobbit. Maybe thats just me. Lets hope to a good movie.
King Linksr
We don't need to hope for a good movie.. PJ is behind it 100% it's going to be AWESOME!!!
I agree, Ian is a little long in the tooth.
Oh, this is GREAT news! I'm sooooo happy!
Great, great news. I'm not surprised at all. New Line needs to refill it's bank account after some recent misses. I never understood though why they think this needs to be two films? The book is fairly short and they could certainly do it in one movie. But PJ did great with LOTR so I trust him on this.
Well you know PJ likes he battle scenes.. and there are a few good ones in The Hobbit, they can go on for quite a while. :)
Quote from: StarTrekFanatic5 on December 18, 2007, 10:06:15 AM
Well you know PJ likes he battle scenes.. and there are a few good ones in The Hobbit, they can go one for quite a while. :)
lol too true.
King Linksr
I think the Hobbitt could easily be two more traditional legnth films as opposed to the 3x 3hour regular edition juggernauts of LOTR.
I agree Bryan... a good solid 4 and a half to five hour story.
Not that I'm opposed to the 3 + hours of the LOTR movies.. I could have sat there forever watching those beautiful movies.
Indeed, I even prefer the extended editions for what, almost 11 hours of LOTR goodness?!
Really one reason for two movies. More money will be made!
That's true for the studios.. but like I have said.. Peter Jackson always said he felt the book could be made into two movies... More Hobbity goodness :)
I'm not a big fantasy fan, but this news has me excited! Tolkien's books were a big part of my life growing up; they (along with C.S. Lewis' Narnia books) helped get me hooked on reading! Really looking forward to the films! :orc
Quote from: Rico on December 18, 2007, 10:55:28 AM
Really one reason for two movies. More money will be made!
Maybe they could spend more time on the story and not have to cut things.
AWESOME NEWS!!
My wife will be happy. We love to sit and watch the majesty that is the LOTR films. As a matter of fact I think it may be time for another weekend marathon soon.
Hopefully the other Ian will reprise his role though. It would be great to see Sir Ian McKellan back as Gandalf.
Yes it would be great to see McKellan back as Gandalf.. and he has always said that if PJ did it he would be back... let's see if he keeps his word.
I wonder if Jackson will find a way to incorporate any of the songs or music from the Rankin Bass animated Hobbit movie from the 70's? :laugh: The songs were kind of cheesy, but I have to admit to having a bit of nostalgic fondness for some of them.
"The greatest adventure
is what lies ahead...
Today and tomorrow
Are yet to be said..." LOL
That is cool news for sure. Will Peter Jackson also direct, I only read that he was involved as executive Producer, I hope he will direct this as well.
I'm really glad that Peter Jackson is going to be on this project but I have to disagree that there is two movies worth of material here unless each film will be less than two hours long this time. I also would be concerned that liberties will be taken in the story to justify another film. It always comes down to milking the ol' cash cow for more money. Very sad!
Kevin
This is very cool. I read LOTR after having read The Hobbit in high school. This is the best news in a long time.
Wraith, there's one song I remember from that old LOTR movie:
Where there's a whip, there is a wayIt's cheesy but funny :laugh:
Quote from: PepperDude on December 18, 2007, 09:41:30 PM
This is very cool. I read LOTR after having read The Hobbit in high school. This is the best news in a long time.
Wraith, there's one song I remember from that old LOTR movie:
Where there's a whip, there is a way
It's cheesy but funny :laugh:
Wow, I'm going to have to watch that movie now. Looks quite interesting.
King Linksr
I'm not sure if you guys have already discussed this, or whether it's accurate or not but I heard on the news today that Jackson is doing two Hobbit films. One based on Tolkien's story the other will be made up to bridge the gap between LOTR and Hobbit.
Quote from: Jen on December 19, 2007, 12:12:54 PM
I'm not sure if you guys have already discussed this, or whether it's accurate or not but I heard on the news today that Jackson is doing two Hobbit films. One based on Tolkien's story the other will be made up to bridge the gap between LOTR and Hobbit.
I haven't heard that.. I'll see if I can find more info about it.
Yeah but what happened between the 2 that would be interesting enough to base a film on? Is there any Tolkien work on that "era"?
Well, it could be based loosely on how Frodo came to live with Bilbo. I don't think that's been really explored.
Looks like Peter Jackson will not be directing
Peter Jackson has agreed to make two 'Lord of the Rings' prequels based on 'The Hobbit' after settling a legal dispute with film company New Line Cinema.
(BANG) -
Peter Jackson will make two prequels to 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy based on 'The Hobbit'.
The director and his wife Fran Walsh have agreed to be executive producers on the big screen adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy book after settling a legal dispute with film company New Line Cinema over the profits from the Oscar-winning franchise.
Jackson said: "I'm very pleased we have been able to put our differences behind us. We're delighted to continue our journey through Middle Earth."
Jackson will not direct the films, claiming he could not meet the planned release dates of 2010 and 2011.
Harry Sloan, chairman of MGM, who will co-finance the films, said: "Peter can't get it scheduled and he doesn't want the fans to have to wait for the next two movies."
Excited moviegoers greeted the news with delight, with one user of fan site theonering.com exclaiming: "Fist in the air! Yes! Trust Peter, The Master, The Commander, The Wizard!"
'The Hobbit' tells of a world inhabited by wizards, dwarves, elves and little people called hobbits, including the central character, Bilbo Baggins.
Cast members from Jackson's 'The Lord of the Rings' films, including Sir Ian McKellen who played wizard Gandalf and Sir Ian Holm who portrayed Bilbo, are expected to reprise their roles.
'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy - 'The Fellowship of the Ring', 'The Two Towers' and 'The Return of the King' - was hugely successful, taking in a massive $3 billion at the box office.
(C) BANG Media International
Elijah Wood Wants To Go Back Again To 'The Hobbit'
Published by Shawn Adler on Friday, January 11, 2008 at 3:10 pm.
Attention Cate Blanchett, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, and Sean Astin: You've gone "There." Now get ready to go "Back Again" - at least according to Elijah Wood's conversations with "Hobbit" maestro Peter Jackson.
"I haven't spoken to him directly about it [but] I've e-mailed him, and as far as I know the two films that they're doing, one will be 'The Hobbit' and another will take place between the 60 years that happened between 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings,'" the once and future Frodo enthused to MTV News, possibly confirming rumors that the second planned film would not be a Part II, but instead a narrative bridge.
Which means plenty of opportunities for all the stars of "LOTR" to reprise their famous characters in some capacity. None more so, perhaps, than Wood himself, who would arguably be a central figure along with Gandalf, Aragorn, Galadriel, and Gollum in any connecting story.
For his part, Wood, who next stars as a conscripted citizen in "Day Zero," is positively thrilled at the possibility.
"If I'm asked to go back and revisit that character and it makes sense, I would love to. I would absolutely love to," he said.
True, hard-core Tolkien aficionados could tell you that not much is known about Frodo in the intervening years between "The Hobbit" and "LOTR," excepting, of course, his parents' deaths and some conversations and journeys with Bilbo which are alluded to in the later legendarium.
That makes it all the more a guarantee that Wood would return, he declared.
"Nothing was really written with Frodo involved in it. That was sort of an ancillary tale outside of 'Lord of the Rings.' I can't imagine that they [Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens] would write great reams of information regarding my character," he said of necessary invention outside of Tolkien's established canon. "But if he [Frodo] should show up, it would actually be the perfect way to revisit because it could be small enough that I could go back and have a nice sort of reunion with the memories that I have of the experience."
As an actor, Wood is excited about the possibility of returning with Jackson to the world of Middle-earth. But he's even more excited, he said, as a fan.
"It's a great triumph [that Peter is involved.] I think that's really important that the same team that worked on the [earlier] films [work on "The Hobbit"], the same effects team, that it be shot in New Zealand. I think that it's important that Ian McKellen is cast as Gandalf, just so that there's a synergy between the films," he insisted. "I think people want it to exist in the same world. So at least now we are assured that it will be done through that same lens, which is great. It's exciting."
I don't like this idea of doing a Hobbit movie outside the known cannon. Tolkien would absolutely turn over in his grave and I can't believe the family would even allow it. I guess the "love of money" truly is the root of all evil!
Kevin
Yeah I agree Kevin.. but I have heard they will be pulling stuff from the LOTR appendices and Tolkien notes... I trust Peter Jackson and company... they wouldn't do it unless they had some good plans..
Well, I cannot say I absolutely trust Peter Jackson. I think he made three fine films and his last film )King Kong) was a gigantic flop!(no pun intended). I want to see the Hobbit released and I have high hopes. I just think that milking the franchise for two films comes down to one word...GREED!
I mean what is there in the appendices that could provide enough material for a movie? Can you think of anything? Not even the Similrillion has enough substance to base a movie on.
Kevin
Well I still hope the two movies will encompass just The Hobbit.. I still think there is enough material to cover two movies. Honestly I don't think there is much in the appendices that take place in between Hobbit and LOTR. I think everything is hear say at the moment..
Honestly I don't see how you can make the Hobbit into two movies. I mean LOTR was really condensed and still gave the essence of the books but to make the Hobbit into two films will really be stretching credibility IMO. I really despise Hollywood's greed and corruption and I just wish there was a viable alternative for entertainment and at this time there is not.
Kevin
Although I do think they could make 2 normal length feature films out of the content of The Hobbit very easily, I am of two minds regarding one film of The Hobbit and another with new story content. Although I adore Tolkien's work, that doesn't mean that new stories can't be added if they are well done. I think Brian herbert wrote some very good books for the whole pre-Dune series that don't take away from his fathers original tales. My concern would be any adventures os Sam, Frodo, and Gandalf prior to LOTR really changes the nature of those characters as they enter LOTR. How different would they all have been not so innocent and pure before embarking on the ring quest?
Del Toro Considering Hobbit Films
Guillermo del Toro is in talks to direct back-to-back installments of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Del Toro's name was on a short list of directors who could tackle the highly anticipated project, the trade paper said.
Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson was originally set to direct the prequel films, but he departed the project following a legal dispute with New Line and the project was put on hold. But with the resolution of the lawsuit in December, The Hobbit is now back on track, with Jackson on board as an executive producer.
Because of the strike, no writer has been hired to adapt Tolkien's children's classic, though that process will be fast-tracked once it's resolved. Del Toro and Jackson will oversee the development of the script.
Principal photography for the two films, which will be shot simultaneously, is tentatively set for 2009. The production budget is estimated at $150 million for each installment. The release of the first film is slated for 2010 and the second in 2011.
Now this movie may not happen... read below
New Line's Legal Troubles Far From Over
After New Line and Peter Jackson kissed and made up the studio figured their legal troubles over "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy was finally over. Nothing could have been further from the truth.
It now appears that the Tolkien Trust, the English charity that overseas the estate of J.R.R. Tolkien, and book publisher HarperCollins have brought a $150 million lawsuit against New Line Cinema. The suit makes the claim that the trust did not receive any of its gross profit payments for the three films based on Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings. The law suit was filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, according to Variety.
The suit also seeks punitive damages, and a legal declaration from the bench that the plaintiffs can terminate any further rights New Line may have to the Tolkien works under the agreements — including "The Hobbit." Now we understand what director Guillermo del Toro was referring to in his cryptic message stating that there may or may not be a feature film made of "The Hobbit." We made known del Toro's statement about his possibility, or lack thereof, of directing this next Tolkien prequel.
New Line has declined to comment on the suit at this time.
These people just don't want to make millions of more dollars I guess. Sheesh!
Del Toro Talks "The Hobbit" Status
By Garth FranklinWednesday, March 19th 2008 12:08am
There was a lot of excitement back in January when it was announced that New Line Cinema was moving forward with plans for two films based on J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit" which Peter Jackson would produce and Guillermo del Toro ("Pan's Labyrinth," "Hellboy") was the favorite to direct.
Then of course the Tolkien Estate filed a lawsuit against New Line Cinema, whilst New Line found itself being folded back into its parent company Time Warner. That left many asking what would happen to the films and are they still going ahead?
del Toro himself spoke with TheOneRing.net about that today - "At this stage anything I say is of no consequence for I am not yet signed to do "The Hobbit." Negotiations advance but are still ongoing."
Despite the legal issues to be sorted, word is that Warners is very keen to move forward with these films. del Toro himself is taking the job very seriously - "All I can say is that I am diligently going through all Tolkien material related to Middle-earth but only as a way of bridging a gap in my reading. I still respond the strongest to 'The Hobbit,' but as an avid reader of Mythology I find a lot of his other writings fascinating. A perfect Cosmology forged from very eclectic sources."
McKellen Eager To Join Hobbit
Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf the wizard in the three Lord of the Rings movies, posted on his personal blog that he is interested in reprising the role in the Peter Jackson-produced Hobbit movies now in development.
"Yes, I will [do them], if Peter Jackson and I have anything to do with it, he being the producer and me being, on the whole, a very lucky actor," McKellen wrote on March 26.
Jackson is producing two Hobbit films, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's book, and is expected to adapt the book with his Lord of the Rings partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.
"Encouragingly, Peter and Fran Walsh have told me they couldn't imagine The Hobbit without their original Gandalf," McKellen said. "Their confidence hasn't yet been confirmed by the director, Guillermo del Toro, but I am keeping my diary free for 2009!"
Del Toro is reportedly still in talks about directing The Hobbit.
Yeah! I loved Mckellen's performance as Gandalf. I hope they do ask him to play the part. :)
Good, keep him. We already know what a disaster it is to get new wizards in the same type of movie.
*cough* HARRY POTTER *cough*
King
Huh.. Personally I thought the actor who took over Dumbledore's role did a great job.
Quote from: Jen on March 26, 2008, 04:56:57 PM
Huh.. Personally I thought the actor who took over Dumbledore's role did a great job.
I have issues with the new one because he does a lot of "un-dumbledore" like things in the movies. Also, as my mom has said, he lacks presence like the previous one did.
King
Since this is a Hobbit thread, I won't go into detail, as I don't want to hi-jack the topic, but I firmly disagree.
As for the Hobbit... I really hope they can woo the man who played Bilbo in the original... or someone who looks very much like him.
Quote from: Jen on March 26, 2008, 06:28:35 PM
Since this is a Hobbit thread, I won't go into detail, as I don't want to hi-jack the topic, but I firmly disagree.
As for the Hobbit... I really hope they can woo the man who played Bilbo in the original... or someone who looks very much like him.
Yeah, thats why I was keeping my opinions short.
As for Bilbo, the old actor for him would be fine, but isn't he a tad old for the part? I mean, hobbit is about a young Bilbo. idk, just a thought.
King
"or someone who looks like him" ;)
Quote from: Kinglinksr on March 26, 2008, 06:34:23 PM
Quote from: Jen on March 26, 2008, 06:28:35 PM
Since this is a Hobbit thread, I won't go into detail, as I don't want to hi-jack the topic, but I firmly disagree.
As for the Hobbit... I really hope they can woo the man who played Bilbo in the original... or someone who looks very much like him.
Yeah, thats why I was keeping my opinions short.
As for Bilbo, the old actor for him would be fine, but isn't he a tad old for the part? I mean, hobbit is about a young Bilbo. idk, just a thought.
King
That would be Ian Holm, who was also "Ash" in ALIEN, the Priest in The Fifth Element..... What kind of geek are you? ;)
He could very well play Bilbo as Bilbo "hardly aged at all..." in the time between The Hobbit and LOTR. Don't you even know these stories! ;)
Obviously not as big a geek as you are. :D
I bow to your superior geekness. ;)
Quote from: Bryancd on March 26, 2008, 06:45:04 PM
Quote from: Kinglinksr on March 26, 2008, 06:34:23 PM
Quote from: Jen on March 26, 2008, 06:28:35 PM
Since this is a Hobbit thread, I won't go into detail, as I don't want to hi-jack the topic, but I firmly disagree.
As for the Hobbit... I really hope they can woo the man who played Bilbo in the original... or someone who looks very much like him.
Yeah, thats why I was keeping my opinions short.
As for Bilbo, the old actor for him would be fine, but isn't he a tad old for the part? I mean, hobbit is about a young Bilbo. idk, just a thought.
King
That would be Ian Holm, who was also "Ash" in ALIEN, the Priest in The Fifth Element..... What kind of geek are you? ;)
He could very well play Bilbo as Bilbo "hardly aged at all..." in the time between The Hobbit and LOTR. Don't you even know these stories! ;)
Ok, ok, you got me. I feel slapped.
King
Ian is too old to play Bilbo in the Hobbit.. they used tape to pull back his face in the flashbacks in LOTR's and he said it was very uncomfortable. So I don't think he would be up for doing it during the entire two movies. But never say never.. I think recasting Bilbo is fine.. but Gandalf has to be played by Mckellen.
I'm sure it won't be Ian Holm for most of Bilbo in the Hobbit. They might use him a little, but I'm sure a younger actor can be found to play Bilbo for most of his adventuring in this film.
Yeah, I agree, I was just teasing King. They certainly can recast all the Hobbit roles and keep McKellen as Gandalf. As far as Peter Jackson is concerned, I thought "King Kong" was weak, but he definately has a deep appreciation for Tolkien and is the only Director out there who could pull this off properly.
Quote from: Bryancd on March 27, 2008, 05:16:50 AMAs far as Peter Jackson is concerned, I thought "King Kong" was weak, but he definately has a deep appreciation for Tolkien and is the only Director out there who could pull this off properly.
Well I wish Jackson was directing this.. he's only producing which is still good. As long as Jackson has some hand in the production part of it, it's bound to be an awesome film.
Del Toro Talks Hobbit
Director Guillermo del Toro told fans that there has been "a lot of movement" in talks to bring him on board to direct the Peter Jackson-produced two-part The Hobbit movie, but that nothing is firm yet.
Writing on the official bulleting board for del Toro's upcoming sequel film Hellboy II: The Golden Army, del Toro said: "Whew. Not yet. But there has been a lot of movement. And for the last few weeks there has been a lot of creative/cast/crew/visual talks and agreements, and we have witnessed great progress in areas that I cannot disclose or that have already leaked from other sources."
Del Toro added: "I am dying to share news, but I have to be patient and wait until the papers are done and my attachment is real. Nevertheless, a lot of progress in defining the films, their cast and crew. And, may I add, we are all happily in synch about all creative aspects so far and all willing and eager to move forth."
Del Toro also promised more news about Hellboy II in the next couple of weeks, as well as something at Comic-Con International in San Diego in July.
Sounds promising. I am crossing my fingers because this sounds like a great project.
I too wish Jackson was directing, the rings films were ground breaking. I come from Birmingham in England where Tolkien got many of his idea's for his book. So for me i really hope this new film stays up to the high standards of Jacksons. Anyone interested in Birmingham and Tolkien click this link.
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/tolkien.bcc
hope i haven't strayed too far from the feed.
Del Toro Hobbit News Imminent?
Director Guillermo del Toro told fans at New York Comic Con that the announcement may come as early as this week that he will be helming the Peter Jackson-produced Hobbit movies. Or not.
"It's my personal belief that in the next four of five days ... we will know if we were able to conclude every legal thing that is pending for me to be able to do it or not," del Toro said on April 19 in a panel to promote his upcoming fantasy sequel Hellboy II: The Golden Army.
Del Toro added: "I can assure you that very soon we will know, and that's all I can say about that. Because, frankly, you wake up to a lawsuit of the week. I hope I get to do it."
In answer to another query, about his long-delayed pet project, a film adaptation of H.P. Lovecraft's At the Mountains of Madness, del Toro said: "Unfortunately, I keep saying this, they don't finance it. That movie I can't finance out of pocket, which I do when I can, because it's huge to create that city and world."
The Hobbit is envisioned as two films, with the first to come out in 2010. Hellboy II: The Golden Army opens in theaters July 11. --Tara Bennett
Whoo Hoo.. if Jackson isn't directing I think this is the second best person.
Guillermo del Toro will direct Hobbit
After months of rumors, speculation and conflicting reports, it's finally official: Guillermo del Toro will direct The Hobbit and its sequel for New Line and MGM.
The announcement came Thursday afternoon jointly from exec producers Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, New Line president Toby Emmerich, and Mary Parent, newly named chief of MGM's Worldwide Motion Picture Group reports Variety.
New Line is overseeing development and will manage production. Both films are being co-produced and co-financed by New Line Cinema and MGM, with Warner Bros. distributing domestically and MGM handling international.
Del Torro will move to New Zealand to film The Hobbit and its sequel. The films are expected to cover the 60 years leading up to the start of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The films will be filmed back to back.
While a script isn't yet finalized, it's expected the writing team of Jackson, Walsh and Philippa Boyens who worked on the adaption of the Lord of the Rings novels will collaborate with del Toro for these two films. Filming could begin as early as next year with a target date of 2011 and 2012 for the two films to be in theaters.
I'm sure these will be great, but I feel like I would prefer one three hour movie rather than splitting it up over two years and two films. I mean I can hardly stand waiting a week until the next BSG, waiting a whole year to conclude a movie is too much for me. I've always felt that cliffhanger endings for major motion pictures are cheap shots.
Well rumor has it that the first movie will be the Hobbit novel so the story will be complete.. the next movie is what happens in the 60 years between The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings... I don't think there is anything written about that time in Middle Earth.
Guillermo del Toro Chats with TORN About 'The Hobbit' Films!
April 25th, 2008 by xoanon | Discuss
Guillermo Del Toro 2In an exclusive interview with TheOneRing.net, Guillermo del Toro talks about Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, Howard Shore, Animatronics vs CGI, the 'tone' of the upcoming 'Hobbit' films and much more!
We had the opportunity to chat with Guillermo del Toro this morning from his current HQ in London. He's hard at work putting the finishing touches on 'Hellboy II: The Golden Army' and taking interviews from news outlets about that film, and the recent announcement that he'll be doing 'The Hobbit' and a subsequent Hobbit sequel down the line.
First things first, YES, that is him on our message boards, he told me he intends to post there as often as he humanly can. And yes, he is as cool and approachable as he sounds. Take a look at my interview!
How did this whole process get started?
GDT: I met Peter (Jackson) a long time ago when we were planning on doing 'Halo' together, I really love how they have that setup in New Zealand, I call it 'Hollywood the way God intended it'. New Zealand has all the technical advantages when doing a big movie and you are shooting it in paradise, both in terms of artistic freedom and commitment.
When 'Halo' didn't happen, Peter and I stayed in contact on a regular basis, and last winter I started getting inklings that 'The Hobbit' may come this way, mainly from the studio. The first thing I said was that I would only be interested if Peter was involved and the (New Line Lawsuit) problem gets resolved. When that issue was resolved I got a call from Peter and we chatted, and it started from then, it was my Christmas gift!
Fans are all abuzz about 'The Second Film', can you tell some of your plans for it?
GDT: You know, I traveled to New Zealand just a little while ago, and one of the main reasons for going was to sit down and talk about the second film. 'The Hobbit', the book, is really one self-contained film, so for the second movie we sat down and worked it out. When we did this we got really excited because this second film is not a 'tag on', it's not 'filler', it's an integral part of telling the story of those 50 years of history lost in the narrative. There will be certain things that we will see from the first movie but from a different point of view, but it will feel like a volume, in the 5 volumes of the entire story. It will not feel like a bridge, I've been hearing it called 'a bridge film', it's not, it's an integral chapter of the story, and I think we're all on the same page.
You will be moving down to New Zealand for 4 years, is that right?
GDT: Approximately, my whole family, but the first stages of design and R&D will be done with me going back and fourth from LA and New Zealand because there are a lot of things I need to put to bed before I finally move to New Zealand. I'm going much sooner than my relatives would like!
We will officially be doing a lot of prep on 'The Hobbit' this summer, there is so much to do, its amazing. Just the reforestation of The Shire, re planting all those trees and plants will take months, and we're going to be as exact as possible.
Films like 'Pan's Labyrinth' used a few studio sets to simulate outdoors, will you be doing the same for 'The Hobbit' or will you be making use of New Zealand's wilderness like Peter did?
GDT: I think green screen photography is exactly like CGI, it is a tool, I don't think it should be overused. Things like 'Pan's Labyrinth' and 'The Devil's Backbone' are incredibly dependent on location, we shot on location for more than half the time. Those locations can be enhanced by technology however, both digital and physical. What I would like to avoid is the recreation of the natural environments in CG, I don't like doing that. The movie is essentially a journey movie, I think you need to use locations as much as possible.
You'll be using WETA Digital for the effects?
GDT: Yes, the essential elements for keeping continuity are on track, in the last few weeks I've been chatting with a ton of people via email, phone, and in person from the previous films. People like Andy Serkis, Sir Ian McKellen, Howard Shore, John Howe, Gino Acevedo, Richard Taylor next week I'm meeting Alan Lee. I'm doing this to ensure that whatever we do we keep continuity with the other films, yes it's a world that is slightly more golden at the beginning, a very innocent environment.
What I'm trying to do is keep the elements in place but allow you to feel a progression from 'The Hobbit' until 'The Return of the King'. I believe 'The Hobbit' is a very crucial volume in The Lord of the Rings, it is a narrative that starts out very much in an innocent and golden way. It is permeated from England going through World War One, so there is a loss of innocence and a darker tone as the book and the film progresses. We'll be doing that in the first film, taking you from a time of more purity to a darker reality throughout the film, but I think that is in the spirit of the book. All these guys, Alan Lee, John Howe, these guys are integral for us to map out that progress in the two movies, and allow you to completely blend in to the universe that is already in place. But this will be a progression, it should not feel at the start of the film that this is the same time (as the beginning of 'Fellowship'). 50 years in Shire time, is not the same as 50 years in human time, if you think about how our world has changed in only 7 or 8 years, you can think of it as decades of turmoil, those 50 years in Middle-earth.
Do you have any roles cast?
GDT: Well, I had the most charming meeting with Sir Ian, and all bureaucracy pending, he's on board, as is Andy Serkis. We will continue giving you progress reports as the occur. It is our intention that we will not lose any of the key elements.
What will differ from your films versus Peter's?
The only thing I will be pushing for more in these films that the other three are full animatronics and animatronic creatures enhanced with CGI, as opposed to CGI creatures themselves. We really want to take the state-of-the-art animatronics and take a leap ten years into the future with the technology we will develop for the creatures in the movie. We have every intention to do for animatronics and special effects what the other films did for virtual reality.
Another thing people will notice, at the beginning of the film will be the palette, that will be slightly different, the world will be the same but it will be a more 'golden' world, a more wide-eyed world. But by no means will we depart from the canon, we will take the three previous films as canon. When I become part of a world that I love, such as this, I really come with a lot of enthusiasm and hard work, and we know we are recreating and creating a world that is part of the mythos of millions of people and we will approach it as passionately and respectfully as it needs to be taken.
That sounds great. I can attest to Hobbitown still being intact! It's a tourist destination and I was there 2 years ago! Here is Bag End, the Party Tree and Lake, and the path Gandalf arrives on.
McKellen Returns as Gandalf
Actor Ian McKellen (X-Men) will return to the Shire in his familiar role as the great wizard Gandalf the Gray in the upcoming trilogy of films to be based on J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit."
McKellen, now 68, made the announcement in the latest edition of Empire Magazine.
The last time we saw him in Tolkien's universe was in the "Lord of the Rings" (LOTR) trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson.
For the Hobbit films Jackson will stay out of the center seat, at least for the first one and second one, and famed "Pan's Labyrinth" filmmaker Guillermo del Toro will direct entries one and two. Jackson will act as the film's producer.
"Yes, it's true," McKellen said. "I spoke to Guillermo in the very room that Peter Jackson offered me the part and he confirmed that I would be reprising the role. Obviously, it's not a part that you turn down, I loved playing Gandalf."
"The Hobbit" will enjoy the same gorgeous scenery as the LOTR because all three of the films will also be shot on locations throughout New Zealand.
The shooting schedule is all set for next year with film number one slated for release sometime in 2010 and the second in 2011. All three movies will be filmed back-to-back as was done with the LOTR.
http://www.mania.com/hobbit-enters-preproduction-returning-cast_article_58417.html
About time!
World Excl: Jackson/Del Toro Talk Hobbit
The duo reveal the make-up of both films
We've known for a while that Peter Jackson and Guillermo Del Toro's eagerly-awaited adaptation of the Lord Of The Rings prequel, The Hobbit, would comprise two movies, due in December 2011 and 2012. But the make-up of those two movies has been up for debate... until now.
We spoke exclusively to both Del Toro and Jackson for our birthday issue, and they told us the latest, which is...
"We've decided to have The Hobbit span the two movies, including the White Council and the comings and goings of Gandalf to Dol Guldur," says Del Toro.
"We decided it would be a mistake to try to cram everything into one movie," adds Jackson. "The essential brief was to do The Hobbit, and it allows us to make The Hobbit in a little more style, if you like, of the [LOTR] trilogy."
So there you go. The second film will not, as had previously been suggested, a film that will bridge the 60-year gap between The Hobbit and the start of Fellowship Of The Ring.
So looking forward to this, he's a great director and i'm so happy that Sir ian is on board and of course the great Andy Serkis as well. Top stuff.
Hugo Weaving to Return for The Hobbit
Source: TheOneRing.net
June 12, 2009
Guillermo del Toro has confirmed in a chat with BBC Radio 5's Simon Mayo (at the 02:10:55 mark) that Hugo Weaving will reunite with Andy Serkis and Ian McKellen in The Hobbit.
Del Toro says the trio will return "...as the roles they originated in the trilogy." Weaving of course played Elrond in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
The first of the two films is scheduled to be released in December of 2011 followed by the second in December of 2012.
Time for ANOMALY to do the rings trilogy day. May do that myself. Andy Serkis is coming back as well.
This doesn't sound good.
DeadlineHollywood is reporting that MGM held a very long conference call with bondholders/lenders that caused lots of people to become "very loud and very upset." It turns out MGM is on the verge of bankruptcy.
The story, which is being heavily covered, says MGM is $3.5 billion in debt and has requested that the bondholders waive the company's interest payments until February 2010. The bondholders know that they probably won't get all their money back if MGM goes bankrupt, since it's only worth about $1.5 billion.
Bondholders are leaning towards bankruptcy so they can recover as much money as possible rather than run the risk.
According to reports, if MGM goes bankrupt then it will lose the rights to James Bond (to pay part of the debt) and "The Hobbit" could be delayed until the rights could be negotiated to interested parties like New Line Cinema or Warner Bros.
Quote from: Ktrek on September 28, 2009, 05:38:11 AM
This doesn't sound good.
DeadlineHollywood is reporting that MGM held a very long conference call with bondholders/lenders that caused lots of people to become "very loud and very upset." It turns out MGM is on the verge of bankruptcy.
The story, which is being heavily covered, says MGM is $3.5 billion in debt and has requested that the bondholders waive the company's interest payments until February 2010. The bondholders know that they probably won't get all their money back if MGM goes bankrupt, since it's only worth about $1.5 billion.
Bondholders are leaning towards bankruptcy so they can recover as much money as possible rather than run the risk.
According to reports, if MGM goes bankrupt then it will lose the rights to James Bond (to pay part of the debt) and "The Hobbit" could be delayed until the rights could be negotiated to interested parties like New Line Cinema or Warner Bros.
Cute, I wonder how they got into debt and why they are now revealing it. Sheesh. This sort of thing always sickens me how it takes forever for companies to say: hey, we're in debt, your screwed, have a nice day....*sigh*
King
Quote from: Ktrek on September 28, 2009, 05:38:11 AM
This doesn't sound good.
DeadlineHollywood is reporting that MGM held a very long conference call with bondholders/lenders that caused lots of people to become "very loud and very upset." It turns out MGM is on the verge of bankruptcy.
The story, which is being heavily covered, says MGM is $3.5 billion in debt and has requested that the bondholders waive the company's interest payments until February 2010. The bondholders know that they probably won't get all their money back if MGM goes bankrupt, since it's only worth about $1.5 billion.
Bondholders are leaning towards bankruptcy so they can recover as much money as possible rather than run the risk.
According to reports, if MGM goes bankrupt then it will lose the rights to James Bond (to pay part of the debt) and "The Hobbit" could be delayed until the rights could be negotiated to interested parties like New Line Cinema or Warner Bros.
This is too bad.. but The Hobbit will be made.. another company will step up and supply some funds. It's just a matter of getting through all the red tape.
It also makes me wonder about the future of the Stargate franchise with a new series starting up and supposedly a new SG-1 and an Atlantis movie coming up in 2010.
I'd also hate to see them lose the Bond franchise. That's been real good for them.
Kevin
I hope this doesn't delay the Hobbit. Sir Iain isn't getting any younger...would hate to see a Dumbledoreesque Flip on this series...
Quote from: Ktrek on September 28, 2009, 09:20:36 AM
It also makes me wonder about the future of the Stargate franchise with a new series starting up and supposedly a new SG-1 and an Atlantis movie coming up in 2010.
I'd also hate to see them lose the Bond franchise. That's been real good for them.
Kevin
The movie and TV divisions are different. I think I'd wait and see how this all shakes out. Many places come out of financial troubles and still survive. If the big three auto makers are still around, anyone can make it!
Quote from: Rico on September 28, 2009, 09:53:17 AM
Quote from: Ktrek on September 28, 2009, 09:20:36 AM
It also makes me wonder about the future of the Stargate franchise with a new series starting up and supposedly a new SG-1 and an Atlantis movie coming up in 2010.
I'd also hate to see them lose the Bond franchise. That's been real good for them.
Kevin
The movie and TV divisions are different. I think I'd wait and see how this all shakes out. Many places come out of financial troubles and still survive. If the big three auto makers are still around, anyone can make it!
How about a THARP (Troubled Halfling Asset Relief Program) bill in congress.. ?
:)
I prefer a more grass roots approach. Maybe "Help a Halfling" or perhaps "Habitats for Hairyfoots". These are all worthy causes. Please, won't you give? :'(
Or maybe "Holes for Hobbits"?
How about "Burrows for Bilbo's"
Yeah, I know. I'm stretching that one a bit. :ohwell
Just yesterday we heard that casting was under-way for The Hobbit films in London and Los Angeles, and now Peter Jackson has revealed a bit more information on which characters from the original Lord of the Rings trilogy will be returning. When he was asked this question in the past he wasn't sure as the script wasn't completed, however now the script for the first film is done so they have a better idea of which characters will be needed.
From MTV:
"Gandalf, being a 2,000-year-old wizard, is still around and plays a major role in 'The Hobbit,' and we're having Ian McKellen reprise," explained the filmmaker, who is executive-producing the flick and writing the screenplay. "There's a couple of other characters: Elrond, who was played by Hugo Weaving [in the original films], and there's a possibility of Galadriel, who was played by Cate Blanchett."
"They are elves, so once again, in the realm of Middle-earth, they're immortal, they don't age," he said of Galadriel and Elrond, the only returning "LOTR" main roles besides Gandalf in his script. "We have a process that would start with showing them the script. We're not [beginning] any official process until we have the 'official' script that they can read."
"In some respects, it's a prequel," Jackson said of the flick, which he plans to begin filming in mid-2010. "In book terms, the world of 'The Hobbit' takes place 60 years before 'The Lord of the Rings,' as it was written by Tolkien. So, not a lot of the characters actually feature, because they weren't around yet."
In past interviews Blanchett said that while she didn't have a large role in the films she did enjoy the role and would return if asked. If thinks work out we could very well see Galadriel back on the big screen.
Have a thread for this.. going to combine.
that's great news.. I'm glad this is going forward.. and I'm happy they are bringing back those they can.
I'm wondering about Bilbo Baggins. Whether they will re-cast or use Ian Holm from the original...I somehow always envisioned Bilbo as a young faced Hobbit like Frodo and gang from the trilogy.
I've just checked on IMDB and it is coming up as 5 rumoured roles for actors but no mention of Bilbo. Bet they are saving this info for a big announcement party thingy
Quote from: ori-STUDFARM on December 10, 2009, 01:28:52 PM
I'm wondering about Bilbo Baggins. Whether they will re-cast or use Ian Holm from the original...I somehow always envisioned Bilbo as a young faced Hobbit like Frodo and gang from the trilogy.
I've just checked on IMDB and it is coming up as 5 rumoured roles for actors but no mention of Bilbo. Bet they are saving this info for a big announcement party thingy
Ian Holm is a little too old to do the part last I checked. Even in LOTR they had to do some facial modification to him according to the DVDs. I have a hard time seeing them doing that the entire movie.
King
Cate Blanchett And Hugo Weaving back For The Hobbit
Posted: 09 Dec 2009 06:50 PM PST
Peter Jackson has told MTV that he only sees a return to Middle Earth for 3 of the original Lord of the Rings cast.
It's been known for sometime that Sir Ian McKellen will return to his role as Gandalf but Jackson says he also expects Cate Blanchett to return as Galadriel and Hugo Weaving as Elrond.
"They are Elves, so once again, in the realm of Middle-earth, they're immortal, they don't age," he told MTV when asked about returning actors. "We have a process that would start with showing them the script. We're not [beginning] any official process until we have the 'official' script that they can read."
"In some respects, it's a prequel. In book terms, the world of 'The Hobbit' takes place 60 years before 'The Lord of the Rings,' as it was written by Tolkien. So, not a lot of the characters actually feature, because they weren't around yet."
I imagine Andy Serkis just slipped his mind......hopefully
Oh, I am so excited for this!! I just found out about this two weeks ago *squee*. The Hobbit was my favourite book.
Yeah, if I wasn't so completely into Star Trek and blowing all my extra cash on it, I'd be a hardcore LOTR fan.
I don't understand why they choose now to make a movie out of the Hobbit, since the animated one from the 1980s was awesome the way it was. I might sound like the only one that thinks they are insane for making it but I am at the same time interested in how they are going to go about doing it. The fight with the trolls and then the gollum scenes are the main reason that makes it seem like an interesting idea for a movie. I hope they don't screw it up, cause that is one story I want my children to enjoy also. Hopefully this will not be another LOTR movie. I think they should not have made those at all but again that is just my opinion.
Well, I saw The Hobbit animated when it was released in the theaters and though it wad good, but it certainly hasn't aged well. And for me, LOTR films are the finest pieces of cinema I have ever seen, so I suppose I must take exception with your comment. :)
Yeah I'm with Bryan.. I hope The Hobbit is exactly like Lord of the Rings. And I for one am very excited that they are making a live action movie of The Hobbit.
I loved the animated hobbit, but am really looking forward to the new one.
I did enjoy the animated version, but I also look forward to the revamp. Apparently it will be in 2 movies - one that follows the actual Hobbit story - and the 2nd that will be a story extrapolated from the indexes of LOTR - and designed to bridge the Hobbit with Fellowship of the Ring.
Usually I am a big fan of animated films and own a whole lot of them but I have to say The Hobbit bored me to tears. So, I also have to say that I loved LOTR trilogy and thought they were mostly faithful to Tolkien's books. Consequently, I am looking forward to seeing the Hobbit done in a live action format and I hope and pray the quality is the same as LOTR.
Kevin
Indeed, The Hobbit will have some BIG shoe's to fill. Can they re-create the amazing production quality, visuals, design, music, everyhtimng which made LOTR so amazing?
Here's hoping they do. Hopefully they won't cut out stuff like the animation did (Beorn). John Rhys-Davies will not sign on - although Gimli was not in The Hobbit, he might have been able to play Gloin - father of Gimli - who was one of the companions of Thorin Oakenshield.
The thing about the animated version was it was a frackin' musical for God's sake!
Quote from: Bryancd on December 11, 2009, 10:05:27 AM
The thing about the animated version was it was a frackin' musical for God's sake!
Yes, and the animated 'Return of the King' was as well...'Where there's a whip - there's a way!'
Quote from: Bromptonboy on December 11, 2009, 10:15:37 AM
Quote from: Bryancd on December 11, 2009, 10:05:27 AM
The thing about the animated version was it was a frackin' musical for God's sake!
Yes, and the animated 'Return of the King' was as well...'Where there's a whip - there's a way!'
LOL! that song was kind of catchy.... :)
The Rankin Bass version of the Hobbit is an all time classic, the top of the heap as far as Rankin Bass animation goes. I saw it when I was a kid and it was my first introduction to Middle Earth. I immediately sought out the book, loved it, and was hooked on Tolkien ever since. I can't quite imagine how I would feel about the movie if I saw it for the first itme today, after the spectacles that were the PJ versions of the main trilogy, becuase obviously there can be no comparison. But for what it was, the original Hobbit movie ranks as one of my favorite animated films of all time.
Oh, for sure it was good fun and I also bought all thing Hobbit after seeing it. Loved it. I 'm also very happy that we will get 2 more films that will hopefully be of the high quality which was LOTR.
I had the LP of the hobbit with the book built in. I recorded that onto a cassette and listened to it over and over and over, wore the tape out.
The greatest adventure! and In valleys deep and dungeons low.....
loved the music.
Quote from: Bromptonboy on December 10, 2009, 07:14:30 PM
I did enjoy the animated version, but I also look forward to the revamp. Apparently it will be in 2 movies - one that follows the actual Hobbit story - and the 2nd that will be a story extrapolated from the indexes of LOTR - and designed to bridge the Hobbit with Fellowship of the Ring.
Actually it's changed.. it's now The Hobbit book told over two movies.
Quote from: Bryancd on December 11, 2009, 05:19:39 AM
Indeed, The Hobbit will have some BIG shoe's to fill. Can they re-create the amazing production quality, visuals, design, music, everyhtimng which made LOTR so amazing?
Two words... Peter Jackson
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on December 11, 2009, 06:21:20 PM
Quote from: Bryancd on December 11, 2009, 05:19:39 AM
Indeed, The Hobbit will have some BIG shoe's to fill. Can they re-create the amazing production quality, visuals, design, music, everyhtimng which made LOTR so amazing?
Two words... Peter Jackson
Indeed, I have faith that if Del Torro or whoever directs, Jackson will "Put the band back together" so to speak. :)
I'm also looking forward to these. I was never really a fan of the animated version although I remember it well enough.
These will hopefully do justice to the book but I can't say I'm too worried on that score either. Rhys-Davies as Gloin would be great but I can't remember how much of the dwarf story he really carries. Thorin obviously shoulders most of it.
As for Ian Holm as Bilbo - he's already done it and I don't think he'd drop 50 years that convincingly. Anyway, he'll always be Frodo to me the thirteen hours of BBC radio dramatisation that sit on the shelf beside me carry to much weight for me to ever see him as a young Bilbo.
Quote from: Feathers on December 12, 2009, 03:12:13 PM
As for Ian Holm as Bilbo - he's already done it and I don't think he'd drop 50 years that convincingly. Anyway, he'll always be Frodo to me the thirteen hours of BBC radio dramatisation that sit on the shelf beside me carry to much weight for me to ever see him as a young Bilbo.
Yes, I have listened to that BBC version as well, and really like it. Wasn't Michael Hordern reading Gandalf in that series? Have you heard the Rob Inglis unabridged audiobook version of The Hobbit and LOTR? They are SPECTACULAR!
Yup, that was Michael Horden. I find it very hard to accept any other Gandalf...well, until the film. No, I haven't heard the other. I may have to look it up.
Hordern is one of my favorites. I used to love the voice he supplies to 'Badger' in 'The Wind In The Willows'. I would use my 5 year old nephew (at the time) as an excuse to watch those shows. Even bought them on DVD for my kids to watch now.
He used to narrate the Paddington Bear stories (I think) when I was growing up, so to that extent he was a familiar voice to be comfortable with but he carried the authority (and anger when required) to do Gandalf a treat. I wonder how he would have handled it on screen?
Hmmm, it would be interesting to see him do the role of Gandalf - if we could conjure him back when he was in his late 60's or early 70's - and give him a proper beard.
I fondly recall him as the narrator of my of my favorite Kubrick films - Barry Lyndon. ((not many people share my fondness for that movie))
Just got this notice on The Hobbit mailing list:
Casting for Hobbit Extras Starts Next Week
Posted: 13 Dec 2009 10:42 AM PST
Casting for Hobbit extras starts in New Zealand next week.
You need to submit head shots and resumes via post only. Don't turn up and don't telephone, you will simply annoy folk and get your file thrown in the trash.
Full instructions can be found by clicking here:
http://www.acting-auditions.org/2009/12/mgm-studios-casting-information-in-new.html (http://www.acting-auditions.org/2009/12/mgm-studios-casting-information-in-new.html)
If you go for it I wish you the best of luck.
Please come back and let us know how you get on.
Peter Jackson Talks Hobbit Casting
Posted: 27 Dec 2009 02:26 PM PST
Peter Jackson has been talking about the problems they face casting for The Hobbit.
In the video interview you can see below he explains how they are looking for particular characteristics in the actors who are auditioning for the parts of Dwarves, Elves and of course, Hobbits.
He also confirms the rumors that were circulating the internet about The Hobbit being delayed a few weeks ago (not reported here) were well off the mark. Shooting is still on course to start March/April time.
He does note however that it's in the hands of the studio as they have to wait for the go ahead from them.
As long as shooting starts by the middle of the year though, The Hobbit will be ready for release Christmas 2011.
The second Hobbit movie script should be with the studio any time now.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/index.jsp (http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/index.jsp)
Arise Sir Peter Jackson
Posted: 30 Dec 2009 11:46 AM PST
Peter Jackson is to be made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the New Years honours list for services to film although it's more than likely also a nod of thanks towards his services to New Zealand in general.
One of New Zealand's favorite sons and winner of 12 Oscars, Jackson's filming of The Lord of the Rings did wonders for his homelands tourism industry.
He established the Weta Studios, production company Wingnut Films and in 2003 opened a film post production facility, Park Road Post Production, in Wellington.
"Park Road Post Production has enabled Jackson and other film-makers to make films in New Zealand to an international standard," the citation says.
Weta Studios are regarded as the best in the business and was where James Cameron placed his trust for the special effects in Avatar currently wooing cinema audiences
As well as bringing employment and recognition to the movie industry in New Zealand, Sir Peter isn't shy when it comes to putting his hand in his pocket and giving up his time to support worthy causes in his homeland.
He financially supports the International Institute of Letters at Victoria University, the South Wellington Montessori School and the Miramar North Primary School.
He also lends his support the 48 Hour Film Festival, the Wellington Fringe Festival and is the patron of the GiveLife New Zealand Organ Donation Awareness Charity.
The proud Kiwi said when asked about becoming a Knight, "This is an incredible moment in my life. I didn't think anything would surpass the 2004 Academy Awards, but I was wrong."
"The feeling of gratitude and pride I have in accepting this honour from my home country is profound."
With filming due to start on The Hobbit in the New Year, Sir Peter will be looking forward to once again putting the spot light on his beloved New Zealand.
Oh boy, here we go....
The Hobbit Casting Call Out For Lead Roles
Posted: 04 Jan 2010 05:23 PM PST
The official casting call is out for the lead roles in The Hobbit with details going to the major agencies regarding the parts of Bilbo, Thorin Oekensheild, Fili and Kili, Bard, Primula Brandybuck, Gloin, Drogo, Itaril, Radagast The Brown and the voice of Smaug.
Did you spot the odd one out?
Here's the details released about the part of Itaril:
ITARIL - female, A woodland Elf, this character is one the Silvan Elves. The Silvan Elves are seen as more earthy and practical. Shorter than other elves, she is still quick and lithe and physically adept, being able to fight with both sword and bow. Showing promise as a fighter at a young age, ITARIL was chosen to train to become part of the Woodland King's Guard. This is the only life she has ever expected to live, until she meets and secretly falls in love with a young ELF LORD. This role will require a wig and contact lenses to be worn. Some prosthetic make-up may also be required. LEAD. AGE: 17-27.
A little artistic license to introduce a strong female character perhaps?
Noticeable parts missing from the call include Gandalf, Gollum and Elrond which backs up what we already knew in that those parts are already spoken for.
If those are missing because they are spoken for then by the same token the fact that Bilbo is included in the list puts an end to all the rumors that the part has already been taken. Here's what they are looking for in the main lead role:
BILBO - A well to do, respectable Hobbit. Although he doesn't realize it himself, Bilbo has a good deal of courage; he can be practical and resilient. He has a good sense of humour, and is able to appreciate the ridiculous. He is very quick on the uptake and is well read having been encouraged to read widely by his mother. The most distinguishing characteristic about Bilbo is his humanity; he is empathetic with a big heart and generous spirit. LEAD. AGE: 25-35.
Glad it looks like they will be using some of the actors from LOTR to blend the two together. I hope they go mostly with lesser known actors - especially for Bilbo.
Casting call think I may put a audition in lol
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on January 06, 2010, 03:48:13 PM
Casting call think I may put a audition in lol
I have seen you can grow some impressive facial hair...I say Dwarf for you..... :)
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on January 06, 2010, 03:48:13 PM
Casting call think I may put a audition in lol
No. A definate hobbit there.
Will The Hobbit Survive MGM
Posted: 06 Jan 2010 11:43 AM PST
The Hobbit starts filming this June according to a Twitter from Production Weekly.
"Guillermo del Toro's adaptation of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit is due to begin a 14 month production schedule this June in New Zealand."
Though with MGM up for sale many reporters are saying the green light will be dependent on MGM getting their finances in order.
MGM is currently available to the highest bidder but if a buyer cannot be found it's possible it will have to break up it's assets and sell them off individually.
Two of it's biggest assets are probably it's share of The Hobbit movies and its ownership of the James Bond franchise. Digital Spy reports the next Bond movie looks to be on hold while Broccoli and Co. wait to see how it all pans out.
Since day 1 The Hobbit has been plagued with financial problems but one by one they have all been met and conquered. Hopefully by June MGM will have found a buyer and The Hobbit won't have to go the same way as Bond.
Metro Goldwyn Mayer is one of the greatest ever Hollywood studios with a library of over 4000 titles which include classics such as The Pink Panther and Bond franchises.
It currently has debts of around $4 Billion and put itself up for sale at the end of 2009.
MI6 says if MGM seeks bankruptcy protection it could trigger the dissolution of several major contracts and some of their executives have been actively seeking advice on how to insulate themselves from any possible fallout.
The Hobbit
Tobey Maguire Swapping Spiderman For Bilbo?
Posted: 18 Jan 2010 07:08 AM PST
The Sun newspaper, a major tabloid here in the UK is today running a story that claims Tobey Maguire of Spiderman fame is to play the Bilbo Baggins role in The Hobbit.
The rumours have been doing the rounds for about a month but by and large were written off because of the upcoming fourth Spiderman movie which would have seen Maguire tied up and unavailable for The Hobbit.
The story says he has turned down the chance of playing the webbed wonder again and has already signed up for The Hobbit. He is said to have been unhappy in the direction the fourth movie was heading.
Without revealing their sources the paper claims both Producer Peter Jackson and Director Guillermo Del Toro have been chasing Maguire for months.
They quote their source as saying "Everyone is over the moon. Tobey is not only one of the most recognisable faces in Hollywood, he is also one of the best actors."
Tobey Maguire was recently asked about the rumor and claimed he had not been approached but also added the teaser "I love Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson and I certainly wouldn't take myself out of the conversation."
With the start of filming fast approaching an announcement (or at least a decision) should be imminent so perhaps this particular rumor should not be instantly dismissed. Having said that the paper has a history of sensationalism.
It was the Sun newspaper who broke the (unconfirmed) story that the UK's X Factor twin act Jedward had been asked to audition for the roles of Fili and Kili.
IMO great career decision. Those Spiderman movies were sucking pretty bad. A two film deal for "The Hobbit" sounds like a much better choice and I think he could play a great, younger Bilbo.
Quote from: Bryancd on January 18, 2010, 04:02:55 PM
IMO great career decision. Those Spiderman movies were sucking pretty bad. A two film deal for "The Hobbit" sounds like a much better choice and I think he could play a great, younger Bilbo.
He should be ok - as long as he doesn't Kevin Costner it - and gets the accent right...
Do Hobbits have an accent then? I can't say I'm familiar with the dialect of the Shire ;)
Quote from: Feathers on January 19, 2010, 01:30:13 AM
Do Hobbits have an accent then? I can't say I'm familiar with the dialect of the Shire ;)
I think more Gloucestershire than Hollywood... save for the Tooks and Brandybucks who would be more 'RP'...
;)
Quote from: Feathers on January 19, 2010, 01:30:13 AM
Do Hobbits have an accent then? I can't say I'm familiar with the dialect of the Shire ;)
Well for non-British folks yes the Hobbits have English accents. :)
I just don't see Toby as Bilbo. This seems like an odd choice to me, am I in the wrong?
King
Quote from: Kinglinksr on January 19, 2010, 10:14:34 AM
I just don't see Toby as Bilbo. This seems like an odd choice to me, am I in the wrong?
King
You're neither right nor wrong.. it's your opinion. But it's a mute point as DelTorro squashed the rumor that Tobey was going to be playing Bilbo.
If it was true.. I wouldn't mind Tobey as Bilbo.. but I wish they would go with someone less known.
My Vote: John C. Reilly
He has the sense of humor and acting chops required to pull off the part and he already kind of looks like a Hobbit
(http://backseatcuddler.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/johncreilly.jpg)
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on January 19, 2010, 10:05:33 AM
Quote from: Feathers on January 19, 2010, 01:30:13 AM
Do Hobbits have an accent then? I can't say I'm familiar with the dialect of the Shire ;)
Well for non-British folks yes the Hobbits have English accents. :)
I've never considered then having english accents for some read. Maybe it's because I was first exposed through reading and there really wasn't an england in middle earth.
Quote from: Just X on January 19, 2010, 12:43:46 PM
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on January 19, 2010, 10:05:33 AM
Quote from: Feathers on January 19, 2010, 01:30:13 AM
Do Hobbits have an accent then? I can't say I'm familiar with the dialect of the Shire ;)
Well for non-British folks yes the Hobbits have English accents. :)
I've never considered then having english accents for some read. Maybe it's because I was first exposed through reading and there really wasn't an england in middle earth.
I also read the books (long) before PJ did his thing. In my minds eye (or ear!) they all had various UK accents - with Sam & The Gaffer being more up country, with the 'Posh' Hobbitry being more BBC or Received Pronunciation.
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on January 19, 2010, 10:31:08 AM
My Vote: John C. Reilly
He has the sense of humor and acting chops required to pull off the part and he already kind of looks like a Hobbit
(http://backseatcuddler.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/johncreilly.jpg)
Go watch the movie "Step Brothers" and you will change your mind... :ohmy
Wow Bryan.. if you judge an actor by one "bad" role then you must hate all actors.
Hmmm, he looks the part, but how would I get the sound-track from Boogie Nights out of my head...
How about James McAvoy?
Quote from: Bryancd on January 19, 2010, 02:40:04 PM
Go watch the movie "Step Brothers" and you will change your mind... :ohmy
Heh I did see that movie actually, definitely not his best but I do remember a chuckle here and there. But movies like Boogie Nights and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story more than make up for the occasional lapse or paycheck grab. I think he has the look and voice to make a great hobbit.
For me, I haven't seen more than a handful of his movies and he seems to pretty much play the same role in them with little range. I'm not saying he wasn't funny, but from what I've seen, it didn't show much range.
He might have the look, but I agree with Chris, he doesn't have the chops.
Quote from: Bryancd on January 20, 2010, 06:20:53 AM
He might have the look, but I agree with Chris, he doesn't have the chops.
A quick wikipedia search showed multiple awards nominations (Oscars, Golden Globes, and Independent Spirit Awards) for performances in films like Chicago, The Hours, Gangs of New York, and Walk Hard. He's a favorite actor of and frequently used in films by Martin Scorsese. Reilly definitely has range far beyond the sillier roles he is famous for like Talladega Nights and Step Brothers. I'd point you the above four movies if you haven't seen them as they are all great beyond Reilly's performances.
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on January 20, 2010, 07:10:52 AM
Quote from: Bryancd on January 20, 2010, 06:20:53 AM
He might have the look, but I agree with Chris, he doesn't have the chops.
A quick wikipedia search showed multiple awards nominations (Oscars, Golden Globes, and Independent Spirit Awards) for performances in films like Chicago, The Hours, Gangs of New York, and Walk Hard. He's a favorite actor of and frequently used in films by Martin Scorsese. Reilly definitely has range far beyond the sillier roles he is famous for like Talladega Nights and Step Brothers. I'd point you the above four movies if you haven't seen them as they are all great beyond Reilly's performances.
I guess the problem is that I don't remember him in Gangs of New York. Again, it comes down to personal taste and I can't see him as a hobbit. Especially not a young Bilbo.
How about Robert Carlyle? ((although I never thought Bilbo would speak like a Glaswegian))
Quote from: Bromptonboy on January 20, 2010, 09:19:19 AM
How about Robert Carlyle? ((although I never thought Bilbo would speak like a Glaswegian))
But he seems skinny for the jolly little hobbit.
David Tennant Linked To Bilbo Baggins Again
Posted: 21 Jan 2010 09:30 PM PST
Another day in Middle Earth, another Hobbit movie rumor. This latest one sees David Tennant yet again being linked with the part of Bilbo Baggins.
Follow the logic that's giving rise to the rumor and see where you end up...
David Tennant made the news early yesterday for withdrawing his services from one of the leading roles in the movie Burke and Hare.
It then came to light that he was being replaced by Andy Serkis.
Simon Pegg then posts the following twitter:
"David Tennant had to drop out of B&H (Burke and Hare) but by sheer glorious serendipity a legend of Middle Earth and Skull Island has come aboard. Welcome AS (Andy Serkis)"
A bit vague I know but you can see why the rumor is probably going to gather pace through tomorrow and the weekend.
I was hanging fire with the story but then it came to light that Simon Pegg fairly quickly deleted the post from his Twitter account.
This fanned the flames rather than put out the burning embers. Was Pegg trying to be cryptic but not cryptic enough for Tennant's liking?
TotalFilm were quick off the mark to raise the point that Tennant is at a point in his career that makes his walking away from a big movie like Burke and Hare at such a late stage a strange decision.
The point being that you really don't want to be upsetting people in Hollywood unless of course you are walking away because you have been offered a far bigger part.
The first rumor about Tennant getting the Bilbo Baggins role surfaced back in July when it was announced he was quitting Dr. Who and also attending Comic-Con, as was Peter Jackson. An announcement was expected at the expo and then promptly failed to materialise.
Lets see how long this latest one runs for. I must admit I give more weight to this rumor than the earlier Tobey Maguire - Bilbo Baggins story. David Tennant being English and a bit more Hobbit looking, it seems more feasible.
If its true then Simon Pegg is not going to be very popular down in New Zealand.
Hobbit Movie Delay?
Posted: 23 Jan 2010 07:48 AM PST
Recently Peter Jackson was quick to put down the rumors of a delay to the release time of The Hobbit yet in the latest Variety they have an interview with New Line Cinema executive Alan Horn who says the most probable release date will be Christmas 2012.
That's a full year later than the current proposed release.
Although he doesn't say why he thinks The Hobbit will be a year behind schedule the restructuring of joint Hobbit owners MGM is hinted at.
New Line Cinema share financing rights to The Hobbit with MGM which is currently up for sale to the highest bidder. MGM's rights to The Hobbit will pass on to the as yet unknown new owners.
If a buyer cannot be found it is thought the assets of MGM will be broken up and sold individually. The Hobbit is one of those assets.
Normal practice would see the second script handed in to New Line Cinema for the green light. Once everyone is happy with the scripts a budget would be worked out and work start in earnest.
Its going to be difficult to work out a budget when you don't know the financial position of the company who is supposed to be sharing the costs with you.
The above contradicts Peter Jackson who said in December that rumors of a delay were unfounded and as long as shooting began by mid 2010 he was confident of a Christmas 2011 release.
He did note though that this was dependent on the green light from the studio. Original story –> Peter Jackson Talks Hobbit Casting
We've heard these contradictions plenty of times already of course. One person says one thing only for it to be quickly shot down by another a few days later.
Examples....
On 23rd August 2009 Sir Ian McKellen told a cinema audience at an all night screening of The Lord of the Rings trilogy in London that he knew who had been given the role of Bilbo Baggins. Original story –> Bilbo Role Is Taken
"I believe we're very close now to saying one name" Del Toro told MTV movies back in June 2009 when asked who was in the frame for the Bilbo baggins part, adding that "an announcement was no more than a couple of weeks away." original story –> Bilbo Baggins Actor Close to Being Named.
6 months later and despite the above 2 statements we still get the "casting is still underway" or "no decisions have been made" statements in response to any breaking stories of a possible actor for the role of Bilbo Baggins.
The Hobbit 3D
Posted: 17 Mar 2010 12:16 PM PDT
Sir Ian McKellen says shooting is finally set to begin in June but it still appears undecided as to whether The Hobbit will be filmed in 3D or not.
With industry sources saying The Hobbit will be in 3D and with Peter Jackson and Guillermo Del Toro both not taking an opportunity to kill off the rumor as happened originally when it was raised by MarketSaw back in 2007, the smart money says it will be.
Talking of money, the interest in a 3D Hobbit comes from the studios who are still drooling at the success of Avatar.
GDT told Torn the other week that the studio had brought up the idea and it was being discussed.
According to Stuff.co.nz who are usually spot on with all things middle Earth, the industry insider is adamant it will be in 3D and Weta Digital would be doing it following their Oscar for the work they did on Avatar.
Wingnut Films spokesman Matt Dravitzki told them:
"What Guillermo said on the blog is as far as things got. It's a conversation being had by a lot of studios but that's as much as it is at this stage. We don't have a cast, we don't have a green light, and until any of those things happen no decision around [3D] will be announced or made."
Has Avatar convinced you The Hobbit in 3D is a good idea?
The Hobbit 3D is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Please - no more 3D
3D = boring. Just make a good film.
They will still release it in both formats. I loved AVATAR in 3D, I would love to see a LOTR or Hobbit in 3-D as well. I don't find it boring at all. Let the market place decide what's good.
Oh it is, its like smell o rama, super colour vision and in this case yawn o rama. lol. To be fair im not totally against it obviously and like my opinion will make any difference but i know several people including Mark Kermode who stated that Alice in Wonderland was better in 2D than 3D. Ive not seen it yet so i cant comment but makes you think.
I liked Avatar and A Christmas Carol in 3D and would love to see the new Alice movie in either 2D or 3D, but for me, I think The Hobbit would be a little distracting in 3D. Especially since Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson are at the helm, and both always find something that terrifies me. I do not do well with something terrifying jumping out at me, but if they're in 3D... *shivers*
The execs are gonna do whatever they think will earn them more money, but I have a feeling I'm just going to see it on a good ol' movie screen minus the 3D glasses and upcharge.
I saw AVATAR in 2D and 3D and felt the 3D was a superior experience. I want to see Alice as well as Clash of the Titans in 3D.
What was Clash like as a film and then as in 3D
I haven't seen it yet, it's not out.
One small complaint I have about 3D movies is more with the Theatres, and maybe it is just here in Canada. The 3D movies cost a bit more then 2D movies here, so if you use a movie pass, you still have to put in some extra to cover the difference since the pass is based off the 2D price. Just a minor complaint, but sort of defeats the purpose of the movie pass a bit.
Does seem like a trend that these big movies are going 3D, but I guess if the option to see it in 2D is there, then that should satisfy some. I guess though it is possible the 2D showings would be in the smaller Theatres in the Cineplex's/Movieplex's, so might miss out of the big screen experience.
Wish I could wear contact lenses, as I don't like the idea of wearing a pair of glasses on top of the ones I am already wearing, but I am sure over time I will adjust as 3D becomes more common.
The price is $2.50 more for a 3-D movie at the theater I go to. So a $5.00 matinee price becomes $7.50 each. Not worth it, in my view. For me, the movie, story and characters are what makes a movie. Not any 3-D effect. I think they should keep "The Hobbit" in line with the other films and really they don't need the 3-D gimmick.
How is 3D a "gimmick" and why do we assume that the format in which a movie is filmed has any bearing on the quality of the story? Certainly in the past, 3D movies were made around he premise that they would be in 3D, but it would seem that's has changed to 3D being simply a new part of a films overall visual experience, kind of like the introduction of surround sound and other technological advancements.
The only 'real' 3D movie I've seen was Avatar. Initially it actually made me a bit motion sick (I almost had to walk out of District 9 on account of the shakycam), but eventually I got used to it and didn't really notice.
I agree with Bryan, I feel like going forward this will become an standard, I just hope that at some point the technology gets to a point where we won't need goofy glasses.
Yeah, I just don't see good 3D and good story being mutually exclusive.
Quote from: Bryancd on March 19, 2010, 07:40:14 AM
Yeah, I just don't see good 3D and good story being mutually exclusive.
Never said they were. I just don't need it. Put it this way, if a film is good in my view, it doesn't matter if it's 3-D or not. People will still see and enjoy a good, non-3D film. It is being "tacked on" to some movies that were never meant or intended to be 3-D. The new "Clash of the Titans" is one example. And that's where the "gimmick" factor comes in.
It's the Hobbit so the story I know to be good and with Peter Jackson and Guillermo Del Toro I trust it will be amazing 3D or not. And Lord of the Rings has amazing visual effects and still held together as a great story. I think the Hobbit is in the most capable hands and if they want to go 3D I think I'm ok with that.
I see 3D as a way of further enhancing the movie experience.. but that goes for movies that are developed and shot with 3D in mind.. Like Rico I don't like the movies that are already shot and they tack on 3D just because they can.. now I feel that's a gimmick and they are trying to cash in on Avatar's success. I'm looking forward to the Hobbit and if it's shot in 3D and it enhances the overall story then it's worth the extra few bucks.
I think 3D's a fad, primarily being cashed in upon by the studios as a means of drawing more folks to the theaters on the coattails of Avatar's success, and we wont be seeing it very much except maybe for the minority of a few huge budget blockbusters. Once you get past the initial "wow that's cool" factor I fall into Ric's camp of it being not worth any extra money. Too many people claim they get headaches either from the experience or the glasses, people that actually wear prescription glasses to see are annoyed by the whole thing, then there's the cost in production and the cost to the consumer...I believe 3D will continue to be the exception rather than the rule for quite some time.
Hobbit Part 2 Script Handed In
Posted: 19 Apr 2010 11:37 AM PDT
Peter Jackson spoke to Inside Movies recently and tried to put a brake on some of the stories doing the rounds.
When asked about the rumored delay to the start of shooting he pointed out that as the Hobbit was still waiting for the official green light from the studio no official start date had been set so it couldn't be delayed.
PJ goes on to say that they have just handed in the second Hobbit script and are now in the process of working out a budget that fits with the studios targets and then they will be announcing a date for the start of shooting.
"I'd be pretty optimistic that we'll be shooting before the end of the year. I would imagine October, November, we'd be shooting by. I'm not announcing it, though."
When asked the obligatory "Who's getting the role of Bilbo Baggins?" question again he tried to put to rest some of the rumors.
"We haven't signed any actors up yet, because we couldn't do that until they greenlight the movie. But I would imagine that if we get a green light within the next month or two, we would be hopefully making some casting announcements by, I guess, the middle of the year. We've done a little bit of auditioning, but we haven't really done any meetings with actors or anything yet. We've just been totally committed to the scripts. Everything's a little bit later than what people assume it is. I think people think we've been sort of doing secret casting."
He also went on to say that he would love to get the same actors for any of the characters who are returning from The Lord of the Rings but points out none have been approached yet or if they have, no deals have been done.
It's interesting to note that Sir Ian McKellen has changed his blog comments about the start of shooting The Hobbit 3 times now. It originally said shooting to start in May, was changed to July and now says "at a time to be announced."
Lord Of The Rings on Blu Ray Released With A Whimper
Posted: 12 May 2010 10:13 AM PDT
The release of The Lord of the Rings trilogy on Blu-ray seems to have been given the cold shoulder by the majority of Middle Earth fans.
Amazon.co.uk knocked the price down within a month of the release date from £74.99 to just £29.99 following 454 mostly negative reviews left by British fans.
At the time of writing the Amazon.com site has a staggering 3320 customer reviews, again the vast majority complaining that these are not the extended versions of the movies. It's worth noting though that the price hasn't been dropped.
2974 have given it just a 1 star rating and there seems to be some discussion as to whether Amazon tried removing written reviews where the reviewer left a 1 star just before release date.
One customer wrote:
"Very disturbing indeed. Amazon removed my 1 star lord of the Rings Blu ray review too. It was there for the last couple of weeks with a high helpful rating ratio and now its evaporated. As far as I recall there were well over 2600 total LOTR-TE BR reviews last time I looked. Now there are 2271. Is Amazon covering up for the studios' ripoffs or is it even worse - Is Amazon.com neglecting the freedom of speech and constitutional rights of its customers?"
So when can we expect the extended versions to be released on Blu ray?
Well don't hold your breath. It is widely expected that they would be out shortly before The Hobbit movie was due in the cinema to help build up a Middle Earth frenzy.
With The Hobbit continually being put back though you could be waiting for some time. latest rumors say The hobbit will be out for Christmas 2012 rather than the expected Christmas 2011.
The Hobbit Movie New Post
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The Hobbit in Limbo
Posted: 28 May 2010 03:16 AM PDT
Earlier today while giving a press conference about his latest movie 'Splice' Guillermo Del Toro was asked about The Hobbit start date.
"It's not greenlit," said del Toro, "That's categorical, we've been caught in a very tangled negotiation. There cannot be any start dates until the MGM situation gets resolved. They do hold a considerable portion of the rights."
"We have designed all the creatures, We've designed the sets and the wardrobe. We have done animatics and planned battles sequences. We are very, very prepared for when it is finally triggered."
No mention of casting because without a start date they can't expect anyone to commit pen to paper.
And talking of commitment, just how long will two of the most sort after movie makers hang around in limbo waiting for MGM to find a buyer? While the time already invested in the movie means neither would probably 'walk away' from The Hobbit they may move on to other projects while they wait which could see further delays announced.
MGM has been up for sale to the highest bidder since the end of last year. The trouble is that with debts of over $4 Billion there are no bidders. Its 3 biggest assets are its library of over 4000 movies, the James Bond franchise and its share of The Hobbit and it may have to break up and sell these individually to avoid bankruptcy.
Del Toro was also asked about The Hobbit in 3D rumors and replied it had been discussed once but the budgeting had been worked out without any stereoscopic on the movie.
This is very sad news..
Officially Announced: Guillermo del Toro is Now Off The Hobbit
May 30, 2010
Source: TheOneRing.net
by Alex Billington
Guillermo del Toro / Peter Jackson
Holy crap this is big. It was announced by Peter Jackson & Guillermo del Toro today on TheOneRing that del Toro will no longer direct The Hobbit, but will still co-write the screenplays. "Out of respect to the legions of loyal Tolkien fans," they broke the news on the site and will make sure "the films are everything that the fans want them to be." Del Toro: "In light of ongoing delays... for filming The Hobbit, I am faced with the hardest decision of my life. After nearly two years of living, breathing and designing a world as rich as Tolkien's Middle Earth, I must, with great regret, take leave from helming these wonderful pictures."
This is so sad to hear and means a lot more about the project's delay, which has been stalled since MGM went bankrupt last year and on hold until they find someone to re-finance the entire company. As for the future of The Hobbit, we're not sure what to expect. "We feel very sad to see Guillermo leave The Hobbit, but he has kept us fully in the loop and we understand how the protracted development time on these two films, due to reasons beyond anyone's control, has compromised his commitment to other long-term projects," Jackson said. It sounds like there's a very interesting story behind this and maybe we'll find out more in the coming months about what happened, such as if GDT is announced as a director on another different film.
According to TheOneRing.net, The Hobbit is still planned to be adapted into two movies, one to be released in December 2012 & the other in December 2013. So as far as they know, it's still on, but no mention of who will take his place instead. "The blessings have been plenty, but conflicting schedules have overwhelmed the time slot originally allocated," said del Toro. "Both as a co-writer and as a director, I wish the production nothing but the very best of luck and I will be first in line to see the finished product. I remain an ally to it and its makers, present and future, and fully support a smooth transition to a new director." Thoughts?
Read more: http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/05/30/officially-announced-guillermo-del-toro-is-off-of-the-hobbit/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+firstshowing+%28FirstShowing.net%29#ixzz0pSYV74AX (http://www.firstshowing.net/2010/05/30/officially-announced-guillermo-del-toro-is-off-of-the-hobbit/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+firstshowing+%28FirstShowing.net%29#ixzz0pSYV74AX)
I have to admit, was completely ambivalent to his participation.
I thought Guillermo would have done a great job with this. This whole thing is really struggling to get going it seems. Kind of sad because I'm sure it means more delays.
I'm personally glad he's not doing it. I enjoy his eye, but it's rather specific and something I don't see working well with The Hobbit. While his eye worked well for Pan and changed the vision of Hell Boy, I wasn't impressed with his take on vampires in blade II and I don't think the Hobbit was the best match for his style.
Quote from: Just X on May 30, 2010, 07:11:39 PM
I'm personally glad he's not doing it. I enjoy his eye, but it's rather specific and something I don't see working well with The Hobbit. While his eye worked well for Pan and changed the vision of Hell Boy, I wasn't impressed with his take on vampires in blade II and I don't think the Hobbit was the best match for his style.
I totally disagree with you.. love his vision and think he would have made the Hobbit his own but also what we know and love. I mean Peter Jackson is an executive and LOTR is his baby and there is no way he would let him stray to far. Also Del Toro has already worked on The Hobbit for two years, here is a quote from Del Toro "We have designed all the creatures, We've designed the sets and the wardrobe. We have done animatics and planned battles sequences. We are very, very prepared for when it is finally triggered." I doubt that they put this much work into all this just to through it away.. so this Hobbit movie, if ever made will have the Del Toro touch.
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on May 30, 2010, 08:05:42 PM
Quote from: Just X on May 30, 2010, 07:11:39 PM
I'm personally glad he's not doing it. I enjoy his eye, but it's rather specific and something I don't see working well with The Hobbit. While his eye worked well for Pan and changed the vision of Hell Boy, I wasn't impressed with his take on vampires in blade II and I don't think the Hobbit was the best match for his style.
I totally disagree with you.. love his vision and think he would have made the Hobbit his own but also what we know and love. I mean Peter Jackson is an executive and LOTR is his baby and there is no way he would let him stray to far. Also Del Toro has already worked on The Hobbit for two years, here is a quote from Del Toro "We have designed all the creatures, We've designed the sets and the wardrobe. We have done animatics and planned battles sequences. We are very, very prepared for when it is finally triggered." I doubt that they put this much work into all this just to through it away.. so this Hobbit movie, if ever made will have the Del Toro touch.
I understand what you're saying, but doesn't the visual elements of Pan and Hell Boy seem just a bit too interchangeable? I wouldn't like that look for anything in Middle Earth. I won't say that he isn't a good director, but his stamp is just a bit too distinct for me to want around Middle Earth.
But that's just me and I'm probably in the minority on that.
This delay really stinks. My family and I are listening to The Hobbit (Rob Inglis unabridged audio-book version) while driving around each day. Even though Hobbit has a kinder & gentler means of telling the story - it is just as violent & dark as LOTR. I was really anxious to see Del Toro's take on this - and how he would handle the storytelling. Having never seen HB II - I was mesmerized by Pan.
MGM has a lot to answer for dont they? I mean Bond is put onhold and now this. sad news. My only hope now is jackson will bite the bullet and take the directing reigns :D
Well you may get your wish Meds... this just in..
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010/05/31/36934-pj-may-direct-the-hobbit-2/ (http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010/05/31/36934-pj-may-direct-the-hobbit-2/)
PJ 'may direct The Hobbit'
Sir Peter Jackson says he will step into the breach and direct The Hobbit himself if it becomes the only way to ensure the US$150 million (NZ$219m) film is made after the sudden departure of director Guillermo del Toro.
Wellington Chamber of Commerce has said that the film is worth "many millions of dollars" to Wellington's economy and further delays may mean the film does not start shooting until next year.
Del Toro announced yesterday he had quit the The Lord of the Rings prequel over frustration with repeated delays. He had commitments to other films and said his resignation was "the hardest decision I've ever taken".
How is this not anything but IDEAL?! I wanted PJ from the start. I have no great love for Del Torro. I could care less about him. Jackson MADE LOTR what it was...the BEST 3 film trilogy I have ever seen.
Quote from: Bryancd on May 31, 2010, 07:35:48 PM
How is this not anything but IDEAL?! I wanted PJ from the start. I have no great love for Del Torro. I could care less about him. Jackson MADE LOTR what it was...the BEST 3 film trilogy I have ever seen.
Seconded.
It doesn't seem like PJ wants to though. Is it just me or does it seem like a begrudging type of statement? "Oh I SUPPOSE I'll direct your multi million dollar franchise films, if it's the only way they will get made." Give me a break.
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on June 01, 2010, 06:35:59 AM
It doesn't seem like PJ wants to though. Is it just me or does it seem like a begrudging type of statement? "Oh I SUPPOSE I'll direct your multi million dollar franchise films, if it's the only way they will get made." Give me a break.
One word: LEVERAGE
One thing any director of this film (or films) would have always had to deal with was to have "The Hobbit" sort of 'fit' into what has come before. You really can't diverge too much from the style, look, direction of the LOTR trilogy. So, frankly any director is going to have to create a set of films that fits with what has come before.
Who's Directing The Hobbit?
Posted: 14 Jun 2010 03:30 PM PDT
Slashfilm are putting forward a case for David Yates as replacement director for The Hobbit now Guillermo Del Toro has vacated the hot seat.
Right from the off Slashfilm admit its only rumor but claim that industry insider tracking boards have him as the studio favorite to take over.
Yates is currently in the editing room putting the finishing touches to the last of the Harry Potter movies which presumably makes him available for The Hobbit.
Slashfilm's case for Yates hinges on him having experience with big screen fantasy adaptations and a relationship with Warner Bros.
Personally I would think having spent the last few years making Order of the Phoenix and Deathly Hallows parts 1 and 2 he would want a change from Wizards and such.
In the Hobbit forum there are strong cases being made for several directors including Sam Raimi, Terry Gilliam, Tim Burton and of course Peter Jackson.
I was playing around with the Tim Burton idea until forum regular Halfwise commented "The inevitable casting of Johnny Depp as Bilbo chills my marrow."
Peter Jackson is the obvious fans favorite but he's not making the right noises - or at least his agent isn't. The fact is PG has a long list of projects and for him to be able to step in would mean some other studio would have to be willing to tear up his contract. That's not going to happen - unless Tintin flops of course - as the saying goes, in Hollywood you're only as good as your last movie.
My personal choice would be Kenneth Branagh. I wasn't even aware he was back behind the camera until last week watching the BAFTA's they announced he couldn't collect his best actor award (for his lead in Wallender) because he was currently in America directing the movie 'Thor'
Branagh has a proven track record in bringing great works of literature to the big screen. He's also been out of film making for a while which means he doesn't currently have the stature or the ego to start demanding to be allowed to 'stamp' his style on the movie. Presumably he would be happy to go along with the foundation work already done by GDT and PJ, seeing the value of being associated with The Hobbit and working with PJ and Weta.
Thor the movie is based on the Marvel comic book hero so presumably he's had the chance to play around with the latest special effects tools and ok this is pushing it a bit but Thor is from Norse mythology which has strong links to Tolkien's world. Its only a short walk from Asgard to Middle Earth.
The more I think about it the more I like the idea. If he does a good job with Thor and he's available at the right time then Kenneth Branagh would definitely be my choice for the hot seat. Who's yours?
Neill Blomkamp To Direct The Hobbit
Posted: 19 Jun 2010 06:14 AM PDT
Lord of the Rings fan site TheOneRing.net claim they have inside information naming Neill Blomkamp as the new director of The Hobbit. No announcement has yet been made by the studio to verify but their sources are usually spot on.
So who is Neill Blomkamp? He comes from a background of visual effects and animation and was signed to direct his first movie, the adaptation of the Halo video game but the project died before it started due to lack of funds.
Peter Jackson was to produce Halo but when that movie fell through moved on to make District 9 which was an adaptation of Neill Blomkamp's short movie 'Alive in Joburg'
If correct then presumably the appointment of Blomkamp comes from a recommendation from Peter Jackson who both New Line Cinema and MGM have tried to persuade to take over as replacement director.
Although he has little experience it would probably prove difficult to convince a 'name' to come in and take over a project that for the most part only requires the actual shooting to complete.
The screenplays are written, the design of the creatures is done, Hobbiton is being rebuilt as we speak and the casting is underway. Would a Sam Raimi or a Tim Burton be happy coming in and finishing off a Guillermo Del Toro movie? Probably not.
An up and coming film maker such as Neill Blomkamp willing to work under the wing of Peter Jackson is probably the only route left to the studios, especially taking into consideration the short notice being given.
Neill Blomkamp To Direct The Hobbit is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
The Return of the King
Posted: 25 Jun 2010 05:11 PM PDT
Can Middle Earth fans rejoice? - Is it really The Return of the King?
The rumor first mooted by TORN about Neil Blomkamp directing The Hobbit did the rounds and then like most other Hobbit rumors promptly got denied and put to bed.
While Blomkamp and a few others more than likely made it on to a short list of possibles the financial problems of MGM meant that it was unlikely the directors job could be offered to anyone at the moment because a job offer means a salary needs to be paid and a schedule needs to be set in stone.
Much more promising news comes from Deadline who say Peter Jackson is trying to clear his schedule so he can fill the directors chair and finish the story he started over a decade ago with his record breaking Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Peter Jackson is not just the choice of most Middle Earth fans - MGM are desperate for him to take the job because with Jackson on a first dollar gross deal its a huge money saver for the studios.
Original clamours for PJ to step in were originally shot down in flames by his management team who said it was a none starter due to other commitments. However just last week Jackson told one of the New Zealand newspapers:
"If that's what I have to do to protect Warner Brothers' investment, then obviously that's one angle which I'll explore."
Its not just Warner Bros investment that needs protecting of course. Jackson and his team have already commited a huge amount of time to the project and all these hold ups must have him just as frustrated as the rest of us.
According to the Deadline report MGM bosses are being told they need to find some money fast to get The Hobbit back on track.
Lets all hope this one turns into fact and we can all rejoice at The Return of the King.
Maybe this time if they pay Jackson the amount he is due, he'll finish the movie. I am really happy he is coming back though. But geez, pay the man. Good grief.
King
Agreed Tim and thanks Brompty for all the updates. PJ is obvious for all fans, he knows the story inside out, developed the script etc etc. They just need to stop messing around, pay the guy and wait fir the rewards because we all know with him in the chair it will succeed :)
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on June 26, 2010, 11:37:44 PM
Agreed Tim and thanks Brompty for all the updates. PJ is obvious for all fans, he knows the story inside out, developed the script etc etc. They just need to stop messing around, pay the guy and wait fir the rewards because we all know with him in the chair it will succeed :)
Amen! Gandalf is not getting any younger either and may be tempted to depart for the West beyond the sea...I would hate to see a Dumbledore happen to that character...
(isn't that terrible of me to think that way!)
:)
Quote from: Bromptonboy on June 27, 2010, 05:44:59 AM
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on June 26, 2010, 11:37:44 PM
Agreed Tim and thanks Brompty for all the updates. PJ is obvious for all fans, he knows the story inside out, developed the script etc etc. They just need to stop messing around, pay the guy and wait fir the rewards because we all know with him in the chair it will succeed :)
Amen! Gandalf is not getting any younger either and may be tempted to depart for the West beyond the sea...I would hate to see a Dumbledore happen to that character...
(isn't that terrible of me to think that way!)
:)
Probably, but I agree with the sentiment.
Sylvester McCoy In The Hobbit?
Posted: 17 Jul 2010 04:36 AM PDT
Peter Jackson is currently on a mini world tour reportedly visiting the various actors penciled in for Hobbit roles. Having just flown out of London it was surely only a matter of time for the Hobbit rumours to start here in the UK.
Screenrush are the first off the mark with a report of Sylvester McCoy being signed up for the role of Bilbo Baggins.
Apparently they bumped into McCoy - best known as the 7th Doctor Who - at a theater in London and were given the news not by McCoy but a source 'close to him.'
The source told them McCoy had got 'the second biggest lead' in The Hobbit.
Sylvester McCoy's agent declined to comment but didn't deny the story although even if its not true why would he kill a story set to do the rounds and bring his client lots of free publicity?
Screenrush speculate he may be given the part of an older Bilbo Baggins looking back on his life and telling the story of his journey there and back again.
McCoy was said to have been very close to getting the role of Bilbo in Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy but just lost out to Sir Ian Holm.
Meanwhile it seems Peter Jackson isn't waiting on the paperwork to seal his deal as director. Reports suggest he is working on the presumption that Warner Bros. are about to do a deal and buy MGM's shares of The Hobbit so the project can kick on again.
Sylvester McCoy In The Hobbit? is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
I have to say - he will be an EXCELLENT Bilbo!
http://blastr.com/2010/09/this-may-be-nothing-or.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter (http://blastr.com/2010/09/this-may-be-nothing-or.php?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter)
Leaked document may show how The Hobbit ending will be changed
This may be nothing, just another random Internet rumor based on not much. Or it may be the first inklings of how Peter Jackson et al are planning to change the ending of The Hobbit to make it more cinematic. Please notice the emphasis on the word "may" as there is a lot of conjecture here.
What's got us so interested is a story on the (very reliable) TheOneRing.Net about some casting information they came across.
...if things go well with MGM and Spyglass in the next few weeks, 'The Hobbit' will head to production in January, pending negotiations with [Martin] Freeman and filming could tie up actors for a year. (January happens to be an excellent weather month to shoot at the Hobbiton set.)
And, inadvertently, we know of a possible change to the plot. The character summary says:
although . . . he doesn't have huge courage he does become, particularly in the last battle, very brave.
As readers will remember, Bilbo is mostly knocked out for "the last battle" which we can assume is The Battle of Five Armies. (That title would mean very little to some actors.) No filmmaker, definitely including producer and probable director Peter Jackson could resist filming and showing such a battle with all its action and emotional wallop, despite the titular character from the source glossing over it (and that is obvious with no spy information at all). But this information is a possible plot reveal that Bilbo will remain conscious and the 'film Bilbo' will get to see wonders of battle that 'book Bilbo' never did and perhaps play a brave role.
This sounds like it could be true to us because is it's exactly the kind of change we'd expect to see Jackson make as he translates the pages of The Hobbit into film. (Another reason is that a lot of solid information has come out of production and casting documents over the years.)
He made quite a few adjustments to The Lord of the Rings story as well, and most of those made similar sense and turned out well. So although this is pretty thin (one line in a casting document that may or may not even be real), we think it's worth taking note of and remembering as The Hobbit continues to movie forward, if you're the kind of person interested in such things.
For the record, if all the above is true, we're perfectly fine with this potential revision to the end of The Hobbit for exactly the reasons TheOneRing.Net outlines.
That's a change I could live with. If that's the "worst" thing they change in the movie, I'll live ;)
King
In a joint statement today movie studios behind The Hobbit movies, Warner Bros, New Line and MGM said they were "exploring all alternative options in order to protect our business interests."
This comes after Peter Jacksons press conference yesterday where he said he was looking to Eastern Europe for an alternative filming location.
Trouble started on Monday when acting unions called for an international boycott of The Hobbit until it's producers accepted New Zealand Equity's right to negotiate on behalf of it's members for minimum rights.
The call came from an Australian actors union, the MEAA, which quickly got backing from other major acting unions in America and the UK
The MEAA said makers of The Hobbit had refused to enter into a union negotiated agreement and advised members not to accept work on the movie.
They also claim to have the support of Sir Ian McKellen who is due back in Middle Earth to reprise his role as Gandalf.
In response to the threats of taking the movie to Eastern Europe the union released a statement saying:
"We have been seeking the opportunity to meet with the production for over a month now to discuss the minimum terms and conditions for New Zealand actors on The Hobbit," Jennifer Ward-Lealand, President of the NZ Actors Equity said today.
"NZ Actors Equity is concerned that local actors working on the production receive a fair and equitable contract, just as their international colleagues will do."
"This is only fair."
"Once again we have written to Peter Jackson's production office seeking a meeting to resolve this."
There is a union meeting in Auckland tonight with details being released in the moring – local time.
I understand both sides to this.. but I think New Zealand is shooting themselves in the foot.. there are plenty of other countries that will roll out the red carpet to get The Hobbit to film in their country.
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on September 28, 2010, 03:29:49 PM
I understand both sides to this.. but I think New Zealand is shooting themselves in the foot.. there are plenty of other countries that will roll out the red carpet to get The Hobbit to film in their country.
Having been there, I can tell you that New Zealand has basically built it's entire tourism industry around LOTR. It's EVERYWHERE. Curiously, it's actually very much resented by a great many of the population (ie those NOT directly involved in the tourism industry and who don't understand macro-economics either it seems). This is posturing and looking for leverage, but it really is a big cluster you know what at this point. They would be fools to not accommodate the filming in country and I would be shocked if they don't eventually come to an agreement.
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on September 28, 2010, 03:29:49 PM
I understand both sides to this.. but I think New Zealand is shooting themselves in the foot.. there are plenty of other countries that will roll out the red carpet to get The Hobbit to film in their country.
The U.S. does it all the time :)
Quote from: Bryancd on September 28, 2010, 03:38:26 PM
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on September 28, 2010, 03:29:49 PM
I understand both sides to this.. but I think New Zealand is shooting themselves in the foot.. there are plenty of other countries that will roll out the red carpet to get The Hobbit to film in their country.
Having been there, I can tell you that New Zealand has basically built it's entire tourism industry around LOTR. It's EVERYWHERE. Curiously, it's actually very much resented by a great many of the population (ie those NOT directly involved in the tourism industry and who don't understand macro-economics either it seems). This is posturing and looking for leverage, but it really is a big cluster you know what at this point. They would be fools to not accommodate the filming in country and I would be shocked if they don't eventually come to an agreement.
Obviously it's not all about the money to those people.
I wonder if this is the unions trying to get more $$...I wouldn't put it past them....greedy so-and-so's.
King
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on September 28, 2010, 04:59:00 PM
I wonder if this is the unions trying to get more $$...I wouldn't put it past them....greedy so-and-so's.
King
Duh, of course it is! That's what I said! :)
No Green Light for The Hobbit Yet
Source: Empire
October 8, 2010
MGM is moving forward with the Spyglass reorganization upon its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. This week, there have been a lot of reports saying this would mean a green light for The Hobbit films, but Peter Jackson tells Empire magazine that they are still waiting on the call.
"You can't believe everything you read. There is only one thing you want to believe and that's when the studio announces a greenlight. As far as I'm aware that's not going to be today," said Jackson.
He added that there are "a lot of people at Warner Bros. who are working around the clock trying to maneuver through the MGM complexities. MGM is a company that is about to go bankrupt and in a way they are about to take The Hobbit into bankruptcy hell with them when they go down. Warners are trying to extract The Hobbit out of the bankruptcy hell before it happens. It is just so complicated I can't even put my head into it. It's all to do with American copyright laws, bankruptcy laws."
Jackson said that right now he's a "writer and a producer on it," though one would expect the green light to come with the announcement that he's officially directing as well. The helmer mentioned that he's excited about the project but that he's also not committing fully until the green light is given by New Line/Warner Bros. and MGM.
"It's the worst experience ever, to have a film fall over that you've committed 100% to. I always just protect myself and don't fully commit until I know for sure that it's happening. Then it gets my 100% commitment," he said.
Read more: No Green Light for The Hobbit Yet - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=70508#ixzz11nKTxtNz (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=70508#ixzz11nKTxtNz)
MGM, i shake my head at the their rubbish attitude. I fear for Bond's future as well.
Martin Freeman says he was offered the role of Bilbo Baggins but had to turn it down because he had already committed to the BBC's Sherlock Holmes series in which he played Dr. Watson.
In an interview with Empire he also admitted that because shooting of The Hobbit had been delayed and still not finalized that there could be a window of oppurtunity for him to take the role.
"I did have to say no to it for the second series of Sherlock but if something could be worked out, that would be great." he told Empire.
He also tells them he wasn't a fan of the book although he liked the 3 movies.
"I wasn't a fan of it as a kid but I did like the films," he said. "I think Ian McKellen is very good, and director Peter Jackson's a clever man. I thought what he did with them was interesting and entertaining."
When asked if he agreed the part shouldn't go to someone fresh out of acting he school he agreed.
"Absolutely, because Bilbo isn't 20 at this stage of the story and I reckon I could do a young Ian Holm. I think I could give that a go."
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on October 08, 2010, 11:52:48 AM
MGM, i shake my head at the their rubbish attitude. I fear for Bond's future as well.
Actually bankruptcy might get them back on track - finally. I really want to see another Daniel Craig Bond - and the Hobbit too, of course.
Whoo Hooo.. finally
It's official! The Hobbit has been greenlit. Check out the official press release below:
The two films based on "The Hobbit" are now greenlit and will begin principal photography in February 2011, under the direction of Peter Jackson, it was jointly announced today by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema, Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros. and Steve Cooper, co-Chief Executive Officer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.
"Exploring Tolkien's Middle-earth goes way beyond a normal film-making experience" Jackson says, "It's an all-immersive journey into a very special place of imagination, beauty and drama. We're looking forward to re-entering this wondrous world with Gandalf and Bilbo - and our friends at New Line Cinema, Warner Brothers and MGM".
"Peter is a filmmaker of incomparable ability; having him return to Middle-earth to produce and direct is a dream come true. A true original, Peter is a gifted story-teller, visionary director and pioneer in film technology," said Emmerich. "Reuniting with Peter, Fran and Philippa truly makes it feel like we are going 'there and back again.'"
"There is no human being on the planet as qualified as Peter Jackson to direct these films," said Horn. "Peter is incredibly talented and has the creative vision and experience to bring this beloved property to life in a way that no other filmmaker could. And the team of Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens has proven through their work on the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy that no one is more skilled at transforming Tolkien's written words into a vibrant, living language that makes the audience believe they are not merely visiting Middle-earth, but actually living in it. We couldn't be more thrilled and look forward to seeing 'The Hobbit' take shape under Peter's stewardship and the team he is putting together."
"MGM is excited to move forward and add to the successful 'Lord of the Rings' franchise," said Cooper. "Under Peter's direction, the films will undoubtedly appeal to fans of the original 'LOTR' trilogy and also bring the stories to a new generation of fans."
Jackson, who directed all three "Lord of the Rings" films, will helm the two films back-to-back, telling the story of "The Hobbit" in two parts. Jackson will utilize groundbreaking visual effects and his incomparable story-telling to bring J.R.R. Tolkien's novel to the big screen. Both Hobbit movies will be filmed in Digital 3-D, using the latest camera and stereo technology to create a high quality, comfortable viewing experience. Jackson also co-wrote the screenplays with Fran Walsh, Phillipa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro.
"The Hobbit" is being co-produced by New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production, Warner Bros Pictures handling domestic distribution and MGM distributing internationally. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films, with Phillipa Boyens as co-producer and Ken Kamins as executive producer.
The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed LOTR trilogy grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office. In 2003, "Return of the King" swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The trilogy's production was also unprecedented at the time.
Read more: The Hobbit Confirmed as Greenlit! - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=70790#ixzz12TwEVtkq (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=70790#ixzz12TwEVtkq)
COOL! Me wants it! ;)
Awesome. I knew that union issue would be quickly settled, this film franchise is worth way too much to New Zealand to muck it up. Bring on Smaugg!!!!!
Yeah baby! How does Gerard Butler sound for either Beorn or Bard the Bowman?
I love Martin Freeman's line about a young Ian Holm. To me holm will always be Frodo and John Le Measurier Bilbo. Anything else is but cheap immitation.
This is te best news. Looking forward to these with a passion!
Quote from: Feathers on October 16, 2010, 12:12:26 PM
I love Martin Freeman's line about a young Ian Holm. To me holm will always be Frodo and John Le Measurier Bilbo. Anything else is but cheap immitation.
This is te best news. Looking forward to these with a passion!
For me - Ian Holm will always be either Napoleon or Father Cornelius.. :)
For me Ian Holm will always be Ash the sinister android from the original Alien
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on October 16, 2010, 11:20:44 PM
For me Ian Holm will always be Ash the sinister android from the original Alien
Yes - you are right! I slipped on that one.
Wow, so did I.
LOl i cant wait to see the pictures of the making of this, another fab geeky film to look forward to. :D
The Hobbit Casting Announced!
Source: New Line/Warner Bros.
October 21, 2010
Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Graham McTavish, John Callen, Stephen Hunter, Mark Hadlow and Peter Hambleton have joined the ensemble cast of The Hobbit, it was jointly announced today by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema; Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros.; Steve Cooper, co-Chief Executive Officer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc., and Peter Jackson.
Since The Hobbit films received a green light on October 15, pre-production has been in full swing. Set for release in December, 2012 and December, 2013, we can confirm that Martin Freeman (The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Hot Fuzz) will play Bilbo Baggins, the hero of the story. Richard Armitage (UK TV's "MI-5" and soon to appear in Captain America: The First Avenger) is set to play Thorin Oakenshield, the leader of the Company of Dwarves which sets off to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from a thieving dragon.
"Despite the various rumors and speculation surrounding this role, there has only ever been one Bilbo Baggins for us," says Peter Jackson. "There are a few times in your career when you come across an actor who you know was born to play a role, but that was the case as soon as I met Martin. He is intelligent, funny, surprising and brave - exactly like Bilbo and I feel incredibly proud to be able to announce that he is our Hobbit."
He adds: "Richard is one of the most exciting and dynamic actors working on screen today and we know he is going to make an amazing Thorin Oakensheild. We cannot wait to start this adventure with him and feel very lucky that one of the most beloved characters in Middle-earth is in such good hands."
Rounding out the Company of Dwarves are Aidan Turner (TV's "Being Human") and Rob Kazinsky (TVs "EastEnders") who play Kili and Fili, respectively. Jackson comments, "Rob is an extremely talented young actor with a huge career in front of him, I'm thrilled that he has agreed to take on the role of Fili. Besides his talent as an actor, Rob is also a champion sword fighter; I'm looking forward to seeing the damage he can do to a horde of marauding Goblins!" He continues, "Adian is a wonderfully gifted young actor who hails from Ireland. I'm sure he will bring enormous heart and humor to the role of Kili."
The remaining dwarves will be played by Graham McTavish (Secretariat and TV's "24") as Dwalin; John Callen (TV's "Power Rangers Jungle Fury") as Oin; Stephen Hunter (TV's "All Saints") as Bombur; Mark Hadlow (King Kong) as Dori; and Peter Hambleton (TV's "The Strip") as Gloin.
Jackson notes, "Graham is a terrific actor, with a great depth of experience, which I know he will bring to the role of "Dwalin. I have worked with Mark Hadlow on many projects; he is a fantastic actor. I am thrilled to be working with both of them on these movies. He adds, "I am also proud to announce the casting of New Zealand actors as Peter Hambleton, John Callen and Stephen Hunter. Fran and I know that they will bring great depth and talent to our Company of Dwarves."
The two "The Hobbit" films are being co-produced by New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production, Warner Bros Pictures handling domestic distribution and MGM distributing internationally. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films, with Phillipa Boyens serving as co-producer and Ken Kamins as executive producer.
Read more: The Hobbit Casting Announced! - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=71003#ixzz132xFzCwi (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=71003#ixzz132xFzCwi)
Martin Freeman not so sure about that casting never found him to be that good an actor still he was good in the new sherlock tv show so there is some hope.
Is Gandalf's actor still on board with this movie? It sounded like he was staying out until the whole New Zealand incident was fixed...(sorry, forgot his name)
King
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on October 21, 2010, 06:47:57 PM
Is Gandalf's actor still on board with this movie? It sounded like he was staying out until the whole New Zealand incident was fixed...(sorry, forgot his name)
King
Ian Mckellen I hope he is still do it ,can't see anyone else in the part now
Martin Freeman should be good for the role. I wonder if Hugo will be back as Elrond?
Richard Armitage is obviously a busy boy these days. Coming off the end of Robin Hood, now one of the leads in Spooks (I guess MI-5 is the rather unimaginative US title for it) and on to the Hobbit.
He's probably due a year or two off at some point.
Mike you know how they kill off the characters all teh time in spooks, i think we know whats happeneing at the end of those series
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on October 22, 2010, 01:51:33 PM
Mike you know how they kill off the characters all teh time in spooks, i think we know whats happeneing at the end of those series
True. Just watching episode 1 of the new season now. Armitage is only in his second year but he may go by the end.
NEW ZEALAND REACHES DEAL TO KEEP "HOBBIT" FILMS
New Zealand reaches deal to keep "Hobbit" films
Adrian Bathgate
Reuters US Online Report Entertainment News
Oct 27, 2010 11:04 EDT
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand will remain the home of "The Hobbit" after the government struck a US$25 million deal with Warner Bros. and promised labor law changes to stop the film studio from relocating the big-budget movie production.
A short-lived union boycott prompted Warner Bros. representatives to travel to New Zealand this week to review the studio's decision to shoot Peter Jackson's two-part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy in New Zealand.
Fearing the loss of the project worth an estimated $500 million and damage to the reputation of New Zealand's fledgling film industry, Prime Minister John Key stepped in, negotiating a deal to keep the project that was announced late on Wednesday.
"An agreement has been reached between the New Zealand government and Warner Bros. that will enable the two Hobbit movies to be directed by Sir Peter Jackson to be made in New Zealand," Key told a news conference.
Jackson's adaptation of Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" was shot in his home country of New Zealand and garnered major international publicity for New Zealand. Warner Bros. sold nearly $3 billion worth of tickets at the box office, and the filmmaker and his team won 11 Academy Awards in 2003, including best film.
Economists said the loss of "The Hobbit" could cost New Zealand up to $1.5 billion and the danger of losing the film brought thousands of protestors into the streets in the past week.
Key said the government would introduce legislation into parliament on Thursday to change local labor laws at the heart of the dispute over "The Hobbit" which sparked protests on the streets across the country over the past week.
TAX BREAK AND LEGAL CHANGE
The row erupted when actors' unions said the movie's producers would not allow them to negotiate a minimum wage and working conditions for their members.
Key said laws would be changed to clarify the differences between a contract worker and a movie production employee.
"We will be moving to ensure that New Zealand law in this area is settled to give film producers like Warner Bros. the confidence they need to produce their movies in New Zealand," said Key.
As part of the deal, New Zealand will also expand its film subsidy program for big budget movies, providing an extra US$7.5 million tax rebate for each "Hobbit" movie on top of the usual 15 percent.
Key said Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc, also agreed to a joint marketing deal with the New Zealand government which would promote the country as a film production and tourism destination.
The government will offset US$10 million of those costs.
Filming is expected to start in February 2011 with the first movie due for release in late 2012 and the second a year later.
"I am delighted that we have reached this result," Key said in a statement.
"Making the two Hobbit movies here will not only safeguard work for thousands of New Zealanders, but it will also follow the success of the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy in once again promoting New Zealand on the world stage."
"The Hobbit" is based on the adventures of Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit who lives in the land of Middle-earth that is filled with wizards, elves and other fantasy creatures. Bilbo goes on a quest to find treasure guarded by a dragon.
The book, first published in 1937, is the precursor to the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy that is also based in Middle-earth.
(Reporting by Adrian Bathgate; writing by Elaine Lies, Editing by Belinda Goldsmith)
I'm not surprised at all that the Prime Minister stepped in. If the Hobbit did not get filmed in New Zealand, it would have hurt them really hard, and in their current economic state, they cannot afford the bad rap sheet. (Been doing research on New Zealand for school).
Glad to hear this is going through, now, can we quit suing Peter Jackson long enough to get this film made already?!
;)
King
The Hobbit Movies Will Be In 3D
Posted: 30 Nov 2010 01:02 AM PST
Guillermo Del Toro said he didn't want The Hobbit shot in 3D because he wanted his Middle Earth to match the one we already know from The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
With Peter Jackson now in the directors chair though it shouldn't come as any surprise that it's just been announced he will shoot both Hobbit movies in 3D.
PJ was full of praise for 3D last year and has already said he hopes to find the time to convert his LOTR trilogy sooner rather than later.
The good news is he will be using 30 of the latest (and apparently best) RED EPIC cameras for the job.
My only worry is that Peter Jackson isn't exactly famous for releasing your standard 90 minute long movies. By the end of the 3D Avatar my eyes had had enough and that was under 3 hours long.
Jackson's King Kong was just over 3 hours, The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers were 3 hours long while The Return of the King was 3 hours and 20 minutes.
Will you be watching the 3D or standard version of The Hobbit in 2012?
Has PJ decided to not make these into 2 seperate films? That was the original concept, to break the story in half, in which case their run time would be shorter very likely. And I would welcome a good 3D presentation. Was good enough for that new Harry Potter movie and I don't hear a lot of complaining about that.
Quote from: Bryancd on November 30, 2010, 04:00:53 PM
Has PJ decided to not make these into 2 seperate films? That was the original concept, to break the story in half, in which case their run time would be shorter very likely. And I would welcome a good 3D presentation. Was good enough for that new Harry Potter movie and I don't hear a lot of complaining about that.
It says in the article "both hobbit movies"
King
Good, so this should not be an issue.
I've never quite got why they want to do this in two movies. The Hobbit is a pretty simple and fairly short book. Unlike the recent Potter movie which really does need two movies to tell the story well, I don't see it here. Looks more like a money grab to me.
Quote from: Rico on November 30, 2010, 04:51:04 PM
I've never quite got why they want to do this in two movies. The Hobbit is a pretty simple and fairly short book. Unlike the recent Potter movie which really does need two movies to tell the story well, I don't see it here. Looks more like a money grab to me.
I agree - the should make The Hobbit - then treat this new 'bridging movie' separately. Although filming them both at the same time makes sense - the actors ain't getting any younger..
And what about the whole 3Dissue? Total double standard. I WANT MORE Middle Earth, the longer the better. I could care less about Harry Potter. I say that's also a total money grab and you all know it.
Quote from: Bryancd on November 30, 2010, 05:15:27 PM
And what about the whole 3Dissue? Total double standard. I WANT MORE Middle Earth, the longer the better. I could care less about Harry Potter. I say that's also a total money grab and you all know it.
I don't agree. Not quite sure even if you are being serious or not. And for the record, (again) 3D is not needed for just about any film in my opinion. You certainly know what I think about that by now. I've read both of these books. "The Hobbit" is a simple tale, and only about 300 pages long. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows" is the final book in a long series and about 750 pages long. It is a fairly complex story and has to wrap up the entire series. I've also seen this film too and it greatly benefits from being split in two movies (I talked about this on my recent podcast). While I have no doubt you can certainly make two movies out of "The Hobbit" it really isn't that necessary. Now, I enjoyed both books and I'm certain I will enjoy "The Hobbit" too, but from a purely technical aspect two films is a bit of overkill, in my view at least.
Well rumors have been going around that they were splitting The Hobbit into two movies.. but then they said no.. that The Hobbit will be the first movie and a second movie will be stuff from the appendix, kind of like a bridge movie between The Hobbit and LOTR.. I don't think anything official has been said yet.
And Bryan I'm sure WB saw $$ when they talked about splitting the final book into two stories.. but as Rico has said it was done because of final story is so big and grand and could support two movies.. and to be honest the final few books could have been made into 2 movies each.
Quote from: Rico on November 30, 2010, 05:37:56 PM
Quote from: Bryancd on November 30, 2010, 05:15:27 PM
And what about the whole 3Dissue? Total double standard. I WANT MORE Middle Earth, the longer the better. I could care less about Harry Potter. I say that's also a total money grab and you all know it.
I don't agree. Not quite sure even if you are being serious or not. And for the record, (again) 3D is not needed for just about any film in my opinion. You certainly know what I think about that by now. I've read both of these books. "The Hobbit" is a simple tale, and only about 300 pages long. "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows" is the final book in a long series and about 750 pages long. It is a fairly complex story and has to wrap up the entire series. I've also seen this film too and it greatly benefits from being split in two movies (I talked about this on my recent podcast). While I have no doubt you can certainly make two movies out of "The Hobbit" it really isn't that necessary. Now, I enjoyed both books and I'm certain I will enjoy "The Hobbit" too, but from a purely technical aspect two films is a bit of overkill, in my view at least.
And I disagree. I would put two pages of Tolkien up against 10 pages of anyone else, so the "complexity" or page count number doesn't fly with me. I think it's naive at best disingenuous at worst to suggest that splitting the Harry Potter movie in two is anything beyond an attempt to capture revenue. Same with the Hobbit, however, I love the Hobbit and welcome and expansion on the story. Simply my opinion. And I heard what you said in the podcast and I think you are giving the Potter franchise a total pass on your criticism because you like it. Well, I like Tolkien and want more of it.
And where is the anti 3D rant? Does the second Harry Potter movie need to be in 3D? Will it add to the story? Will you pay more to see it? This is purely about what we all like. I love LOTR films, I don't care about HP films. If PJ wants to make extended versions of the Hobbit story that will bridge to Fellowship, I'm in. As HP fans, clearly so are you and Kenny. That's fine, but don't give me the argument that this isn't all about $ but about the content.
Quote from: Bryancd on November 30, 2010, 07:28:27 PM
And where is the anti 3D rant? Does the second Harry Potter movie need to be in 3D? Will it add to the story? Will you pay more to see it? This is purely about what we all like. I love LOTR films, I don't care about HP films. If PJ wants to make extended versions of the Hobbit story that will bridge to Fellowship, I'm in. As HP fans, clearly so are you and Kenny. That's fine, but don't give me the argument that this isn't all about $ but about the content.
Personally, while I am sick of 3D, ranting about it is a lost cause, I hope they wake up to the fact that 3D is not selling. It hasn't sold since Avatar came out and its already what I consider a dead tech. My next monitor/graphics card will not be based around the intent of getting 3D. Hollywood is grasping to 3D so badly so it can get ppl back into the theaters again. In the long run, its a wasted effort.
King
It doesn't sound like they are 'splitting' The Hobbit - but making 'The Hobbit' and then a new and distinct movie based on the Indexes (at least that is what I hope they are doing). Mixing the 2 and dragging it out will disappoint me. I am a complete Tolkien nut - having read everything he has written.
Has anyone listened to the Rob Inglis unabridged audio book for The Hobbit? It is spectacular.
No ranting but I'll do my best not to watch either in 3D and I love both franchises.
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on November 30, 2010, 07:54:40 PM
Personally, while I am sick of 3D, ranting about it is a lost cause, I hope they wake up to the fact that 3D is not selling. It hasn't sold since Avatar came out and its already what I consider a dead tech. My next monitor/graphics card will not be based around the intent of getting 3D. Hollywood is grasping to 3D so badly so it can get ppl back into the theaters again. In the long run, its a wasted effort.
King
I think the jury is still out on that. It doesn't take a lot of predictive skill to realize that TRON is going to likely do big 3D business and besides "Despicable Me" there hasn't been a true 3D film in thetaters since "Avatar", all the rest have been up-conversions of dubious quality. Done right, 3D provides a different experience which I and many people I know really like and will pay more for.
Bryan, you and I will never agree on this. I'm probably as big a Tolkien fan as you. I also read a lot of other fantasy and other books too. But again, 3-D is not needed for this film or any other. A good movie will usually make money. Simple as that. As far as two films for this, again I don't see the need.
Quote from: Rico on December 01, 2010, 05:22:58 AM
Bryan, you and I will never agree on this. I'm probably as big a Tolkien fan as you. I also read a lot of other fantasy and other books too. But again, 3-D is not needed for this film or any other. A good movie will usually make money. Simple as that. As far as two films for this, again I don't see the need.
That's cool, we can agree to disagree, but I still think you gave HP a complete pass on it's future 3D effort, both in your comments on the forum and the podcast. You brushed right by it and I found that surprising.
Bryan, I'm not giving the next part of HP in 3D "a pass", I just felt like I had made my opinion known on 3D enough by now. But I'll make sure to talk it up again when the next movie comes out. :)
You'll have TRON way before that! And I know you will be there, glasses on! :)
And in regards to my response to King, it is correct that there hasn't been a live action, native filmed, 3D release since "Avatar", correct? Even "Alice in Wonderland" was an upconversion, I thought.
I think so Bryan, I could be wrong but I think Avatar was unique while everyone just converted to get on the bandwagon of 3D.
King
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on October 22, 2010, 01:51:33 PM
Mike you know how they kill off the characters all teh time in spooks, i think we know whats happeneing at the end of those series
Well, we were right. Without any spoilers, let's just say that it looks like Richard Armitage will now be available to persue his career elsewhere for a while.
Quote from: Bryancd on December 01, 2010, 05:04:56 AM
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on November 30, 2010, 07:54:40 PM
Personally, while I am sick of 3D, ranting about it is a lost cause, I hope they wake up to the fact that 3D is not selling. It hasn't sold since Avatar came out and its already what I consider a dead tech. My next monitor/graphics card will not be based around the intent of getting 3D. Hollywood is grasping to 3D so badly so it can get ppl back into the theaters again. In the long run, its a wasted effort.
King
I think the jury is still out on that. It doesn't take a lot of predictive skill to realize that TRON is going to likely do big 3D business and besides "Despicable Me" there hasn't been a true 3D film in thetaters since "Avatar", all the rest have been up-conversions of dubious quality. Done right, 3D provides a different experience which I and many people I know really like and will pay more for.
Bryan, Alice In Wonderland was 3D, true 3D and it was pretty cool. Just sayin' :)
And for the record...I don't understand why everyone is so up in arms about the 3D debate! I mean, really? 3D??? Anything more that a good Double D is just a waste! :) :roflmao :shocked
Quote from: QuadShot on December 02, 2010, 07:37:19 AM
Quote from: Bryancd on December 01, 2010, 05:04:56 AM
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on November 30, 2010, 07:54:40 PM
Personally, while I am sick of 3D, ranting about it is a lost cause, I hope they wake up to the fact that 3D is not selling. It hasn't sold since Avatar came out and its already what I consider a dead tech. My next monitor/graphics card will not be based around the intent of getting 3D. Hollywood is grasping to 3D so badly so it can get ppl back into the theaters again. In the long run, its a wasted effort.
King
I think the jury is still out on that. It doesn't take a lot of predictive skill to realize that TRON is going to likely do big 3D business and besides "Despicable Me" there hasn't been a true 3D film in thetaters since "Avatar", all the rest have been up-conversions of dubious quality. Done right, 3D provides a different experience which I and many people I know really like and will pay more for.
Bryan, Alice In Wonderland was 3D, true 3D and it was pretty cool. Just sayin' :)
I didn't see it Al and wasn't sure if it was shot in 3D or not. Good to hear you liked it. My contention is that all the native 3D films have delivered on the experience whereas the up-conversions have not. So when discussing the merits of 3D, it's important to separate the wheat from the chaff so to speak.
The fairly recent "Alice in Wonderland" was upcoverted for the most part. Only full CGI scenes (with no actors) were in native 3D. Posting a link below with some info for you all to ponder. There are actually very few native 3D films that are not animated features that have been or will be shot in native 3D. "Drive Angry" with Nic Cage is one native 3D movie coming that was shot with 3D equipment. The recent "Step Up 3D" was also native 3D. Anyone run out to see that one? Anyway, here you go...
http://www.3dmovielist.com/list.html (http://www.3dmovielist.com/list.html)
Which I think gets back to your previous position, Rico, that a movie is good or bad regardless of the format. With 3D, I would suggest you get what you pay for when it comes to live action. "Avavtar" spent the money and it's all on screen. I bet we will say the same about "TRON" and the final Harry Potter movie and the "The Hobbit" if they do it in 3D. Also the Star Wars movies. It's all about how much money they are willing to spend to make the 3D experience effective and those titles will spend BIG. You have to acknowledge those other films were likely cheaply and quickly done.
My ONLY point all along has been a good movie is a good movie - regardless of it being in 3D or not. I see movies that interest and appeal to me, not based on if they are in 3D. And I really think the movie going public does the same, on average.
I agree the film comes first, format a distant second. BUT, I also think that done right, it can enhance the experience and is worthwile.
I took my daughter and son too see Chrismas Carol in 3D last year and it was a nightmare. The glasses kept falling off their faces and I had to sit there holding them on their heads for them because of course the picture was blurry and unwatchable without them. The whole thing was ridiculous, there was maybe one part, when it was snowing and it actually seemed like the snowflakes were falling all around me, that I thought it was a cool effect, but overall the whole experience would have been much more enjoyable in a regular showing. The 3D added nothing but hassle. I'll never make that mistake again.
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on December 02, 2010, 10:25:00 AM
I took my daughter and son too see Chrismas Carol in 3D last year and it was a nightmare. The glasses kept falling off their faces and I had to sit there holding them on their heads for them because of course the picture was blurry and unwatchable without them. The whole thing was ridiculous, there was maybe one part, when it was snowing and it actually seemed like the snowflakes were falling all around me, that I thought it was a cool effect, but overall the whole experience would have been much more enjoyable in a regular showing. The 3D added nothing but hassle. I'll never make that mistake again.
Duct Tape Joby...gotta use the Duct Tape! :)
3D 'convertion' makes me want to vomit over my film collection. Serioulsy belt up and just make the film if youcant afford to film it with 3D equiptment which so far has only been Avatar and i found that boring because it was all gimick and no story. And if i hear another film 'producer' (rarely a director) say oh yeah we are going to convert this section in 3D i'll hand in my geek card. DO NOT CONVERT A FILM it looks like those cheap theatre toys you used to buy, just layers of flat screen over each other, here's a hint "Just make the damn film and make it good."
Rant over now to make a cup of tea.
Now WAIT just a moment Meds...you have a geek card???? :)
Yeah Its all shiny and glossy and signed by Rico. ;)
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on December 02, 2010, 01:27:27 PM
Yeah Its all shiny and glossy and signed by Rico. ;)
Thanks, my brother in arms against the evil that is 3D! ;)
LOL ;)
Quote from: Bryancd on December 01, 2010, 05:04:56 AM
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on November 30, 2010, 07:54:40 PM
Personally, while I am sick of 3D, ranting about it is a lost cause, I hope they wake up to the fact that 3D is not selling. It hasn't sold since Avatar came out and its already what I consider a dead tech. My next monitor/graphics card will not be based around the intent of getting 3D. Hollywood is grasping to 3D so badly so it can get ppl back into the theaters again. In the long run, its a wasted effort.
King
I think the jury is still out on that. It doesn't take a lot of predictive skill to realize that TRON is going to likely do big 3D business and besides "Despicable Me" there hasn't been a true 3D film in thetaters since "Avatar", all the rest have been up-conversions of dubious quality. Done right, 3D provides a different experience which I and many people I know really like and will pay more for.
Resident evil was filmed in 3d with the same cameras from avatar. I enjoyed it. I think there are a few others that are using the tech as well, but I can't list them off the top of my head.
Quote from: Rico on December 02, 2010, 09:18:55 AM
My ONLY point all along has been a good movie is a good movie - regardless of it being in 3D or not. I see movies that interest and appeal to me, not based on if they are in 3D. And I really think the movie going public does the same, on average.
I am of two minds on this. While I like going to the movies, I am more apt to go if something I want to see is in 3D. Otherwise I can see it when I see it or get it on DVD. When it's there in 3D, I think I'm more willing to go because I'm not going to buy a 3D system any time soon.
So for me, 3D sells me sooner than 2D. Would I see the movie without 3D, yes, but if it was shot in 3D I want to see it the way it was shot and on the big screen.
I know that I am not alone in this, so 3D is working and putting butts in the seats. A quick talk with the people here confirms that it is selling seats.
King mentioned it being dead, but I don't even this that it's started yet.
People want the future. 3D is the future of 2D. With 3D coming to the home, there isn't a doubt that more films and even tv shows will head in that course.
something I just learned:
QuoteFusion Camera System
The digital high-definition camera was used on Cameron's documentaries and movies Aliens of the Deep, Ghosts of the Abyss and Avatar. Other directors have used the camera on movies including Robert Rodriguez's Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over and The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl in 3-D, Eric Brevig's Journey to the Center of the Earth, Paul W. S. Anderson's Resident Evil: Afterlife , Joseph Kosinski's Tron Legacy, and Michael Bay's Transformers: The Dark of the Moon. The camera has also been used to film sporting events such as the 2007 NBA finals.
Here is something else. A site that tells you if 3d is worth it:
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/To-3D-Or-Not-To-3D-Buy-The-Right-Resident-Evil-Afterlife-Ticket-20591.html (http://www.cinemablend.com/new/To-3D-Or-Not-To-3D-Buy-The-Right-Resident-Evil-Afterlife-Ticket-20591.html)
Cate Blanchett returns even though Galadriel WASN'T in The Hobbit
A familiar face is returning to Middle-earth in the upcoming two-part adaptation of The Hobbit—even though her character doesn't actually appear in the book.
According to HitFix, Warner Bros. Pictures and MGM Studios have announced that Cate Blanchett has joined the cast of the films as Galadriel, the Lady of Lothlorien, who also showed up in all three of the Lord of The Rings movies. Director Peter Jackson said in a statement, "Cate is one of my favorite actors to work with and I couldnít be more thrilled to have her reprise the role she so beautifully brought to life in the earlier films."
Blanchett's return for The Hobbit, however, is a little bit of a surprise, since Galadriel doesn't actually appear in the novel (she does appear in both Tolkien's The Silmarillion and Unfinished Tales). It seems evident that Jackson and his co-writers Fran Walsh, Phillippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro have taken certain liberties with Tolkien's material to expand it to two movies.
Also announced are new cast members Ken Stott as Dwarf Lord Balin, Sylvester McCoy—who played the Seventh Doctor on Doctor Who—as the wizard Radagast the Brown, Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt as Beorn and British actor Ryan Gage as Drodo Baggins. Also confirmed were New Zealand actors Jed Brophy and William Kirchner as dwarves Nori and Bifur.
The new batch of names joins Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and a number of others, although it's been pointed out that Ian McKellen has yet to be officially confirmed to return as Gandalf.
The Hobbit is expected to begin shooting in February in New Zealand, with tentative release dates of December 2012 and 2013.
I'm guessing she's going to be in the background like she was in 2 and 3. Just a guess.
King
They should start calling this movie, "The Lord of the Rings Prequel" and not the Hobbit. ;)
At this rate thier get Liv Tyler back to do....er something
They could call it Chronicles Bilbo Baggins or Get Shorty
Was Radagast in 'The Hobbit'? Still, Sylvester McCoy will probably make for an interesting distraction.
I was always fascinated by the Council of Wizards in LOTR. For some reason I thought Tom Bombadil was Radagast in disguise. Does any of the extended fiction go into more detail about the other wizards besides Gandalf and Saruman?
She is my favorite actress. I imagine she will be in the 2nd apocryphal movie - which is ok in my book.
All sounds great to me :D
Quote from: Feathers on December 08, 2010, 06:24:43 AM
Was Radagast in 'The Hobbit'? Still, Sylvester McCoy will probably make for an interesting distraction.
No - but he would have been in the White Council - which is why Gandalf had to slip away from the Dwarves & Bilbo as they entered Mirkwood forest.
I am glad they are not cutting out Beorn - like they did in the Rankin Bass animation of The Hobbit.
Quote from: Rico on December 07, 2010, 05:06:45 PM
They should start calling this movie, "The Lord of the Rings Prequel" and not the Hobbit. ;)
Hopefully they will not be inspired by JJ Abrams and do a reboot of 'Middle Earth'. Maybe finding the One Ring changes the timeline... ;)
Following on from the news yesterday that Cate Blanchett is to reprise her role as Galadriel for The Hobbit movies despite the fact that the character isn't actually in Tolkien's book, whispers are doing the rounds that Orlando Bloom is also close to doing a deal to return as Legolas.
As Legolas is another character that doesn't make an appearance in The Hobbit book it looks like we could be getting the so called 'bridge' movie after all.
Originally The Hobbit was to be one movie but then the idea of the second movie was floated which would bridge the gap between the end of The Hobbit and the start of Lord of the Rings.
The idea being that they could bring back many of the actors from Peter Jackson's trilogy which would be a crowd pleaser for the fans of those movies. It would also allow a lot more artistic license for the second movie without upsetting Tolkien purists.
Deadline are saying they have been told the Legolas part is much more than just a cameo so either PJ is really going to deviate from the book or The Hobbit part 2 is going to be the bridge movie.
It will be interesting to see which other actors from The Lord of the Rings get signed up before shooting starts in February.
It should be noted though that as Elves, Galadriel and Legolas whould have been around in Middle Earth during the time Bilbo takes off on his journey so I could be way off the mark. They aren't mentioned by name in The Hobbit because Tolkien had yet to build the characters. This doesn't mean though that PJ has to ignore them.
At one point in The Hobbit for instance it mentions Gandalf visits the White Council and Galadriel we learn later in LOTR is part of that council. While The Hobbit doesn't go into what happens at that meeting, PJ may have plans to expand the story to include it in the movie.
As for Legolas, as the son of King Thranduil he could be part of the party encountered by Bilbo in Mirkwood as well as at the kings court. Being more than a little handy with the bow and arrow its also a safe bet he would have taken part in the Battle of Five Armies.
Jackson has a huge advantage over Tolkien. When the author completed The Lord of the Rings he went back and made a few adjustments to The Hobbit. If he had penned The Hobbit after LOTR he may well have done what Jackson could be planning to do.
Sounds great! I trust PJ and his writing team to do the material justice and I want Smaug in 3D!
Quote from: Bryancd on December 09, 2010, 03:54:48 PM
Sounds great! I trust PJ and his writing team to do the material justice and I want Smaug in 3D!
I can't believe I'm typing this but I agree with you 100% Bryan :)
Its time for the Tolkien toast again!
On the 3rd January 1892 in South Africa JRR Tolkien was born and fans of the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy around the world will be raising a glass to him at 9pm local time.
To make the birthday toast The Tolkien Society say you should stand and raise a glass of your choice of drink (it doesn't have to be an alcoholic beverage) and say the words "The Professor."
You should then take a drink from the glass before sitting down to finish the rest.
The Tolkien Society is an international organization registered in the United Kingdom to encourage interest in the life and works of the late Professor J.R.R. Tolkien.
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us." – John Ronald Reuel Tolkien, British scholar, poet, philogist and Grandfather of high fantasy (1892 – 1973)
The Tolkien Toast is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Another Lord of the Rings star looks to be joining The Hobbit movies with Elijah Wood set to reprise his role of Frodo Baggins according to Deadline.
It is believed he will feature at the start of both Hobbit movies either reading about Bilbo's adventure or having it read to him as a way of introducing the story.
In other Middle Earth news The Los Angeles Times is today reporting that MGM have handed over its rights to the foriegn distribution of The Hobbit movies to Warner Bros.
In exchange for these rights Warner Bros. will be paying all of the production costs, currently estimated to be $530 Million.
Originally the cost of the 2 Hobbit movies was to be split between the companies and MGM would get the foriegn distribution and Warner Bros the domestic.
Howerver, MGM has just emerged from bankruptcy and doesn't have the cash to cover its share of The Hobbit budget. In a recent bankruptcy filing, MGM said it would owe $265 million to $275 million for "The Hobbit," along with $40 million it has already spent on pre-production and development.
Under new leadership of co-chief executives Gary Barber and Roger Birnbaum, MGM recently closed a $500 million line of credit that will be used to produce other movies and cover its overhead.
Warner will now handle theatrical and home video distribution of "The Hobbit" in the majority of markets overseas, MGM will sell the television rights abroad.
Ah this could be the reason why i found out that the next Bond movie looks to be back inthe works again.
Great news to have Elijah back! I am so excited for this, I'm glad it's two films, I want as much Middle Earth as envisioned by PJ Jackson that I can get!
agreed Bryan, I can't wait for more, and I LOVE the story of the Hobbit.
If you ever get a chance - listen to the Rob Inglis unabridged audiobooks of The Hobbit and LOTR - he does a brilliant job. Distinct voices for each character - he is amazing. We listen in the car when doing family trips, etc. Kids (10 & 8) love these versions.
I think a LOTR extended edition marathon is in order. Jackson has that love for middle Earth which oozes confidence in the viewer. Will be nice to have Frodo in it.
Quote from: Bromptonboy on January 09, 2011, 04:35:42 AM
If you ever get a chance - listen to the Rob Inglis unabridged audiobooks of The Hobbit and LOTR - he does a brilliant job. Distinct voices for each character - he is amazing. We listen in the car when doing family trips, etc. Kids (10 & 8) love these versions.
Those are my favorite.. I listen at least 2 to 3 times a year the entire series Hobbit and LOTR.
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on January 09, 2011, 08:44:51 AM
I think a LOTR extended edition marathon is in order. Jackson has that love for middle Earth which oozes confidence in the viewer. Will be nice to have Frodo in it.
Yeah I've been wanting to do that for several months now.. really need to make the time.. even if it's just one movie a weekend.
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on January 09, 2011, 09:23:57 AM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on January 09, 2011, 04:35:42 AM
If you ever get a chance - listen to the Rob Inglis unabridged audiobooks of The Hobbit and LOTR - he does a brilliant job. Distinct voices for each character - he is amazing. We listen in the car when doing family trips, etc. Kids (10 & 8) love these versions.
Those are my favorite.. I listen at least 2 to 3 times a year the entire series Hobbit and LOTR.
Are they unabridged? I may need to get those.
@Bryan Yes - unabridged - and well worth it.
@Kenny LOL! I do the same thing! I get backed up on my podcasts when once a year I do a complete listen through during my commutes.. I bought all of the unabridged CD's (someday I'll convert them for the iPod). Thankfully my Prius has a 6-CD changer.
What do you think of Bobbie Coltrane (aka Hagrid, aka 'Cracker') to play Bombur?
Quote from: Bromptonboy on January 09, 2011, 09:33:04 AM
@Bryan Yes - unabridged - and well worth it.
@Kenny LOL! I do the same thing! I get backed up on my podcasts when once a year I do a complete listen through during my commutes.. I bought all of the unabridged CD's (someday I'll convert them for the iPod). Thankfully my Prius has a 6-CD changer.
I actually have it all on my ipod.. and I too fall behind on my podcast when I listen to LOTR or The Hobbit.. but I also listen to quite a few Books on CD.. I have all of Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Underland Chronicles, Twilight, Wheel of Time, Hunger Gams Trilogy and a few more I can't think of..
And just this week I got The Silmarillions in audio and The Children of Hurin.. going to listen to those after I list to The Hunger Games... Can't wait to listen to the Silmarillions.
Quote from: Bromptonboy on January 09, 2011, 09:34:20 AM
What do you think of Bobbie Coltrane (aka Hagrid, aka 'Cracker') to play Bombur?
Lets face it Robbie Coltrane can do no wrong. Great choice. :D
Andy Serkis to Return for The Hobbit
Source: Deadline
January 10, 2011
Though it comes as no surprise, official word (courtesy of Deadline) that Andy Serkis has signed on for The Hobbit should make fans very pleased.
Serkis is best known, of course, for his motion-capture performance in the role of Gollum in the original Lord of the Rings films. The character made his first literary appearance in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit, confronting Bilbo in the chapter "Riddles in the Dark", which also features a very familiar golden ring.
More actors are expected to sign on for the two-part Peter Jackson film in the near future, including Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee and Ian Holm as Gandalf, Saruman and an older Bilbo Baggins, respectively. Check back with ComingSoon.net for updates as soon as they're available.
Read more: Andy Serkis to Return for The Hobbit - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=73120#ixzz1AgeKyZ00 (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=73120#ixzz1AgeKyZ00)
Ian McKellen Confirmed for The Hobbit
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
January 10, 2011
Hot on the heels of the news that Andy Serkis will return for The Hobbit comes word from The Hollywood Reporter that Ian McKellen has signed on for the two-film adaptation as well.
McKellen, of course, made iconic the cinematic version of Gandalf with his portrayal of the wizard in the three Lord of the Rings films. The character plays a huge role in the original J.R.R. Tolkien text for The Hobbit and, with McKellen aboard, news of Christopher Lee and Ian Holm signing on to reprise their parts as Saruman and an older Bilbo Baggins, respectively, us expected to follow.
Read more: Ian McKellen Confirmed for The Hobbit - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=73122#ixzz1Age9dbCI (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=73122#ixzz1Age9dbCI)
Glad to read that. Not to be cruel, but we shouldn't keep Sir Ian waiting in the wing for too long...he ain't a spring chicken any more! :)
More great news!
So wait, they are using two Bilbo's in this film(s)? I'm confused.
King
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on January 10, 2011, 09:24:18 PM
So wait, they are using two Bilbo's in this film(s)? I'm confused.
King
Old Bilbo can tell Frodo the story and it begins with them and ends with them then leads to the first movie.
Quote from: X on January 10, 2011, 09:38:39 PM
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on January 10, 2011, 09:24:18 PM
So wait, they are using two Bilbo's in this film(s)? I'm confused.
King
Old Bilbo can tell Frodo the story and it begins with them and ends with them then leads to the first movie.
Hmm, ok. That works.
King
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on January 10, 2011, 09:24:18 PM
So wait, they are using two Bilbo's in this film(s)? I'm confused.
King
Where did you hear they are having two Bilbo's?
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on January 10, 2011, 10:53:59 PM
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on January 10, 2011, 09:24:18 PM
So wait, they are using two Bilbo's in this film(s)? I'm confused.
King
Where did you hear they are having two Bilbo's?
Sorry, meant two actors playing Bilbo.
King
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on January 11, 2011, 12:15:11 AM
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on January 10, 2011, 10:53:59 PM
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on January 10, 2011, 09:24:18 PM
So wait, they are using two Bilbo's in this film(s)? I'm confused.
King
Where did you hear they are having two Bilbo's?
Sorry, meant two actors playing Bilbo.
King
You mean a different actor playing him in the Hobbit as opposed to LOTR?
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on January 11, 2011, 10:42:56 AM
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on January 11, 2011, 12:15:11 AM
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on January 10, 2011, 10:53:59 PM
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on January 10, 2011, 09:24:18 PM
So wait, they are using two Bilbo's in this film(s)? I'm confused.
King
Where did you hear they are having two Bilbo's?
Sorry, meant two actors playing Bilbo.
King
You mean a different actor playing him in the Hobbit as opposed to LOTR?
It's going to be 3D Bilbo's!!!!
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on January 11, 2011, 10:42:56 AM
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on January 11, 2011, 12:15:11 AM
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on January 10, 2011, 10:53:59 PM
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on January 10, 2011, 09:24:18 PM
So wait, they are using two Bilbo's in this film(s)? I'm confused.
King
Where did you hear they are having two Bilbo's?
Sorry, meant two actors playing Bilbo.
King
You mean a different actor playing him in the Hobbit as opposed to LOTR?
Yeah, didn't we announce in this thread a different actor for Bilbo.
King
Yes that's what I am asking you.. Ian Holms played Bilbo in the LOTR movies.. but The Hobbit he is 50+ years younger.. no way they could have to say actor play him.
Sir Ian McKellen Returns To Middle Earth
Posted: 10 Jan 2011 07:53 PM PST
Following on from yesterdays news that Andy Serkis has confirmed his return to Middle Earth as Gollum we have the last piece of the Middle Earth jigsaw with Sir Ian McKellen posting on his website that he is officially on board for The Hobbit.
All I had to decide was what to do with the time that is given me.
I'm 71 and fit: though at my age who knows what accident is 'round the next corner? For a year or more, I have been arranging my professional commitments around the possibility of The Hobbit films starting at almost anytime. We brought the Waiting for Godot tour of Australia to New Zealand early 2010, assuming I would stay on to start shooting soon after. Then there was yet another delay: but in Wellington I met with Guillermo del Toro and later read his script for Part One, written with the LOTR writing team. It was true to the style, the fun and the romance of the trilogy.
When Peter Jackson, already producing, resumed the director's chair, he kept me in touch with developments. A second screenplay was sent over, on the understanding that I would not talk about what I read in it.
After the ruckus over trade union expectations and unlikely rumours of filming outside New Zealand, suddenly crucial casting was announced, plus a start date in February 2011. Martin Freeman as Bilbo sounds perfect. As my agent continued to negotiate with Warner Brothers, I kept wondering was Gandalf what I most wanted to do, more than a new play for instance or indeed a new part? Sequels aren't necessarily as rewarding to act in as their originals.
Could I let Gandalf go? Would anyone else care if I did? Elsewhere, does anyone care that Michael Gambon was not the first to play Dumbledore?
The deciding negotiation was not about money but about dates. Gandalf is needed on set over the next 18 months but with sizeable breaks when I can work on other projects. My worry that I could not easily escape from Middle Earth was lifted.
I am happy to say I start filming in Wellington on February 21 2011.
–Ian McKellen, London, January 2011... www.mckellen.com (http://www.mckellen.com)
It was probably never in doubt but still, it's great to have it official!
A casting rumour just starting the rounds is linking David Tennent to the part of Thranduil. Thranduil is the father of Legolas who was played by Orlando Bloom in The Lord of the Rings who is also rumoured to be returning for a cameo in The Hobbit.
David Tennent was first linked to the role of Bilbo and if he does sign will be the second Dr Who in the cast with Sylvester McCoy already signed up to play Radagast.
Sir Ian McKellen Returns To Middle Earth is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Martin Freeman as Bilbo sounds perfect.
(From Bromptonboy)
That was what I was talking about.
King
Orlando Blooms back and getting 2 million for literally 10 mins screen time. That was in the papers today. Hmmmm?
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on January 11, 2011, 04:11:18 PM
Orlando Blooms back and getting 2 million for literally 10 mins screen time. That was in the papers today. Hmmmm?
Hah! I wish I could do that.
King
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on January 11, 2011, 11:59:08 AM
Yes that's what I am asking you.. Ian Holms played Bilbo in the LOTR movies.. but The Hobbit he is 50+ years younger.. no way they could have to say actor play him.
It was in a piece from The Hollywood Reporter that you posted a few posts above, Kenny.
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on January 10, 2011, 05:43:42 PM
...news of Christopher Lee and Ian Holm signing on to reprise their parts as Saruman and an older Bilbo Baggins, respectively...
I adored Martin Freeman in the original Office, but can't remember seeing him in anything else other than a bit part in Love Actually. I'm glad he's got this huge opportunity though, he deserves it, especially after having his entire performance basically stolen by John Krasinski (sp?) for the american version of the Office.
edit: holy cow, I did a wiki search on him and I've seen SO MUCH of his work...Hitchiker's Guide, Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead...I'm not sure why I didn't remember him in those
He was in the movie Hitchhikers Guide.
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on January 12, 2011, 08:47:28 AM
I adored Martin Freeman in the original Office, but can't remember seeing him in anything else other than a bit part in Love Actually. I'm glad he's got this huge opportunity though, he deserves it, especially after having his entire performance basically stolen by John Krasinski (sp?) for the american version of the Office.
edit: holy cow, I did a wiki search on him and I've seen SO MUCH of his work...Hitchiker's Guide, Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead...I'm not sure why I didn't remember him in those
Have you not seenhim in Sherlock either?
Christopher Lee's official web site says that as long as he remains in good health the actor will be back in Middle Earth to resume his role as Saruman.
"Sir. Christopher Lee had been in talks to reprise his role as the wizard Saruman and it now looks certain, providing that he is in good health, that he will be appearing in the movie."
It doesn't mention whether he will travel to New Zealand to work on the set or whether his scenes will be done in London in front of blue screens and then digitally imposed into the movie. Sir Christopher has said on several occasions that he feels at his age the travel to New Zealand to be on The Hobbit set would be too much for him.
He was many people's favourite for the voice of Smaug but if he's back as Saruman that now seems unlikely.
Sir Christopher Lee is considered a Tolkien scholar and was the only person involved in The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy that actually new the author. He read the Lord of the Rings trilogy at least once a year for several decades.
He was said to have been upset with Peter Jackson about the deletion of his death scene in the theatrical version of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The scene was put back into the Extended Edition which is seen as the definitive version.
To date the actor has appeared in 266 films since 1948 making him the Guinness book world record holder for most film acting roles ever and became a knight in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 2009.
Would be great to see him back in the role but his health must come first.
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on January 12, 2011, 01:30:49 PM
Have you not seenhim in Sherlock either?
Is that the BBC series? I've heard that's really good, but no I havent seen it. I'll have to check out how to get it here in the states.
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on January 18, 2011, 08:44:45 AM
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on January 12, 2011, 01:30:49 PM
Have you not seenhim in Sherlock either?
Is that the BBC series? I've heard that's really good, but no I havent seen it. I'll have to check out how to get it here in the states.
PBS was showing this under 'Masterpiece Theater'. I think they only showed 3 episodes.
Quote from: Bromptonboy on January 18, 2011, 09:04:17 AM
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on January 18, 2011, 08:44:45 AM
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on January 12, 2011, 01:30:49 PM
Have you not seenhim in Sherlock either?
Is that the BBC series? I've heard that's really good, but no I havent seen it. I'll have to check out how to get it here in the states.
PBS was showing this under 'Masterpiece Theater'. I think they only showed 3 episodes.
There are only three episodes :)
Elijah Wood Talks His "Hobbit" Cameo
By Garth Franklin Friday January 21st 2011 12:18PM
Attending the Sundance Film Festival, Elijah Wood spoke with MTV News about reprising his role of Frodo for a cameo in "The Hobbit" and his excitement for it.
"It's a gift to be able to go back to New Zealand. I mean, it's largely the same crew and the same creative team. It's seven years since we finished on the last film, and it's an opportunity to go back and have a reunion with everyone" says Wood.
Of his involvement in the film, Wood says "You know, it's a very small piece, and I think that's the most appropriate. Obviously Frodo's not alive within the context of the 'Hobbit' piece."
So how exactly will he be incorporated into the narrative? Wood ducks the question but assures fans it's honorable - "It's an idea that Peter and Fran [Walsh] and Philippa [Boyens] -- the writers -- came up with. The way that it'll fit in will not at all infringe upon the integrity of 'The Hobbit.' So I think it's -- it'll fit. And it'll be appropriate. And I'm excited. It'll be great."
I'm more than confident that Hobbit will rock, just bring us this film and QUIT SUING PETER JACKSON.
Thank you.
#PSA ;)
King
You know what would be nice - if Bilbo & Frodo are shown recollecting while on-board the ship leaving the Grey Havens for the Undying Lands.
'The Hobbit' Delayed Yet Again, But This Time For A Good Reason
By Scott Harris | January 27, 2011 |
Boy, those poor dudes trying to film "The Hobbit" sure have been having a rough time of it. Ever since Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy finished up back in 2003, everyone involved in movies — from actors to executives to, most of all, fans — has been waiting for "The Hobbit" to get off the ground.
But despite the amount of money the film is guaranteed to make, "The Hobbit" has struggled to get off the ground for nearly eight years, being delayed by everything from the studio refusing to greenlight it, to original director Guillermo del Toro dropping out to the New Zealand film community staging a labor protest.
And now this: just when the movie seemed ready to start filming, "The Hobbit" has been delayed yet again due to a sudden medical emergency — involving Peter Jackson himself.
Yes, unfortunately, it's true: according to the New Zealand website Stuff, Peter Jackson was rushed to the hospital last night with a perforated ulcer, which required immediate surgery. The good news is Jackson is expected to make a full recovery. The bad news is, of course, that filming on "The Hobbit" will be delayed yet again.
Of course, it could have been far worse; perforated ulcers are no joke, as they involve acid from your stomach eating its way out and literally burning through your body. Eerily, "Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" author J.R.R. Tolkein himself died from complications caused by a perforated ulcer. Luckily for everyone, however, Jackson appears to be in no danger thanks to the magic of modern medicine.
Just how long 'The Hobbit" will be delayed is unclear, but for now, the priority for Jackson is getting healthy.
And six billion movie fans wish him a very, very fast recovery.
Bah, cmonnnnn.
Many good wishes towards Jackson for a swift and full recovery. :)
King
Shooting of The Hobbit is to be delayed one last time (hopefully) after Director Peter Jackson underwent an emergency operation for a perforated ulcer last night in Wellington, New Zealand.
A short statement was just released saying:
"Sir Peter is currently resting comfortably and his doctors expect him to make a full recovery."
Filming was due to start on February 14th and actors are currently at 'Hobbit camp' preparing for the heavy schedule.
The statement went on to say that Sir Peter's surgery is not expected to impact on his directing commitment to The Hobbit beyond a slight delay to the start of filming.
Hopefully PJ will be back on his feet in no time and back in Middle-earth....... Get well soon Sir Peter
In an interview with The Irish Film & Television Network, Lord of the Rings and Hobbit casting director Ros Hubbard lets slip that Saoirse Ronan is a done deal. She was asked about the Irish contingent in The Hobbit and is reported to have said:
"Jimmy (Nesbitt) is thrilled to bits, his whole family have gone out (to New Zealand), it is just wonderful. And working with Peter Jackson is like working with a family. So they'll have a great time. Saoirse's family will go too, everyone is very close and very loving on those sorts of jobs. It's not like typical studio movies at all."
Saoirse has long been rumoured for the part of new character Itaril which we first told you about last January and she recently said if it were offered, she would take the part. The casting call that went out described the part as:
ITARIL – female, A woodland Elf, this character is one the Silvan Elves. The Silvan Elves are seen as more earthy and practical. Shorter than other elves, she is still quick and lithe and physically adept, being able to fight with both sword and bow. Showing promise as a fighter at a young age, ITARIL was chosen to train to become part of the Woodland King's Guard. This is the only life she has ever expected to live, until she meets and secretly falls in love with a young ELF LORD. This role will require a wig and contact lenses to be worn. Some prosthetic make-up may also be required. LEAD. AGE: 17-27.
Ros said casting for The Hobbit has been easier than for the Lord of the Rings movies.
"It was a huge event but it was smaller than the three Lord Of The Rings. And it is still going on to a degree in that little things change, but the actors are all out in New Zealand now," she said.
While it appears to be a slip of the tongue for Ros, given that she's the casting director its probably a safe bet that Saoirse Ronan has signed on the dotted line. The talented 16 year old has worked with Jackson before on The Lovely Bones and you may have also seen her in City of Ember, Atonement and The Way Back
James Nesbitt is in it, oh sheesh !!!!
Monday 7 February, Wellington – Production company, 3Foot7 Ltd, is pleased to announce that the first day of principal photography for THE HOBBIT will be Monday 21 March, 2011.
This date has been chosen following practical considerations of the filming schedule requirements, actor availability and the NZ seasons. Shooting will take place at Stone Street Studios in Miramar and on location around New Zealand.
Confirmed cast include: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Rob Kazinsky, Aidan Turner, Peter Hambleton, John Callen, Jed Brophy, Mark Hadlow, Adam Brown, Cate Blanchett, Andy Serkis, Mikael Persbrant, Sylvester McCoy and Elijah Wood. Director, Sir Peter Jackson, comments: "Despite some delays we are fully back on track and very excited to get started."
Bilbo and the Dwarves picture from
http://blastr.com/2011/02/image-of-the-day-1st-cast.php (http://blastr.com/2011/02/image-of-the-day-1st-cast.php)
(http://blastr.com/assets_c/2011/02/ImageTheHobbit021111-thumb-550x320-57191.jpg)
Hmm..."are you a little tall for a dwarf?" ;)
King
It's interesting to think that they have to make every one of these guys look small on screen.
Hmmm, none of them look like a Bombur to me.
Cool pic, i can see Nesbitt and armitage on that photo as well.
There was a press conference interview that went along with that photo.. I'll see if I can find it again.. the guys look like they are having fun.. I think they know what is in store for them.
Press conference in audio form,
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2011/02/11/42201-complete-audio-of-the-hobbit-press-conference/ (http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2011/02/11/42201-complete-audio-of-the-hobbit-press-conference/)
James Nesbitt and his family have found the move from their London home to New Zealand a struggle, he told a Press conference in Wellington. Nesbitt, who plays Bofur, one of the dwarfs in The Hobbit, relocated to Wellington for a year last month with his wife Sonia and their two daughters to star in Peter Jackson's new movie.
"I brought my family here, so it was a big move for them, and I think a difficult move," he told a Press conference in Wellington.
"Kids at a certain age don't necessarily want to be dragged to the other side of the world, but they've certainly been made to feel very welcome; they are loving the schools," he added.
The father-of-two said he was delighted to be involved in the film and described it as an "adventure".
"To be part of that is an adventure, not only professionally but for all of us personally as well," he said. "We've been made to feel incredibly at home. We are very aware that we are part of something significant and, hopefully, very large."
James Nesbitt finds Hobbit relocation a struggle is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
After just seeing Christopher Lee take the BAFTA fellowship award I seriously can't see him flying to New Zealand he's way to frail bless him. They will have to come here to film him.
Hopefully this will finally get filming next month after all the off/on delays.
The production of the Hobbit films is currently looking for people to play ELVEN HORSE RIDERS and ELVEN EXTRAS, according to a new casting call:
The Elven physical build is tall and slender.
MEN – aged 17 – 40, Height 6ft (183cm) and taller
WOMEN – aged 17 – 40, Height 5ft 9 (175cm) and taller
The location of the casting call is Te Whaea – National Dance and Drama Centre, 11 Hutchinson Rd, Newtown, Wellington and is taking place on Saturday 26 February 2011 between 9.30 – 12pm and 1.30 – 3pm.
If you attend the call, please make sure to take some pictures and let us know!
If only I was still in the age bracket!
Quote from: Feathers on February 16, 2011, 04:48:56 AM
If only I was still in the age bracket!
I would need the ad to read:
"The Dwarven physical build is short and stout.
MEN – aged 40-50, Height 5ft 7in (~168cm) and taller"
That would be an advert I could answer....
Man I can't do either.. what are the requirements to be a Hobbit :)
Quote from: Bromptonboy on February 16, 2011, 01:14:36 PM
Quote from: Feathers on February 16, 2011, 04:48:56 AM
If only I was still in the age bracket!
I would need the ad to read:
"The Dwarven physical build is short and stout.
MEN – aged 40-50, Height 5ft 7in (~168cm) and taller"
That would be an advert I could answer....
I can meet that too. The trick would be maintaining the required physique during gruelling days of filming. Wait! Don't they have free catering on these things...
Freeman, when asked about the trouble the production has faced recently and if he is concerned about a "Hobbit" curse, admitted:
"I'm not [worried]," he said of the so-called curse. "There are some bits of bad luck to do with it, I guess, that are almost comical, I suppose. But we're all very optimistic about it. We're all ready to go, just as soon as 2015 rolls around. We will be there and ready."
Freeman also admitted to taking inspiration from Sir Ian Holm, who played Bilbo in the Lord of the Rings trilogy:
Obviously I've been looking at what he was doing," he said. "There's a certain level, of course, at which I have to match what he was doing and then forget it as well. Without being either big-headed or falsely modest, I think I'm quite a good match for him. I mean, I've seen worse matches ... we'll find out."
Aidan Turner (Kili) discusses "dwarf boot camp"
Posted: 20 Feb 2011 02:04 PM PST
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Aidan Turner – otherwise known as Kili in the upcoming 'The Hobbit' films, discusses his new beard and life in dwarf boot camp:
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: You were sporting a pretty impressive beard at the Hobbitpress conference. Is that for Kili?
AIDAN TURNER: Yeah, it is. I'm growing out the beard. We're giving it a chance, seeing what it looks like.
Is that how Peter Jackson plans to make you less handsome and more dwarf-like?
To de-handsomify me? [Laughs] No, not really. I mean, famously in the books, the dwarves have really long beards, so we're just trying stuff out and seeing what it looks like.
Are you in "hobbit boot camp" now?
Yeah. Well, it's dwarf boot camp, not really hobbit boot camp. It's just all dwarves—training and stuff.
What are you training in?
I can't really give too much away, you know? But it's pretty much everything. It's physical training and everything you can imagine, really. I guess just working as an actor helps you for these things. It's more physical than anything else, but there's dialect coaching and all those kind of things.
How did your Being Human cast react to you getting The Hobbit role?
They were all very happy—super happy. Everyone was thrilled.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
Aidan Turner (Kili) discusses "dwarf boot camp" is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Ian McKellen writes his first blog post 'From the middle of Middle Earth':
A wizard is never late: but I hadn't intended last Thursday to arrive in Wellington for The Hobbit filming, five weeks early. Yet, what's new? Just a year ago, touring New Zealand with Waiting for Godot, I had expected to start shooting in July 2010, with Guillermo del Toro in charge. I was staying at his spare house on Breaker Bay, close to the Jackson compound. There he told me why he was abandoning Middle Earth, as Warner Brothers and MGM got perilously close to postponing The Hobbit forever and he worried about his commitments to other work. So my plan to jump straight from Beckett to Tolkien had to be abandoned and I flew home for a prolonged break.
A year on, filming was to start at the end of February 2011. I curtailed a holiday in India to make sure I would be on time.
Then, while I was away, Peter Jackson had his stomach operation. The insurance company has insisted on five weeks recuperation. Which is why, yet again, I¹m here early. Waiting for Bilbo.
I was hoping to see Peter up and kicking at the party Philippa Boyens threw last week for the actors and again the following day, when Graham Mactavish and Gwen had a house-warming party in their garden and house overlooking the Wellington harbour. No luck: but there were many others to say hello to; beginning with 13 dwarves.
To be continued.
Source: mckellen.com
Sean Bean in a recent interview commented on whether he expects to play a part in Peter Jackson's upcoming prequel, The Hobbit:
OWF: I have to ask, now that it is ninety-nine percent a go down in New Zealand. Is there any chance of getting involved in The Hobbit? I'm not sure in what capacity.
I am not sure at all about that. I mean I don't know what is happening with it, or when they are filming it. I don't think I would be in it. I mean having played Boromir, I don't think he was around at that time. Maybe he was a young lad, unless I played him as a toddler! [laughs]
DoG: Boromir will always come up, particularly for the kind of websites we write for, and is just a fantastic character. Looking back on it, is it one that stands out for you?
Yeah, very memorable. For all of us, it opened doors. For a lot of us, Viggo and the young guys, the hobbits, it was just something we didn't expect, you know?
I got over there from England to New Zealand and you are kind of spaced out after that flight and I knew about the book. But I didn't realise the scale of it, how big and epic it would be.
Walking round the workshops you saw the drawings in the studios and you thought, "Wow, this looks like it's going to be a big film." But we still didn't realise, even when we were filming. I think it was only the hype, around when it was going to be released, that we realised what we'd done.
We were obviously totally committed to it and we lived there, more or less, for a year in New Zealand and we became very close. Peter knew exactly, having been studying it and visualising it for years and years, he knew exactly what he wanted. It was a big turning point for many of us. With the amount of interest it created and what it received, it created just good things for us.
OWF: Are you still in touch with the fellowship?
Yeah, we did a photo shoot a few weeks ago, Orlando and Bernard Hill, Andy Serkis and a few others. I can't remember what it was for, actually, some kind of magazine celebrating 100 years of film, or 100 best films.
We get together and we do bump into each other now and again. I bump into Viggo occasionally. We get on quite well because we're a similar age and we have a similar sense of humour.
Sir Peter Jackson and 'Hobbit' production staff have offered their assistance to those affected by the Christchurch earthquake and have been in touch with Civil Defense and Emergency Management to provide help.
Jackson told The Hollywood Reporter:
"everyone involved in the production of The Hobbit is shocked and saddened by the earthquake and it's devastating aftermath."
Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Christchurch and all those affected by this terrible tragedy," he said.
Filming of The Hobbit will be further delayed due to the disaster.
The shoot was set for March 21 at Stone Street studios in Wellington and on location around the country.
Source: entertainment.msn.co.nz
'Hobbit' will be delayed due to the earthquake is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Btw Bromptonboy, thanks for linking these stories, very cool to hear :)
King
Robert Kazinsky (Fili) takes time out from his filming schedule in New Zealand to answer 'Random' questions from 'Kidz' aged 3 to 12 years old:
How big is your pool in New Zealand?
Bethany 9 years old
I don't have a pool, but I do live on the beach, so the sea is my pool, so in that case my pool is 80% of the world's surface.
When are you going on a train?
Ollie 4 years old
Peter Jackson has a train in his house, so the next time I'm at his house I'll go on a train.
Which Lord of the Rings film is your favourite?
Hag 6 years old
I loved them all equally.
Do you play the Lord of the Rings computer games?
Hag 6 years old
I don't play computer games very much anymore.
Is the Hobbit going to be as good as the other Lord of the Rings films?
Hag 6 years old
It's going to be better.
Is being in The Hobbit exciting for you?
Hag 6 years old
It's the best thing that's ever happened to me, everyday I wake up super excited.
How many of the Lord of the Rings books have you read?
Tobias 12 years old
All of them
Who is your favourite actor in the original trilogy?
Tobias 12 years old
Elijah Wood was perfect as Frodo Baggins.
What did you do the moment you found out you were in the Hobbit?
Tobias 12 years old
I called my parents and told them, then I called my girlfriend at the time and told her, then I sat with my dog, the two of us alone on my balcony in Los Angeles and as the sun set, I cried with happiness.
Source: kidzcoolit.com
Robert Kazinsky (Fili) answers 'Kidz' questions is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
'The Hobbit' Gets... a New Title?!
By Scott Harris | March 3, 2011 |
"The Hobbit" is one of the most famous and beloved novels in the history of modern literature, so you would think that Peter Jackson and the folks behind the upcoming big budget adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkein's seminal work wouldn't have to work too hard to come up with a title.
Apparently you would be wrong, because according to fansite TheOneRing.net, Jackson and New Line Cinema have just registered two brand new titles titles. And the new moniker?
"The Hobbit: Avatar 2."
Okay, we're joking. Actually, the titles are "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" and "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," with the split being necessary due to the fact that Jackson is dividing the book into two films.
But which title goes to which half?
"There and Back Again" is the original subtitle of "The Hobbit" and is used by protagonist Bilbo Baggins within the story itself when he chronicles his adventures in helping a band of intrepid dwarves battle the dread dragon Smaug. So it makes sense for Jackson and New Line to use the title.
"An Unexpected Journey," on the other hand, seems to be a more fitting description of the first film, since the story begins with Bilbo essentially being drafted into service by the dwarves and their ally Gandalf the Grey. With that in mind, our guess is that "An Unexpected Journey" will be the subtitle for the first film, with "There and Back Again" reserved for the concluding charter when, you know, Bilbo actually gets there and comes back again.
Of course, with hype building to monumental proportions over the last seven years, they could pretty much call the film anything and it would still be a shoo-in for a billion dollars worldwide. Even if they called it "Gigli 2" we have a feeling fans would find their way into the theater. But it's cool that they have come up with some titles that are organic to the series, because we all know how those hardcore fanboys can get with these kinds of thing.
Under any other name, though, we still have a while to wait for "The Hobbit;" though production is already underway, the first installment isn't scheduled to hit theaters until December 19, 2012.
Hmmmm....I will remain cautious - but this guy will have my money regardless I am sure.
Sir Ian McKellen has updated his blog with a post about preparing for filming of Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit."
Today I was in various places which are all the same place.
I was on flat land the Maori called Whataitai until renamed in 1872, Miramar, or "Behold the Sea," which is indeed nearby.
I was in Stone Street Studios in the heart of a modern suburb, with some light industry.
In fact, I was in an old paint factory, which I knew ten years back as the main film studio for The Lord of the Rings. Inside was the new set for Bag End, including a bedroom and pantry.
And I was there too, in Hobbiton, with a semi-circle of dwarves and Bilbo, their reluctant host. I was at the cast's first joint rehearsal where Peter Jackson, with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, invited our comments on their script so far. This is as close to bliss as an actor can get. Facing three Oscar-winning screenplay writers who genuinely want us actors to contribute. AND there were piles of snacks on the coffee tables: fresh fruit, NZ cheese, Minties.
Two of the cast have forsworn deserts during Lent. Not me, not yet. At lunch I took seconds of the flourless chocolate cake and sour cream.
The official Hobbit blog now live
Posted: 20 Mar 2011 05:45 AM PDT
The same day as production starts, the official Hobbit blog has also gone live.
Updated by "The Hobbit Team", its first post features a photo (which we featured last month) of the cast including Martin Freeman who plays Bilbo Baggins, surrounded by the actors cast as the company of dwarves.
We'll be keeping an eye on the blog and updating you daily with all news relating to the movies.
The official Hobbit blog now live is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Yesterday Warner Bros named Kiwi actors Jeffrey Thomas and Mike Mizrahi for the roles of dwarf kings Thror and Thrain (Source: The Dominion Post: To be confirmed!).
There have been several casting announcements since Martin Freeman was confirmed as the lead in October last year.
A spokeswoman for the production unit said only that everyone was "very excited" to get started on filming.
Source: stuff.co.nz
Love the updates, keep them coming!
Peter Jackson on The Hobbit set :D
And another one from his Facebook page
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on March 21, 2011, 12:39:29 PM
And another one from his Facebook page
Awesome! It's a great composite of the interior set with the actual film location outside the door. We stood inside the door of Bags End looking out over the Shire at the site. It's really just a hokle in the side of the hill with a fake door and windows!
You mean its not real !!!!!!!!!! sniff sniff,
Liv Tyler when asked about whether she had been cast in the upcoming Hobbit movies, said:
"I haven't heard from anybody." She also didn't know that filming began today.
When she was informed there would be additional casting, she wasn't optimistic of her chances though expressed keenness to join old colleagues and said she would "love to go back to New Zealand".
Saiorse Ronan 'hopeful' for Itaril role
Posted: 26 Mar 2011 08:06 AM PDT
Production on "The Hobbit" is already under way in New Zealand with a diverse cast. But don't rule out the possibility of a star of a previous Peter Jackson film winding up in the two-part epic.
Saiorse Ronan, the breakout "Atonement " actress who worked with Jackson on the 2009 spiritual drama "The Lovely Bones," says that while her much-rumored casting in the fantasy franchise isn't "confirmed," she's optimistic that she'll be starring amid the dragons and wizards.
"Pete is adding a lot of characters in the film adaption," she said. "Hopefully they have a part for me."
Ronan said she hasn't yet read the "Hobbit" script but did read the J.R.R. Tolkien original and found herself enraptured.
"It's magical and it's a fantasy, but the characters in this story are also so real," she said. "Bilbo's such an insecure man. He's comfortable in his life but he's kind of reaching out for something else even though he won't admit it."
Saoirse has long been rumoured for the part of new character Itaril which we first told you about last January and she recently said if it were offered, she would take the part. The casting call that went out described the part as:
ITARIL – female, A woodland Elf, this character is one the Silvan Elves. The Silvan Elves are seen as more earthy and practical. Shorter than other elves, she is still quick and lithe and physically adept, being able to fight with both sword and bow. Showing promise as a fighter at a young age, ITARIL was chosen to train to become part of the Woodland King's Guard. This is the only life she has ever expected to live, until she meets and secretly falls in love with a young ELF LORD. This role will require a wig and contact lenses to be worn. Some prosthetic make-up may also be required. LEAD. AGE: 17-27.
Source: latimes.com
Saiorse Ronan 'hopeful' for Itaril role is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Hobbit film-makers may lose permission to film
Posted: 25 Mar 2011 11:16 AM PDT
The Hobbit film-makers are about to lose permission to film in Hobbiton, the location that bookends JRR Tolkien's classic tale – though that does not mean their quest is finished.
Documents issued under the Official Information Act show a crew of up to 450 were scheduled to descend on Hobbiton, near Matamata, for up to three weeks in February and March this year.
That was delayed after director Sir Peter Jackson required surgery for a perforated stomach ulcer.
Matamata-Piako District Council corporate and legal services manager Michelle Hawthorne said resource consent required that filming be completed by the end of next month.
"If 3 Foot 7 wants to film after this date they will need approval from council to do so, they have not applied to council yet, although I understand they are aware of this requirement," she said. A traffic management plan, needed for resource consent, had still not been approved by the council.
To shoot as planned next summer the production would have to get a new resource consent.
Source: stuff.co.nz
Hobbit film-makers may lose permission to film is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Billy Boyd dreams of a cameo role in The Hobbit
Posted: 31 Mar 2011 05:36 AM PDT
LORD of the Rings star Billy Boyd has revealed his dream of a cameo role in prequel The Hobbit has been shot down... but he plans to gatecrash the set anyway.
The Glaswegian actor played Pippin in the movie trilogy and hoped he could appear in the new two-parter – set 60 years earlier – as the character's father.
His hopes were boosted when it was reported that fellow hobbit Elijah Wood would reprise his role as Frodo in the opening sequence of the first movie.
But Billy now admits a return is unlikely, although that won't stop him teaming up with Elijah and Dominic Monaghan for a nostalgic set visit.
Billy, 42, said: "No, I wouldn't think anything will come of that but I am definitely going to go down there, I haven't been back since the premiere of Return Of The King.
"Most of the guys have been back for a little trip or something but I have not managed it.
"I have been talking to Dom and Elijah and we are all going to go back this year. We will all go together, like a reunion trip. We want to go and see the sets.
"And while we're there, there must be something for us. They must need a hobbit in the background somewhere. I can even put the big feet on myself!"
The award-winning trilogy had a huge impact on Billy's profile as an actor and his life off-camera.
He became firm friends with the rest of the cast over the 14 months they spent shooting the movies in New Zealand.
Source: dailyrecord.co.uk
Billy Boyd dreams of a cameo role in The Hobbit is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Bret McKenzie could be going from being a Figwit in the Lord of the Rings to a big-screen presence in The Hobbit.
The Dominion Post can reveal that Sir Peter Jackson is trying to tempt the Flight of the Conchords co-star to take a role in the 3-D Hobbit films now being shot in Wellington.
It would spell a remarkable turnaround for McKenzie, who had a three-second spot as a pouting elf in the first Rings film.
A fan saw him on screen as Frodo was frantically trying to deliver the ring to Mordor and thought. "Frodo is great ... who is that?" And from that, the acronym Figwit was born.
Hobbit spokeswoman Melissa Booth did not reply to questions about McKenzie and his role in the film.
Source: stuff.co.nz
Bret McKenzie may take a role in The Hobbit is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Awesome reports mate keep them coming :)
Saoirse Ronan on wanting to hug Gollum
Posted: 06 Apr 2011 02:00 AM PDT
If you do star in "The Hobbit," can you say something you'd be looking forward to or hope happens with the movie?
If I was hired to be in "The Hobbit," I would certainly not be playing a Hobbit. I won't have hairy feet. I don't like hairy feet, and so I'm not going to play someone with hairy feet. I don't know, we'll wait and see. They're pretty much taking everyone back from "Lord of the Rings" and sticking them into "The Hobbit" for a little while, which is so great. I think Cate's going back down and Orlando [Bloom] I think is going back down as well, so it's fun. It'll be a great reuniting party when we're—when they're all together.
Will you be scared of Gollum?
No, I'd quite like to give him a hug, actually. I really like Gollum; I think he'd like me too.
Why?
I like him because he's not afraid of speaking his opinion, you know? He isn't shy about his feelings; he will always let the ring know that that is the most important thing to him. I like that; I like that in a guy. And I think he'd like me because I appreciate him. This is ridiculous. I'm just talking really silly now.
So if the most important thing in a guy's life is his Xbox, you'd appreciate knowing that up front?
Yeah, but I don't think I would want to be with someone like that. [Laughs.] A ring is a different thing. I don't mean wedding ring! I just mean the "Lord of the Rings" rings.
Source: baltimoresun.com
Saoirse Ronan on wanting to hug Gollum is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
xD that interview is funny.
King
I'm sorry but Peter Jackson destroyed The Lord of the Rings and everything I read indicates he plans to ruin The Hobbit as well.
Peter Jackson is not qualified to change Prof. Tolkien's story, no one is.
Quote from: Rhen on April 06, 2011, 04:58:57 PM
I'm sorry but Peter Jackson destroyed The Lord of the Rings and everything I read indicates he plans to ruin The Hobbit as well.
Peter Jackson is not qualified to change Prof. Tolkien's story, no one is.
Well you have every right to your opinion but luckily the majority of fans feel otherwise.. LOVED Jackson's LOTR, loved the Tolkien books, two different slants on the same world.. loved both.
Andy Serkis Will Direct Second Unit on The Hobbit
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
April 6, 2011
The Hollywood Reporter says that, in addition to again playing Gollum, Andy Serkis will serve as Second Unit Director on Peter Jackson's The Hobbit films.
"I think I understand Peter's sensibility and we have a common history of understanding Middle Earth," Serkis said, "A lot of the crew from 'The Lord of the Rings' was returning to work on 'The Hobbit.' There is really a sense of Peter wanting people around him who totally understand the material and the work ethic."
He added the learning curve is The Hobbit is being shot in 3D. He said the 3D would be used "dramatically, to give a point of view... In the same way Lord of the Rings was an interpretation of the book, The Hobbit is being treated the same way. It will be faithfully represented with a fresh interpretation."
About his character, Serkis said "He is very much a Gollum that people will recognize" and that he will be seen in his "truest form."
The two "Hobbit" films are scheduled to hit theaters in December of 2012 and December of 2013.
Read more: Andy Serkis Will Direct Second Unit on The Hobbit - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=76037#ixzz1In8pvEms (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=76037#ixzz1In8pvEms)
Orlando Bloom confirms he's been in talks to return as Legolas in The Hobbit:
Question: You were a part of the hugely successful franchises for The Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean, and now those franchises are continuing on. What's it going to be like to see those movies, as an audience member?
ORLANDO BLOOM: Great! I've had such a great run with them.
Are you going to appear in The Hobbit?
BLOOM: Yeah, it's looking like that. I'm really excited about going to see Pete [Jackson] again. It's still a little up in the air, but the idea of working with Pete is fantastic. I can't actually really talk too much about it, at this point. I just was given the script to piece through, so it's quite exciting.
The whole script?
BLOOM: Yeah!
Will you have to do anything to physically prepare for that role again?
BLOOM: Are you telling me that I've put on weight, in the last 10 years? I just have to grow my hair really long and blonde again.
Isn't he a younger version?
BLOOM: Yeah.
Source: collider.com
Orlando Bloom (Legolas) confirms rumours is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on April 06, 2011, 05:15:58 PM
Quote from: Rhen on April 06, 2011, 04:58:57 PM
I'm sorry but Peter Jackson destroyed The Lord of the Rings and everything I read indicates he plans to ruin The Hobbit as well.
Peter Jackson is not qualified to change Prof. Tolkien's story, no one is.
Well you have every right to your opinion but luckily the majority of fans feel otherwise.. LOVED Jackson's LOTR, loved the Tolkien books, two different slants on the same world.. loved both.
I cannot imagine why anyone would want a "slant" on John's work. Mainly when there was no reason to make a "slant" on his work.
None of the changes that Peter Jackson made to the story improved it in the slightest. His changes for the most part ruined major chars and the reasons and history for their motivations.
Quote from: Rhen on April 08, 2011, 11:14:29 PM
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on April 06, 2011, 05:15:58 PM
Quote from: Rhen on April 06, 2011, 04:58:57 PM
I'm sorry but Peter Jackson destroyed The Lord of the Rings and everything I read indicates he plans to ruin The Hobbit as well.
Peter Jackson is not qualified to change Prof. Tolkien's story, no one is.
Well you have every right to your opinion but luckily the majority of fans feel otherwise.. LOVED Jackson's LOTR, loved the Tolkien books, two different slants on the same world.. loved both.
I cannot imagine why anyone would want a "slant" on John's work. Mainly when there was no reason to make a "slant" on his work.
None of the changes that Peter Jackson made to the story improved it in the slightest. His changes for the most part ruined major chars and the reasons and history for their motivations.
I must have misread the books then, seemed that the characters mostly stuck to their true intentions. Realize also, there is no way, no way at all for anyone to put Tolkien's Book directly onto the big screen and make it work. The Fellowship of the Ring book starts and goes way too slowly for the big screen. I mean, it takes years (according to the book) for Frodo to even start his adventure. Do you really think the audience in the theater wants to wait that long in terms of minutes? No. I sure wouldn't and I loved the trilogy of books. The changes in 2nd movie are debatable, (the Elves coming, the trees not so much, Eomer coming to save the day, etc) but its still a solid movie and the 3rd one was close as well.
It has been said many times. The translation from the book to the screen always makes the book more desirable. See Harry Potter, Eragon and any other book-to-movie translation. To put all that information in a book onto the screen in 2-3 hours, just can't happen. You have to cut things, you have to change a few things here and there. You have to make it work for the media that it is being played on.
I think what Jackson did with the LOTR trilogy is awesome. He did what so few film makers have done and probably ever will. Translated one of the most beloved fantasy books of our times into an epic masterpiece on the big screen. Do I really need to mention the "films" of LOTR that have come out before? They are...not that great.
I sincerely doubt anyone will put out a LOTR movie better than Jackson's in our lifetime. Simply because what he did was on such a level that is almost impossible to beat. The next film(s) are more likely to be animated if anything else. Just because the costs of this trilogy was so very high. And they barely made their $$ back from what I've heard.
King
Personaly I think Peter Jackson is the only director qualified to bring the Hobbit to the screen. You can never (NEVER) adapt a book 100% to screen, its imposible. And as for Jackson 'destroying the work' thats ridiculous, the people where i come from (which as I have said before is where Tolkien lived and came up with the shire) loved the films and are devoted to the point of obsession to the books.
Quote from: Rhen on April 06, 2011, 04:58:57 PM
I'm sorry but Peter Jackson destroyed The Lord of the Rings and everything I read indicates he plans to ruin The Hobbit as well.
Peter Jackson is not qualified to change Prof. Tolkien's story, no one is.
Yep, not with you in the least on that one. I thought it was an inspired job by all involved.
Absolutely. This was the first time (for me) that a film ver came close enough to a book to be worth watching. So many others have been disappointments but these just worked.
Of course they were different and the original in my head is hopefully untarnished, bur that in no way made them. I'm really looking forward to The Hobbit.
I think both the Potter films and the LOTR films did justice to the books they came from. As others have said, they are two different mediums and tweaks & changes have to happen. I still enjoy the books, but I like the movies a lot too.
Veteran actor John Rhys-Davies believes his offer to make an appearance in The Hobbit may have caused Peter Jackson's stomach ulcer.
The 66-year-old Lord of the Rings star said he initially told Jackson he wouldn't be returning to Middle Earth as the dwarf Gimli, but later had a change of heart.
"The other day when I realised it was about to start a little shiver of regret went through me," he said.
"So I called Peter Jackson's assistant and said, 'If there was anything or even just an excuse to come down do let me know...'
"PJ promptly collapsed and was admitted to hospital, I never heard back.
"I didn't think I was that bad!"
The Welsh-born star, who has appeared in dozens of films, plays and TV shows is in Wellington this weekend for the Armageddon expo.
During a live chat with readers, he told Stuff.co.nz despite his love of his work and long film history, he had a life outside showbiz too.
"I'm a little bit more than a career. I enjoy flying. Strike that, chasing pretty girls," he said.
"I love projects. I love a good safari. Films are fun but life is much richer," he said.
Source: stuff.co.nz
Did Gimli cause Jackson's ulcer? is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Ok I just I am just going to have to prove my point on Jackson's changes. Those that have really read and studied the works do not see the movies and the books as the same. The basic story is the same but all the characters are by no means the same. If you can stand there and look me in the eye and say Aragorn, Gimli, Frodo, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Elrond, and Arwen are the same in the movie as in the books then you never read the books or read them once long ago and never revisited them.
Now I was one of the biggest potential fans of the movies before they ever came out. All the promises of keeping faithful to the books, all the work they did to maintain the languages, it all sounded great. And some of it is. I gave Peter Jackson every freedom in the world to compress time. I know you cannot fit all of LoTR into even three, three hour movies. It is not important to the movie goers to know that nearly twenty years passed between Bilbo leaving the Shire and Frodo leaving the Shire. It is not important to the movie goers to take a week to get from Bag End to Chrickhollow. So, Peter Jackson, feel free to compress time.
I think I knew it was all going to go sour at the beginning of Fellowship when Frodo rushed to Gandalf's wagon, jumped up in it and hugged him like a 10 year old would. Frodo was 33 years old (to us that's in his 20's). Frodo and Gandalf were never familiar enough at that point in time that they would hug (or ever for that matter). Small point but again, it's not something the book Frodo would have done.
One of the main things book fans have to roll their eyes at, is the disembodied Sauron eye. In interviews Peter Jackson describes Sauron as "a floating eyeball" and Gandalf in the movie says "he is not yet able to take physical form" . Tolkien was clear in the book as well as letters that Sauron had physical form. Gollum says "he has only four (fingers) on the black hand, but they are enough". Clearly Sauron is not a floating, laser beam shooting, fiery disembodied eye. It's really a shame too that he used the fiery floating eyeball on a tower at Barad-dur because the fiery eye was a nice effect for what Sauron might project into someone's mind and/or through the Palantiri.
To stress my point on character changes, however, I will focus mainly on Aragorn.
At the beginning of Fellowship, Aragorn was in his late 70's early 80's (I would need to look it up to get his exact age). This was middle age for his people at that time (Aragorn actually lived to be 210). The Aragorn of the movies was not the wise, worn, well traveled, "Kingly" older man of the books.
The book Aragorn lived his entire life knowing that someday he may be called to fulfill his destiny as the King of Gondor. Never for one second did he ever have doubts about this. Aragorn was the Chieftain of the Northern Dunedain (descendents of Elendil) and this tale was nearly a thousand years of destiny waiting for him. I am not exactly sure what the mammy-pamby Aragorn of the movies was waiting on. Maybe someone to kick him in his bottom and tell him to act like the heir of Isildur?
I will not go into the stupid and meaningless exchange between Aragorn and Elrond about Arwen. Aragorn and Arwen were betrothed many years before and Arwen was not intending to leave Middle-Earth nor was she dieing because of the evil of the ring.
One of the symbols of Aragorn's family and proof of his right to the Kingship of Gondor were the broken shards of Narsil. Narsil was the sword of Elendil, forged for him in the First Age over three thousand years before Fellowship. This was not a toy left about for ignorant passer bys to pick up, play with then drop on the floor. Aragorn would have slain Boromir (or anyone) for even touching the shards of Narsil. Proof of this is his statement when forced to leave it outside Theoden's hall. "Here I set it but I command you not to touch it, nor to permit any other to lay hand on it... Death shall come to any man that draws Elendil's sword save Elendil's heir." Does that sound like a man that would allow Boromir to play with it then drop it on the floor? Hell no.
The movie Aragorn is not the same man as in the books, period. So don't tell me they are.
I could write even more on just Aragorn or I could skip to the comic relief of Gimli and how stupid that was. Or maybe discuss how and why in the movie Glorfindel, a mighty Elf Lord, was replaced by Arwen who had no role in Lord of the Rings except to be named Aragorn's wife.
The movie has some wonderful visuals and under any other name would have been a good movie. Tolkien's work is always about story telling and Lord of the Rings was his story, not Peter Jackson's.
I will close with a quote from Mark Fisher that sums up the movies:
"Like The Fellowship of the Ring, Peter Jackson's The Two Towers is a tremendous movie - visually stunning and rightfully hailed as a true epic. What it very definitely is not, though, is any kind of direct translation of Tolkien's original book to the medium of film".
Don't ask me to be happy about Peter Jackson getting his hands on The Hobbit. I have already read about what kind of abortion that is going to be. He is even going so far as to add his own made up plot characters not in the book.
I give you back your thread and will be done with this subject.
As previously stated in the thread, everyone's entitled to their opinion but, around here at least, we're not always so...forceful...in opposing the views of others ;)
Anyway, thanks for the detail, it makes for an interesting comparison.
Quote from: Rhen on April 11, 2011, 06:58:11 PM
Don't ask me to be happy about Peter Jackson getting his hands on The Hobbit. I have already read about what kind of abortion that is going to be. He is even going so far as to add his own made up plot characters not in the book.
I give you back your thread and will be done with this subject.
I don't recall anyone asking you to be happy with anything and thank you....for our thread back.
I agree with the majority that loved the films, and I'm also in the minority that reads the novels on a very regular basis. It used to be once a year since I was in high school, but has dwindled in recent years, mostly due to the decline in my reading anything at all in general.
Rhen, I appreciate the lengthy comparison you made in your recent post, and as one who shares your love of the original material can understand your feelings on the matter. It's unfortunate that you seemed to feel attacked for your opinion as that very rarely happens around here. I'd like to assure you that even though there are people everywhere that are quick to post snark or sarcasm, there are many more people, especially on these forums, that appreciate reasoned arguments, even on controversial subjects, when they are presented in a non hostile and non confrontational manner.
Quote from: Rhen on April 11, 2011, 06:58:11 PM
[Blah, Blah, Blah .... Trolling, trolling, trolling ... Some other nonsense]
I give you back your thread and will be done with this subject.
I turn my back and when I come back on the boards, I'm greeted with some classical old school trolling.
1) We're all entitled to have our own opinions of the books and movies. While you might consider it some sort of masterpiece, I think it's perhaps the best example of over written, over bloated, crap. The concepts are great, but you don't need several pages of story dedicated to the description of a Hobbit's feet. It read more like a paid by the word job than a well edited book. Raise your hands if you tried to get though Lord of the Rings and failed multiple times...
2) It was never said that it was a faithful scene for scene shot of the books. Even before the first movie came out, it was said several times that it was a interpretation of the books because the pacing doesn't work for films (Or books for that matter) and they wanted to put a larger presence of ladies in the film. No problems there!
3) Aragorn was middle age for his people ... If they aged slower, he would look younger than someone that was 70 from a human or even an elfen race.
We're all people that know how to read and obviously don't have a problem with the way the films are being done. We have access to all the notes and information that you decided to spew and the consensus is that we don't care. We don't care that changes were made. You point out obvious things to people that would know the books and then expect your ramblings to be seen as sage advice.
It doesn't.
It seems like a petty little rant from someone that wants desperately for people to not like what they don't like. Thems the breaks sometimes.
I will close by saying grow the hell up. This isn't about you. Stop trying to make it about your needs and wants.
PS. Who the hell is Mark Fisher and why should I give a damn about anything they have to say?
Opinions are awesome but as posted above this is a fun forum not a preaching forum. Rhen, detailed opinions, thanks for the comparrisons but remember you speak for yourself as I speak for myself (see Dr Who anywhere lol).
Ok back to Hobbit news where's Pete.
Wow. Cool thread. I think it's great that Rhen has such a passion for his beliefs. However dude, shouldn't take anything here so personally. You're a purist. That's cool. But, unless you're like, 12, you should know this about yourself and not see movies adapted from "classic" novels. Stick with the popcorn flicks. Less likely to pop a capillary that way! I read the LoTR and I agree with X (ok, no one faint), it is very tough to get through. Too many words of description, but that was Tolkiens style. Rhen, I challenge you to show us any movie converted from a classic novel that was 100% the same AS the novel. Can't be done. I for one (or for two depending on my psychological state at the moment!) LOVED Peter Jackson's version of LoTR and I (or we) are looking very forward to the Hobbit. Rhen, take some sage advice from an old man (no, not Rick Moyer, me!)...enjoy this forum for what it is. A great place for fellow geek types to get together and chat about our love for geeky topics and NOT be admonished for our opinions. I truly don't think people here had anything against the fact that you hated the movies, it was the way in which you fired back - like we were all stupid and wrong and you're opinion is the only one that counts. Let me ask you this: what's your feelings on corn dogs?
Oh, and Meds, you're wrong about Peter Jackson being the only one capable of making the Hobbit. There is ONE other who would be an awesome director/producer of this film. One who's potential has yet to be tapped. An awesome guy, if you will, of limitless potential. ME! :) Ohky...peace out! :)
Lol Al you kill me :D
You make some good points Rhen, but if you added those to the movies, would that make it anymore interesting? No, it would actually make them fairly 2-dimensional and dull.
Even one of my favorite characters, Faramir has a rather dull part in the books. He is not challenged by the Ring and is just so perfect and so noble. Woopee. In the movie, he is the underdog of the brothers, who has the crummiest luck of life and yet still holds to his values and lets the ring go not just because its what is expected of him due to his line, but because he believes its the right thing to do. It makes him a sympathetic character.
We watch Aragorn come to terms with his destiny, the drama, the self-doubt and the insecurity of it all. That is far more interesting than a guy who yells "I will kill you all if you touch my precious!!!!". Not to rag on the character too much though. I like both interpretations of Aragorn, but for the movie, the book-literal translation would have fallen flat on many people, and lets face it. The women in the theater need emo-guys (See Twilight....;))
Arwen's role in the books is pretty...small. The relationship btw IS in the book to a degree in the back of it, though true she wasn't leaving per say, it still made her an interesting character. According to the book, she would show up for a couple minutes in the first book and a couple minutes in the last book. Yay. End of story. Boring and uninteresting. I LIKE the fact that they gave the females a far more numerous and interesting role in the book.
You have purist views and I by no means am saying you need to change. But your post goes towards the real nitpicky and you basically threw out any room for interpretation or understanding as the posters here in this thread would be trying to convey. Book-to-movie translations are never perfect, but the spirit of the movie comes really close to the intention of the book.
It follows the drama of Sam and Frodo as they try and destroy the ring. It follows the drama of the Return of The King. Man overthrowing the dark lord and his legions. And so many other themes it would fill this entire thread. All of this was really brought out well. Maybe the characters aren't perfect, but it works. And I'll just go back to what X said earlier.
I am not saying that characters need to be flawed to be interesting, but it sure helps.
And btw, thanks to you, you actually got Al and X to agree on something. I finally recovered after my fainting a few minutes ago to post this. :P
King
Can't believe I missed out on this heated debate until now. I'll agree with X here. Put me in the camp of "tried to read it and failed". I got through Fellowship once (probably on my 8th or 9th attempt) and moved on to Two Towers where I crapped out yet again. Maybe I just don't enjoy the genre enough but I just can't do it.
For many people the movies are how they know LOTR. Sure, there are differences, sure there are valid reasons to dislike those differences. But isn't it up to the individual to decide what they like?
It's likely I'll never read the Return of the King. Does that mean I should be denied ever experiencing the story?
I read the Hobbit in high school and maybe once more since then. I'm looking forward to seeing what is done with it.
I don't see the guy trolling, I see him making an extremely detailed effort to explain his rather off the cuff previous post about how Peter Jackson ruined LOTR. Nowhere does he call anyone out specifically, and nowhere was he insulting or inappropriate, except maybe making a poor choice with the last line of his post.
Why this had to be made personal by accusing him of trolling and insulting him I don't understand. Believe it or not it is possible for people to disagree without hurting each other's feelings or being cruel and insulting.
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on April 12, 2011, 10:20:10 AM
I don't see the guy trolling, I see him making an extremely detailed effort to explain his rather off the cuff previous post about how Peter Jackson ruined LOTR. Nowhere does he call anyone out specifically, and nowhere was he insulting or inappropriate, except maybe making a poor choice with the last line of his post.
Why this had to be made personal by accusing him of trolling and insulting him I don't understand. Believe it or not it is possible for people to disagree without hurting each other's feelings or being cruel and insulting.
Correct, this thread has been quite civil. Let's endeavour to keep it that way.
I have no problem with what he put's forawrd, it's here where it went south for me:
"Don't ask me to be happy about Peter Jackson getting his hands on The Hobbit. I have already read about what kind of abortion that is going to be. He is even going so far as to add his own made up plot characters not in the book.
I give you back your thread and will be done with this subject."
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on April 12, 2011, 10:20:10 AM
I don't see the guy trolling, I see him making an extremely detailed effort to explain his rather off the cuff previous post about how Peter Jackson ruined LOTR. Nowhere does he call anyone out specifically, and nowhere was he insulting or inappropriate, except maybe making a poor choice with the last line of his post.
Why this had to be made personal by accusing him of trolling and insulting him I don't understand. Believe it or not it is possible for people to disagree without hurting each other's feelings or being cruel and insulting.
Joby, to me, classic trolling is exactly what he did. It's going to a message board and creating a debate by making statement designed to get a reaction. It had the exact reaction that would be caused in the days of old when the word first came about. I don't think anyone at all insulted him, but that's not the point. He said what he had to say and got a response to those statements. I can only read what's on the screen and reply to what I infer from those words.
As for cruel, I don't think anything said was cruel. Hell, given some of the exchanges on this board about some beloved subject, I think it was pretty civil. I know full well how these debates can go and when things you are passionate about are involved, expect passionate responses.
Again, you might not have seen the comments as trolling, but I did and I responded to it as I would to any trolling comments. You could be right or I could be right. We don't know because we don't know the motivations behind the post. The one thing we can be certain of given the responses to them is that they were inflammatory. I responded to that.
After a few more posts, there was a detailed post on things, but even then, it was subject to inaccuracies and interpretations. Opinions were stated as fact and that creates yet even more debate. Hopefully no feelings were hurt, but in the end opinions were voiced and I voiced mine.
I don't expect everyone to agree with my opinion and I'm not going to get mad if they don't. My opinion is just that, my opinion. If someone takes offense to that, that's fair. However, isn't it only fair that myself or others could have taken offense to what was said and responded passionately?
I also don't think that anything anyone said is offense worthy. I mean you should have a nice brass pair and thick skin when you post some of the ideas that were said. Had I done something similar, I would not only accept responses, I'd expect them.
Quote from: Bryancd on April 12, 2011, 10:37:24 AM
I have no problem with what he put's forawrd, it's here where it went south for me:
"Don't ask me to be happy about Peter Jackson getting his hands on The Hobbit. I have already read about what kind of abortion that is going to be. He is even going so far as to add his own made up plot characters not in the book.
I give you back your thread and will be done with this subject."
Yeah ... that did sort of come of as an edict from on high, but that's only what I got from it.
Let me clarify. To me the whole series of posts felt like people sitting at a table talking about something and sharing the latest news. They someone comes by and proceed to pee on them and then tells them they have permission to carry on while they are all setting there drenched and wondering what the hell just happened.
"It seems like a petty little rant from someone that wants desperately for people to not like what they don't like. Thems the breaks sometimes.
I will close by saying grow the hell up. This isn't about you. Stop trying to make it about your needs and wants."
Chris, the above part of your quote was what I was referring to as unnecessary and insulting, and I guess whether we believe the guy was trolling or expressing his opinion on the subject at hand is a matter of opinion.
Quote from: X on April 12, 2011, 10:52:44 AM
Let me clarify. To me the whole series of posts felt like people sitting at a table talking about something and sharing the latest news. They someone comes by and proceed to pee on them and then tells them they have permission to carry on while they are all setting there drenched and wondering what the hell just happened.
Yeah, I'd agree with this assessment. Classic trolling move. And if it wasn't designed to be trolling, well, it sure did come out of the blue.
Not all trolling contain insults or similar.
King
Quote from: X on April 12, 2011, 10:52:44 AM
Let me clarify. To me the whole series of posts felt like people sitting at a table talking about something and sharing the latest news. They someone comes by and proceed to pee on them and then tells them they have permission to carry on while they are all setting there drenched and wondering what the hell just happened.
I do see your point here, but I think he tried to explain himself mostly admirably and was subsequently shat upon for doing so. (to continue the evacuatory metaphors)
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on April 12, 2011, 11:01:26 AM
Quote from: X on April 12, 2011, 10:52:44 AM
Let me clarify. To me the whole series of posts felt like people sitting at a table talking about something and sharing the latest news. They someone comes by and proceed to pee on them and then tells them they have permission to carry on while they are all setting there drenched and wondering what the hell just happened.
I do see your point here, but I think he tried to explain himself mostly admirably and was subsequently shat upon for doing so. (to continue the evacuatory metaphors)
Well, in all fairness to the rest of us, when you open the conversation to debate, the rest of us feel the need to voice our opinions. It just happens to be that many of us were against his views. There are other forums where its the opposite. It just looks like we're attacking him because there are so many against his POV.
King
"They have a cave troll"....:)
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on April 12, 2011, 10:53:55 AM
"It seems like a petty little rant from someone that wants desperately for people to not like what they don't like. Thems the breaks sometimes.
I will close by saying grow the hell up. This isn't about you. Stop trying to make it about your needs and wants."
Chris, the above part of your quote was what I was referring to as unnecessary and insulting, and I guess whether we believe the guy was trolling or expressing his opinion on the subject at hand is a matter of opinion.
I totally agree that it's a matter of opinion. If your opinion is correct and it wasn't trolling, then I was wrong and pretty mean. However, if my opinion is correct in that it was trolling, then my reaction was within the established bounds of dealing with trolling.
In hindsight, it does seem a little harsh, but that was the reaction generated from what I read. Could I have been nicer? No doubt. Could I have been meaner? Without even trying.
I could defend my action by say precedence was set in the tone and content of his own posts, but I don't think that's necessary. I own what I wrote. I also think that my closing was still less inflammatory than his, but that's a matter of opinion.
Joby, if I offended you, I am sorry.
The proscecution rests. Defense, your turn :)
Defense prefers to discuss the Hobbit. :)
So...who's looking forward to the next exciting episode of The Amazing Race?! :) (subterfuge is my speciality!)
Quote from: QuadShot on April 12, 2011, 11:07:08 AM
"They have a cave troll"....:)
LOL! See this is why I love Al. We can totally go at it, but at the end of the day, even if I don't change my opinion, I come away with the perspective of someone passionate enough to defend their views.
:) Chris, you ROCK! I love this place, I really do!! :)
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on April 12, 2011, 11:04:29 AM
Well, in all fairness to the rest of us, when you open the conversation to debate, the rest of us feel the need to voice our opinions. It just happens to be that many of us were against his views. There are other forums where its the opposite. It just looks like we're attacking him because there are so many against his POV.
King
I don't have any problem with anything anyone else said, Tim. It's when the debate and discourse turns personal and insulting that I get annoyed. If Chris had just left those last couple of sentences off I would have never said a word. I don't mean to belabor anything, and I know nobody appointed me arbiter of content here. Just speaking my mind.
Quote from: QuadShot on April 12, 2011, 11:07:08 AM
"They have a cave troll"....:)
I almost burst out laughing in the middle of the college campus with this comment. That Sir, is an epic win post of the day. Congrats! ;)
King
lol, the beauty of this place is that at the end of the day we're all friends. Even if we disagree, which some of us do more then others :)
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on April 12, 2011, 11:12:08 AM
Quote from: Kingisaaclinksr on April 12, 2011, 11:04:29 AM
Well, in all fairness to the rest of us, when you open the conversation to debate, the rest of us feel the need to voice our opinions. It just happens to be that many of us were against his views. There are other forums where its the opposite. It just looks like we're attacking him because there are so many against his POV.
King
I don't have any problem with anything anyone else said, Tim. It's when the debate and discourse turns personal and insulting that I get annoyed. If Chris had just left those last couple of sentences off I would have never said a word. I don't mean to belabor anything, and I know nobody appointed me arbiter of content here. Just speaking my mind.
I'm glad you did speak up. I don't think it would be fair if someone didn't. I really don't mind when I get called out on something. It might not make me change my mind, but it might make me think more closely on my actions.
Quote from: billybob476 on April 12, 2011, 11:13:25 AM
lol, the beauty of this place is that at the end of the day we're all friends. Even if we disagree, which some of us do more then others :)
Yep, but I think that debate is the spice of life. But now that the one ring has been cast into Mount Doom .... I have one word.
Smaug
Quote from: X on April 12, 2011, 11:17:03 AM
Quote from: billybob476 on April 12, 2011, 11:13:25 AM
lol, the beauty of this place is that at the end of the day we're all friends. Even if we disagree, which some of us do more then others :)
Yep, but I think that debate is the spice of life. But now that the one ring has been cast into Mount Doom .... I have one word.
Smaug
And there was much rejoicing.
King ;)
The main problem now is I have to scroll through three pages of nonsense posts to see if anyone has mentioned the newest rumor that our favorite Vulcan, Leonard Nimoy, is now in contention to portray the voice of Smaug in this movie.
http://thehobbitmovieblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/nimoy-as-voice-of-smaug.html (http://thehobbitmovieblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/nimoy-as-voice-of-smaug.html)
lol...just skip page 26 of the thread. Nimoy would be awesome as Smaug! Too bad Orson Welles is no longer with us. He would have been great.
Quote from: billybob476 on April 12, 2011, 11:27:15 AM
lol...just skip page 26 of the thread. Nimoy would be awesome as Smaug! Too bad Orson Welles is no longer with us. He would have been great.
"Unicron"
Nimoy does have that great gravelly timbre these days that would be so perfect for the role. I hope it happens.
Quote from: X on April 12, 2011, 11:30:51 AM
Quote from: billybob476 on April 12, 2011, 11:27:15 AM
lol...just skip page 26 of the thread. Nimoy would be awesome as Smaug! Too bad Orson Welles is no longer with us. He would have been great.
"Unicron"
My thoughts exactly :)
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on April 12, 2011, 11:24:42 AM
The main problem now is I have to scroll through three pages of nonsense posts to see if anyone has mentioned the newest rumor that our favorite Vulcan, Leonard Nimoy, is now in contention to portray the voice of Smaug in this movie.
http://thehobbitmovieblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/nimoy-as-voice-of-smaug.html (http://thehobbitmovieblog.blogspot.com/2011/04/nimoy-as-voice-of-smaug.html)
Nonsence? Sir, I take offense at that remark. I'm many things, but NONSENCE?! Well, ok, yeah, I am.
Hmmm..Nimoy as Smaug...that could work. Has anyone ever listened to the unabridged audio book read by Rob Inglis? He does an excellent Smaug. I had in my mind an angry John Houseman (may he RIP). Or how about Bob Hoskins doing the voice? He has a more east-ender sounding voice - but who is to say that Smaug has to have a posh voice.
Hey, I think Sean Connery should do Smaug! After all, he HAS voiced a dragon before! :)
Bob Hoskins, Hmmmmmmm Pete that has made me start thinking. Good choice. PS Orson Welles is dead. Bugger ;)
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on April 12, 2011, 12:56:02 PM
Bob Hoskins, Hmmmmmmm Pete that has made me start thinking. Good choice. PS Orson Welles is dead. Bugger ;)
Hence why I said "Too bad Orson Welles is no longer with us" :)
Oh I thought he'd just left the forum for a bit. ;)
Problem with Nimoy as Smaug is that Shatner is going to want a cameo now.
James Earl Jones would be great as Smaug as well...but I don't know if I would be ready for that...imagine that deep raspy breathing reverberating through the tunnel as Bilbo sneaks down to the hoard.....
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on April 12, 2011, 01:16:49 PM
Problem with Nimoy as Smaug is that Shatner is going to want a cameo now.
So true, so very true.
King
Quote from: Bromptonboy on April 12, 2011, 01:17:58 PM
James Earl Jones would be great as Smaug as well...but I don't know if I would be ready for that...imagine that deep raspy breathing reverberating through the tunnel as Bilbo sneaks down to the hoard.....
I have you now...Bilbo Or....
Bilbo, I am your father!
Quote from: QuadShot on April 12, 2011, 02:27:24 PM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on April 12, 2011, 01:17:58 PM
James Earl Jones would be great as Smaug as well...but I don't know if I would be ready for that...imagine that deep raspy breathing reverberating through the tunnel as Bilbo sneaks down to the hoard.....
I have you now...Bilbo Or....
Bilbo, I am your father!
Don't go there! He could do the voice but I do think those sorts of comparisons would be too many. I can't see Hoskins myself - I know he has a far broader range but I still hear East End accents as 'cheeky cockneys' and that's not the image of a dragon that I want to have :)
Nimoy could do it, he has the ring of intelligent authority that I think is required, but I'm sure there are others who could take it on just as well (or maybe even better!).
Peter Jackson has updated his Facebook page with two new photos, including inside Gollum's cave and Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins.
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Jackson/141884481557?sk=wall (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Peter-Jackson/141884481557?sk=wall)
Quote from: Feathers on April 12, 2011, 03:04:01 PM
Quote from: QuadShot on April 12, 2011, 02:27:24 PM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on April 12, 2011, 01:17:58 PM
James Earl Jones would be great as Smaug as well...but I don't know if I would be ready for that...imagine that deep raspy breathing reverberating through the tunnel as Bilbo sneaks down to the hoard.....
I have you now...Bilbo Or....
Bilbo, I am your father!
Don't go there! He could do the voice but I do think those sorts of comparisons would be too many. I can't see Hoskins myself - I know he has a far broader range but I still hear East End accents as 'cheeky cockneys' and that's not the image of a dragon that I want to have :)
Nimoy could do it, he has the ring of intelligent authority that I think is required, but I'm sure there are others who could take it on just as well (or maybe even better!).
I think with all the sound processing we have today any of us could be the voice too!
This is SOOOOOO cool.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150223186041807#w716-h403 (http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150223186041807#w716-h403)
OMG... I had chills through out that piece.. and this is just the beginning.... amazing.
Hair standing up on the back of my neck :D
Wow!! Curse those blurs! I wanted to see those pics.
Can't wait for this one! I guess I should read the book again!
I highly recommend the Rob Inglis unabridged audiobook version - he is amazing and does a marvelous job. Makes the commute fly by. I listen to - or read - the Hobbit & full LOTR once a year.
Quote from: Bromptonboy on April 14, 2011, 02:36:14 PM
I highly recommend the Rob Inglis unabridged audiobook version - he is amazing and does a marvelous job. Makes the commute fly by. I listen to - or read - the Hobbit & full LOTR once a year.
same here.. I listen to both books several times a year.
I can never seem to listen to audiobooks while driving. I miss parts when I have to focus on the driving. Podcasts are easy since I feel I can miss a comment here or there, but books are different. I like to "read" books on the Kindle or in paper more anyway. Always feel more caught up in the story just sitting in a quiet place with a good book.
OK, this is going to be amazing.
Quote from: Rico on April 14, 2011, 03:41:42 PM
I can never seem to listen to audiobooks while driving. I miss parts when I have to focus on the driving. Podcasts are easy since I feel I can miss a comment here or there, but books are different. I like to "read" books on the Kindle or in paper more anyway. Always feel more caught up in the story just sitting in a quiet place with a good book.
Oh I get more into the books if they are being read to me. Maybe it takes me back to my childhood and being read too.. but listening to the voices can transport me to that world much better then written words... but to each his own :)
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on April 14, 2011, 04:00:30 PM
Quote from: Rico on April 14, 2011, 03:41:42 PM
I can never seem to listen to audiobooks while driving. I miss parts when I have to focus on the driving. Podcasts are easy since I feel I can miss a comment here or there, but books are different. I like to "read" books on the Kindle or in paper more anyway. Always feel more caught up in the story just sitting in a quiet place with a good book.
Oh I get more into the books if they are being read to me. Maybe it takes me back to my childhood and being read too.. but listening to the voices can transport me to that world much better then written words... but to each his own :)
Same here, prefer audio, though reading myself is also nice. :)
King
I was converted to books on tape and podcasts by my long commute. I still love sitting down with a good book, but listening to unabridged books has been easier on my eyes. When we do long family auto trips, the kids love listening to audiobooks - especially the Harry Potter series.
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on April 14, 2011, 03:33:59 PM
same here.. I listen to both books several times a year.
I believe I have a copy of those as well form a very kind and generous benefactor. ;)
I think I've just read books (rather than audio versions) for so long it's the way my brain is programmed. But I might give audiobooks another go sometime with my longer drive to work. Maybe try "The Hobbit" since I've read the book and know the story already.
That video certainly gets me into the mood to see this. Nice to demonstrable proof that Richard Armitage really is in the cast. I'm sure they're in for a fun ride for a year or two.
Was there any doubt about Armitage Mike? He was in the press photos. Also when I heard he wad up for the role I knew he was going to croak it in Spooks lol
This is looking good.
If I start watching the LOTR movies now, I might get done before this one is out. :)
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on April 15, 2011, 10:34:28 AM
Was there any doubt about Armitage Mike? He was in the press photos. Also when I heard he wad up for the role I knew he was going to croak it in Spooks lol
No not really. Still, seeing him there is good. For some reason I like him.
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2011/04/18/local-coverage-on-peter-jackson%E2%80%99s-first-video/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2011/04/18/local-coverage-on-peter-jackson%E2%80%99s-first-video/)
In a Facebook comment posted an hour ago, Director Peter Jackson confirms Ian Holm's involvement in The Hobbit films:
One comment that came up from the recent video blog was the Bilbo voice at the end—many of you assumed it was Sir Ian Holm. Whilst Ian will be returning as the older Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, that recording was actually Martin Freeman's voice, taken from a script read through we recorded when the cast first arrived. I have to admit, I wasn't sure who it was when I first heard it, either. Cheers, Peter J
Fili
by Peter Jackson on Sunday, April 24, 2011 at 5:02am
I am sad to report that Rob Kazinsky, who was cast in the role of Fili, is having to leave The Hobbit and return home, for personal reasons. Rob has been terrific to work with and his enthusiasm and infectious sense of humour will be missed by all of us. I should say that Rob's departure will not affect ongoing filming of The Hobbit, nor will it impact work done to date, as we had yet to film much of Fili's storyline. At the moment we are shooting scenes featuring Bilbo without the Dwarves, which will give us time to find a new Fili. I'll keep everyone posted with updates as they come.
Cheers,
Peter J
Orlando Bloom discusses The Hobbit and his possible casting in an interview with MTV:
When MTV News caught up with Bloom as he did press for his upcoming film "Sympathy for Delicious," we asked if we could bet on him joining his "LOTR" castmates Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Cate Blanchett in the production.
"I'm going to bet on it," he said. "But I can't really talk too much about it because it's still sort of in the ether. But I would love to go back to work with Peter Jackson. It would be an honor."
When asked if he's ready to get back into that famous wig and those prosthetic ears, Bloom said he's happy to put on anything and everything Jackson requires.
"I'll do anything for him," he told us.
And what about that script? Is Bloom one of the privileged few who've read it?
"It's wonderful," he said with a knowing smile.
Source: MTV
Orlando Bloom bets he'll be in the Hobbit is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Peter Jackson to answer fans' Hobbit questions
Posted: 03 May 2011 04:33 AM PDT
Peter Jackson to answer fans' questions on the making of The Hobbit movies.
It seems like a lifetime ago now, but way back at the beginning of The Lord of the Rings, I agreed to answer 20 questions sent into the Ain't It Cool website. Harry Knowles sorted through them and gave me his pick, which I did my best to answer, even though we were in the very early pre-production stage.
I thought you might like to do the same thing again with The Hobbit, using this Facebook page. So let's get into it ... if there's anything you'd like to know about the movies we're making, please send me questions (on this page) and we'll start answering 20 of them. Who knows – if we have fun, why stop at 20?
Let's get it underway. Over to you ...
Cheers,
Peter J
Visit Peter's Facebook Page and ask him a question!
Source: Peter Jackson
Peter Jackson to answer fans' Hobbit questions is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Saoirse Ronan will not play the role of Itaril
Posted: 05 May 2011 06:54 AM PDT
In an interview with Belfast Telegraph, Saoirse Ronan revealed that she will not play the role of Itaril in the upcoming Hobbit films.
Saoirse Ronan has revealed she will not be playing woodland elf Itaril in The Hobbit.
The Hanna star had been in talks to star in The Lord Of The Rings prequel, directed by Peter Jackson, who she worked with on The Lovely Bones, but has now signed up to star in The Host.
Saoirse revealed: "It's probably not going to work out with The Hobbit unfortunately.
"Because I would have been working for about a year on it and there were other projects that I was very interested in, but Pete and [his producer wife] Fran have been very good about it and very understanding.
"I'll have to just go back down to New Zealand for a holiday and hang out with the hobbits."
Source: Belfast Telegraph
Martin Freeman is either back in London or Benedict Cumberbach and the Sherlock crew have flown to New Zealand to do a read through as just seen a photo from Mark Gatiss on twitter.
I just don't see it. Really. I can't believe they got Morgan Freeman to play Bilbo. Not even close to what I picture Bilbo looking like. I mean, Morgan played GOD! Sheesh, what WERE they thinking? :)
Quote from: QuadShot on May 10, 2011, 09:37:48 AM
I just don't see it. Really. I can't believe they got Morgan Freeman to play Bilbo. Not even close to what I picture Bilbo looking like. I mean, Morgan played GOD! Sheesh, what WERE they thinking? :)
Hah! :)
Gandalf confirms Elrond, Lindir and Radagast
Posted: 10 May 2011 11:19 AM PDT
In his latest blog entry Ian McKellen confirms the casting of Hugo Weaving as Lord Elrond, Bret McKenzie as the Elf Lindir, and Sylvester McCoy in the role of Radagast the Brown.
This is not another April Fool, just a May Fact. Before signing as Bilbo, Martin had agreed to make three 90-minute TV films in London, again playing Dr Watson to Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock Holmes. No worries: he'll be back in Middle Earth after our first hiatus, during which Peter Jackson will have spare time to edit the scenes already completed. The rest of the cast remains on duty for another few weeks, working on hobbit-less sections of the film. These involve dwarves of course but also elves, with Hugo Weaving back for a stretch as Lord Elrond.
Hugo was recently onstage as Astrov in Chekov's Uncle Vanya for the Sydney Theatre Company, whose director, Cate Blanchett, played Yelena. Before she returns as Galadriel, they will reprise their production at Washington DC's Kennedy Center in August. I shall miss the revival, because of my own play, Eduardo De Filippo's The Syndicate at Chichester Festival Theatre and a short UK tour.
Another slim-line elf returning from LOTR, is a local: New Zealand's actor/comedian/singer Bret McKenzie. Last time, he was an extra at Rivendell, the elven Last Homely House in the East. Under a tree at the Council of Elrond, he silently witnessed the forming of the Fellowship. Wordless maybe but not unnoticed by fans of the beautiful, who gave him the acronym F.I.G.W.I.T. ("Frodo Is Great! Who Is That?") I confess Gandalf didn't take much notice, distracted by the main action that involved all the main characters.
Source: Ian McKellen
Gandalf confirms Elrond, Lindir and Radagast is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2011/05/14/even-wizards-have-to-wear-the-glasses/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2011/05/14/even-wizards-have-to-wear-the-glasses/)
Sir Peter Jackson has cast English actor and comedian Stephen Fry as The Master of Laketown in his Hobbit movies:
Some more HOBBIT casting news today. As we near the end of our first shooting block (we have a break in less than three weeks to get some editing and visual effects work done, plus prepare for very big scenes coming up), we are looking at characters featuring in sequences that take place a little later in the story.
We are thrilled to confirm that Stephen Fry will be playing The Master of Laketown. I've known Stephen for several years, and we're developing a DAMBUSTERS movie together. In addition to his writing skills, he's a terrific actor and will create a very memorable Master for us.
The Master's conniving civil servant, Alfrid will be played by Ryan Gage. Ryan is a great young actor who we originally cast in a small role, but we liked him so much, we promoted him to the much larger Alfrid part.
Source: Peter Jackson
Stephen Fry cast as The Master of Laketown is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Peter Jackson just confirmed on Facebook that Orlando Bloom will return as Legolas in The Hobbit films! This is what the filmmaker said:
Ten years ago, Orlando Bloom created an iconic character with his portrayal of Legolas. I'm excited to announce today that we'll be revisiting Middle Earth with him once more. I'm thrilled to be working with Orlando again. Funny thing is, I look older—and he doesn't! I guess that's why he makes such a wonderful elf.
Read more: Orlando Bloom Confirmed for The Hobbit - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=78145#ixzz1NZmuVLqX (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=78145#ixzz1NZmuVLqX)
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on May 27, 2011, 10:49:04 AM
Peter Jackson just confirmed on Facebook that Orlando Bloom will return as Legolas in The
Sounds good! Although not mentioned directly in the Hobbit, there is no reason not to assume that Legolas was present when his father Thranduil questioned Thorin (rather harshly I might add...).
Also Martin Freeman let slip that Sherlock co star Benedict Cumberbach will also be in The Hobbit. No official statement from team Jackson as of yet.
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on May 27, 2011, 11:45:51 AM
Also Martin Freeman let slip that Sherlock co star Benedict Cumberbach will also be in The Hobbit. No official statement from team Jackson as of yet.
Hmmmm....I suppose if you give him pointed ears....
This sure is turning into one big reunion movie. Especially for many characters that weren't in "The Hobbit."
Oh if you look at Cumberbach he oozes middle earth features.
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on May 28, 2011, 12:04:40 AM
Oh if you look at Cumberbach he oozes middle earth features.
Yes I think I am sold on him.
Quote from: Rico on May 27, 2011, 03:59:43 PM
This sure is turning into one big reunion movie. Especially for many characters that weren't in "The Hobbit."
This is certainly going to take some liberties, but I say the more the Meriadoc. ;)
Quote from: Bryancd on May 28, 2011, 09:49:33 AM
Quote from: Rico on May 27, 2011, 03:59:43 PM
This sure is turning into one big reunion movie. Especially for many characters that weren't in "The Hobbit."
This is certainly going to take some liberties, but I say the more the Meriadoc. ;)
Ouch! You have been hanging with Brother Moyer I see! Does that RING close to the truth? :0
Titles and Release Dates Announced for the Hobbit Films!
Source: New Line/Warner Bros., MGM
May 30, 2011
New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures and MGM have announced the titles and release dates for filmmaker Peter Jackson's two-film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's enduringly popular masterpiece "The Hobbit." The first film, titled The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, will be released on December 14, 2012. The second film, titled The Hobbit: There and Back Again, is slated for release the following year, on December 13, 2013.
Both films are set in Middle-earth 60 years before Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings," which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar®-winning The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. The adventure of "The Hobbit" follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug.
Under Jackson's direction, both movies are being shot consecutively in digital 3D using the latest camera and stereo technology. Filming is taking place at Stone Street Studios, Wellington, and on location around New Zealand.
Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, the character he played in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, and Martin Freeman, who just won a BAFTA TV Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the BBC series "Sherlock," takes on the central role of Bilbo Baggins. Also reprising their roles from "The Lord of the Rings" movies are: Cate Blanchett as Galadriel; Orlando Bloom as Legolas; Ian Holm as the elder Bilbo; Christopher Lee as Saruman; Hugo Weaving as Elrond; Elijah Wood as Frodo; and Andy Serkis as Gollum. The ensemble cast also includes (in alphabetical order) Richard Armitage, Jed Brophy, Adam Brown, John Callen, Stephen Fry, Ryan Gage, Mark Hadlow, Peter Hambleton, Stephen Hunter, William Kircher, Sylvester McCoy, Bret McKenzie, Graham McTavish, Mike Mizrahi, James Nesbitt, Dean O'Gorman, Lee Pace, Mikael Persbrandt, Conan Stevens, Ken Stott, Jeffrey Thomas and Aidan Turner.
The screenplays for "The Hobbit" films are by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro and Peter Jackson. Jackson is also producing the films, together with Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham. The executive producers are Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner, with Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer.
"The Hobbit" films are productions of New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production. Warner Bros Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television licensing being handled by MGM.
Read more: Titles and Release Dates Announced for the Hobbit Films! - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=78224#ixzz1NrELt5aF (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=78224#ixzz1NrELt5aF)
So I wonder where the break will be between the two films. I remember early on they were talking about the events of the book being covered in the first film, with the second being mostly supplemental and new material, but I believe that idea has been scrapped. I'm trying to guess where a logical spot is for a cliffhanger but still presents a satisfying stand alone story.
My guess would be that Bilbo saves the dwarves from the Goblin King, falls down into Gollum's cave, and we see our first glimpse of Gollum and the One Ring...then we wait for a year for "Riddles In the Dark" to open the second film.
Quote from: Jobydrone4of20 on May 31, 2011, 06:44:21 AM
So I wonder where the break will be between the two films. I remember early on they were talking about the events of the book being covered in the first film, with the second being mostly supplemental and new material, but I believe that idea has been scrapped. I'm trying to guess where a logical spot is for a cliffhanger but still presents a satisfying stand alone story.
My guess would be that Bilbo saves the dwarves from the Goblin King, falls down into Gollum's cave, and we see our first glimpse of Gollum and the One Ring...then we wait for a year for "Riddles In the Dark" to open the second film.
I agree, Joby, that would make a lot of sense. Also, clearly there is going to be a lot of additional material added that's not in the Hobbit to accommodate the inclusions of characters such as Legolas and others who don't appear in the book. I have faith int his writting team to be creative while respectful of the source material.
Come on Mr. Jackson, make it a trilogy already. You know you want to. ;)
Quote from: Rico on May 31, 2011, 08:41:20 AM
Come on Mr. Jackson, make it a trilogy already. You know you want to. ;)
In lovely, natively filmed 3D. :)
Quote from: Bryancd on May 31, 2011, 08:47:13 AM
Quote from: Rico on May 31, 2011, 08:41:20 AM
Come on Mr. Jackson, make it a trilogy already. You know you want to. ;)
In lovely, natively filmed 3D. :)
And IMAX only - don't forget that! ;)
Quote from: Bryancd on May 31, 2011, 07:19:40 AM
I agree, Joby, that would make a lot of sense. Also, clearly there is going to be a lot of additional material added that's not in the Hobbit to accommodate the inclusions of characters such as Legolas and others who don't appear in the book. I have faith int his writting team to be creative while respectful of the source material.
Such a big deal is being made every time these LOTR actors announce they are returning for the Hobbit, and I have this feelihng that the sum total of most of their screen time (barring McKellan's Gandalf of course) will probably be around three minutes in some kind of prologue.
You are probably right Joby. But if that's the case, it's even more a stunt rather than something that is really needed for the films.
P.S. Remember how much they tried to work Shatner in the last Trek film and wisely decided not to do it. Because it wasn't needed and didn't serve the story.
The Guardian, a British national daily newspaper, asks the question; will Peter Jackson's Tolkien tinkering make or break The Hobbit?
I [Ben Child, author] first commented on this phenomenon back in December, when it emerged that Orlando Bloom and Cate Blanchett, aka Legolas and Galadriel, might be appearing in The Hobbit(even though their characters are not present in JRR Tolkien's 1937 children's tale), so it's nothing new. Tracking the little clues that tell us that Jackson wants a radically souped-up Hobbit – and mulling over whether the manifestations of this desire will end up being intelligently crafted or hamfisted on the big screen – has, however, become something of a hobby recently, especially as more and more details begin to emerge.
Along with the titles, whose individual monickering of course mimicks that of the three Lord of the Rings instalments, Jackson this week revealed that we will see the White Council, aka Gandalf, Saruman and Galadriel, attacking the evil Mirkwood fortress of Dol Guldur. In the book, we only hear about the driving out of the Necromancer (revealed in Rings as villain Sauron) in retrospect from the lips of Gandalf.
"I'm not going to say just what and when, but I will confirm that both the White Council and Dol Guldur will feature in the movies," wrote Jackson on his Facebook page. "And not just in one scene either. Just how to visualise it has been a challenge, but fortunately [design chiefs] Alan Lee and John Howe went crazy with ideas, and it should look pretty cool."
It's certainly a tantalising prospect. What shape will Sauron take – Tolkien offers no clues – as he will presumably not yet have assumed the form of a great eye in which he appears in Lord of the Rings? And does this mean that the 89-year-old Christopher Lee has made the trip to New Zealand after all to reprise his role as Saruman? Perhaps his part will be shot against blue screen in the UK – we may have to wait a while to find out.
Structurally, of course, the presence of the scene further Lord of the Ringsises (apologies for the clumsy phrase) The Hobbit. Tolkien's book is a gentle, linear fable which rarely leaves Bilbo Baggins's side (the brief period at the end of the story when the great dragon Smaug leaves his lair to rain down fire and terror on nearby Laketown, and later when the hobbit is asleep during the battle of five armies are the only instances I can recall). Lord of the Rings was a sprawling narrative which split and split again over the course of the book, following different members of the original fellowship of the ring on their separate adventures. Pulling us away from the central story will present The Hobbit through a very different prism to that which was originally intended.
Do you think, to stretch it out to two movies, they might incorporate some of the dropped scenes from LOTR and insert them into Bilbo's adventures somehow? I'm thinking of the whole Tom Bombadil and the Barrow Downs and Old Man Willow?
Would they place these into the adventures before they get to Rivendell?
What I wouldn't mind is the scenario I read about months ago - which may or may not be the truth. That the first movie would be the 'true' Hobbit - and the 2nd would be a bridging movie made from logical inference, and from the Appendices of LOTR. That in my humble opinion would be the place for our beloved Bombabil and Barrow Downs. I would dearly love to see them included somehow in the 'bridging movie'.
It seems logical to me that Legolas would have been present when Thorin and company were unjustly imprisoned. Also, having Saruman & Radagast & Galadriel at the White Council also makes sense. Gandalf even mentions Radagast to Beorn (if my memory serves) in the Hobbit. Maybe the Barrow Downs and Bombadil can somehow be worked into Aragorn's back-story?
Having said all that - Jackson will have my $'s for this one either way. :)
I've never been a Bombadil fan and have always found that to be the bit of the story that I have a real struggle to get through. Thus his absence from the LOTR films was a good thing in my eyes.
Hopefully, if he comes in here somewhere, he won't intrude on the story too far.
THE HOBBIT Casting Update
by Peter Jackson on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 4:51pm
Yikes! I can finally get back to some postings! We've finished our first block of shooting and moved straight into location scouting. More on that soon... But today, I'm thrilled to announce two new cast members who will be joining us for our second block of shooting.
Evangeline Lilly will be playing a new character—the Woodland Elf, Tauriel. Her name means 'daughter of Mirkwood' and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing! (No, there is no romantic connection to Legolas.) What is not a secret is how talented and compelling an actress Evangeline is; we are thrilled and excited she will be the one to bring our first true Sylvan Elf to life.
I'm also highly excited that Barry Humphries will be portraying the Goblin King, in much the way Andy Serkis created Gollum. Barry is perhaps best known for his business and social connections as the long-time manager of Dame Edna Everage. He has also been an ardent supporter of the rather misunderstood and unfairly maligned Australian politician, Sir Les Patterson. However, in his spare time, Barry is also a fine actor, and we're looking forward to seeing him invest the Goblin King with the delicate sensitivity and emotional depth this character deserves.
Evangeline and Barry, along with Welsh actor Luke Evans as Bard and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug, just about rounds out the major casting. I cannot wait to get stuck into these new scenes!
More soon, including a flurry of answers to your questions. Sorry for the delay!
Cheers,
Peter J
Some good casting calls here I think - especially Cumberbatch as Smaug. Meds - what do you think of that choice? Anything with Miss Lilly is ok by me - my attention will not be LOST on her... ahem..
Pete I think having Cumberbatch in The Hobbit is brilliant. He is one of the UK's finest actors and he looks very middle earth on a normal day lol
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on June 19, 2011, 02:24:45 PM
Pete I think having Cumberbatch in The Hobbit is brilliant. He is one of the UK's finest actors and he looks very middle earth on a normal day lol
I agree - he has a suitable voice for Smaug. The other choices seem ok as well. Barry Humphries did the voice of 'Bruce the Shark' in Finding Nemo. Luke Evans I am not familiar with - but he looks the part. Evangiline Lilly is beautiful - so I am sure that they will make her suitably ethereal looking.
3 new pictures have hit the web.
Very cool!
Looks great - although I always imagined Bilbo as being a little stouter. MF's abs look too flat. :)
Quote from: Bromptonboy on June 23, 2011, 11:02:35 AM
Looks great - although I always imagined Bilbo as being a little stouter. MF's abs look too flat. :)
He's been working out. :)
Quote from: Bromptonboy on June 23, 2011, 11:02:35 AM
Looks great - although I always imagined Bilbo as being a little stouter. MF's abs look too flat. :)
I blame Rankin-Bass for that!
Very cool. :) I look forward to seeing some images of Smaug. And I'm also eager to see how the goblins are pulled off. I get the feeling that they'll be a lot more scary than the version we got in the old Rankin Bass film.
Just watched (for the first time) 'The Long Good Friday' - which is a great UK mobster movie. I have to reassert my idea that Bob Hoskins would make a great voice of Smaug.
Pete we are doing The Long Good Friday on Waffle On Soon. (hint)
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on June 24, 2011, 01:55:39 PM
Pete we are doing The Long Good Friday on Waffle On Soon. (hint)
Cool! I'll have a comment for that one. Really enjoyed it.
Over ten years ago, catching a whiff something really big was going down in New Zealand, Empire decided to feature the next film from promising Kiwi director Peter Jackson on its cover. After all, he just happened to be making The Lord Of The Rings. Listen closely to his commentary on Return Of The King and Jackson actually recalls the day that issue of Empire arrived on set — he couldn't quite get his head around the fact they were still shooting! To paraphrase someone in a black and white movie, it was the start of a beautiful friendship.
So in honour of Jackson's long-awaited return to Middle-earth for two dragon-and-dwarf-laden prequels — as a "good luck charm" according the director — Empire takes its symbolic and rightful place as the first magazine in the world to put The Hobbit on its cover. A resplendent 'younger' Gandalf the Grey (look closely for subtle differences in costume from his 60-year older Rings self) taking centre stage alongside the first look at Martin Freeman's Bilbo Baggins (keep your eyes peeled for a hint or two of dwarf in the issue).
Personally invited onto the set barely a month into production, Empire delightedly watched a film — two films — already in full swing. Thirteen cantankerous dwarves, one barely tolerant wizard, and a befuddled hobbit are seen arriving at the gates of Rivendell and sneered at by local elves. Jackson assures us he is once again reaching for the mighty spectacle of Lord Of The Rings, but also bringing a certain 'Hobbity-ness' all its own. "The tone is actually the part of it I'm enjoying the most," he laughs, casting a fond eye upon his rabble of exotic dwarves, clattering about set like they own the place. "They have a healthy disregard for the icons of Middle-earth."
For the full story see the August issue of Empire out on June 30.
I think there must be orcs trying to get into my basement! :orc
http://instagr.am/p/G8YjK/?ref=nf (http://instagr.am/p/G8YjK/?ref=nf)
Watched LOTR part I yesterday. Jackson should have done the last transformers movie :banned:
Quote from: sheldor on July 04, 2011, 01:41:45 PM
Watched LOTR part I yesterday. Jackson should have done the last transformers movie :banned:
Why?
I would like to see LOTR and the Hobbit given the HBO treatment - or the same type of coverage as Game of Thrones. I am a middle-earth junkie - and need MORE.
Richard Armitage has spoken with Total Film about his role in Peter Jackson's The Hobbit:
We recently sat down with the British actor to talk about his role as dwarf Thorin Oakenshield in the two-part Tolkien epic, and he told us: "There's going to be quite a lot more humour.
"The book is so focused on the dwarves, so I think it's a chance for Peter [Jackson] and Fran [Walsh] to really look at that whole race in more detail, their heritage and what they're like as characters."
The dwarves aren't just there as comic relief though, as Armitage has learnt while wielding the Orcrist, Thorin's legendary goblin sword.
"It's bloody heavy!" he told us. "But it's absolutely beautiful to look at. Every time they bring something new out everyone gasps. The armour that the dwarves emerge from the mountain wearing at the end of the film will be the armour of all armour."
Tolkien fan Armitage said that he's in his element shooting in New Zealand: "There was a scene in The Lord Of The Rings where they find the stone trolls, and they're identical in The Hobbit.
"I love those moments, when you link into the world of the film that you've seen before."
Check it out.. our first look at some of the Dwarves.
DORI, NORI & ORI
These three brothers, all sons of the same mother, could not be more different from each other. Dori, the oldest, spends much of his time watching out for Ori, the youngest; making sure he's not caught a chill or got himself killed by Wargs or Goblins. Nobody quite knows what Nori gets up to most of the time, except that it's guaranteed to be dodgy and quite probably, illegal. Dori, Nori and Ori are intensely loyal to each other – and whilst they are perfectly happy fighting amongst themselves, woe-betide anyone who means harm to one of these brothers.
Great pic!
Awesome!
Awesome, :D
Wow!
Here's two more Dwarves ... Oin and Gloin
Poor Bombur will be the last photo released....
:)
Another great Peter Jackson BTS Video
The Hobbit: Behind-the-Scenes Production Video Blog #2 HD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gc6TVoYeKJU#ws)
Beards for filming. :D
I must say, Peter looks better with some more weight on, he looked so odd when he was to thin.
incredible video... thanks for sharing Kenny!
Maybe he should do his video blogs topless ala Bryan ;)
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on July 11, 2011, 08:10:25 AM
Maybe he should do his video blogs topless ala Bryan ;)
...I think he may have man boobs..
Remember, hanging around with all those Hobbit's means Peter is having second breakfasts all the time now. ;)
Quote from: Bryancd on July 11, 2011, 08:25:25 AM
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on July 11, 2011, 08:10:25 AM
Maybe he should do his video blogs topless ala Bryan ;)
...I think he may have man boobs..
I like the term...moobs. Man boobs sounds so...well, outdated!
Quote from: Rico on July 11, 2011, 08:41:02 AM
Remember, hanging around with all those Hobbit's means Peter is having second breakfasts all the time now. ;)
HMMMMMMMM second breakfasts, I think i'd like life as a Hobbit ;)
Not to mention Elevenses.
Isn't there a 2nd dinner too? And evening snack? How do these hobbits stay so thin?
King
Quote from: KingIsaacLinksr on July 11, 2011, 03:42:13 PM
Isn't there a 2nd dinner too? And evening snack? How do these hobbits stay so thin?
King
"They tend to be fat of stomach" - if I recall correctly. I bet they do Atkins.....
MSN has this first look at Dean O'Gorman as Fili and Aidan Turner as Kili in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Two of the youngest dwarves, Fili and Kili have been born into the royal line of Durin and raised under the stern guardianship of their uncle, Thorin Oakensheild. Neither has ever travelled far, nor ever seen the fabled Dwarf City of Erebor. For both, the journey to the Lonely Mountain represents adventure and excitement. Skilled fighters, both brothers set off on their adventure armed with the invincible courage of youth, neither being able to imagine the fate which lies before them.
Read more: Fili and Kili Revealed in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - ComingSoon.net http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=79729#ixzz1RurlpSRc (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=79729#ixzz1RurlpSRc)
The dwarve teen heart throbs. :)
Someone photoshopped the previous two Dwarves pictures together.. can't wait to see them all.
Here's three more..
BOFUR, BOMBUR & BIFUR
Excellent Bombur - although I was expecting a proper full beard, not mutton-chops.
Here's two more... Balin and Dwalin
Love the way they look - especially Balin.
Here you go.. the Company of Dwarves is complete.
Hollywood star Orlando Bloom has been seen out and about in Wellington, joining a growing number of Hobbit actors arriving in the city as production resumes after a three-month hiatus.
Wellingtonians Miranda Webster, Aggie Galloway, Kayla Carruthers, Sam Walton and Hannah Robson met Bloom yesterday when they saw him shopping in the central city.
Ms Carruthers, 19, said she and her friends were on Vivian St when they saw Bloom go into a photography store.
"We weren't sure at first if it was him or not, so we waited around casually outside the stop, and then when he came out we saw it was definitely him."
They approached the star, who plays elf archer Legolas in Sir Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, and asked if he would pose for a photo or two.
"He was really, really nice, and asked us how we were going. He was dressed really casually, and his hair was a bit shaggy."
Bloom, who recently celebrated the birth of his first child with his wife, model Miranda Kerr, is reportedly set to earn $1 million for his return as Legolas, despite appearing in the film for less than two minutes.
British actor Stephen Fry, who will play the Master of Laketown, has also been seen around the city this week.
Quote from: Bromptonboy on August 06, 2011, 08:08:24 PM
Hollywood star Orlando Bloom has been seen out and about in Wellington, joining a growing number of Hobbit actors arriving in the city as production resumes after a three-month hiatus.
Wellingtonians Miranda Webster, Aggie Galloway, Kayla Carruthers, Sam Walton and Hannah Robson met Bloom yesterday when they saw him shopping in the central city.
Ms Carruthers, 19, said she and her friends were on Vivian St when they saw Bloom go into a photography store.
"We weren't sure at first if it was him or not, so we waited around casually outside the stop, and then when he came out we saw it was definitely him."
They approached the star, who plays elf archer Legolas in Sir Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films, and asked if he would pose for a photo or two.
"He was really, really nice, and asked us how we were going. He was dressed really casually, and his hair was a bit shaggy."
Bloom, who recently celebrated the birth of his first child with his wife, model Miranda Kerr, is reportedly set to earn $1 million for his return as Legolas, despite appearing in the film for less than two minutes.
British actor Stephen Fry, who will play the Master of Laketown, has also been seen around the city this week.
<_<....1 million for 2 minutes of filming.....cmonnnnnn, why can't I get that job?!? (Although I'd take 1mil for an entire movie...)
;)
Thanks for sharing
King
A good friend of mine who now lives in New Zealand told me that her friend Gemma Watson (lead stunt double for Evangaline Lilley) was sword fighting with Orlando Bloom and having a great time. Needless to say my friend is very jealous lol
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on August 23, 2011, 03:31:55 PM
A good friend of mine who now lives in New Zealand told me that her friend Gemma Watson (lead stunt double for Evangaline Lilley)....
I am at a "Lost" for words...
Lost star Evangeline Lilly is the latest celebrity to join the cast of The Hobbit. The 31-year-old actress, who played Kate Austen in Lost, was in New Zealand to play Woodland Elf, Tauriel, as Peter Jackson announced on his Facebook page. He said, "Her name means 'daughter of Mirkwood' and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing!". Sadly there will be no romantic connection to Legolas. Read his full letter below:
Yikes! I can finally get back to some postings! We've finished our first block of shooting and moved straight into location scouting. More on that soon... But today, I'm thrilled to announce two new cast members who will be joining us for our second block of shooting.
Evangeline Lilly will be playing a new character,the Woodland Elf, Tauriel. Her name means 'daughter of Mirkwood' and, beyond that, we must leave you guessing! (No, there is no romantic connection to Legolas.) What is not a secret is how talented and compelling an actress Evangeline is; we are thrilled and excited she will be the one to bring our first true Sylvan Elf to life.
I'm also highly excited that Barry Humphries will be portraying the Goblin King, in much the way Andy Serkis created Gollum. Barry is perhaps best known for his business and social connections as the long-time manager of Dame Edna Everage. He has also been an ardent supporter of the rather misunderstood and unfairly maligned Australian politician, Sir Les Patterson. However, in his spare time, Barry is also a fine actor, and we're looking forward to seeing him invest the Goblin King with the delicate sensitivity and emotional depth this character deserves.
Evangeline and Barry, along with Welsh actor Luke Evans as Bard and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug, just about rounds out the major casting. I cannot wait to get stuck into these new scenes!
More soon, including a flurry of answers to your questions. Sorry for the delay!
Cheers, Peter J.
Well, I never thought I'd be reading about Dame Edna on this forum!
It will be interesting to se how Humphries does since, over here, he's really only known (as far as I know) in his drag persona. (I know I'm ignoring 'Sir Les' but Humphries is seen much more often in the wig, glasses and pearls than he is in the stained tux and buck teeth).
Quote from: Feathers on August 26, 2011, 03:42:42 AM
Well, I never thought I'd be reading about Dame Edna on this forum!
It will be interesting to se how Humphries does since, over here, he's really only known (as far as I know) in his drag persona. (I know I'm ignoring 'Sir Les' but Humphries is seen much more often in the wig, glasses and pearls than he is in the stained tux and buck teeth).
He'll probably call Bilbo a 'Pom'.... ;)
Orlando Bloom spoke recently about Wellington, the Hobbit Movie set and his up and coming roles.
He said of Wellington "Wellington is remarkably unchanged after 10 years... It hasn't been hit by the onslaught of consumerism..." and admitted that he would like to spend more time there.
When asked about how the Hobbit Movie is going to compare with the success of the LoTR movies, Orlando spoke about his impression of the studios, which have grown massively since the last movies, saying they had "a remarkable setup". He also praised director Peter Jackson.
The new movie is being shot in 3D, but this does not pose any additional challenges as an actor – it just takes a little longer to set up.
When quizzed about his apparent penchant for roles where he gets to dress up in "interesting outfits and long hair", he laughed and said this was not a pre-requisite and that he just wanted to "have fun".
This is going to look SO good in 3D.
Yeah, I'll overcome my miser-like tendencies and shell out the extra $'s for this one. :)
Are they filming using the 3D cameras (ala Avitar) ? If not then I'll stick to comfortable cinema viewing thanks lol
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on August 31, 2011, 10:56:34 PM
Are they filming using the 3D cameras (ala Avitar) ? If not then I'll stick to comfortable cinema viewing thanks lol
Yep, 3D cameras. PJ is doing it right and I am very confident in his teams ability to make this special.
If that's the case then I may be tempted.
Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt, known for his leading "tough-guy" roles, spoke recently about playing the reclusive and heroic Beorn.
In The Hobbit, Beorn is an immense brawny shapeshifter, who is vegetarian and lives in a wooden house between the Misty Mountains and Mirkwood on his own after the Orcs killed the rest of his race. Beorn can transform at will into a bear at will. Mikael describes a scene, which could well the part of the story where Beorn interrogates a wolf and a goblin to verify Gandalf's story.
In an interview (translated from Swedish), Mikael spoke about what it was like to play Beorn.
"When, during the first days, I was hoisted up to the ceiling in the west King Kong studio in Wellington, I knew what to do. Even though it was embarrassing and a hassle to start with a severe torture scene, I knew I could even suggest things."
Peter Jackson was impressed with your audition.
"I did not made it complicated. Just as one can imagine "how exactly would I react if I lose a child ?"...
[He bends down and knocks in the wooden floor.]
" ... no more than I can imagine "what am I like as a Shapeshifter"?, living with horses and animals in the forest. One must look into oneself and try. I act pretty much in the same way in "The Hobbit" as I would in a love drama."
There has been much anticipation of "The Hobbit".
"I bought a mountain bike in New Zealand and was often up biking in the mountains while I was waiting."
It is the in the Hamilton-movies that you trained your body?
"Yes, but it comes in damn handy in New Zealand. It is for Hamilton that I was with the Navy Seals and the Swedish equivalent. I've been at this gym." [He points to the shirt with "Nacka martial arts center."]
"I drive all the time. Including this morning. Two miles uphill and then weights. It has become like a poison to me. Six days a week."
You practice your English?
"Yes, I do that with Peter Jackson's film. In Hamilton I talk in both Russian and English. I try to be a good student. I have had some resistance. It was useless to go for English lessons at home when you did not have concrete offers abroad."
The Hobbit is to be filmed in Nelson at the end of this year! And 400-500 crew and cast will be staying in the region. Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, and is the economic and cultural centre of the Nelson-Tasman region. Established in 1841, it is the second oldest settled city in New Zealand.
The Hobbit publicist Melissa Booth said she was unable to confirm locations.
"We're just looking forward and trying to get the film made. I think everyone is happy to be back at work."
Pohara motelier Steve du Feu said the filming of The Hobbit was "good news" for businesses in Golden Bay. His motel, The Sandcastle, is one of a number in Golden Bay that have been booked out by 3 Foot 7 for 10 days in mid-November and a week in early December.
"The increased activity in the bay associated with this will be an awesome boost after what has been a pretty quiet winter. The crew will be made to feel very welcome," he said.
Bob Haswell of Clifftops Retreat in Ruby Bay said he had friends working on the film in Wellington and "it looks like some of them might be coming to Nelson".
Mr Haswell is connected to Tasman Helicopters, which was involved during the filming of parts of The Lord of the Rings trilogy in the Nelson region, but he said the company had not been approached about helping with The Hobbit.
Nelson Mayor Aldo Miccio said the likelihood that The Hobbit crew might be coming to Nelson was news to him, but he was not surprised. "It's in line with what we have been hearing – that Nelson is going to be a destination for filming."
He said the crew of Kiwi Flyer had told him that word was spreading that Nelson was "the place to come".
"I think we're going to see a lot more of this in the future."
I just hope that Peter can keep it as true to the book as possible. Remember, though, Tolkien wrote it as a children's story
Quote from: Ricardocameron on September 05, 2011, 08:37:21 PM
I just hope that Peter can keep it as true to the book as possible. Remember, though, Tolkien wrote it as a children's story
I can honestly say I have absolutely no concern regarding his stewardship of this franchise.
It will mostly likely have a less serious tone to it. As long as he does The Hobbit in Movie 1, and then the extra stuff in Movie 2 I will be happy. Although I will be happy with any and all middle earth coverage.... he is going to get my $'s at any rate.
Quote from: Bromptonboy on September 06, 2011, 12:41:01 PM
It will mostly likely have a less serious tone to it. As long as he does The Hobbit in Movie 1, and then the extra stuff in Movie 2 I will be happy. Although I will be happy with any and all middle earth coverage.... he is going to get my $'s at any rate.
I stand by my statement earlier in the thread...I would bet almost anything that movie one ends with Bilbo finding the ring and meeting Gollum in the cave, and movie two picks up with Riddles in the Dark.
I am not going to take that bet - as you could very well be right. :) I 'hope' he treats them as "The Book" & "The Filler-Bridge" - I'll see both, but would like to maintain the purity of the the original work.
Peter Jackson has been singing the praises of British Bilbo star Martin Freeman (of The Office and Hot Fuzz), saying,
He is fantastic and there is simply nobody else for the job. We couldn't find anyone who was better than him. He is simply fantastic.
He's Bilbo-esque. You might not always want to say that about you, right? But seriously he has the essential features of this little English gent, this country gent who is slightly old-fashioned and has to go around in the world and try to cope with it.
That's not exactly who Martin is as a person, but as an actor he does that so well. The fish out of water with a sense of courage but also a wonderful sense of humor. The things that happen to him and the way he reacts to them — things he's never seen in his life before as a stuffy little Hobbit — his response to it all is part of the charm. And he does have a great openness in his face.
I guess those were the same attributes that got him the job as Arthur Dent in 'the film the fans don't like to talk about'.
I didn't mind him as Arthur Dent - although I disliked all the other casting in that film! :)
British actor, Andy Serkis, who plays Gollum spoke of his dismay that the Oscars do not recognise motion-capture acting. Andy not only plays Gollum, but also the ape Caesar in the upcoming Rise of Planet of the Apes. He said that he would not want to see a special category introduced at the Oscars for motion-capture acting, insisting that success using the technique can be rewarded with current accolades.
"I am a bit evangelical, I know, but performance-capture is still misunderstood. Ten years down the line, people say, 'Oh, so you did the voice of Gollum?' Or people go, 'You did the movements for [King]Kong?' It's frustrating, because I play Gollum and I play Kong. It is acting.
The emotional content of these performances live and die by what the actors bring to the roles on set. I never approach a live-action role any differently to a performance-captured role. The process of acting is absolutely identical.
It should be recognised that there are two parts to the process. The first part is capturing the performance. Only later down the line do you start seeing the characters being painted over frame by frame using pixels.
Performance-capture technology is really the only way that we could bring these characters to life. It's the way that Gollum was brought to life, and King Kong, and the Na'vi in Avatar and so on and it's really another way of capturing an actor's performance. That's all it is, digital make-up."
Little off-topic...a friend posted this pic on my Facebook and I got a kick out of it. But I'm easily amused. Like a 10 year old.
Quote from: Chris-El on September 29, 2011, 04:24:19 PM
Little off-topic...a friend posted this pic on my Facebook and I got a kick out of it. But I'm easily amused. Like a 10 year old.
That's an altered picture.. but still very cool
Awesome pic even if it is altered. Love it! I wonder if he's seen it and got a kick out of it! ;)
My friend said auditions for more hobbits happened last week, she was very tempted to take her son along but she had work in the theatre to do.
New Production video on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150451523596807&set=vb.141884481557&type=2&theater (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150451523596807&set=vb.141884481557&type=2&theater)
Very nice!!
Quote from: Bromptonboy on November 04, 2011, 02:35:10 AM
New Production video on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150451523596807&set=vb.141884481557&type=2&theater (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150451523596807&set=vb.141884481557&type=2&theater)
Very nice!!
OMG.. I love this BTS.. stuff like this gets me so excited for the movie.
Also I think this is the best explanation of 3D
These movies are going to be EPIC!!!
I agree Kenny. Being someone who has no time for 3D this video clip actually has me more than curious about seeing it in 3D. You have to love Peter Jackson.
Ahhhhh, we wish we could audition for hobbits. I can't wait for this movie? Have I said that? I think I have, but I'll say it again. I... can't...wait...for this...movie.
New still of Bilbo is out. Looks pretty sweet to me!
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=85306 (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=85306)
Trailer is going to be out today at 7pm PST / 10pm Eastern
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/ (http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/)
Cool pic, that must be in Rivendell.
Hobbit trailer is live!!!
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/thehobbit/ (http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/wb/thehobbit/)
it's so awesome too.
THE HOBBIT Trailer HD (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0k3kHtyoqc#ws)
Sweet!!!! Only one year to wait! Darn! I'm not as excited for any other movie next year. Not even Avengers has me this excited! I think this next year we can expect some pretty awesome films.
Totally want to see this movie, I freakin want to see this film!!! :). It's looking epic.
King
I've watched it 10 times in a row and I still can't get enough of it.. it's going be truly AMAZING..
Looks like more than we were hoping for! I can't wait!
Kevin
That was disappointing, in fact I found it very boring.
Only Joking AWESOME SHIVERING EXCITEMENT, the music, the look, arghhhhh for a years wait.
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! :D
Wow!! Loved how he saw the shards of Narsil in Rivendell. Can't wait!!
GOOSEBUMPS!!!!
Looks great and it's so cool to be back in that world. But where was all the 3-D push at? Did they even mention it would be in 3-D? That surprised me a bit.
Maybe they realized that nobody is gonna go see this film because it's in 3D, everyone is gonna go because it is awesome!
Quote from: Rico on December 21, 2011, 08:30:47 AM
Looks great and it's so cool to be back in that world. But where was all the 3-D push at? Did they even mention it would be in 3-D? That surprised me a bit.
I don't think you need to push 3D if it's done correctly. From what I've seen in the bit posted above, it's done correctly. It's going to be amazing and 3D will make you a part of that world.
I agree X.. if anyone can make 3D work it's Peter Jackson... I can't wait!!
I agree X, I think movies should be good without the 3D first. The 3D is cool and can add to the effect, but it doesn't make up for poor quality of story or scripting. Honestly though 3D I don't really care either way, I'll just let Hollywood do whatever Hollywood does. 3D doesn't take away anything when the film is shot that way. Just a few more bucks and you have to wear the funny glasses.
Nice post Dan,
i saw a commercial for this today. mom says i should read the book first, has anyone else here read it? is it good?
Quote from: turtlesrock on December 23, 2011, 04:58:44 PM
i saw a commercial for this today. mom says i should read the book first, has anyone else here read it? is it good?
Are you kidding.. the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings novels are the best fantasy stories every told. I would strongly suggest reading the books.
I love that Peter Jackson does this video blogs.. they are so interesting.. Here's is #5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDAeDpozFqc# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDAeDpozFqc#)
Have you guys seen this pic yet?
way cool picture. I hadn't seen it yet.
Wow! That must be Bilbo in the old forest during his confrontation with the spiders.
Yes, that has to be it. I am very interested to see the stuff they put in this movie that isn't in the book, supposedly to bridge these 2 with the LOTR trilogy.
I laughed...
Good one! All work & no play makes Joby a dull boy.....(your avatar that is..)
A nice update:
http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/evangeline-lilly-reveals-her-hobbit-preparations-021536348.html (http://movies.yahoo.com/blogs/movie-talk/evangeline-lilly-reveals-her-hobbit-preparations-021536348.html)
Can you imagine building Minas Tirith, Helm's Deep, or even Hobbiton? Well, now there is no need to keep that imagination concealed. Starting this June, LEGO® will be launching their construction sets based on THE LORD OF THE RINGS™ trilogy. THE HOBBIT™ construction sets will be expected to be in stores closer to The Hobbit movies' debut.
According to Karen McTier, executive vice president, domestic licensing and worldwide marketing, of Warner Bros. Consumer Products, "Only LEGO, with their expertise in the construction category, is capable of doing justice to the incredibly imaginative environments depicted in the world of THE LORD OF THE RINGS and the two films based on THE HOBBIT."
Jill Wilfert, vice president of licensing and entertainment for The LEGO Group, said, "Our collaboration with Warner Bros. Consumer Products has delivered numerous worldwide successes in the construction toy aisle....introducing us to loyal audiences who love great stories, strong characters, and the toys that they inspire." She also states that "it's particularly exciting to now be able to create sets based on the fantasy worlds and characters from THE LORD OF THE RINGS trilogy and the two films based on THE HOBBIT, not only because we know they will foster collectability and creative play, but also because these are two properties that our fans have been asking us to create for years."
Middle-Earth in a box. What could be better? Start planning for the brick-by-brick rendition of Tolkien's world. Your imagination has only just begun!
Rachel Buchanan finds her big chance for film stardom is hobbled from the very start.
THE advert was boxed, single column, easy to miss: "The Hobbit Official Extras Casting Call 2012", the heading said. Then: "The journey continues for 2012 and we are once again seeking EXTRAS."
Readers were referred to the entertainment section for more details. The requirements were very specific. I was too tall to be a Hobbit (women had to be under five feet) and too solid to be an Elf ("slim, athletic" and between five feet five inches and six feet four inches).
I had one option left. The filmmakers also wanted "WOMEN – with character faces".
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The word character was obviously a code for something. I guessed it meant a little bit weird-looking, maybe even slightly ugly. Or maybe it meant plain but with one knockout facial feature such as a big nose, a warty chin or luminous cauliflower ears. I have a big nose. When the light is right, I also have a cleft chin. I'd do.
"Mum's going to be a troll," one of my daughters said.
Across town, my brother Ben had also noticed the ad. Ben was going for "BIG MEN – with character faces – five nine and over." Ben is six foot and has a bigger nose than me. The casting call was on the Saturday at Belmont Hall, next to the Belmont Primary School on the Western Hutt Road. Neither of us had heard of Belmont before.
I arranged to borrow our parents' car. I said I'd take Ben, too. In the days before the audition, I speed read The Hobbit. This was easy because The Hobbit is a book full of action like something on Xbox. The wizard, Gandalf, bullies Bilbo Baggins (the hobbit) into joining 13 dwarfs on a mission to reclaim the dwarf treasure stolen by Smaug the Magnificent, an evil dragon. Along the way, Bilbo bamboozles Gollum with riddles then finds the magic ring, helps the dwarfs escape from goblins, he saves the dwarfs from flesh-eating spiders, Mirkwood elves and suspicious Lake men, he opens the hidden door into the dragon's lair, etc etc.
The best character is Beorn, a man who becomes a black bear at night. The second best character is Bard, the Lake man who shoots a black arrow into the soft spot on Smaug's dragon belly and so saves the people of Esgaroth. Ben wanted to be Bard. I wanted to be Beorn. There are no named women characters in the book. In fact, I can't recall the word woman being used at all by Tolkien.
Saturday arrived. I picked Ben up at 12.15. I already knew that Prime Minister John Key had changed industrial relations law so local actors and crew could be paid less for working on the movie but my brother also told me The Hobbit was going to be the most expensive film ever made. Actually, it was going to be two films. He had a friend working in wardrobe. "She is ageing leather with mink oil," he said.
Twenty minutes down the motorway, we noticed a line of cars, then lines of people. I veered across three lanes. Belmont Hall was there, just below the blackberry bushes and gorse. A small hollow was thronged with blond teenagers and a few rotund middle-aged men with beards and black T-shirts. They held slips of white paper. Of course, they had camped out or arrived early. I went down a shingle road by the Hutt River. Some cars faced forwards, some faced back. It was gridlock. I told Ben to get out and save me a spot in the queue.
We prospective EXTRAS worked together to unblock the narrow road. I got out onto the motorway again and parked, three kilometres south, down by the river. I began to trot back towards the hall, hopeful and excited. My phone beeped. It was my brother. "Hey Rachel where you. I'm done!" his message said.
I was a bit surprised that he'd got in so fast. Then beep, another message: "I'm by the roundabout."
Half an hour later I got back to the hall. There were thousands of people, and the little hollow was now packed tight as a mosh-pit. Still, my brother stood out, smoking happily by the roundabout.
"Let's go," he said to me. "But I want my turn," I said. He looked at me with hard Hollywood eyes. "You're really going to wait in this queue?" he said.
He hadn't waited. All it took was a couple of ciggies and a bit of charm and he was in, right down the front.
I would not be a "WOMAN – with character face" in the most expensive movie ever made, but as my brother and I started the long walk back to the car, I realised I had already been cast as an extra. I was "CHAUFFEUR – with sunburnt face".
We're running a competition for the most creative Hobbit Movie themed Facebook Timeline profile cover (A cover is the larger photo at the top of your timeline, right above your profile picture.).
The winner will be announced on March 14th and will win a Gollum Gold One Ring Necklace kindly provided by Badali Jewelry! Your entry will also be published on the-hobbit-movie.com to be seen by hundreds of thousands of Tolkien fans and all entries will be listed in the competition album on our Facebook Fan Page!
To enter the competition, please provide the following:
1. Photo must be 850px wide by 315px high
2. Photo must be a JPG or PNG file (.jpg or .png)
3. Photo should have "the-hobbit-movie.com" logo (you can use ours or design your own) on it somewhere
4. You must provide your name and any other information you'd like us to post with your entry.
Please submit all entires via email to webmaster@the-hobbit-movie.com
Put in LOTR movie over the weekend for a little Frodo and Gandalf - that was a mistake.
I'd forgot if you have the boxset, it's impossible to just watch one.
Looking forward to the Hobbit
Quote from: turtlesrock on December 23, 2011, 04:58:44 PM
i saw a commercial for this today. mom says i should read the book first, has anyone else here read it? is it good?
The Hobbit is better than the Lord of the Ring. LOTR is a very, very, painstakingly slow read. I can count on one hand the number of people I know that actually read it cover to cover without taking months long breaks between some of the chapters.
Quote from: X on March 05, 2012, 06:33:07 AM
Quote from: turtlesrock on December 23, 2011, 04:58:44 PM
i saw a commercial for this today. mom says i should read the book first, has anyone else here read it? is it good?
The Hobbit is better than the Lord of the Ring. LOTR is a very, very, painstakingly slow read. I can count on one hand the number of people I know that actually read it cover to cover without taking months long breaks between some of the chapters.
Well, now, come on, agh...choke...this post is bait if I've ever seen it...
I'll agree the Hobbit is a more accessible read. You can finish it in a day or two, and it is definitely much more appropriate for younger readeers than the LOTR trilogy. But "better" is so subjective. I totally devoured the LOTR trilogy in my early high school years for the first time, and have read them over and over again in the years since then and it certainly didn't take me months to do so. Once you are invested in and excited about the world of Middle Earth, I would not describe any part of the experience of reading those books painstaking.
The Hobbit is a childrens book. No way of getting around it which is why it easy to read. The Lord of the Rings is obviously a bit more heavy going but like everything if its your cup of tea then you will fly through it. Its certainly not as complex as say The Unconsoled by Kazuo Ishiguro.
The trilogy is most enjoyable if your not in a hurry to get through it.
As for the movies, the rich history created in the books might work in a miniseries but not practical for the movies.
I liked Tom Bobadil but I can see why it was necessary to cut him out.
I didn't have any trouble reading the LOTR book trilogy. But I've pretty much always have enjoyed reading both SF and fantasy tales. The Hobbit is certainly an easier, shorter, quicker read.
The invented histories of the races was most believable and necessary.
Babylon 5 has a strong Lord Of The Rings influence.
Rangers and Shadows - plenty shared mythology.
JMS was so bold as to create a sequel movie to his B5 series, Legend Of The Rangers - 'LOTR'
"Rangers in Space!" Works for me :)
Hobbit movie legal team in action:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-17350103 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-17350103)
Yes, that's a pretty sad story. Getting sued after twenty years seems a bit late. Maybe they ought not have put the Elijah Wood picture up but it still feels very heavy handed.
Oh it's ridiculous to be doing that to a small pub. We have a pub in the village I used to live in called Moseley, Tolkien actually lived there and the idea of the shire comes from that area and a pub was refused application of a relation name. I'd just drop a b if i was them lol.
I'm thrilled right now. I read like the first eight or nine pages of The Hobbit to my daughter last night before bed, and today during "quiet time" she picked it back up to read on her own. Oh I hope she falls in love with it like I did!
Awesome. This was my first somewhat "grown-up" book when I was a young kid. Lotta good memories attached to it.
Some interesting news here and some early reactions to the 48 fps tech Peter Jackson is using for the films.
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57420795-10391698/the-hobbit-sneak-peek-gets-mixed-reaction-from-critics/ (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-57420795-10391698/the-hobbit-sneak-peek-gets-mixed-reaction-from-critics/)
I wonder if they saw the 2D or 3D version and how that could affect the experience of a high frame rate?
Ah, I found out it was 3D footage. Apparently the faster frame rate eliminates the mpotion blurring and eye strain often associated with 3D filming but makes the image too clear and smooth so it looks like video tape, at least according to some.
Trailer is up
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OMjWcF99AU&sns=em# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OMjWcF99AU&sns=em#)
Curses - can't see it from work! :(
So good, I love it! I feel like I've seen that trailer before though, it's definitely not new. My only issue is how somber the whole thing feels. For me the main difference between the Hobbit compared to the Lord of the Rings trilogy is that the Hobbit was always more filled with whimsy, humor, and a general light hearted tone while with LOTR everything was so much more grim and serious. I hope this film doesn't lose the sense of fun and whimsy I've associated with the Hobbit my whole life. This isn't the war of the Ring, after all...
I read an article that Sauraman will make an appearance, and he is being played as wise and kind - before being corrupted by the Palantir in the LOTR.
Peter Jackson's Hobbit Production Video #7 has been released.. I love these so much..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsZ0qKX8uWE# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsZ0qKX8uWE#)
Kenny - I hope you take some notes and pics for us!
The Hobbit
We're excited to announce that we will be bringing The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to San Diego Comic-Con! Join director Peter Jackson, producer Philippa Boyens, Sir Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis and Richard Armitage for a special look at the upcoming film on Saturday, July 14th, in Hall H.
Quote from: Bromptonboy on June 29, 2012, 04:43:54 PM
Kenny - I hope you take some notes and pics for us!
The Hobbit
We're excited to announce that we will be bringing The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to San Diego Comic-Con! Join director Peter Jackson, producer Philippa Boyens, Sir Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis and Richard Armitage for a special look at the upcoming film on Saturday, July 14th, in Hall H.
Let's hope I can get into the panel.. to me it's worth standing in line for a few hours.. but more then three hours is to much for me.
I suggest hiding yourself in a barrel, and being rolled into the room. Or better yet, ride one..hide your friends in the barrels...
:)
Comic Con poster...
Can't wait for this!
Quote from: Bromptonboy on July 09, 2012, 07:02:36 AM
Can't wait for this!
Boy, me too. I love seeing all the pics from the Shire set having visited there back in 2006!
Nice cover on this week's issue of EW. Story inside too!
That was a great article, read it this weekend by the pool. :)
Yeah, it really awakened my excitement! I keep forgetting we get new Peter Jackson Tolkien in 6 months!
Guess I should finally get around to watching Return of the King :)
It's official, Hobbit is going to be 3 films! MORE Middle Earth sounds awesome!
Quote from: Bryancd on July 30, 2012, 09:54:28 AM
It's official, Hobbit is going to be 3 films! MORE Middle Earth sounds awesome!
Wow - I guess they are going to stretch out the Appendices? Will movie 1 still be the whole 'Hobbit'? With 2 and 3 being bridging material to LOTR?
Quote from: Bromptonboy on July 30, 2012, 10:07:54 AM
Quote from: Bryancd on July 30, 2012, 09:54:28 AM
It's official, Hobbit is going to be 3 films! MORE Middle Earth sounds awesome!
Wow - I guess they are going to stretch out the Appendices? Will movie 1 still be the whole 'Hobbit'? With 2 and 3 being bridging material to LOTR?
Wasn't clear from P.J.'s post on FB this morning. They just felt they had so much good material filmed they wanted to include it all. I think they realized that the extended editions of LOTR was so popular that they may as well make this series include everything they got on film.
Well, I'll be seeing all of it at any rate! I would love to see him tackle some of the stories from The Silmarillion.
Internet is a bit on the outraged side about this, >insert claims of greed< but my opinion is:
Peter has earned the right to make another film. If it sucks, which I doubt it will, then we can start a rabble against him. Otherwise, I would like to see more of Middle Earth too.
Quote from: KingIsaacLinksr on July 30, 2012, 12:02:20 PM
Internet is a bit on the outraged side about this, >insert claims of greed< but my opinion is:
Peter has earned the right to make another film. If it sucks, which I doubt it will, then we can start a rabble against him. Otherwise, I would like to see more of Middle Earth too.
That's why I don't bother reading internet fan boy rage, it's remarkably irritating and misplaced. I don't give a rats ass what additional liberties PJ takes with this story, as you said, he's earned that as far as i am concerned.
Quote from: Bryancd on July 30, 2012, 12:14:41 PM
Quote from: KingIsaacLinksr on July 30, 2012, 12:02:20 PM
Internet is a bit on the outraged side about this, >insert claims of greed< but my opinion is:
Peter has earned the right to make another film. If it sucks, which I doubt it will, then we can start a rabble against him. Otherwise, I would like to see more of Middle Earth too.
That's why I don't bother reading internet fan boy rage, it's remarkably irritating and misplaced. I don't give a rats ass what additional liberties PJ takes with this story, as you said, he's earned that as far as i am concerned.
It's funny, they get all upset about him making a third Hobbit film, but not about all these remakes and crap films that keep coming out. People really confuse me sometimes.
I want to see these films now more than before.
Yeah, heaven forbid we get an additional movie of awesomeness just because it may contain characters and scenes that weren't in the book.
Quote from: Bryancd on July 30, 2012, 12:31:35 PM
Yeah, heaven forbid we get an additional movie of awesomeness just because it may contain characters and scenes that weren't in the book.
I would actually like to see more of the Middle Earth universe explored, I was just thinking that I was coming home from Rick's art show. So this is a sort of answer to my wish on that. There is a ton of history and places to explore.
Disgraceful, horrendous and all that. How dare he take a thin book and stretch it out to three films. BOOOOOOOO Mr Jackson BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Thats what a idiot would go and say. I say if you have filmed some awesome looking footage and you think its going to be viewed better as three films then bang on. Bring it on. :D
PJ has generated a TON of goodwill with the first trilogy, and I have no reason to believe he will do any less with what is probably in my top three favorite books of all time, the Hobbit. The man has shown so much respect and love for the source material in what he has produced so far, that I can only imagine he will continue to do so with the prequel trilogy.
Anyone who is upset by this is silly. Really interested to see how they bridge the trilogies.
I'm not upset by the news but I would rather have two tightly edited films than three films that drag on and on. I just don't believe there is enough material for three full feature length films in the Hobbit story. I do think this was likely a financial decision by the studio over an artistic one though.
Kevin
Quote from: Ktrek on July 30, 2012, 03:46:51 PM
I'm not upset by the news but I would rather have two tightly edited films than three films that drag on and on. I just don't believe there is enough material for three full feature length films in the Hobbit story. I do think this was likely a financial decision by the studio over an artistic one though.
Kevin
Not according to PJ. And he's not going to be bullied by a studio, he's calling the shots. And I didn't find the Extended Editions of LOTR to drag and it is already known there is additional material added to the story, so the book isn't being stretched, it's being enhanced creatively to be a bigger tale.
"It is only at the end of a shoot that you finally get the chance to sit down and have a look at the film you have made. Recently Fran, Phil and I did just this when we watched for the first time an early cut of the first movie - and a large chunk of the second. We were really pleased with the way the story was coming together, in particular, the strength of the characters and the cast who have brought them to life. All of which gave rise to a simple question: do we take this chance to tell more of the tale? And the answer from our perspective as the filmmakers, and as fans, was an unreserved 'yes.'
We know how much of the story of Bilbo Baggins, the Wizard Gandalf, the Dwarves of Erebor, the rise of the Necromancer, and the Battle of Dol Guldur will remain untold if we do not take this chance. The richness of the story of The Hobbit, as well as some of the related material in the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, allows us to tell the full story of the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and the part he played in the sometimes dangerous, but at all times exciting, history of Middle-earth.
So, without further ado and on behalf of New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Wingnut Films, and the entire cast and crew of "The Hobbit" films, I'd like to announce that two films will become three.
It has been an unexpected journey indeed, and in the words of Professor Tolkien himself, "a tale that grew in the telling."
Cheers,
Peter J"
I have mixed feelings about this news. First, yes I trust Peter Jackson to make 2, 3, an infinite number of good films. However, there is a point in filming a book when you can go too far with extra material. Tolkien wrote "The Hobbit" and told his rather simple story in a pretty efficient and quick manner. And yes, I'm well aware that books and films are a different medium. I just almost feel he should have made "The Hobbit" in one or two films and then made other films, if he wanted to expand on Middle Earth. In any case, I will certainly be there to watch all of the movies as they come out.
I am delighted about the extra movie - as long as he produces a version cleanly centered on the original story. I am dying to see what the White Council is up to, or what Aragorn did before LOTR - but I would want to see that in a separate movie.
As you say Rico, I will see them all regardless..and buy the extended version I am sure.
Well, I think that this is not just the Hobbit story now, but alot of it is being culled with what can be gleaned from the Appendices. Yeah, The Hobbit is a simpler story than LOTR, and really could be 2 movies of a reasonable length. BUT I'm a Tolkien geek and can't wait to see what comes of this.
Quote from: Chris-El on July 30, 2012, 05:25:34 PM
Well, I think that this is not just the Hobbit story now, but alot of it is being culled with what can be gleaned from the Appendices. Yeah, The Hobbit is a simpler story than LOTR, and really could be 2 movies of a reasonable length. BUT I'm a Tolkien geek and can't wait to see what comes of this.
And I wouldn't want anyone else even touching this material then the current team. Selling a Middle Earth film based on the more obscure sourrse material or all brand new material is a different "sell" then doing an extended story using the Hobbit as it's core. And when ytou havesuch a massive production together, you are likely better served doing as much as you can at the time. This makes perfect financial and narrative sense.
Here's the simple thing that seems weird to me. Each LOTR book in the trilogy is a lot bigger than "The Hobbit" and those were each one film. So, now they are taking a short book and making it into three films? Yes, they are obviously adding a lot but is it really still going to be "The Hobbit" in the end? Maybe they should have just called it "Middle Earth."
Quote from: Rico on July 31, 2012, 05:39:50 AM
Here's the simple thing that seems weird to me. Each LOTR book in the trilogy is a lot bigger than "The Hobbit" and those were each one film. So, now they are taking a short book and making it into three films? Yes, they are obviously adding a lot but is it really still going to be "The Hobbit" in the end? Maybe they should have just called it "Middle Earth."
They are using the Appendicies, as Chris mentioned. Also, keep in mind they had no idea how popular those films were going to be when they were mkaing them. So they made three more traditional legnth films which were so well received they went back and added all the additional footage to make extended versions and even did a theatrical release of those. That's almost unprecedented. So know they know they have the audience to support this production. Reading PJ's announcement it's pretty clear that after shooting they feel they have sufficient Hobbit specific as well as additional story content to either due a smaller theatrical release of two films or put it all in now and extended it over 3 films. It seems pretty clear.
Three plus hour movies are in no way "traditional". The average film is 90 to 120 minutes in length. What seems obvious to me is that Jackson does not always make good decisions. The first 45 minutes of King Kong has to be some of the most boring footage ever shot and I fear we may have a good deal of that in this series now.
Kevin
And yet they took 3 films with a total running time of 560min and stretched that out to a whopping 683min for the Extended Editions, that almost 4 hours per film, and they were amazing. If given the option of having an extended version of this film released initially in theaters or waiting a few years, I would prefer to see it in it's entirety now. I don't find the comparison to King Kong very telling, I don't think you can draw that conclusion simply based on the fact the PJ has never mad a single misstep, IMO, with the Tolkien material. I'm not a fan of his other films, per se.
I actually am a fan of pretty much everything he has done. I absolutely loved the Frighteners back in the day, if you haven't seen that you definitely should seek it out, one of Michael J Fox's last great performances before he got sick and really a cute fun move. Now that I think of that movie, I bet my kids would love it, especially my youngest who is strangely enough a HUGE Ghostbusters fan. I thought King Kong was great fun, and didn't find any of it boring at all. Heavenly Creatures is a wonderful story...and there's even some good qualities in the highly controversial Lovely Bones, even though the story itself is extremely disturbing. I've watched the theatrical versions of the LOTR movies twice each, and each of the Extended versions twice with commentary and without. That's alot of hours in Middle Earth. I have no qualms about three movies, the only problem is no pause button for bathroom breaks!
JOby your avatar looks very familiar ;)
ack oops
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on July 31, 2012, 01:40:37 PM
JOby your avatar looks very familiar ;)
I was beginning to wonder if Meds had replicated himself to double his post numbers...
Tim, how could you say such a thing lol.
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on July 31, 2012, 03:16:12 PM
Tim, how could you say such a thing lol.
:D, nah, if I suspect anyone, its Rico. So shifty he is. ;)
Well great minds think alike and all. I knew there was a reason I liked that picture :)
;)
Back on topic.
I have every faith that of Jackson thinks this is a three tier film then it is for a reason.
I'm sure that I will enjoy the films, but I would have preferred only two. And I'm not naive enough to think this isn't about money but I'll see them anyway.
Kevin
I'm in. Hell the trilogy even with the extended stuff didn't cover a fraction of what could be covered and told well. Marketing wise, the reason movies are less than two hours are because you can have more showings each day. I would rather people write to the story than to the two hour run time that's expected for any movie that is made. many films can be told in 2 hours. Some films are padded to make the magical run time, and some are destroyed in making cuts to hit the two hourish window.
Abyss
Dances with wolves
LOTR
Dune
Bladerunner
All are films off the top of my head that would have delivered a superior product of the story wasn't left on the cutting room floor due to time restraints.
I've traveled with PJ since Dead/Alive and I'm more than happy to walk an extra three or four hours with him.
so looking forward to these movies! All THREE of them! SWEEEEEET!
Quote from: X on August 01, 2012, 10:33:05 PM
I'm in. Hell the trilogy even with the extended stuff didn't cover a fraction of what could be covered and told well. Marketing wise, the reason movies are less than two hours are because you can have more showings each day. I would rather people write to the story than to the two hour run time that's expected for any movie that is made. many films can be told in 2 hours. Some films are padded to make the magical run time, and some are destroyed in making cuts to hit the two hourish window.
Abyss
Dances with wolves
LOTR
Dune
Bladerunner
All are films off the top of my head that would have delivered a superior product of the story wasn't left on the cutting room floor due to time restraints.
I've traveled with PJ since Dead/Alive and I'm more than happy to walk an extra three or four hours with him.
You know Chris, I agree with you. I would much rather sit through a well made 3 hour movie than a crappy 1 and a half hour movie. If the story lends itself to it, DO IT. Don't take a story that NEEDS the extra time, cut it just to make a buck and now it makes not a lick of sense, and try to sell it as an epic. If Jackson feels the story would be served better by making it a triology, I'll be there....
^Exactly. All this concern and speculation that for some reason the film is going to be boring and drag on are completely unfounded based on what this team has done. Why assume this will be any different?
Quote from: Bryancd on August 02, 2012, 11:18:58 AM
^Exactly. All this concern and speculation that for some reason the film is going to be boring and drag on are completely unfounded based on what this team has done. Why assume this will be any different?
Well, have you read the Lord of the Rings trilogy? Have you read the Hobbit? Now with LOTR there was more than enough material to fill three movies. The Hobbit's content can't even come close to equaling the content of one of LOTR books, even if they use the appendices. I just cannot picture how they can expand the story enough for three movies. Like I said I'll go see them because of his work on LOTR but I am skeptical and have my reservations.
Kevin
I disagree that there is not sufficient original as well as new material which they can add. Why is that so hard to see? They have said they are using a lot of different stuff. These films in their extended editions were fantastic and still never included all the books, this is an extended edition of the Hobbit with new material as well. I don;t see the problem with that from a great story standpoint I can understand if some people have a draconian view of the material and feel anything outside the book is off limits might feel that way, but to suggest, sight unseen, that the additional material will be bad is completely unfounded.
Quote from: Ktrek on August 02, 2012, 01:15:13 PM
Quote from: Bryancd on August 02, 2012, 11:18:58 AM
^Exactly. All this concern and speculation that for some reason the film is going to be boring and drag on are completely unfounded based on what this team has done. Why assume this will be any different?
Well, have you read the Lord of the Rings trilogy? Have you read the Hobbit? Now with LOTR there was more than enough material to fill three movies. The Hobbit's content can't even come close to equaling the content of one of LOTR books, even if they use the appendices. I just cannot picture how they can expand the story enough for three movies. Like I said I'll go see them because of his work on LOTR but I am skeptical and have my reservations.
Kevin
You're comparing apples to oranges with that. LOTR fit as three movies because they made them fit as three movies by cutting so much material and creative editing to jump over things if they could. Those movies were chopped to hell.
Hobbit by itself has a 320 page count. There are abut 1100 pages in the entire LOTR trillogy and 654 minutes for the runtime of the extended movies.
I was doing more research to add the apendices count and found this:
http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/22204/the-hobbit-just-what%E2%80%99s-in-the-appendices (http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/22204/the-hobbit-just-what%E2%80%99s-in-the-appendices)
I appreciate you sharing the link X but the book page count is irrelevant as a factor because the Hobbit is in a much larger typeface than LOTR trilogy. If the trilogy was in the same typeface it would probably be twice as many pages. I read the Hobbit in a few nights out loud to my daughter years ago and several times to myself in an evening. Each volume of LOTRs took me a couple of weeks worth of evenings to get through. So, obviously there is some huge differences. The Hobbit is more of a children's book and LOTR is more adult level.
Kevin
My edition is only 287 pages long ;)
I wonder how many people have read the original version from 1937? I haven't I have only read the 1987 print that i own. The reprint after the first edition has some minor changes in the Chapter Riddles in the Dark.
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on August 03, 2012, 01:40:54 PM
My edition is only 287 pages long ;)
I wonder how many people have read the original version from 1937? I haven't I have only read the 1987 print that i own. The reprint after the first edition has some minor changes in the Chapter Riddles in the Dark.
Meds, shame on you! :P You know as a writer, when someone says page count, they mean the page count in manuscript format. Publishing format always yields a different number due to font selection, size, and book dimensions.
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on August 03, 2012, 01:40:54 PM
My edition is only 287 pages long ;)
I wonder how many people have read the original version from 1937? I haven't I have only read the 1987 print that i own. The reprint after the first edition has some minor changes in the Chapter Riddles in the Dark.
I would love to read the original version - since it changes the dialogue with Gollum, and some of the references to the Ring - and the Necromancer were added later.
ER... yes Chris.... i did.... runs away lol ;)
Just keeps getting more and more impressive and amazing!
The Hobbit - September 2012 Trailer HD - An Unexpected Journey (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHIGc3fk1pA#ws)
wow ,FANTASTIC!
Awesome!!! Yeah, I am SOOOO dissapointed they are making this into two movies....said me never. :) I wish they made even more! Make stuff up, I don't care!
3 movies, Bryan! I'm fine with it, the quality on this looks absolutely stunning, SO can't wait. We are gonna have 6 freakin' Tolkien movies when this is all said and done in 2015, it's crazy! Especially when you consider that this stuff was deemed unfilmable for so long before FOTR cam out. Peter Jackson is the man.
Actually the movies will be all out by 2014.
Release info:
"The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" - Dec. 14, 2012
"The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" - Dec. 13, 2013
"The Hobbit: There and Back Again" - July 18, 2014
Wow, that was amazing. I think I saw Radagast The Brown in that preview?
Check this out (click to make it bigger).
Looking foward to this. Very cool trailer.
I started listening the Rob Inglis unabridged audio book of The Hobbit - to prepare for the upcoming first movie. Both of my kids have wrapped up a read as well.
Anyone else here tried the Rob Inglis versions? They are fabulous.
Some new pics here:
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=95960 (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=95960)
2D, 3D, IMAX 3D, 24FPS, 48FPS....too many options!!!! LOL!!!!!
http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/04/27/peter-jackson-responds-hobbit/ (http://insidemovies.ew.com/2012/04/27/peter-jackson-responds-hobbit/)
No View Master option? :D
How about good old film-strip! :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5vWnwPdZ3Oc# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5vWnwPdZ3Oc#)!
First track of Howard Shore's music from the Hobbit has been released....it's so great to have new Howard Shore Middle Earth music!
I'm looking forward to seeing the new film. Not too impressed with the pre-release track by Howard Shore but I'm sure in the context of the film it will be fine. His best work in my opinion is his soundtrack to Hugo. It and the movie are phenomenal.
Kevin
I apologize if this has already been mentioned, but I believe the actor playing Bilbo Baggins is the same actor playing John Watson in the British series Sherlock. AND the actor playing Sherlock Holmes plays the Necromancer in the Hobbit.
Quote from: Coda on November 05, 2012, 09:55:03 PM
I apologize if this has already been mentioned, but I believe the actor playing Bilbo Baggins is the same actor playing John Watson in the British series Sherlock. AND the actor playing Sherlock Holmes plays the Necromancer in the Hobbit.
I believe he is the voice of Smaug (cumberbatch\sherlock).
@Coda: Martin Freeman is indeed Bilbo, and Watson. He was also Arthur Dent, for those who acknowledge the existence of the HHGttG movie...
So he's got lots of character experience being dragged along on adventures whilst bewildered. ;)
Saw a preview with Frankenweenie last weekend. Looks amazing. Definitely digging deeper into the mythos than just the book.
Bit of contention over here in Blighty, lots of cinemas (mainly independent) are asking for 2D prints and not 3D. A vote at the Electric cinema in Birmingham was 85% in favour of 2D showings only. I for one will seek out a 2D showing (mainly because I cant sit for that long with those stupid glasses over my own glasses and dealing with a migraine), If i cant find one, so be it i'll wait till it comes out on home cinema format which obviously will be a shame.
Quote from: HawkeyeMeds on November 06, 2012, 02:43:32 PM
Bit of contention over here in Blighty, lots of cinemas (mainly independent) are asking for 2D prints and not 3D. A vote at the Electric cinema in Birmingham was 85% in favour of 2D showings only. I for one will seek out a 2D showing (mainly because I cant sit for that long with those stupid glasses over my own glasses and dealing with a migraine), If i cant find one, so be it i'll wait till it comes out on home cinema format which obviously will be a shame.
I am not buying...although I am sympathetic to the sentiment and stance. ;) I just can't see you waiting for the BR...
Well, I for one will NOT go to see it in 3D. I find 3D just annoying and a distraction from really enjoying the film. So, if I can't see it here in 2D I will wait for the Blu-Ray no problem. I hardly ever go to the theater anymore except to see big releases like this anyway. Most of my movie viewing first time is on Blu-Ray.
Kevin
I've obviously been not a big fan of 3-D, but I might give this one a shot. Peter Jackson is using some pretty high end tech gear for this film and I'd like to see if it improves the experience. It will depend a bit on showtimes and cost a little too, but I'm tempted by this one.
Quote from: Rico on November 06, 2012, 04:19:43 PM
I've obviously been not a big fan of 3-D, but I might give this one a shot. Peter Jackson is using some pretty high end tech gear for this film and I'd like to see if it improves the experience. It will depend a bit on showtimes and cost a little too, but I'm tempted by this one.
WHAT!!!!
Just kidding. Normally they have both 2D and 3D at my theater. I would probably pick 2D though.
http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/neil-finn-reaches-epic-heights-on-song-of-the-lonely-mountain-song-premiere-20121112 (http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/neil-finn-reaches-epic-heights-on-song-of-the-lonely-mountain-song-premiere-20121112)
The credits song for The Hobbit....it's perfect. It reminds me of the kind of music I pictured way back when I read the books for the first time, when the lyrics for the ballads would show up.
Quote from: Ktrek on November 06, 2012, 03:58:52 PM
Well, I for one will NOT go to see it in 3D. I find 3D just annoying and a distraction from really enjoying the film. So, if I can't see it here in 2D I will wait for the Blu-Ray no problem. I hardly ever go to the theater anymore except to see big releases like this anyway. Most of my movie viewing first time is on Blu-Ray.
Kevin
You have 2D, 3D, and 3D 48FPS options!
Got my tickets they day they went on sale.. actually had to get 16 of them.. big group going.. went with 3D 48FPS as Peter Jackson has said this is how he wanted it to be seen.. who's to argue with the creator. :)
I am so 3D 48fps as well, Kenny!
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on November 12, 2012, 03:41:04 PM
Got my tickets they day they went on sale.. actually have to get 16 of them.. bit group going.. went with 3D 48FPS as Peter Jackson has said this is how he wanted it to be seen.. who's the argue with the creator. :)
Couldn't agree more!
I'm torn because I'm bringing my daughter and neither of us like 3D movies. I guess we'll give it a shot or maybe we'll wait for you guys to review the 3D version for us before we go.
Do we have any idea if most theaters will be capable of showing the 3D, 48FPS version? I would think that would require some new hardware.
Oh, just found this article. This seems to be a problem.
http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2012/08/08/the-hobbit-may-not-be-presented-at-48fps-at-your-local-theater/ (http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2012/08/08/the-hobbit-may-not-be-presented-at-48fps-at-your-local-theater/)
And check here for your theater of choice for 48FPS:
http://www.48fpsmovies.com/48-fps-theater-list/ (http://www.48fpsmovies.com/48-fps-theater-list/)
Quote from: Rico on November 13, 2012, 08:39:50 AM
And check here for your theater of choice for 48FPS:
http://www.48fpsmovies.com/48-fps-theater-list/ (http://www.48fpsmovies.com/48-fps-theater-list/)
Lot's of options for me in Phoenix!
We're hoping to get a crowd together to go see The Hobbit with us. We'll have to travel down to San Antonio though, as our local theaters don't have spectacular 3D capabilities. I saw Avatar in 3D in our local theater and felt royally ripped off. Because the theater was packed Dave and I had to sit at the top right side and didn't see anything particularly awesome sauce with regards to 3D.
Regardless if it's 3D or not, I am VERY excited for this movie! :)
He may be the creator but he's not in charge of my eyeballs or head ache.
The whole 48fps is all very well and good but lets hope cinemas can cope, if i get a chance to see a 48fps showing then sure i would love to experience that. Not in 3D though, no matter how many flying things you throw at me i'll still go meh!
On a side point who for those wishing to shell out the extra bucks will be going to see the film at a 3D IMAX showing? Even I with my thumbs down attitude to 3D would be up for that showing (if i have a free ticket lol ;) )
EDIT
Ah not many cinemas in Blighty showing 48fps. boo
http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=35757 (http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=35757)
You can listen to whole score here legally! Empire Online has it, it's wonderful;.
Ooo nice.
They can't come up with a ticket price that would keep me from seeing this in IMAX 3D 48FPS!
Yeah, same here - gonna just shell out and bring the family to the high-end show.
One billion dollars Bryan Dunn hoo harrrrrr harrrrrr harrrrrrr
Quote from: Chris-El on November 13, 2012, 02:32:00 PM
http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=35757 (http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=35757)
You can listen to whole score here legally! Empire Online has it, it's wonderful;.
AWESOME! Listening now! Thanks!
I'll be seeing this with a friend on Dec. 10th for a screening in Hollywood.. then again on the 13th on the Warner Studio lot for another screening and then finally with a group of 16 people on opening night 14th in 3D 48FPS. Not sure what the screening will be showing it in.. but I'm going to have a very Hobbit week that week... can't wait.
Do you have to do a non-disclosure agreement for the pre-release screenings?
Quote from: Bromptonboy on November 16, 2012, 10:49:33 AM
Do you have to do a non-disclosure agreement for the pre-release screenings?
Nope.. it's only a few days in advance.
OK this is great, Air New Zeland partnered with WETA and Peter Jackson for this in flight safety video:
An Unexpected Briefing #airnzhobbit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBlRbrB_Gnc#ws)
Oh thats is awesome. Kiwi's always have a great sense of humour.
That is GREAT! Loved the D20.
Just got into an earlier screening on the WB lot for Dec. 3rd.. and the film will be in 3D and 48 FPS
Wow.. that's actually next Monday.. so excited.
You are so lucky!
So I just got back from seeing The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey in 3D 48fps... one word.. AMAZING... plan on posting a blog tomorrow with more details.
Kenny, can you put a spoiler tag and just mention how much of the story the first movie covers? Thanks!
Can't believe how soon this movie is...cant WAIT
Here is my review of The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey, beware there are very minor spoilers.. if you just want to read about my thoughts on the 3D and HFR (48fps) you can just go to the bottom.
http://geekyfanboy.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-hobbit-unexpected-journey-my-review.html?showComment=1354651403114#c8341124498362437097 (http://geekyfanboy.blogspot.com/2012/12/the-hobbit-unexpected-journey-my-review.html?showComment=1354651403114#c8341124498362437097)
Great review. I definitely have to go see it now.
Great review kenny. :D
Kenny what do you think about taking an eight year old? Too violent or scary? I've been reading the book to her and promised her she could come with me, so she'd be disappointed but I don't want to traumatize her. Also do you think the 3D would be too distracting for her (or me?)
Quote from: Jobydrone on December 04, 2012, 01:53:06 PM
Kenny what do you think about taking an eight year old? Too violent or scary? I've been reading the book to her and promised her she could come with me, so she'd be disappointed but I don't want to traumatize her. Also do you think the 3D would be too distracting for her (or me?)
Going to put this in a spoiler tag just in case someone thinks what I say is a spoiler.
[spoiler]
Depends on the 8 year old. The movie is really funny, so she'll love that. The fighting scenes aren't really bloody but goblin heads do get chopped off.. many, many times. There are also a ton of goblins and orcs.. and some are pretty freaky/scary looking. Has she seen LOTR?[/spoiler]
Thanks for the response...
[spoiler]She has not seen LOTR, she's not really into my taste of film/lit (yet). I think I'll risk it as we've been really enjoying reading the book together, and she's a pretty advanced kid and not scared by cartoony stuff. The Orcs in LOTR might have scared her, though...I think think she'll be ok. I was in 6th grade when I fell in love with this book (and the cartoon movie) so I was a bit older than her.[/spoiler]
Nice to see you back here Kenny! Stick around this time :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AOIi9SjJvgU# (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=AOIi9SjJvgU#)!
Honest Trailers does it again with LOTR. Funny!
I missed everything after "Brokeback Mount Doom" because I was laughing too hard...omg
Quote from: Jobydrone on December 12, 2012, 10:00:34 AM
I missed everything after "Brokeback Mount Doom" because I was laughing too hard...omg
Oh boy...have to wait till I get home to see this one.. :)
:roflmao That's all.
Oh that was brilliant.
My favorite part is the actor's names "Lindsay Lohan" I pretty much lost it at.
Quote from: Chris-El on December 13, 2012, 02:30:51 PM
My favorite part is the actor's names "Lindsay Lohan" I pretty much lost it at.
Starring Gweneth Paltrow!
Homeless Magneto!
Fat Rudy!
Harold and Kumar!
Morning Wood! That one got me!
Hahaha I saw that earlier, the Lindsay Lohan got me and I lost it xD.
The more I think about this, the more I am deciding that I won't be seeing the 48 FPS 3D version...and not because of the polarized reviews and reactions to it either. It's because I really don't want to see the first ten minutes of the new Star Trek movie! May is so far away, it would drive me nuts to have the opening spoiled for me and then have to wait almost six months to see the rest. To heck with that, I'll wait!
That said...CANT WAIT TO SEE THE HOBBIT!!!! YAY!!!!!
Based on descriptions of the 9min trailer, it doesn't give anything away.
Not about spoilers, just about unbearable anticipation
I won't be able to see this until sometime early next week - maybe Tuesday. :( We have a huge release weekend, and will be doing all-nighters w/short breaks starting tonight into Sunday afternoon.
Really stinks, but cannot be helped.
Hobbit:AUJ, wonderful movie. Enjoyed every last minute of it. The "extra" stuff didn't detract at all from the events in the novel, instead added to the universe of Middle Earth. Since they've got til about, say, page 80, in the book, there's a "long ways to go yet".
What format did you see it in, Chris?
Regular old 2d. Looked great. My friend and my wife can't watch 3d without headaches. I'm not too choked up with 3d anyway, and there wasn't any 48fps nearby.
BTW, the new Trek trailer was pretty awesome.
I got to see The Hobbit in 2D today as well. I also enjoyed the new Star Trek trailer too.
Hobbit- so well done. I loved it. The music was epic the acting was really great and it looked incredible! Only one time did I notice the CGI, and other than that it was SPOT on! Yes, there are other things that were added in, but like Chris said, it didn't take away from the movie, if anything it made it richer. It was very long clocking in at 2:50, so once all three are out with the extended versions we will be watching over nine hours of Hobbit stuff. I guess that is kind of cool if you think about it.
Anyway, great movie, nothing to complain about!
Glad to hear everyone is enjoying it. I was hoping to see it tomorrow but after this work week I may wait now until Christmas day and save it as treat.
Kevin
I took my little girl to see it last night. I was blown away by the fact that there were about 10 people in the theater. This was a Friday night, 7pm show, one of the biggest theaters in the area, of arguably the biggest movie of the season. Nobody there. Maybe the tragedy in Connecticut combined with the Batman premiere shootings had people spooked, but I just don't know. I couldn't believe the theater wasn't packed. My reaction to the film was good, not great. I love the book so much, and much of the added material just changes the tone and feel of the novel for me. It makes me think that PJ had the perfect approach for LOTR, but didn't nail the lighthearted fun tone that is what made the Hobbit so great to me. I enjoyed it, and will gladly see parts 2 and 3, but this movie wasn't the huge successful translation to film that LOTR was in my eyes. Even so, I'm still looking forward to seeing some of the cool stories only briefly mentioned in the novel, particularly the rise of Sauron and Galadriels role in the battles ahead.
Quote from: Jobydrone on December 15, 2012, 07:08:17 AM
I took my little girl to see it last night. I was blown away by the fact that there were about 10 people in the theater. This was a Friday night, 7pm show, one of the biggest theaters in the area, of arguably the biggest movie of the season. Nobody there. Maybe the tragedy in Connecticut combined with the Batman premiere shootings had people spooked, but I just don't know. I couldn't believe the theater wasn't packed. My reaction to the film was good, not great. I love the book so much, and much of the added material just changes the tone and feel of the novel for me. It makes me think that PJ had the perfect approach for LOTR, but didn't nail the lighthearted fun tone that is what made the Hobbit so great to me. I enjoyed it, and will gladly see parts 2 and 3, but this movie wasn't the huge successful translation to film that LOTR was in my eyes. Even so, I'm still looking forward to seeing some of the cool stories only briefly mentioned in the novel, particularly the rise of Sauron and Galadriels role in the battles ahead.
I was wondering about attendance to the movie. Tough to get into a frame of mind for the movie. My work weekend got pulled, so I think I will try to see this with the family on Sunday.
It made 13 million on Midnight showings and 37 mill on Friday, it's on track for 85 million for the weekend.
http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3586&p=.htm (http://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3586&p=.htm)
Awesome! I'm glad my showing was a weird anomaly.
we only had about 20 people in our showing. It was odd.
I saw the Hobbit in 3D, non 48FPS, because its the cheaper theater. Would have seen it in 2D but the showing was sold out. It was a great film, enjoyed it a lot.
However, we didn't get a 9min trailer for Star Trek. We just got some short extended teaser trailer for the movie. The same one that's been shown online with a few different scenes added.
Quote from: KingIsaacLinksr on December 16, 2012, 12:41:54 PM
I saw the Hobbit in 3D, non 48FPS, because its the cheaper theater. Would have seen it in 2D but the showing was sold out. It was a great film, enjoyed it a lot.
However, we didn't get a 9min trailer for Star Trek. We just got some short extended teaser trailer for the movie. The same one that's been shown online with a few different scenes added.
It's only IMAX that has the 9min trailer, which from all reports I have read isn't that compelling.
Ok, just got back from "The Hobbit" in 3D and in IMAX. Saw the 9 minute Trek preview (which I thought was awesome - more on that in the Trek thread). As far as "The Hobbit" I enjoyed it. The IMAX theater is a big theater and my younger son Eric and I went to a Sunday afternoon showing and it was packed. I thought the movie was a bit long and I felt some of the added stuff took away a little from the tone and pace of the movie. I really like the actors they picked - Martin Freeman as Bilbo I thought was really good. The look of the movie was awesome but the 3-D didn't do much for me really - or my son from what he told me. Loved seeing it on the huge IMAX screen though. It was really fun to be back in Middle Earth but I do think three films for a short book is altering the feel and pace of the story - at least for me. Still looking forward to parts 2 & 3 though and would like to see this part again without the 3D sometime. A fun movie.
Sounds like we had the exact same reaction to this film Rico! You expressed my thoughts to a "T"
edit to add: maybe for the directors cut they'll take out all the extended footage and leave us just the stuff that was in the book version of the Hobbit!
I was hoping that movie 1 or 1 & 2 would be true to the Hobbit story, and that the last movie would be all the extra filler stuff to join the story to the LOTR. Oh well, I'll still go see them all.
OK, I am back from IMAX 3D! I posted my thoughts on the Trek trailer in that thread for anyone who wants to hear more about it, I used spoiler tags. So in regards to The Hobbit....I LOVED IT. I feel terrible for fans of the material who are having trouble with the added ancillary Tolkien material interspersed through the film. This movie IS NOT a slavish recreation of the book. It's an entirely new adventure and journey that has elements of the book. Once you accept that, I think you can appreciate and marvel at what this is as opposed to stressing over what it isn't. The film has a wonderful, whimsical quality that The Lord of the Rings did not. LOTR had a real sense of gravitas and that was appropriate whereas this feel more jaunty and almost like a fairy tale. One of the aspects of he story that really made me feel that way is the film is filled with a lot of mythical, magical, other worldly creatures and characters. LOTR, perhaps due ti the presence of real men in the company and characters, often felt like it could have happened here on our Earth back in the days of the Round Table, even with the orc's and other antagonists and obstacles they overcame. This movie feels much more grounded in fantasy. The only time I felt they pushed too far in this regards was the escape from Goblin Town. I think PJ's animators just went a wooden swinging bridge to far in that regards and the sequence became to unreal. I was mesmerized with the Riddles in the Dark scene. True story, when I was in grade school we had to do public speaking presentations. The best in each class had a finals competition. I won reciting this chapter of the Hobbit that I committed to memory and acted out onstage in front of the entire school. I for one thoroughly enjoyed my return to Middle Earth and look forward to going back for two more films. Also, I thought the 3D was a nice addition and I continue to feel that for me, it enhances my theater going experience.
For fun, even thoguh I have posted these here years ago, how about some of my pics from my visit to the actual Hobbitown back in 2005 with Jamie and my Uncle John and my brother and sister. :)
Going to see this today - have to kill some vacation time or loose it, so catching the IMAX version after lunch.
Quote from: Bromptonboy on December 18, 2012, 03:39:15 AM
Going to see this today - have to kill some vacation time or loose it, so catching the IMAX version after lunch.
Have fun Pete! Let us know what you think.
I got totally sucked into the Wikipedia Middle Earth pages this morning. Before I knew it half the morning was sucked away clicking links within links learning about the Valar and Maiar, and blablablobbitiar...it all started when I read one of the synopses of a story in Tolkien's Unfinished Tales, some of which was used for this movie that describes the events of the Hobbit from Gandalf's perpective like the reasons why he wanted Bilbo in the group and why he was helping the Dwarves in the first place. I need to check out Unfinished Tales.
That is so awesome Bryan! I too used that scene in my public speaking competitions. I got 7 first places in tourneys and 1st in State reading that bad boy! LOVES IT I DO MY PRECIOUS!!!
Quote from: moyer777 on December 18, 2012, 12:10:36 PM
That is so awesome Bryan! I too used that scene in my public speaking competitions. I got 7 first places in tourneys and 1st in State reading that bad boy! LOVES IT I DO MY PRECIOUS!!!
Love it!
Saw the film today - in IMAX 3D. I was both entranced and disappointed alternately. For the non-spoiler stuff - IMHO I should have just seen the 2D version and saved myself the $18 admission..
The scenery was stunning, and like everyone else I was delighted to visit Middle Earth again. Gandalf was fabulous, and Martin makes an excellent Bilbo. I didn't mind the flashbacks - as they might set the tone for someone who hasn't read all of the books. What disappointed me were the changes that were made to the story. I know I have to approach this as a different story to the book itself.
[spoiler]I see what everybody has been saying about filler. My preference would have been for them to do the book as it was written, then fill away on the bridging movie. Making Bilbo out into an almost-deserter was terrible. I don't see the changes PJ made as making the story stronger. I didn't like the addition of the albino Azog the Goblin. Rivendell was great, and the feast scene hilarious. Riddles in the dark was great as well, and I particularly liked the point when Bilbo spares the life of Gollum. The escape from Goblin-town was too over the top for my tastes. The fighting of the stone giants was stunning.[/spoiler]
Something to consider, Pete...
[spoiler]They needed to create a little tension between Thorin and Bilbo and this conceit serves that purpose. Same with Azog, it adds for some dramatic tension whereas there wouldn't be any at this point in the story of The Hobbit. I don't think it diminishes Bilbo's character, they made it clear through dialogue that Thorin had no faith and him and Bilbo is the classic reluctant hero. [/spoiler]
[spoiler]I see what you are saying about supplying tension, but there was plenty of that in the original story. All of Thorin's company had their doubts about Bilbo, and only started to feel positive towards him when he managed to escape the Goblin mountain on his own. It wasn't until Mirkwood that Bilbo really started to come into his own, and prove his worth to the Dwarves. Bilbo continually thinking longingly of his fire, and breakfast in his own hole - is never close to him deserting. His sense of duty is strong enough that he considers going back into the Goblin mountain to find the dwarves (in the book).[/spoiler] I am going to see all three movies - I just can't help but grumble a bit.
How about this explanation for Azog, I thought this was well thought out...
[spoiler]Q: Why Did Peter Jackson Change Azog from the Book?
ANSWER: It's not my place to speak for Peter Jackson as I have no direct knowledge behind his decisions but it makes sense to me that he would do this. As a devoted Tolkien fan and reader I have no personal objections to the change. In the book Azog is little more than just a name. He was anecdotally slain by Thorin's cousin Dain Ironfoot. The only full account of the event is Tolkien's description of the Battle of Azanulbizar in Appendix A to The Lord of the Rings. In the published book, The Hobbit, the Goblins are led by Azog's son Bolg of the North. It does appear, from credits listed IMDB for "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" and "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" that Bolg will appear in one or both of the next two movies in Peter's "Hobbit" trilogy.
So I think Peter expanded Azog's role for several reasons. First, Azog becomes a personal adversary for Thorin. Of course, Smaug is a personal adversary for the Heir of Thror but, let's face it, Thorin is not going to kill Smaug. I suspect that Thorin will kill Azog either in the second movie or the third.
In my opinion the role of Thorin was expanded in order to give the audience a heroic figure to root for. Thorin is more sympathetic in Peter Jackson's "Hobbit" than in J.R.R. Tolkien's book. Anyone familiar with the story knows how Thorin's part plays out and I suspect that his final scene in the movies will be emotionally wrenching. Sean Bean may have to share "best death scene" with Richard Armitage — or maybe Richard will take that glory from him.
Azog also creates a real sense of danger for the journey long before the Dwarves arrive in the Misty Mountains. Although the Lone-lands seem desolate in the book they should have been more dangerous than The Hobbit made them out to be, given the retroactive history that Tolkien devised for them in The Lord of the Rings.
Furthermore, it seems to me that Peter is using Azog's intrusion into Eriador to enhance the significance of the presence of the three trolls who capture the Dwarves. Whereas in The Hobbit the trolls are just a random encounter on the road, in the "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" Gandalf uses the presence of the trolls and the orcs west of the mountains to argue that some great evil has arisen (of course, Radagast's visit to Dol Guldur helps reinforce that argument).
So I think Peter is trying to present a more coherent story about Sauron being the source of the evils that plague Thorin and Company on their quest. Tolkien hints in his retroactive history this may be the case so Peter is just capitalizing on the hints and using them to create a more focused threat to Middle-earth, thus connecting the "Hobbit" trilogy more firmly to the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy.
It's not necessarily a brilliant bit of rearrangement of the materials but it is, to me, a logical one and so far I think it works well enough. I think the story flows better when all these perils share connections with each other rather than if they are just apparently random events that are quickly tied up in Bolg's sudden attack on Erebor as in the story. Peter Jackson's audience is larger and somewhat more sophisticated in tastes and expectations than Tolkien's young sons were when he first composed the tale — and even J.R.R. Tolkien himself wanted very much to rewrite The Hobbit so as to be more mature, less condescending, and darker than the original children's book. Although he might not have approved of Peter's changes, I think he would have understood them.
[spoiler]
That's pretty well thought out, I'm pretty sure Azog will be around 'til the end. Plus he's a damn cool looking character.
The fact of the matter is that Tolkien DID re-write the "Riddles in the Dark" chapter to have the Gollum character and the ring line up a bit more with LOTR which was much darker in tone.
We think of the LOTR movies as awesome now, but I was on a Tolkien BBS back then and that hate that was spewed forth on the changes to the movies was crazy. There is just so much Tolkien in these movies that I can't bring myself to gripe about getting extra bits or slowing the pace a bit or minor changes to characters from the books for dramatic effect.
Did anyone else think Azog looked like..
[spoiler]one of the 'Engineers' from Prometheus.. ;)[/spoiler]
Quote from: Bromptonboy on December 18, 2012, 03:28:05 PM
Did anyone else think Azog looked like..
[spoiler]one of the 'Engineers' from Prometheus.. ;)[/spoiler]
Oh no....they are on Middle Earth planning the destruction of the dwarves! Bring on the xenomorph! :)
Well booked my ticket ( going on my own) for Jan 20 the as that's when my little art house cinema will be showing it. :)
Compelling angle on the movie - I don't agree with all of the article but with some of it:
http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/12/peter-jacksons-violent-betrayal-of-tolkien/266294/# (http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2012/12/peter-jacksons-violent-betrayal-of-tolkien/266294/#)
I'll counter that with this one. :)
http://io9.com/5968455/the-hobbit-is-a-lot-better-once-you-realize-its-a-war-movie (http://io9.com/5968455/the-hobbit-is-a-lot-better-once-you-realize-its-a-war-movie)
If you would have told me this movie would be divisive a month ago, I would have been shocked!
I think the review I posted touches on that. One word: Anticipation. I can understand why PJ was so reluctant to revisit Middle Earth beyond an Executive Producing role. How do you follow up what is, IMO, the greatest trilogy film of all time? yes, I think it even eclipses the SW OT as far as EPIC, not in terms of my personal sentimentality. The only workable material left was The Hobbit. If you are going to go and do this, you may as well do it so it never has t be done again. Pull in all the ancillary material and make The Hobbit movie's into "The Rest of The Best of Tolkien" and be DONE. So it's like the SW OT vs. the PT, old school fans get bent out of shape, new fans have a new experience, but at the end of the day, the whole story is all there for us to see on screen and take what enjoyment from it that we will.
I'm a bit in the middle on all this. I can see doing some of the changes and adding a little more material. However, I think he went overboard. And I think after I'm done seeing all three movies based on this one small book I'm probably going to feel that even more. I did enjoy this first part but again, I think it went a bit too far in changing the tone and feel of the story.
Quote from: Chris-El on December 19, 2012, 03:36:47 PM
If you would have told me this movie would be divisive a month ago, I would have been shocked!
:) I think I am not being clear - yes I am disappointed at a certain level - since the story is dear to me and in my opinion doesn't need the flash added - but I did enjoy it. Most likely I will see the film again in 2D - and I will see the other 2. In one of my spoiler tags above, I mentioned one thing that really sparked my mild grousing: [spoiler]Bilbo trying to desert the dwarves in the mountain pass[/spoiler]
To me it is like finding a hair in a meal that - up until that moment - I was savoring.
I had a similar experience watching LOTR - which I loved in spite of the modifications save for 2 changes - which I will not mention in this thread but will in another if any one is interested in hearing this old curmudgeon. :) And get of my yard you kids!!
I would have been totally fine with one 210 minute movie of the Hobbit. No Silmarillion, no Unfinished Tales, no Appendixes. Just the Hobbit, one of my favorite books of all time. That's far from what this movie is, but what we got, I enjoyed very much. I would probably have preferred the former, but I am happy with another trilogy. It smacks of studio greed, but after seeing what they did with Unexpected Journey, I have total faith the next two films will be just as great as the first.
It always cracks me up when people make statements like..."Studio greed..." or "All they care about is making money" or (my personal favorite) "He's purposefully misdirecting us." Dudes...get a flipping grip! What in the WORLD do you think movies are? They are a product of a company. PERIOD. The goal of making a movie is to MAKE MONEY. Yes, EVERYTHING a studio does is based on the bottom line. MAKE....MONEY....other wise why flipping bother, right? I mean, would you expect to go to work every day and NOT get paid? How about if your co-workers or boss complained "oh, he's just greedy. He comes HERE and wants money!" Oh, and yes, I know it's another thread, but you know what? JJ Abrams has EVERY right to "misdirect" you. It's HIS movie. HE made it and invested in it. So WHAT if he's not telling YOU who the bad guy is? And yes, I know what you're all going to say "It's fun to speculate and debate"...but saying things like studio greed, or misdirection, or lying...that's neither speculating on the movie or debating it.
But...but... I thought it was ART! :) The greed thing is a silly complaint. The lying and misdirection is their perogative which I don't deny them but as their target audience, I also reserve the right to tell them to bite me. :)
Quote from: Bryancd on December 20, 2012, 07:05:22 AM
But...but... I thought it was ART! :) The greed thing is a silly complaint. The lying and misdirection is their perogative which I don't deny them but as their target audience, I also reserve the right to tell them to bite me. :)
...and yet, you'll STILL spend money to go see it :) So, what lesson does THAT teach?
I get pissed off at my family sometimes too but I still love them. Duh. :)
'Ars propter pecuniam' instead of 'Ars gratia artis'. :) Our hollywood friends would be shocked - shocked to find out that they are capitalists after all.
Quote from: Bromptonboy on December 20, 2012, 07:24:54 AM
'Ars propter pecuniam' instead of 'Ars gratia artis'. :) Our hollywood friends would be shocked - shocked to find out that they are capitalists after all.
Yeah...the day one of those "artists" turns down their usual HUGE salary or profit sharing to make a movie...I'll call them artists. It's like the medical industry. Sure, MAYBE some of them get into the field originally out of a sense of altruism, but eventually it turns in to a money maker...
I don't feel like I need to "get a grip" and I resent the implication that I am ridiculous and wrong for suggesting that creators of art such as movies, books, comics and other entertainment media shouldn't be subject to criticism for damaging beloved source material for the purpose of increasing profits. I'm not saying that happened with the Hobbit, and as I said I enjoyed the movie a great deal, but it is certainly a valid argument that can and has been made. And there's absolutely no harm in SPECULATING that the Hobbit could or might have been a better film without all the extra material from other sources.
I think the issue is the use of the term "greed". It has a very specific connotation of the quest for wealth regardless of consequence or morality or ethics, ect. Companies are merely entities which produce a product in an effort to make a return on invested capital called profit. People can be greedy, companies themselves aren't, they have an obligation to their owners, employees, shareholders to provide that return. Making this film into a more expansive version of the Hobbit plus ancillary material isn't greedy, it's efficient. They have the cast, crew, sets, everything in place. That's a massive and expensive undertaking. So they must make sure they get the most content out of that effort as possible. So they make the call to add material to the source and make 3 films knowing they will never have to do tis again. If Tolkien was still alive or if there were more stories to tell, they could likely be more methodical about bringing it to the screen. But as it stands, this is it for Middle Earth, so if you are going back to the well the last time, better take all the water.
I'm quickly going to try and re-read the Hobbit as I go on the 20th of Jan. I'm hoping the film will give me more, but if i come out of that cinema feeling that they have stretched this further than a rubber band my comments will be harsh. Be prepared oh hairy feet ones. ;)
Quote from: Meds on December 20, 2012, 03:26:31 PM
I'm quickly going to try and re-read the Hobbit as I go on the 20th of Jan. I'm hoping the film will give me more, but if i come out of that cinema feeling that they have stretched this further than a rubber band my comments will be harsh. Be prepared oh hairy feet ones. ;)
But knwoing what you know, would that be an equitable way to judge the film? Perhaps see the film first and opine about what the film is as opposed to what it isn't.
Nope, the book is the source, the film is called The Hobbit and that's what I want. If i think the additions help the film flow then fine but if I think that the additions are pointless or (heaven forbid i say this) just an excuse to spread a film over a three year box office guarantee then I will not be impressed.
Quote from: Meds on December 20, 2012, 03:47:54 PM
Nope, the book is the source, the film is called The Hobbit and that's what I want. If i think the additions help the film flow then fine but if I think that the additions are pointless or (heaven forbid i say this) just an excuse to spread a film over a three year box office guarantee then I will not be impressed.
I get you, but even the LOTR trilogy had a lot of editorializing done to the story but because the source material is so dense, no one except the most extreme fans went back to fact check the film. I just don't think that's a fair way to evaluate what is actually on screen. I mean if we did that for ever bit of literature that has been made into a film it would be an impossible hurdle for a creative team like PJ put together to overcome.
I agree but as a script writer I am now used to adapting scripts from short and long stories and i understand the fact you have to take some liberties and change and add things. You have to for pacing. You also have to cut things and as LOTR was 3 books made into 3 films you can accept it a little more. The Hobbit being a small childrens book is a little different.
Look at one of my favourite subjects, Holmes. I adore Conan Doyle and i also adore the Brett adaptions but i can see the changes made for filming purposes. I never have had a problem because they were changes that helped the films flow and made it viewable as opposed to readable.
I have always tried to read the books before any film (if its a well know book obviously), Like life of Pi, i read that years ago and now there is a film out, i seriously have no idea how they have pulled that off but will be cool to see but if they have totally changed the key lines that make the book so fun then its not a true depiction is it. At the end of the day surely a true adaption is what everyone wants otherwise you may as well not call it the Hobbit but call it the Tales of Bilbo.
Quote from: Meds on December 20, 2012, 04:04:13 PM
At the end of the day surely a true adaption is what everyone wants otherwise you may as well not call it the Hobbit but call it the Tales of Bilbo.
But did people love LOTR because it was a straight adaptation of the books or because those, and let's face it, it was legion of non-Tolkein readers that made those films a success, found a fantasy world that was amazing? I suggest the later and we as fans of the source material should be cognitive of that.
Well i think the first film was a mainly a success because of Tolkien, and then word of mouth at how stunning the film was caused the wagon to roll on. Me, it was Jacksons name that made me see it (fan since Bad Taste) but I get your point. Yes it does its job in a fantasy genre and yes the latter two films had a bigger audience (apart from the end of Return in which 25% of the audience died of old age) because new fans came along and loved the look and feel but I still maintain (and as I always state this is my opinion) that I want to see a core line through The Hobbit that makes me believe they are keeping with the book. We can but wait.... (bit longer)
For somebody like me who has never read The Hobbit I wont know whats new material or from the book. Do you think my movie experience will be better or worse for not reading the book first?
I think it's actually rare that a movie is "faithful" to the books they are based on because it is a totally different kind of medium. A good example to me is Jurassic Park because the book was so much scarier and interesting from a scientific point of view. The movie tried to do that but they dumbed it down a whole lot to make it kid friendly. The book is so far superior to the movie but the movie has to be taken on it's own merits. It's a fun popcorn movie with awesome special effects and we loved it.
Now with the Hobbit I was a little perturbed that they took the content of a book that could probably have been told sufficiently and well in a single three hour film if it was edited properly but I was willing to accept two films. I think personally that three films was milking the story for every dollar they could make because they know they can't go to the well again as Bryan so aptly put it.
I have not had a chance to see the film yet but am hoping tomorrow or Sunday to do so and I'm sure that I will be visually stimulated and I will try my best to put the book out of my mind while viewing it but that may not be easy to do. The Hobbit has deep rooted connections that go back to my childhood. When I discovered Tolkien I read everything of his and about him I could and have read and re-read his books over the years and they have grown fonder with each reading. So I'll try and watch the movie for what it is... an "adaptation" and accept it on those terms and thus I'm sure I'll enjoy it in some measure.
Kevin
Quote from: WillEagle on December 20, 2012, 07:53:01 PM
For somebody like me who has never read The Hobbit I wont know whats new material or from the book. Do you think my movie experience will be better or worse for not reading the book first?
I would have enjoyed the film much more - if I had not loved the book. So see the move first.. ;)
Looking forward to reading your views Kevin.
I'm with Kevin and Meds in that I've read Tolkien for years (even if I am unsure about the spelling of his name) and I go to see this as a fan of The Hobbit. If it were a visually stunning film of a story I wasn't familiar with I may see it with no expectations but the name of this film says it all. The Hobbit.
If The Hobbit isn't what I get then on some level I will feel disappointed no matter how good what I do get is.
I am tempted to list a few more grouses - but I think it won't ad to the discussion. :)
Quote from: Bromptonboy on December 21, 2012, 04:54:13 AM
I am tempted to list a few more grouses - but I think it won't ad to the discussion. :)
I think it's fine to point out elements of the film that may not have worked or been effective or poor pacing, but I personally don't see how complaining about an element for which the only criticism is that it wasn't in the book isn't fair to the movie. Judge the movie for the story it tells.
Thats the point of the conversation though isn't it. If it WORKS and helps build the pace and allows the film to flow then awesome bring it on. If it doesn't work and it distracts from the core element then no, you have made a mistake and accept the criticism.
Look at films that bring out a directors cut years later. Nine times out of ten you watch it and say "what was the point of putting that scene in" it isnt needed. Apocalypse Now is a classic example of that, editing the plantation scene backin for me just made a long film even longer and even more pointless. Anyway I have not seen the film yet, let me watch it and then i'll give it thumbs or thumbs in between (lets face it i'm not going to come out and say "arghhh that was poo" am I....... am I?
Quote from: Meds on December 21, 2012, 07:10:50 AM
Thats the point of the conversation though isn't it. If it WORKS and helps build the pace and allows the film to flow then awesome bring it on. If it doesn't work and it distracts from the core element then no, you have made a mistake and accept the criticism.
Yes! I agree, and that's fair. But that's being critical of what is on screen vs. beoing critical of what's on screen SOLEY becuase it is not in the book.
Quote from: Bryancd on December 21, 2012, 06:46:44 AM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on December 21, 2012, 04:54:13 AM
I am tempted to list a few more grouses - but I think it won't ad to the discussion. :)
I think it's fine to point out elements of the film that may not have worked or been effective or poor pacing, but I personally don't see how complaining about an element for which the only criticism is that it wasn't in the book isn't fair to the movie. Judge the movie for the story it tells.
Often I don't mind the screen-writer changing the story from the book - such as Logan's Run - I think the movie is in some ways better than the book.
For LOTR - I loved everything up to one episode in the Return Of The King - but I still loved the movie:
[spoiler]When Frodo sides with Gollum and sends Sam away right before entering Shelob's lair in the movie[/spoiler]
In the Hobbit I already pointed out the scene that disappointed me - but that being said, PJ could have made 5 movies instead of 3, and I would go see them all - so who is the fool? :)
It could have been worse...Quentin Tarrantino could have directed the movies..and then Gandalf would have been in a black suit with black sunglasses.. ;)
You have to agree as well that if a section not in the book and wrote new for the film does not help the film in any way then it should not be in the film in the first place. Now I know the appendices and The Silmarillion is taken into account and for that I'm afraid I would need a better read person that me to go through all that.
On a side note let me just explain why i have a bit of a passion for this book and Tolkien in general. Some of you know I was born in Solihull and raised in Birmingham. I lived in Hall Green and Moseley near Moseley Bog and Sarehole Mill. I bought my first house in Kings Heath. I moved to Bromsgrove, my favourite restaurant is in Clent and we go for walks in the Lickey Hills. Why does this matter, here is a copy from the Tolkien Wiki.
"This left the family without an income, so Tolkien's mother took him to live with her parents in Kings Heath, Birmingham. Soon after, in 1896, they moved to Sarehole (now in Hall Green), then a Worcestershire village, later annexed to Birmingham. He enjoyed exploring Sarehole Mill and Moseley Bog and the Clent, Lickey and Malvern Hills, which would later inspire scenes in his books, along with Worcestershire towns and villages such as Bromsgrove, Alcester, and Alvechurch and places such as his aunt Jane's farm of Bag End, the name of which would be used in his fiction"
Wow! You aren't somehow a descendant of the miller's son? :)
Quote from: Meds on December 21, 2012, 07:30:16 AM
You have to agree as well that if a section not in the book and wrote new for the film does not help the film in any way then it should not be in the film in the first place.
Absolutely. But the fact that it is or is not in the box is irrelevant, the fact that it's in the film and does not work is germane. Yet there's a lot of criticism of content in the film that doesn't address it's impact on the story, simply that it wasn't in the book.
Yes but as I say I can't comment on the contents yet when I havnt seen it hence going back to my original point in wanting to read the book first to see if it all works.
I'd like to know 'honestly' how many if the people knocking the extra contents has read the book.
Quote from: Meds on December 21, 2012, 08:02:00 AM
Yes but as I say I can't comment on the contents yet when I havnt seen it hence going back to my original point in wanting to read the book first to see if it all works.
I'd like to know 'honestly' how many if the people knocking the extra contents has read the book.
Yeah, I know you have yet to see it yet. I would be very curious to hear what someone with little knowledge of the book thinbks of the film. I haven't read the book in over 15 years, so it's far in the back of my mind. So I went in to watch the film as the film, not as the book.
It's the people who said The Hobbit is just a rip off of Harry Potter who's opinions I'd like to hear... ;)
Quote from: Meds on December 21, 2012, 08:22:13 AM
It's the people who said The Hobbit is just a rip off of Harry Potter who's opinions I'd like to hear... ;)
Tolkien was a derivative hack... ;)
ROFL ha ha ha ha ;)
Quote from: Bryancd on December 21, 2012, 06:46:44 AM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on December 21, 2012, 04:54:13 AM
I am tempted to list a few more grouses - but I think it won't ad to the discussion. :)
I think it's fine to point out elements of the film that may not have worked or been effective or poor pacing, but I personally don't see how complaining about an element for which the only criticism is that it wasn't in the book isn't fair to the movie. Judge the movie for the story it tells.
I'll give you that Bryan, I won't be jumping on stuff JUST because it wasn't in the book but if something doesn't work for me then it will get more flak IF it wasn't in the book than if it was. I guess I'm saying that I'd be more forgiving of badly presented story elements than I would of badly presented 'extras'.
Ugh!!! Unfortunately we were not able to make it out to see this last weekend like I hoped. It's just too busy this time of year for us and tomorrow my wife wants to see Les Miserable. So now I have no idea when I might see it. That's one of the problem with long movies. Finding four hours to just see a movie is not easy for us to do. I'm including driving and waiting time in that four hours.
Kevin
Amy and her mom are headed to Les Miserable tomorrow while I cook dinner. LOL!
Quote from: moyer777 on December 24, 2012, 03:13:12 PM
Amy and her mom are headed to Les Miserable tomorrow while I cook dinner. LOL!
You should be glad your cooking dinner! ;D
The Hobbit was the last book I finished reading for bedtime story time with my kids. I wanted to finish the book with them before we went to the movie. I'm anxious to see what was tweaked in the story, but I'm guessing the trilogy will boil down to Goblins, Elves, and The Mountain. Realistically, though, the pacing in the book at the end is kind of lame. I mean one guy wakes up and everything is basically over? Can the movies do much worse than that? ;)
Quote from: WillEagle on December 24, 2012, 05:44:35 PM
Quote from: moyer777 on December 24, 2012, 03:13:12 PM
Amy and her mom are headed to Les Miserable tomorrow while I cook dinner. LOL!
You should be glad your cooking dinner! ;D
"Master of the house, doling out the charm
Ready with a handshake and an open palm
Tells a saucy tale, makes a little stir
Customers appreciate a bon-viveur.."
Quote from: Bromptonboy on December 25, 2012, 02:47:39 AM
Quote from: WillEagle on December 24, 2012, 05:44:35 PM
Quote from: moyer777 on December 24, 2012, 03:13:12 PM
Amy and her mom are headed to Les Miserable tomorrow while I cook dinner. LOL!
You should be glad your cooking dinner! ;D
"Master of the house, doling out the charm
Ready with a handshake and an open palm
Tells a saucy tale, makes a little stir
Customers appreciate a bon-viveur.."
LOL!
I am a bit late to the party on this, but my Wife and I went to see The Hobbit this afternoon. I really enjoyed it a lot, and been years and years since I read the books, but found myself recalling parts. I went and saw the HFR 3D version, and I have to say, I was very impressed. Picture looked crisp. and I was worried it might be hard on my eyes. I found it much easier to watch then the standard 3D film, as usually I have ye strain after, but for this, I did not. I was worried being to clear might suck me out of the story, but I think it might have pulled me more into it. At the start of the movie, at time I felt like maybe I was standing in a corner of Bilbos Hobbit hole.
Just got back from a 3D 48fps matinee. I have now seen this film in IMAX 3D, 2D, and 3D HFR and have to say the most seem less, best visual experience was today. IMAX just made the CGI too noticeable. And I think I just am not a fan of the IMAX screen, it's just too much. The 2D was nice and made Radagast and the rabbits chase and the escape from Goblin Town look less artificial. 3D HFR had very clear and sharp 3D effects and yet made those two segments which I found problematic much better. I also didn't find the 48fps image to look like video at all. Seemed like HD Blu-ray clarity on a big screen to me.
Great review Bry and Jeff.
LOL!!!!
"http://www.nbc.com/assets/video/widget/widget.html?vid=1429006"
Well just come back from seeing The Hobbit at my local art house cinema. 2D, standard frame. Was slightly apprehensive going in after reading various reviews though somewhat upbeat after reading the thoughts above here on the forum (i respect your views more than critics). I had started to read the book after a gap of some ten years but never got into it (i'm afraid Martian Creative work is thick and fast) so i had to base what i remember to see if the additions added anything. Well after about 30 minutes i didn't care. I loved it from the start, gripped by the story in film which is what i cared about from the star.
Martin Freeman is perfect as Bilbo and I can see why Jackson put the film on hold while he finished the second series of Sherlock. McKellen looks like he has never been away. It took me a while to get used to Richard Armitage as Thorin, I just didnt believe him as a dwarf after being used to seeing him in Spooks etc but after a while he grabbed me. Ken Stott as Balin was perfect same as James Nesbitt, I really liked the brief scene of him (as Bofur) talking to Bilbo and wishing him well.
The obvious heroic moments did what they were meant and they did it well. I had no problems where the film finished, it was a good way to end though I can't help but think why didn't the Eagles take them all the way on the journey (as I though in the Lord of the Rings lol)
The character who I loved was Radagast played brilliantly by Sylvester McCoy. Awesome.
Very happy and looking forward to buting The Hobbit (Extended Edition)
Quote from: Meds on January 20, 2013, 01:21:23 PM
Well just come back from seeing The Hobbit at my local art house cinema. 2D, standard frame. Was slightly apprehensive going in after reading various reviews though somewhat upbeat after reading the thoughts above here on the forum (i respect your views more than critics). I had started to read the book after a gap of some ten years but never got into it (i'm afraid Martian Creative work is thick and fast) so i had to base what i remember to see if the additions added anything. Well after about 30 minutes i didn't care. I loved it from the start, gripped by the story in film which is what i cared about from the star.
Martin Freeman is perfect as Bilbo and I can see why Jackson put the film on hold while he finished the second series of Sherlock. McKellen looks like he has never been away. It took me a while to get used to Richard Armitage as Thorin, I just didnt believe him as a dwarf after being used to seeing him in Spooks etc but after a while he grabbed me. Ken Stott as Balin was perfect same as James Nesbitt, I really liked the brief scene of him (as Bofur) talking to Bilbo and wishing him well.
The obvious heroic moments did what they were meant and they did it well. I had no problems where the film finished, it was a good way to end though I can't help but think why didn't the Eagles take them all the way on the journey (as I though in the Lord of the Rings lol)
The character who I loved was Radagast played brilliantly by Sylvester McCoy. Awesome.
Very happy and looking forward to buting The Hobbit (Extended Edition)
Glad you liked it and didn't let the negative-ish reviews influence you, I have a hard time with that.
If you want the Tolkien nerd answer to the Eagles...they really didn't care too much about helping anyone out. They were happy to deprive the goblins of their fun, and they were only drawn there by the burning tree. They just hated goblins ALOT, and in LOTR, one explanation I have heard is that the eagles are said to be the representatives of Manwë,(a god) and in the Third Age, Manwë is maintaining a policy of the Valar not intervening directly in the affairs of Middle-Earth. What I figure is that they are OK with helping Gandalf, since he is an Istari, but the affairs of the rest of Middle Earth do not interest them much.
Well said, Chris. I always viewed the Eagles as Neutral good characters.
The chief eagle owed Gandalf a solid for removing an arrow head. Even then, they didn't want to put the party down near any settlement of men, since the men would shoot at them with bows - assuming they were after the men's sheep (and at other times they might be right). :)
Quote from: Meds on January 20, 2013, 01:21:23 PM
I had no problems where the film finished, it was a good way to end though I can't help but think why didn't the Eagles take them all the way on the journey (as I though in the Lord of the Rings lol)
Ha ha then it would have only been one film, just doesn't work!
Quote from: Jobydrone on January 21, 2013, 07:19:42 PM
Quote from: Meds on January 20, 2013, 01:21:23 PM
I had no problems where the film finished, it was a good way to end though I can't help but think why didn't the Eagles take them all the way on the journey (as I though in the Lord of the Rings lol)
Ha ha then it would have only been one film, just doesn't work!
I still wish Jackson would explain to the audience why the Eagles wouldn't help them. I had high hopes that he would at the end of this flick but he didn't. Blegh, hoping he will in the second movie. Ah well.
Quote from: KingIsaacLinksr on January 22, 2013, 11:57:37 AM
Quote from: Jobydrone on January 21, 2013, 07:19:42 PM
Quote from: Meds on January 20, 2013, 01:21:23 PM
I had no problems where the film finished, it was a good way to end though I can't help but think why didn't the Eagles take them all the way on the journey (as I though in the Lord of the Rings lol)
Ha ha then it would have only been one film, just doesn't work!
I still wish Jackson would explain to the audience why the Eagles wouldn't help them. I had high hopes that he would at the end of this flick but he didn't. Blegh, hoping he will in the second movie. Ah well.
Does that really need to be spelled out in the narrative of the film? I kind of like the mystery of them, there ambiguous allegiance.
In the movie, I saw Gandalf do the following:
[spoiler]While he was dangling from a tree with the dwarves, didn't he grab a bug or butterfly and presumably send a message that summoned the eagles?[/spoiler]
Yes, I caught that, Pete. I think as I said a few posts back and Bryan narrowed down for me, the Eagles are Neutral Good, owing no allegiance to anyone, and operate on their own.
Quote from: Bryancd on January 22, 2013, 12:53:30 PM
Quote from: KingIsaacLinksr on January 22, 2013, 11:57:37 AM
Quote from: Jobydrone on January 21, 2013, 07:19:42 PM
Quote from: Meds on January 20, 2013, 01:21:23 PM
I had no problems where the film finished, it was a good way to end though I can't help but think why didn't the Eagles take them all the way on the journey (as I though in the Lord of the Rings lol)
Ha ha then it would have only been one film, just doesn't work!
I still wish Jackson would explain to the audience why the Eagles wouldn't help them. I had high hopes that he would at the end of this flick but he didn't. Blegh, hoping he will in the second movie. Ah well.
Does that really need to be spelled out in the narrative of the film? I kind of like the mystery of them, there ambiguous allegiance.
The problem being though is that everyone constantly points out the fact that they should just have the Eagles fly them around. I don't know, the ending of the Lord of the Rings still bothers me because the Eagles show up to battle anyway and the entire battle (and granted books) could have been avoided had they flown the Ringbearer to Mount Doom in the first place. Not to mention, a lot less lives would have been lost. So in some ways, one could view the Eagles as...not-good. Not evil, but not good either.
It doesn't need to be spelled out I'll grant and the books certainly explain it so, its only a minor complaint.
Gandalf's plans were pretty vague about what he would do once on the other side of the Misty Mountains. Maybe it was his intention to seek the help of the Eagles once across? That is a long shot, but possible. Of course, you had winged Nazgul for the air defense of Mordor. The Ring high up in the sky would have caught the attention of Eye.
Here we are grappling with real world problems.. ;)
I actually meant it as a joke about The Eagles lol. I remember Gandalf doing the same thing in Return of the king ( I think), either way it doesn't matter.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, is to be released March 19 on DVD and Blu-Ray and a week early on HD digital download. The DVD and Blu-Ray extras are highlighted by the video journals that Peter Jackson made while filming the movie. Movie Fanatic has published many of them already and to watch them all as a precursor to witnessing the film itself would be quite a good experience, although for many keen followers of the Hobbit Movies this might prove impossible, since our survey shows we have on average already watched the film several times in any case!
If you purchase the Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack you will get a special sneak peek at the next film in the series, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, as we reported here some time ago.
Will be holding out for the Extended edition.
Yeah, me too Meds. I bought the original LOTR DVDs, bought the extended DVDs, now I have the Extended BluRays. If I feel the need to watch it Ill rent it, but I think the extended will be out in the winter before Smaug comes out.
So it looks like we are going to have to wait for the 3rd part of The Hobbit..
Third 'Hobbit' movie release moved from July to December 2014
February 28, 2013 at 9:18 pm by MrCere -
It has just been announced via press release that the third movie in the Hobbit trilogy, "The Hobbit: There and Back Again," has been moved to a December 17, 2014 release date. Originally planned as a summer film, the move now mirrors the release of the three Peter Jackson directed Hobbit films with his also-directed "Lord of the Rings," film trilogy. The second movie, "The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug," is scheduled for a Dec. 13 release this year.
The shift makes the release consistent with the pre-holiday releases of the previous films pitting it in competition with two family friendly films, one a spinoff of "Despicable Me," and the other from Pixar's Brad Bird titled "Tomorrowland."
The bulk of all three films has already been shot with planned "pick ups" set for May which are expected to last for several weeks or even months. The first film, "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," has grossed nearly $1 billion world wide at the box office and $300 million in the U.S. The three movies are based on the book "The Hobbit," by J.R.R. Tolkien, released 75 years ago.
The official press release follows:
"THE HOBBIT: THERE AND BACK AGAIN" TO BE RELEASED DECEMBER 17, 2014
Burbank CA, February 28, 2013 — "The Hobbit: There and Back Again," the final film in Peter Jackson's trilogy adaptation of the timeless classic The Hobbit, will now be released on December 17, 2014. The joint announcement was made today by Dan Fellman, President of Domestic Distribution and Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures.
The film moves from its previous summer slot, and now follows the holiday release pattern of "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," which went on to become a billion-dollar global blockbuster, as well as the three films in the blockbuster "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy. The second film in "The Hobbit" Trilogy, "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug," is next to be released, on December 13, 2013. All three films in the Trilogy are productions of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM).
Stated Fellman, "We're excited to complete the Trilogy the same way we started it, as a holiday treat for moviegoers everywhere."
Added Kwan Vandenberg, "Our holiday release of the first film set a successful precedent for this wonderful Trilogy, and we're delighted to bring it to a conclusion in the same release window."
From Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson comes "The Hobbit: There and Back Again," the final film in an epic Trilogy adapting the enduringly popular masterpiece The Hobbit, by J.R.R. Tolkien. The three films tell a continuous story set in Middle-earth 60 years before "The Lord of the Rings," which Jackson and his filmmaking team brought to the big screen in the blockbuster trilogy that culminated with the Oscar ®-winning "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King."
Jackson directed "The Hobbit: There and Back Again" from a screenplay by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens & Peter Jackson. Jackson is also producing the film, together with Carolynne Cunningham, Zane Weiner and Fran Walsh. The executive producers are Alan Horn, Toby Emmerich, Ken Kamins and Carolyn Blackwood, with Boyens and Eileen Moran serving as co-producers.
All three films in "The Hobbit" Trilogy are productions of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM), with New Line managing production. Warner Bros. Pictures is handling worldwide theatrical distribution, with select international territories as well as all international television distribution being handled by MGM.
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/02/28/69532-third-hobbit-moved-from-july-to-december-2014/ (http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2013/02/28/69532-third-hobbit-moved-from-july-to-december-2014/)
I still can't get over that this small book is three films. I really think two would have made the overall experience more exciting.
Maybe for you but not for me!
Quote from: Bryancd on March 01, 2013, 07:27:39 AM
Maybe for you but not for me!
I'm with you Bryan.. I think there is enough in the appendices to plenty of movies
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on March 01, 2013, 10:07:06 AM
Quote from: Bryancd on March 01, 2013, 07:27:39 AM
Maybe for you but not for me!
I'm with you Bryan.. I think there is enough in the appendices to plenty of movies
Agreed, as long as they are good movies I'm happy to eat 'em all up!
Well, I loved The Unexpected Journey and I think in general it was very well received by most fans. So to simply say 3 movies is too many to make them quality is a bit premature...at best.
Quote from: Rico on March 01, 2013, 05:32:38 AM
I still can't get over that this small book is three films. I really think two would have made the overall experience more exciting.
Rico are you nuts opening up this can of worms again?!?! ;) ;)
I've come to terms with it...it is what it is, not "The Hobbit" I've loved almost my whole life, but rather something new and different, told over three films and it's just called The Hobbit. It's still pretty darn great!
Quote from: Jobydrone on March 01, 2013, 05:30:33 PM
Quote from: Rico on March 01, 2013, 05:32:38 AM
I still can't get over that this small book is three films. I really think two would have made the overall experience more exciting.
Rico are you nuts opening up this can of worms again?!?! ;) ;)
I've come to terms with it...it is what it is, not "The Hobbit" I've loved almost my whole life, but rather something new and different, told over three films and it's just called The Hobbit. It's still pretty darn great!
I still see the Hobbit I grew up with an loved.. just an extended Peter Jackson version :)
I agree as well, it's like watching the extended directors cuts on a huge screen which is totally cool. It's every element from the book and so much more. It's hard to explain and understand...I've loved the book my whole life, in fact it's probably my favorite in the world.
I finally got to see this today! I will start off saying I did enjoy the movie and I thought it looked amazing! However I thought the story was a little slow going and took too long to get going. I'm sorry to admit I dozed off a couple of times. That could be because I did work half a day and had an early start. Also the wife made ribs so I was watching on a full stomach. Or maybe it was just a little too slow going.
One of my favorite parts was when the Eagles showed up to help, that was pretty cool. Didn't care much for the Gollum part mainly because I could hardly understand what he said. However there was a major event that took place during that part that was pretty important. It was also driving me nuts on where I had seen the actor playing Thorin. There was an extra on the bluray disk that showed him and Trish found out he had been on that Robin Hood show I have been watching off and on on Netflix. He did a really good job.
I give the movie a 7 out of 10.
Well, I still haven't seen it which is a bit of a crime on my part really. Hopefully we'll manage to get to see it this week but I'm still disappointed to have missed it on general release.
I'll try and do better for the next one, I promise!
It felt bloated with campy action to me, but the scenes for An Unexpected Party and Riddles in the Dark were done to perfection and made it all worth it!!! :)
Roast Mutton was so much cooler in the book with Gandalf doing voices, that made me a little sad :(. Alas...
I agree with the campy action feel too, but I see the Hobbit as being a really hard movie to make, cause it's not Lord of the Rings, it's a fun bundle of adventures. The feel of the Hobbit book was never so foreboding and epic like Lord of the Rings, but it's set in the Lord of the Rings world which we already have a feel for from those films as being an epic and mythical world. I think the expectations of what the Hobbit film is is based too much on Lord of the Rings, and that is not what the feel of the Hobbit is. I love the Hobbit, but it's not Lord of the Rings and I don't think it can be.
Thats a good way of putting it ElfManDan. Maybe I was thinking too much Lord of the Rings when I shouldn't have.
I think it should be Lord of the Rings to a degree, but the tone of Lord of the Rings is very different than the Hobbit. I had the same sort of reaction first time watching the film.
Personally...
[spoiler]I kinda wish they would have left out all the extra stuff bridging Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit with the Necromancer and Saruman. I think that's where I start to have a little trouble figuring out how to view this film. The tone suddenly tries to be Lord of the Rings again, but it's still the fun adventure of the Hobbit. I love the Hobbit as a book, and I feel it would be better without those darker epic tones.[/spoiler]
So that's the point of view I take on it. I enjoy the Hobbit as it's own adventure with a different tone. Frodo says it best when he tells Bilbo "But my own adventure turned out to be quite different." I think these two stories can work together as in the world of Lord of the Rings, but they are very different kinds of stories.
The Hobbit and MGM
Posted: 18 May 2013 01:53 PM PDT
MGM or Metro Goldwyn Mayer has been around for quite some time already and has given us so many wonderful films to enjoy at home from the ongoing James Bond franchise based on some of the books written by Ian Fleming to the ever comical Tom & Jerry show created by Hanna-Barbera. Unfortunately, due to the recession that crashed much of the economy MGM went into a state of bankruptcy in 2009 and the end of 2010 and often fell into a decline due to poor sales and a lot of budget issues. Fortunately though, the massive popularity of some films in 2010 to 2012 have been able to not only get MGM out of dire straits, but also flourish even though a lot of other companies still seem to be struggling with their own monetary issues. This goes to show that despite the various problems a country may experience, from natural disasters to potential bankruptcy, people will always have the time and money for watching movies. Here are a few of the said movies that have become popular to rent or buy.
First up is Skyfall, the latest installment of the James Bond franchise starring Daniel Craig. Released sometime in October to November of 2012, the movie presents the same experience with Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, presenting audiences with a grittier version of everyone's favorite British spy who is hot on the trail of a terrorist mastermind seeking to bring the British Empire to its knees. The film features Javier Bardem as its main antagonist with Judi Dench returning to play the role of M. Ralph Fiennes will also appear on the movie as Gareth Mallory, a member of the Intelligence and Security Committee and serves as its Chairman. The film also sheds some light on James Bond's past by showing us where he grew up.
Second would be G.I. Joe: Retaliation, the second installment of the G.I. Joe films. Based on a toy line by Hasbro, the action figures quickly spawned a comic series made by Marvel and a number of TV series produced by DiC and Sunbow. It would take some time however before it would be fully adapted into film and it was only in 2009 that it's first installment, G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra was released. After the events of the first film and the imprisonment of the ruthless Cobra Commander, it seems that Cobra, the terrorist organization left behind still seems to have a few tricks up its sleeve and has plans to free their beloved commander and bring to fruition a long planned plot.
And of course there's the undisputable The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey which solidly remains at the top of almost every other film out there. Along with the movies mentioned above, An Unexpected Journey managed to gross as much as $179.6 million just last year, a truly astounding record. From the reaction to just the first installment of the planned The Hobbit film trilogy, one can only imagine the kind of reaction audiences will have when Desolation of Smaug, the second installment, rolls about this year in December.
The Hobbit and MGM is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Just picked up the paperback book yesterday at a used book store for 50 cents. I thought how could I go wrong at 50 cents. Looks like its a 'revised' version from 1966. I have never read it so I'll have to give it a go pretty soon.
Quote from: WillEagle on May 19, 2013, 12:08:19 PM
Just picked up the paperback book yesterday at a used book store for 50 cents. I thought how could I go wrong at 50 cents. Looks like its a 'revised' version from 1966. I have never read it so I'll have to give it a go pretty soon.
Enjoy! :) You'll probably love it.
Dear God - if Jack Black had been Bilbo - as this article suggests - I would have burnt PJ in effigy!
Okay, so we know that Jack Black has nothing to do with The Hobbit, at least so far anyway. But we do know that he has a good working relationship with Peter Jackson when they made the King Kong film in 2005. An all-around comical actor with a huge history on playing rather silly roles in films, one can only wonder what could have been had he been given a role in The Hobbit by Peter Jackson. After all, it's actually worth mentioning that Peter Jackson briefly considered Jack Black for the role of Bilbo Baggins when it seemed that Martin Freeman was too dedicated to his role as Dr. Watson in Sherlock.
So far, some of Jack Black's most memorable roles include that of Hal Larson in Shallow Hal where he is a man who is too shallow to see people for what they really are but is then hypnotized so that he'll be able to see people's "inner beauty". Hilarity ensues afterwards as he encounters people and sees a morbidly obese woman who is actually played by Gwyneth Paltrow and from there, things get even more floozy. A source of both ire and entertainment for some fans, it is arguable that this was one of the first movies to launch Jack Black's career.
Then we see Jack Black take on the role of a monk named Nacho who seeks to prevent the orphanage he has cared for from being closed down. His solution to said problem? He dons a wrestler's cape and shorts as well as an iconic luchador mask and goes on to become a wrestler. Nacho Libre brings out all the stops in hilarity as Jack Black wrestles some of the most formidable fighters in Mexico just to save the orphanage and earn the hand of a certain Sister Encarnación played by Ana de la Reguera. And did I mention that the latter was a nun. Wait, what?
There is even the film where Jack Black does a homage to Chris Farley where he is an overweight actor struggling with a drug problem. Entitled Tropic Thunder, the film also includes Ben Stiller as an action star trying to regain his fame after a rather humiliating movie and Robert Downey Jr. as a black actor of all things. Seriously, this movie must be seen to believed.
Then we see Jack Black's first role that brought him to work with Peter Jackson: King Kong. Cast in the role of Carl Denham, a desperate director who wants to make a movie on the uncharted Skull Island despite the dangers involved and the possible loss of his crew, this is perhaps one of Jack Black's most memorable roles as a villain. Ruthless and greedy, Denham's crew is slowly devoured and torn limb from limb by the horrors of the island and even actively uses Ann Darrow, played by Naomi Watts in the film proper, as bait to lure out the huge ape and capture him.
Anyway, while it doesn't seem that Jack Black will be given a role for The Hobbit, he did state that he'll be down in Wellington and hope that he can say hi to some of his buddies like Peter Jackson. But then again, Viggo Mortensen just might make an appearance for the film and Orlando Bloom has been confirmed to appear in Desolation of Smaug despite being absent in the book so you never know.
Benedict Cumberbatch has already been quite a prolific actor before he took on the role of Smaug the Dragon and the Necromancer of The Hobbit film trilogy. A British actor who has made his debut starring in various stage plays, Benedict Cumberbatch would go on to become a famous actor in various TV series. His excellent acting, combined with his charming but somewhat dangerous looks as well as his deep and often menacing voice often serve to make him a formidable villain or at least a grim or powerful protagonist in the various films and TV shows that Benedict Cumberbatch has found himself in.
Before he went on to join the cast and crew of The Hobbit, he played the role of Sherlock Holmes in the British TV series Sherlock. A more modern interpretation of the great detective, Sherlock places the eponymous detective in modern Britain where he must solve a lot of modern crimes using the same deductive reasoning that made him famous in the original works by Arthur Conan Doyle. This isn't at all surprising considering that Sherlock Holmes has had the detective in more outlandish adaptations like with him ending up having a "mouse world" counterpart or being resurrected somewhere in the 22nd century and where Dr. Watson has become some kind of robot. Anyway, another interesting factoid would be that Martin Freeman, the actor playing Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit, also plays as Dr. Watson in Sherlock and would've turned down the part of Bilbo and keep his part in Sherlock.
Benedict Cumberbatch also started gaining his fame when he began to star in films. Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy was one of the said movies where he plays as Peter Guilliam, the head of the British secret service where people like James Bond actually come from. Then, there is also his part in the latest installment of the Star Trek saga, Into Darkness where he is the mysterious John Harrison who seems to be a powerful being that has ties to the darker aspects of the Federation.
Anyway, Benedict Cumberbatch will of course make his first appearance in The Hobbit film trilogy as Smaug the Dragon and the Necromancer. Smaug was the dragon responsible for the destruction of the dwarven kingdom of Erebor and the subsequent exile of the dwarves including that of Thorin Oakenshield and his party of other dwarves. The Necromancer on the other end is an Easter egg for the films and, for those in the know, one of the major links between the Hobbit trilogy and the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Needless to say, most of Benedict Cumberbatch's roles for the film will be voice acting although, thanks to the more advanced motion capture technology used by the film's crew, Smaug will be every bit reliant on Cumberbatch's fine movement details. Benedict Cumberbatch has gone on to note that he has had to get a lot of guidance from other actors who worked with prosthetics and special effects to get his parts right and lauded Peter Jackson's skills as a good director.
J.R.R. Tolkien captured the hearts and minds of the 20th century when he came out with the tales of Middle Earth and what many people came to embrace as the foundation for modern works of fantasy. Works like Dungeons & Dragons, Warhammer and World of WarCraft are all blatantly inspired by the elements found in Tolkien's work, most especially the stout-hearted dwarves, the snobbish yet well-intentioned elves and, of course, the little folk that we would come to know as the hobbits, the friendly little folk that often have little to do with the greater powers at work but are all too often caught up in their affairs anyway and serve as a kind of surrogate for the audience.
Then in the 2000s, director Peter Jackson, the imaginative director behind projects like The Frighteners in 1996, adapted the Lord of the Rings into a film trilogy that took the world by storm and attracted both fans of the original works of Tolkien as well as new fans that have probably just began their forays into the high fantasy genre. With Fellowship of the Ring completed in 2001, The Two Towers in 2002 and, finally, Return of the King in 2003, the franchise quickly rose to prominence as one of the most successful film series in the 2000s.
It comes as little surprise then that Peter Jackson is once again adapting another of Tolkien's work much to the delight of fans. J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit has now also been adapted into another film trilogy with An Unexpected Journey (the first installment) already released in late 2012 with a sizable 3 billion dollar profit in the box office and becoming one of the most widely rented and sold home videos of 2013, one can only imagine the reception for the next two installments Desolation of Smaug (second installment) coming in December of this year and There and Back Again (third and last installment) coming late next year.
While the films do possess some of the best cast and crew members available, one can also argue that the success of the films can also be attributed to Peter Jackson's clever choice of setting. New Zealand is perhaps one of the most pristine places in the world and is largely untouched by civilization and seems relatively free from the rampant pollution that saturates most other real world locations.
With Middle Earth imagined by Tolkien as a pristine world that has yet to be fully industrialized by man, it seems that New Zealand seems the perfect place to bring Tolkien's fantasy world to life. The scenery is just jaw-droppingly gorgeous that one can argue that the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films just wouldn't be the same had Peter Jackson chose somewhere else to shoot his films. From the deep and mysterious forests to the crystal clear rivers and streams that run through the landscape, New Zealand feels like Eden and one can speculate how Tolkien himself would have probably approved of making New Zealand the setting as few other places in the world can boast a countryside as lush and savage
Travel to New Zealand is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Evangeline Lilly: Getting Lost in Character
Posted: 29 May 2013 07:06 AM PDT
Evangeline Lilly is an actress from Canada and is known for her rather rugged and elegant beauty which continues to shine out even now as she is 33 years old. Earlier in her life she worked as a missionary for the Baptist church in the Philippines and worked as a flight attendant for the Royal Airlines. As expected of a natural born Canadian, she can speak French fluently and also has a good grasp on playing both rather classy characters and rather rugged characters with her more often playing the role of the latter than the former.
She mostly played the parts of extras during the beginning of her career, what with her being just another ordinary high school student (and potential victim) in the clash of monsters movie, Freddie vs. Jason. While it's regrettable that we didn't get anything more than just simply seeing her amidst the student body and hanging out around the lockers of the school and nothing more. It might have been more awesome or at least notable if she managed to face the titular monsters of the film; either within the real world with Jason Voorhees or in her nightmares with Freddy Krueger. Nonetheless, Freddy vs. Jason would mark the beginning of her career.
Later on, she would become one of the most notable characters in the TV series Lost. A truly mysterious, thought-provoking and terrifying film, Lost presents the story of survivors of plane crash who find themselves stranded on a deeply enigmatic island. The island itself seems to contain many secrets, some of which are deeply personal to the survivors of the downed airplane. In the series, Evangeline Lilly plays the role of Kate Austen, a woman on the run from the law but soon finds herself confronting some of the troubles she was determined to escape.
Then, in 2011, we see Evangeline Lilly again as Bailey Tallet in the film Real Steel. The film is actually about the story of an estranged father and son as they struggle to establish themselves in the world of robot boxing and form a meaningful bond with one another. Charlie Kenton (played by Hugh Jackman) is a former boxer trying to make ends meet by joining in robot exhibition contests that often pit robots against other robots. He is soon told that his ex-girlfriend has died and he encounters his son Max (played by Dakota Goyo) and from there, their adventures begin in earnest as they manage to dig up and, with Bailey's help, reactivate an old robot to be their champion.
And now, we're slated to see Evangeline Lilly in the up and coming second installment of The Hobbit film trilogy as Tauriel the elf guard. Although the character has received some flak for being absent in Tolkien's novel, she is nonetheless welcomed by other fans who believe she will be a good addition to the film's cast. Evengeline Lilly herself claims that she found Tauriel to be challenging because of both being a brash and immature character while at the same time possessing the grace and finesse that Tolkien's elves are famous for.
Evangeline Lilly: Getting Lost in Character is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Orlando Bloom: A Road to Success
Posted: 29 May 2013 02:10 AM PDT
We all know, or at least heard, of Orlando Bloom. Yes, I'm talking about that global heartthrob that took the world by storm when he took on the role of Legolas in Peter Jackson's film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Divided into a three part trilogy, the first installment, Fellowship of the Ring which came out in 2001, turned out to be a huge success thanks to the talents of all the actors and actresses involved in the film, not least of all Orlando Bloom who managed to rake in a sizable fandom of his own after flawlessly putting the elf prince of Mirkwood unto the screen.
All things considered, Orlando Bloom's career began in a very humble manner and was mostly an extra. During his starting years, one of his few notable appearances was a rent boy in the 1997 movie Wilde, starring Stepen Fry and Jude Law among others. However, it wouldn't be until 1999 that Orlando Bloom would be cast into the role of Legolas and earn him the acting career that the world would come to love him for. In fact, before being chosen by Peter Jackson himself to take the role of Legolas, Orlando Bloom originally auditioned for the role of Faramir (with the character probably only slated to appear in the second film) but the role of the character was instead given to David Wenham.
Orlando Bloom would later in other films with some of the most prominent ones being the first trilogy of the Pirates of the Carribean movie franchise. In the films proper, he plays the role of William Turner, a young blacksmith forced into dangerous circumstances as he tries to rescue his love interest Elizabeth Swann, played by the lovely Keira Knightley. And has he progresses from the first film Curse of the Black Pearl, the second being Dead Man's Chestand the last being At World's End, William Turner finds new friends, enemies and everything in between in characters like Captain Jack Sparrow (played by the nigh legendary Johnny Depp) Captain Barbossa (played by Geoffrey Rush) and Davey Jones (played by Bill Nighy).
Orlando Bloom would go on to take a lot of other roles in other films like Black Hawk Down where he plays the rather brief role of PFC Todd Blackburn. For those of you not in the know, it's the guy who falls to his death from the helicopter. Later on we see him as a knight in the film Kingdom of Heaven, struggling to keep the people of Jerusalem safe from the ravages of war during the time of the Crusades.
Today, Orlando Bloom is busy promoting his latest film Zulu, where he plays the role of Brian Epkeen. Zulu is a French film produced by Jerome Salle and tells the story of urban crime and police who struggle to bring it under control. While it seems that little has been heard of him as his wife Miranda Kerr travels about leaving him with their child, it seems that he still found the time to promote his latest film.
Orlando Bloom: A Road to Success is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Artwork for The Hobbit and More
Posted: 28 May 2013 11:23 AM PDT
People tend to have different ideas on what art is or what it should be. It is all too often a hotly debated topic although one can easily agree that the different forms of art are often related to each other and that one theme often has an equivalent in other forms of art. For instance, one can note that poems and literature often serve the basis for paintings and stage plays, such was often the case with older works with countless examples from mythology and folklore like those found amongst the Greeks, Romans and Vikings.
The works of J.R.R. Tolkien, with the most well known being Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, are often based on the older works in antiquity such as Norse mythology and Arthurian legend. One can even take the cue from characters like Gandalf the Grey being very similar to Merlyn the wizard and Tolkien himself stating that Odin of the Viking Pantheon also served as the character's basis. Aragorn also has some of King Arthur to him what with his royal background and a sword which has also served as his family's heirloom. The Lord of the Rings also heavily borrows elements from Ring of the Nibelungs of Viking myth although hobbits and orcs are pretty much original creatures by Tolkien.
The works of Tolkien have indeed gathered a massive fandom that still continues to grow today and somehow grew exponentially when Peter Jackson adapted the Lord of the Rings for film in 2001-2003. The success of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy would later prompt Peter Jackson to also adapt the prequel novel to Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit into film as well and another film trilogy to boot. Due to the popularity of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit as film, it isn't at all surprising that so many artists have rendered a lot of the characters and settings into well-detailed artwork as well.
For instance, we have here the works of Kinko White, an artist on deviant art with some really fine skills in terms of putting the characters of Tolkien's work into images. We have here Benedict Cumberbatch being drawn as the mighty dragon Smaug who devastated the dwarven kingdom of Erebor and what led to the subsequent exile and wandering of Thorin Oakenshield and his company of thirteen dwarves. Then we have image of Gandalf (portrayed by Ian McKellen), otherwise known as Mithrandir who guides the free people's of Middle Earth against the corruption of the forces of evil. We also have images of the royal family of Mirkwood that include Thranduil the elf king played by Lee Pace and his son Legolas who will be played by Orlando Bloom, much to the delight of fans of Lord of the Rings who fell in love with the character in his first appearances. Then we also have an image of the One Ring that became the basis for the story of the Lord of the Rings which the Bilbo Baggins, the hero of the Hobbit, discovers in Gollum's cave.
Artwork for The Hobbit and More is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Viggo Mortensen Says "No" to The Hobbit
Posted: 31 May 2013 07:00 AM PDT
Viggo Mortensen is another of Hollywood's underrated but nonetheless outstanding actors. An American actor from the Big Apple and of Scandinavian and Celtic decent, one cannot help but associate the man with archetypal knights of medieval times and Peter Jackson probably made no mistake in selecting him for the role of Aragorn, son of Arathorn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Of course, Viggo Mortensen has played in plenty of films before but only became properly famous in Lord of the Rings in his portrayals of some of the most badass kings in film to be placed alongside such mythic figures as King Arthur and others. And besides, he gets to mooch a lot on Liv Tyler with the latter playing as Arwen, the daughter of Elrond the elf lord and Aragorn's love interest. Oops. Got carried away back there.
Anyway, Viggo Mortensen has played in various roles before with some of the most memorable (before Lord of the Rings, at least) was his role in the movie J.I. Jane as Master Chief John James "Jack" Urgayle. A strict, bordering on brutal, commander, he brings naïve newcomer Demi Moore into the fold to make her a full member of a special forces unit. This despite all the issues regarding women in the military which is often discussed throughout the film.
Then there's the time when Viggo Mortensen took the role of a father trying to lead his son through the irradiated ruins of civilization in a dying world. The movie, entitled The Road, is based on the novel of the same name by Cormac McCarthy, the story tells the story of a father and son travelling through an implied nuclear catastrophe. They are often faced by a number of challenges along the way, including that of people who have resorted to cannibalism.
But of course, we all remember him most as that bearded badass in Lord of the Rings who leads the Fellowship of the Ring and serves as one of the most loyal protectors of Frodo Baggins asides from Sam Gamgee on their long and painstaking journey to Mordor to destroy the one ring and put an end once and for all of the evils of the dark lord Sauron. Viggo Mortensen also proves to be one of the most memorable characters in the film trilogy alongside Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Orlando Bloom.
Unfortunately however, it seems that Viggo Mortensen will not be appraring in The Hobbit film trilogy. Though the film is supposed to be a prequel to the Lord of the Rings and that Viggo Mortensen had already been given an offer to reprise his role in The Hobbit, the actor refused the opportunity. He stated that The Hobbit is a prequel of the Lord of the Rings and takes place roughly 60 years prior to the latter. It would indeed be somewhat egregious if Aragorn would appear in The Hobbit films as he would have to be more than sixty in the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Viggo Mortensen Says "No" to The Hobbit is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Desolation of Smaug: Bigger, Better and More Badass
Posted: 31 May 2013 02:05 AM PDT
Well we all know by now just how successful The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey turned out to be. Being able to rake in as much as 3 billion US dollars in the box office and this doesn't even include its successes in home videos where the film has proven to be one of the most widely sold and rented of all home videos alongside other major blockbusters of the year like Dark Knight Rises, Wreck-it Ralph, G.I. Joe: Retaliation and many, many more. Needless to say An Unexpected Journey was also one of the most awaited films of the decade, what with the Lord of the Rings (the film's predecessor also adapted from the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and adapted into film by Peter Jackson) proving to be one of the most memorable and successful films of the first decade of the 21st century. Was it really any surprise at all that An Unexpected Journey was one of the most well received films of 2012?
Well, whatever the case, where in for an even wilder ride once Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit's second installment rolls around this year in December. We're in for quite a bit as we'll meet a lot of new characters that made the story of The Hobbit what it is.
First off, we're in for quite a time when we run into Beorn, a man with the power to transform himself into a huge and powerful bear. According to the fluff, Beorn used to be part of a tribe with similar powers but it seems that the orcs and their masters did something about that. The big man-bear is portrayed by Mikael Persbrandt and is one of the characters that Bilbo and company will encounter on their way to their lost kingdom of Erebor.
Then, we're in for some exciting moments with Evangeline Lilly who'll be playing the role of the strong and beautiful Tauriel, an elf guard of Mirkwood, a loyal subject of Thranduil and a trusted compatriot of Legolas whom we can all easily remember from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The character has received quite a bit of criticism as is an original character introduced into the films by Peter Jackson and not found in the original works of J.R.R. Tolkien. However, much of the fandom accepts her as a welcome addition as Peter Jackson's films remain to be one of the most faithful to the works of Tolkien and an extra character probably won't matter much. Evangeline Lilly goes on to note how challenging the role was as Tauriel walked the thin line between grace and ruthlessness.
Then we have the legendary Benedict Cumberbatch whom we all remember well in previous other films with his most prominent one being John Harrison from the latest film of the rebooted Star Trek film franchise Into Darkness. This time around, Benedict Cumberbatch will be playing the role of Smaug the Dragon, the monstrous dragon that destroyed Erebor and claimed the treasures within for his own.
Desolation of Smaug: Bigger, Better and More Badass is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
The sad part about that is the writer is an idiot. It would be egregious if Aragorn was in the movie because he would have to be more than sixty in LOrd of the rings ... He was 78 at the start of the lord of the rings. Yeah, he would be 10 during the time of the Hobbit, but the line about being more than sixty was not researched at all.
Ah, Middle Earth, one of the most familiar worlds of fantasy out there. It's easy to recognize with its host of little people, noble and fair elves, stout hearted dwarves and men who are struggling to bring their world under control while it threatens to crumble before the might of the Dark Lord Sauron. This isn't really at all so surprising as it was J.R.R. Tolkien, writer of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, who codified fantasy literature into what it is today as he was largely disappointed with the fantasy genre of his time which was more directly aimed at children.
When both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit were finally adapted into film by Peter Jackson, the fandom was overjoyed now that they were presented with a fully live action interpretation of one of the most celebrated works of fantasy of all time. The film crew used highly advanced technology and motion capture techniques to get even the tiniest of details in the film correct and the general ambience of New Zealand, which some consider to be a perfect analogy to the Middle Earth that J.R.R. Tolkien envisioned.
After the undeniable success of Lord of the Rings in 2001-2003, Peter Jackson went on to direct The Hobbit, another film trilogy this time based on the prequel novel to Lord of the Rings. Many actors from Lord of the Rings like Orlando Bloom who plays as Legolas, Ian McKellen who plays as Gandalf, Andy Serkis who plays as Gollum as well as quite a few others returned to reprise their roles in the film. New actors like Martin Freeman who has been cast as Bilbo Baggins, the hero of the story, and Richard Armitage who will take on the role of the elf king Thorin Oakenshield as well as Benedict Cumberbatch who will be playing not just one, but two, major villains in the film as he gives life to Smaug the Dragon and The Necromancer of Dol Goldur.
Sadly though, there are still those who either could not become part of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit project or were simply tied up in other projects despite the fact that they were indeed willing to make an appearance if only circumstances would allow it.
One such example is Viggo Mortensen who had already established himself as an iconic part of the Lord of the Rings when he played the role of Aragorn. The last heir of the throne of Gondor but has now turned to a life in the wilds as a ranger. He would later become one of Frodo Baggins' most trusted allies when he joins them in the quest to rid the world of the One Ring. Unfortunately, Mortensen has already stated that there is no place for Aragorn in The Hobbit as it takes place 60 years before Lord of the Rings and his appearance would be largely implausible.
Saoirse Ronan, a young actress noted for her performances in The Host and The Lovely Bones, had also been offered a chance to play as an elven character in the films but has turned it down due to other projects on her schedule. However, the 19 year old actress went on to say that she wanted to take on the role if she could and was disappointed to say "no".
Disappointments is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
(//)So far, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, has proven to be a huge success and there is little question that the up and coming sequels will definitely receive a warm welcome with Desolation of Smaug, the seconds installment, coming this year in December and the third, There and Back Again, coming late next year. So far, we've followed Bilbo and company travel through Middle Earth in their quest to reclaim the dwarven kingdom of Erebor from the clutches of the greedy and ferocious dragon Smaug. On their way there, they encounter roving bands of orcs, some of which were the same orcs that killed Thorin Oakenshield's grandfather Thror in the Misty Mountains. What little we know is that The Necromancer is up to something in the ruins of Dol Goldur and that Gandalf is now convincing other powerful beings into helping the company of dwarves in their quest although so far his only allies on the matter are Radagast and perhaps Galadriel.
Well, for those who have read the book, you definitely know that Bilbo and his new friends are in a heap of even more trouble as they must now go to confront the mighty dragon himself within the mountains. Waiting for their company of fourteen (fifteen if you add Gandalf), are the orcs which include Azog the Defiler who is hungry for blood now that Thorin has managed to cut off his arm and elude him just when he thought that he could finally get revenge on the dwarf and then there's the dragon of Smaug waiting within the halls of Erebor, laying among the treasures of the devastated dwarven kingdom. We've seen little of the dragon so far but it's quite apparent that he'll be one of the most challenging enemies that Bilbo and his companions will face.
Anyway, for the uninitiated J.R.R. Tolkien's dragons, especially Smaug, are based on the traditional depiction of European dragons. Reptilian, greedy and capable of breathing fire, Tolkien himself mentions that Smaug is inspired by the story of Beowulf and the dragon he faces in the stories. Anyway, Smaug is also one of the early examples of a talking dragon as those found in antiquity are often purely animalistic and capable of only rudimentary intelligence. And, just recently, we discover that Peter Jackson has chosen to cast Benedict Cumberbatch (yep, the same bad guy we saw in Star Trek) take on the role of wicked worm himself.
Unfortunately, we've only seen little of the actual dragon in the films and so far all we've seen are some of his limbs, his back, his nostrils and an eye, although this is actually all that's seen of him in Tolkien's sketches. For those who are interested, there is even a planned up and coming calendar featuring Smaug in the artwork by Jemima Catlin in 2014, a truly must-have for all you fans of the franchise. Jemima Catlin is already noted for her outstanding visual artworks featuring the people and places of Middle Earth.
3 Iconic Film Scenes of the 21st Century
Posted: 03 Jun 2013 07:09 AM PDT
Well, we may have seen plenty of films and some of those films have turned out to be the most iconic of all time. With the release of numerous blockbusters since the start of the 21st century, it's not surprising that there are now so many iconic scenes that have been fondly remembered and repeatedly parodied. Here are just three films of the 21st century that have been lauded by audiences around the world and remain to be quite popular today:
First off we have the Dark Knight trilogy, a reimagining if you will, of the Batman franchise by director Christopher Nolan. It modernizes the setting and presents us with a much more realistic view of Gotham city where the majority of Batman's adventures take place. Anyway, as noted above, the Dark Knight saga is divided into three films: Batman Begins, Dark Knight and Dark Knight Rises. However, one of its most memorable scenes would be ferry scene when two ferries, one carrying a load of common citizens and the other filled with hardened criminals. The Joker, being the madman that he is, reveals that he has placed explosives in both vessels and that they can prevent the destruction of their own by blowing up the other. Needless to say, though it was certainly very simple, the large African-American prisoner standing up and asks for the remote detonator. However, instead of choosing to destroy the other ferry as implied, he ends up throwing it out a window, showing that he believed that the people in the other ferry deserved to live and perhaps that he had faith that they would do the right thing. This makes it possibly one of the most awesome and heartwarming scenes in the movie.
Then we have King Kong, a 2005 remake directed by Peter Jackson, the same guy that did Lord of the Rings in 2001-2003 and The Hobbit. Anyway, perhaps the most exciting scene of this film would be Kong's battle with the dinosaurs on the island as it shows the gigantic ape in action. It shows just how far special effects technology have gone and, in a way, provides us with an enhanced version of the overly famous 1930s film with new animation techniques and a fairly faithful take on the story. The dinosaurs fought in the film give us the "kaiju" theme of the original and just how scary they can be in real life. However, Kong is shown to be even more awesome when he manages to best all of them!
And now we have Lord of the Rings trilogy, also by Peter Jackson and based on the original novel by J.R.R. Tolkien. The movies are divided and titled after the book's three parts with Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002) and Return of the King (2003). Anyway, while all three films have some truly inspiring scenes, one of the most memorable ones would be Aragorn's speech to his troops before they invade Mordor in order to provide Frodo and Sam the opportunity they need to destroy the One Ring. While The Hobbit is already being produced and will probably have its own share of epic scenes, one can argue that Aragorn's speech to his troops despite the overwhelming odds of surviving, let alone winning, the upcoming battle proves to be enough to get his troops and his allies to fight the otherwise hopeless battle.
3 Iconic Film Scenes of the 21st Century is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Benedict Cumberbatch in Jerusalem
Posted: 03 Jun 2013 01:51 AM PDT
We all know that J.R.R. Tolkien, the man behind Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, was a devout Catholic and was often noted for being quite stubborn in his beliefs; refusing new church reforms that he believed were unmaking of the traditions of the Catholic Church. It was also notable that it was Tolkien who led C.S. Lewis (yes, that C.S. Lewis, the one that wrote about Narnia and is known for the strong Christian themes of all his works) to his conversion to Christianity, although Tolkien was somewhat disappointed that the former did not turn to the Catholic Church. It comes as no surprise then that many of his works often contain subtle religious themes. Note that while there are relatively few temples or places of worship mentioned in Tolkien's books if not at all, there are equivalents of Christian theology in the pantheon of Middle Earth with Illuvatar being Yahweh, Tom Bombadil as a possible equivalent to Jesus, the Valar as angels and Morgoth as a possible Lucifer.
It comes with little surprise then that a lot of the cast and crew of Peter Jackson's adaptations of Tolkien's work also have religious interests. A prime example would of course be Benedict Cumberbatch, the actor who will be portraying both the dragon Smaug a.k.a. "The Wicked Wyrm" and The Necromancer who I'm sure that fans of Lord of the Rings are quite familiar with. We've also seen him in other films and TV shows like Star Trek: Into Darkness where he plays as the mysterious John Harrison a man with superhuman abilities and a deeply enigmatic past as well as playing as the legendary Sherlock Holmes in the British TV series Sherlock which is a modern adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle's masterpiece. Apparently, the man himself will serve as a host for a documentary about Jerusalem.
Yep, that Jerusalem, the one situated in Israel and is a melting pot of religions with some of the most prominent ones being Christianity, Islam and Judaism. The documentary itself functions like a tour, giving viewers a bird's eye view of the ancient holy city with Benedict Cumberbatch's deep and magnificent voice narrating to the audience about the city's rich history, the ways of its people and some of its issues. It recounts how the small city became what it is today and becoming the center of the three Abrahamic religions, perhaps some of the most dominant faiths of today.
Well, one can say that the man behind the documentary certainly made a good choice in selecting Benedict Cumberbatch for the spot of narrating the 47-minute film. After all, Benedict Cumberbatch has already been chosen to give life to the character of Smaug in the Hobbit, perhaps one of the most iconic characters of the franchise and also perhaps the most awe-inspiring of them given the fact that he is a mighty dragon capable of razing a city to the ground in a matter of hours. Oh well, whatever the case, we will definitely await more works featuring Benedict Cumberbatch.
Benedict Cumberbatch in Jerusalem is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
The Hobbit: A Wellspring of Fantasy Icons
Posted: 02 Jun 2013 12:10 PM PDT
While J.R.R. Tolkien did not create modern fantasy as we know it, it is quite true that he codified it into what we know it as today. Before J.R.R. Tolkien published his works, most stories fantasy were generally aimed at young audiences and most were "children's books" but Tolkien changed all of that somehow. The Hobbit was a story Tolkien originally intended as a story for his own children but was so well received that he went on to write and publish a sequel we all know fondly as Lord of the Rings.
When Lord of the Rings came out in 2001-2003, there were actually people who thought that the films were just another staple story of fantasy with the common elements already used in most if not all fantasy based stories. Of course, few of them are aware that Tolkien's works had come out during the 1930s and that it was actually what paved the way for other works of fantasy like Dungeons & Dragons and WarHammer and had only recently been adapted due to the length of the books, the accessibility to a cast, crew and a place to shoot and budgetary concerns. Fortunately, Peter Jackson managed to pull it off in the 2000s and we are waiting eagerly for the sequels of his latest project, The Hobbit trilogy. So just what makes Tolkien's work so iconic? Well here are a few:
Elves vs. Dwarves. As mentioned above, before the time of Tolkien, most works of fantasy were aimed at young children. As such they were often simplistic and the creatures found in them were benign, malevolent or simply neutral and had few motivations to interact with humanity in general. They were often lumped together as a single group and there was no distinction between "elves" and "dwarves". Tolkien changed all that when he based his elements on older sources like Norse and Celtic mythology. Now the two are clearly separate races with the elves being the snobbish and nature-oriented beings we can regard as idyllic while the dwarves became the stout-hearted and vertically challenged warriors we have come to love.
The Evil Overlord. Well, here is yet another thing that Tolkien largely changed throughout his stories. Most of the time, villains were cruel stepmothers, malevolent spirits, or sometimes a combination of all these in fantasy works of Tolkien's time. As Tolkien's work contained some air of realism, his villains were often megalomaniac rulers seeking to take control of all that is around them. A certain first when it comes to works of fantasy as Tolkien presented the idea of a tyrant with supernatural powers that could call forth all manner of monsters.
Dragons. Oh yes, dragons have always been around in all parts of the world. But Tolkien changed a few things when he created Smaug. Dragons in older forms of literature were often purely animalistic and unthinking monsters that just enjoyed the taste of flesh and somehow had a penchant to hoard shiny things. Smaug on the other hand is intelligent, not unlike that of dragons in the far east, with the only difference with the latter is that Smaug is purely malevolent.
The Hobbit: A Wellspring of Fantasy Icons is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Well, Lord of the Rings proved to be quite a blast with fans all over the world flooding theaters just to see J.R.R. Tolkien's work finally adapted into film after decades of being considered unfilmable by various other filmmakers. Anyway, the film pleased many fans with some being long-time fans of Tolkien's books while others simply came to see yet another movie by Peter Jackson or have come to see the awesome cast and crew that Peter Jackson assembled for the project. Needless to say, whichever it is, there is no doubt that there was enough of fan demand for Peter Jackson to also adapt The Hobbit into film.
And now, we're surely in for a treat as a number of veteran actors from Lord of the Rings return for their roles in The Hobbit. A truly splendid development now that fans are now over eager to see Desolation of Smaug which we can expect to hit theaters this December. So who are we expecting? Well, here are just a few:
Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey. Well, this is certainly not a surprise as we all know how Gandalf the Grey affects the characters and the story of The Hobbit. It seems that the troubles of Middle Earth are brewing and this is what has brought everyone's favorite wizard into the scene. And while he does indeed support the dwarves quest to reclaim their kingdom Erebor from the clutches of the mighty and cunning dragon Smaug, it should still be noted that the old wizard has plans of his own which included doing some of his own investigation on the topic of the Necromancer in Dol Goldur.
Then we have both Ian Holm and Elijah Wood who play as an old Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins respectively. Apparently, their appearances are more or less a framing device as Bilbo recounts to his young nephew the details of his adventures as he went off to join the company of Thorin Oakenshield and twelve other dwarves. While Ian Holm was also considered for the full role of Bilbo Baggins, the actor proved to be too frail to resume the role due to his age.
Then we have Orlando Bloom returning to play the part of Legolas again whom we all remember well from Lord of the Rings where he played as the team's all around marksman. Of course, the character has also received criticisms from various fans due to the fact that he wasn't present in the book by Tolkien. Although there are also quite a number of fans who welcome his presence into the films.
Cate Blanchett also returns to reprise her role as the elf queen Galadriel who provides quidance to the party and helps them on their quest despite knowing that their journey may indeed hold more importance than some may think. Hugo Weaving and Christopher Lee, Elrond and Saruman respectively, have also made an appearance in An Unexpected Journey and there's little doubt that we're sure to see them again.
Love this picture!
We've previously seen an image of Evangeline Lilly as the Elf Tauriel in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, but it wasn't as amazing as this one. EW spoke with the actress about the film and debuted the new image, which you can see below.
"Tauriel is the head of the Elven Guard," Lilly said. "She's a Sylvan Elf, which means she's of a much lower order than the elves we all became acquainted with in The Lord of the Rings. She doesn't hold the same kind of status that Arwen or Galadriel or Elrond or Legolas do — she's much more lowly. She sort of goes against the social order of the elves a little bit."
Lilly also teased a love story for he character in the film, "She will definitely have a love story. I can't give away too much about it. It's not a huge focus but it is there and it is important and it does drive Tauriel and her story and her actions."
When asked if this love story would involve fan favorite Orlando Bloom's Legolas, she replied: "Tauriel's relationship with Legolas is significant. They've known each other since they were children, and Legolas' dad, [Elven king] Thrandruil, has a soft spot for Tauriel and sees something very special in her. So if you grow up side by side, and your dad has a very special spot in his heart for this young woman who's a fantastic warrior, I think it's hard not to notice her. That's probably as much as I can say."
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug hits theaters on December 13 of this year while The Hobbit: There and Back Again concludes Peter Jackson's second J.R.R. Tolkien trilogy on December 17, 2014.
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=105106 (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=105106)
Okay Ringers, this is the moment we've been waiting for, it seems that we're finally going to get a trailer for Desolation of Smaug, the second installment of the much sought after The Hobbit trilogy. Well, whatever the case, it's about time as fans from all over the world have been awaiting eagerly regarding any news and developments about Peter Jackson't latest and perhaps biggest project to date. Currently, it seems that Peter Jackson along with his cast and crew are still in New Zealand filming pick-up shots for the finished product which is slated for release this year in December. While it may be six months yet, it seems that a lot of fans just can't wait for materials and products from the epic franchise to appear. After all, trailers often come with posters and we can only hope that The Hobbit will be the same.
After the first installment made more than 1 billion dollars in just the box office, we can only hope for more successes once Desolation of Smaug finally rolls around. So, what sights and sounds can we expect from the up and coming sequel? Well, here are just a few guesses on the few things we're likely to take note of:
Well, again we'll be following the trail of Bilbo Baggins and company as they make their inexorable way towards the kingdom of Erebor, the dwarven kingdom they've come to reclaim from the clutches of the terrible dragon known only as Smaug. On their way there though, fans will be in for quite a treat once the party encounter Beorn, the powerful "skin-changer" in the woods between the Misty Mountains and Mirkwood. To be more precise, Beorn is a man with the power to transform himself into a gigantic black bear. Portrayed on the big screen by Mikael Persbrandt, one can argue that the actor renders the character even more formidable.
We're also going to see more of the orcs, particularly the pale orc we all remember well from An Unexpected Journey. Played by Manu Bennett who also plays as Crixus of Spartacus fame, the man is slated to appear alongside his old friend Conan Stevens who will be playing the part of Bolg the orc chieftain. And to complicate things further, the two bash brothers must now play the role of father and son as many readers of the original novel probably well know. However, the character of Azog has received some cristicism for being just a posthumous character in the original novel by Tolkien. Nonetheless, there are those who claim that his presence in the films serve to enrich the story further.
Then we have the Necromancer who readers of Tolkien know all too well and is played by none other than Benedict Cumberbatch himself, the same guy who plays John Harrison in Star Trek: Into Darkness as well as Smaug the dragon in the same movie. Oh well, guess his voice is just that menacing.
Anyway, it would be a good idea to wait for the appearance of the planned trailer of The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug in the upcoming movies of June. It just might be worth the look.
Tolkien's works have been around since the early part of the 20th century. While his books, particularly The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings proved to be very successful and his works revolutionized the fantasy genre for decades to come, there are a surprising number of individuals out there who criticize his works as it is quite clear that writing conventions of the time are quite different from what they are today. Indeed, Tolkien's works, which have been adapted into film by Peter Jackson have received quite some criticism in modern times due to the lack of a feminine presence despite the latter's efforts to add a few more action scenes with female characters in them (Eowyn in the book and Arwen in the films are a prime example of this). Whatever the case, it seems that a lot of modern audiences are a bit troubled by the fact there are few pivotal female characters in the story but is completely justifiable on Tolkien's part as Eowyn's role in the slaying the Lord of the Nazgul was probably something unorthodox in his day. To remedy the situation, Peter Jackson went on to add or even alter some of the characters in the films in order fulfill the expectation of audiences but one must also ask if the changes are entirely necessary. Here are three of the characters in question:
Well, let's start with Eowyn. She appears in the films The Two Towers and Return of the King and is portrayed by the lovely Miranda Otto. She is the niece of King Théoden and is depicted to be as headstrong as her brother Eomer and both have similar traits such as their strong will and their long blond hair. She is often called a "Shield Maiden" by other characters which is similar to and often associated with valkyries. Anyway, while most of Eowyn's role is faithful to the book, she is depicted to be stronger and a bit more badass in the films(being able to take down her own share of orcs and even manage to take down one of those oliphaunt riders) which is probably not at all that unlikely given her devotion to her uncle and Rohan, her homeland, in general.
Then we have Arwen and this is when Peter Jackson really starts to stretch things. Played by the gorgeous Liv Tyler (one can only imagine what could have been had they cast her real father into the role of Elrond), Arwen serves as a love interest for Aragorn and is the daughter of Elrond. While she does have a pivotal role in the original Lord of the Rings what with being instrumental in helping the fellowship much like Galadriel, she is nowhere near as combative as her film counterpart. Of course, it is quite a sight to see Liv Tyler in action, flowing dark locks in motion and swinging her sword about.
Now we have Tauriel, a new character slated to be shown once The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug rolls around this December. Portrayed on screen by the luscious Evangeline Lilly, the character has received even greater criticism than the last two because she was never included in the original novel and is a character that Peter Jackson invented for the film. While this is true, a lot of fans also argue that there is perhaps nothing wrong with a little more flair for the story and that a male-dominated story like The Hobbit could use a feminine touch. Whatever the case, we can only hope that the redheaded elf guard will enrich the story instead of overshadowing it as some may fear.
Hey, wait. So we've seen a blond (Eowyn), a brunette (Arwen) and finally, a redhead (Tauriel). Well, I guess Middle Earth does have a wealth of hotties after all. Then you can throw in Galadriel (which I think is very lovely too) and Rosie Cotton!
Well, it's been announced that the first trailer for Desolation of Smaug will be coming out soon and we can already feel the excitement and anticipation exuding from fans. There really is no questioning the popularity of Wingnut Films' adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's work as one can argue that billions flocked over to just see Return of the King in 2003 and managed to trump that of many other blockbuster films of its time. When The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey came out, it seemed that fans of the original Lord of the Rings film trilogy couldn't wait to see the first part of Peter Jackson's interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien's prequel novel for Lord of the Rings.
When the film finally came in late 2012, the fandom seemed to swoon over the way Peter Jackson put Middle Earth into film again. Apparently they were overjoyed at their return to Middle Earth which has now been further enhanced with better techniques such as using more advanced motion capture cameras to make CGI characters like Gollum more realistic and using more durable materials for sets to make them more believable. Heck, there are now tours in New Zealand that tourists can take to immerse themselves in Middle Earth as if they were actually there.
So what can we expect on the trailer for Desolation of Smaug? Well, here are a few guesses as to what we'll see:
Spiders
Well, we don't want to offend all the people with arachnophobia out there but yes, we're expecting spiders. And lots of them. Bonus points for those who managed to spot the silhouette of one of the giant spiders in An Unexpected Journey as Radagast was trying to heal a hedgehog of the ills that had taken hold on the forest.
Indeed, to any of those familiar with the original lore of The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, it's common knowledge that Bilbo and company will have to face a host of gigantic spiders who are quite ravenous for living flesh. According to the lore, these feisty things are actually related to Shelob, the giant spider that Sam had to fight in Return of the King. If you go back in further, they are all associated with an entity called Ugoliant which, based on available descriptions, makes her appear more like a creation of H.P. Lovecraft than J.R.R. Tolkien. Apparently, even Morgoth and Sauron, the latter being the well-known villain of Lord of the Rings, were actually terrified of Ungoliant and only tolerated Shelob as she was nowhere as destructive as her mother.
Either way though, we're probably likely to see the hairy buggers pretty soon so you can sleep tight...
The White Council
On a more positive note, we're likely to see more of Gandalf and the other big wheels of the free peoples of Middle Earth. After all, Peter Jackson did mention something about linking Lord of the Rings with The Hobbit and this might be a prime example of that. After all, due to a number of legal reasons, Peter Jackson can't make use of any books beyond Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. As such, to link the two trilogies together, it seems that Pete Jackson will have to make use of the appendices in both books to make it work.
Whatever the case though, Gandalf, Galadriel, Elrond as well as any other "Big Good" in the series is welcome as Middle Earth continues to darken due to influence of the Necromancer.
The Nazgul
Yet another good reason to sleep, it seems that Peter Jackson might show off the riders in black escaping their tombs. Well, if they're going to throw in huge ass spiders, one supposes that nine black-clad wraiths won't make things any worse for viewers.
Nonetheless, it would also be another good way to link The Hobbit to Lord of the Rings as it would mark the beginning of the nine's search for the One Ring.
Trailer for the next movie.. gonna be EPIC!!!
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug - Official Teaser Trailer [HD] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnaojlfdUbs#ws)
Arrgh! can't see it from work!
Hmmm, looks a bit like a xbox trailer. Orlando Bloom is in it quite a bit isnt he, bit of a worry. Saying that will book my tickets pretty quickly when they go on sale.
Everything looked great up until the first shot of Smaug...maybe it was my monitor, or my old eyes, but to me the shot of Smaug's head coming from behind the wall looks too cartoonish. I mean I know dragons aren't real but that looked way too fake.
Yeah i agree it looked like a Disney film.
I liked the Smaug rendition. I was wondering how they would portray him. He appears to pay a nice homage to not only some of the illustrated work from the books but also some of the great dragon's in film, especial Vermithrax from Dragonslayer.
It's possible it was my crappy work monitor. I'm sure it will look amazing on film.
It looks great, of course. SMAUG, I got some shivers. Great design.
Interview With An Elf
Posted: 11 Jun 2013 07:08 AM PDT
Okay, so here we are again, with the elf guard captain Tauriel. Of course, the character has already received quite a bit of criticism because of not being part of the original novel by J.R.R. Tolkien and simply an invention of director Peter Jackson in the hopes of further enriching the story of The Hobbit and adding a feminine touch to an otherwise male-dominated cast. Adherents of the original story often question this idea and claim that it is contradictory to Tolkien's vision and that there are already enough female characters in the story like Galadriel. However, some welcome the character as a new addition to the story and hope that she will indeed make the story worthwhile.
But now, let's listen to what Evangeline Lilly has to say about herself and her character and how she perceives the fan reaction to Tauriel. After all, there's really no better way for us to get an inside look into the character than through the eyes of the actress portraying her. Well, anyway, let's see what Evangeline Lilly has to show us and what kind of good moments we can expect from the character once Desolation of Smaug rolls around.
Well, first off, regarding the criticism, it seems that Evangeline Lilly could clearly care less. Apparently she already expects a number of fans to receive the character rather negatively and treat it as a dire insult to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Evangeline Lilly has expressed that there is really only so much she can do about this crowd and that their opinions on the matter are purely their own and probably won't change easily. However, she has gone on to express gratitude for those who have come to accept the character and assures them that Peter Jackson has nothing but respect for the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and that Tauriel was simply added in to add a bit more fluff to the story and not to overshadow the existing plot or alter it any way.
As for the character herself, Evangeline Lilly has come to describe the character as a young elf. Or at least young for an elf, being somewhere in the vicinity of 600. Six friggin' hundred of all things. Of course this isn't surprising considering that Thranduil and his son Legolas are both somewhere in their thousands and have been running Mirkwood for Illuvatar knows how long. Anyway, according to the translation of her name, "Tauriel" actually means daughter of Mirkwood and is fitting considering that she is one of the most capable captains of the elves there. Anyway, according to Evangeline Lilly, due to Tauriel's young age, she tends to be more brash and impulsive than, say, Legolas who is noted for his often calm demeanor.
Finally, rest assured fans that Taurial will not, I repeat, will NOT have any romantic attachments whatsoever to Legolas. There, I said it and probably eased the tension out of a lot of fans out there who were worried about the exact thing happening. So relax everyone, it seems that she's just a favorite of Thranduil for some reason but nothing other that. However, Evangeline Lilly did mention something about Fili admiring or becoming infatuated with Tauriel so better keep a lookout for any updates on the issue.
Interview With An Elf is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Plainville Wind Ensemble: A Party of Costumes and Music
Posted: 11 Jun 2013 02:06 AM PDT
Well, a good party always needs good music and there has never been a better case than the one here in the Plainville Wind Ensemble. After the success of so many blockbuster films in this year and the previous one, it seems that the Plainville Wind Ensemble is here to celebrate the way these films have taken the world by storm and somehow kept the world cheered up despite the troubles brought about by the economic recession and all the other issues involved. Cool titles like The Hobbit, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Halo and Star Wars come to mind as musicians and cosplayers alike are welcome to this big event.
Well, just to iterate, while it seemed that the world was in shambles after the troubles of the first decade of the 21st century, it seemed that the film industry managed to hold things together for both movie companies and home videos. Companies like Time Warner and Metro Goldwyn Mayer managed to keep their assets afloat despite financial troubles thanks to the overwhelming successes of films like The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
That's why we can never seem to get enough of the young Bilbo Baggins played by Martin Freeman as he makes his journey towards Erebor alongside the stout company of Thorin Oakenshield portrayed by Richard Armitage. It's why we want to see more of Daniel Radcliffe in the role of Harry Potter as he fights against the nefarious and extremely powerful Lord Voldemort, played by none other than the legendary Ralph Fiennes. And then lastly, who can ever really forget about Star Wars and how George Lucas came to shape a generation with both of his film trilogies from the one that featured the venerable Mark Hamill and James Earl Jones to the one that featured a young Darth Vader with Hayden Christensen. It just goes to show how films have become a part of our lives and culture and that our generation wouldn't be what it is today if it wasn't for these icons that we've come to know and love so much.
So now we have it, Plainville Ensemble is holding a major event for all you movie fans out there and costumes are optional but highly encouraged. You can choose to dress up as Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, Harry Potter, Lord Voldemort, Luke Skywalker, and if you really feel up to it, you can even try Jabba the Hutt, Dobby the House Elf or Gollum. The concert is free but you can always donate a good 5 dollars to the establishment and help it grow. You can also bring your friends and family and enjoy the antics together whether as characters from everyone's well-loved films or as yourselves. Whatever the case, you can always have a little fun in Plainville Ensemble while we all eagerly await the arrival of The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, coming this year in December.
Plainville Wind Ensemble: A Party of Costumes and Music is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Hmm..looks good. I see PJ changed the story - showing the Elves chasing the Dwarves as they escaped in barrels. Evangeline Lilly looks great!
Ooh, looks pretty awesome. I think being up-tight about the first movie's deviations from the book got in the way of my enjoyment a little. I'm just gonna relax and go along for the ride on this next one. It'll be fun.
I have to say this looks very cool & fun. I've also (I think) accepted that this is very far removed from the book and will try to just go see it and enjoy. And Evangeline Lilly makes the hottest elf - ever!
Yeah, I think Tolkein fans need to be a bit more flexible, kind of like Trek fans nowadays. :)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2339856/Orlando-Bloom-reprises-role-arrow-shooting-Legolas-new-Hobbit-trailer-The-Desolation-Smaug.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2339856/Orlando-Bloom-reprises-role-arrow-shooting-Legolas-new-Hobbit-trailer-The-Desolation-Smaug.html)
Quote from: Rico on June 11, 2013, 06:39:12 PM
I have to say this looks very cool & fun. I've also (I think) accepted that this is very far removed from the book and will try to just go see it and enjoy. And Evangeline Lilly makes the hottest elf - ever!
She certainly does!
Quote from: Bryancd on June 11, 2013, 06:42:08 PM
Yeah, I think Tolkein fans need to be a bit more flexible, kind of like Trek fans nowadays. :)
Word
Quote from: Bromptonboy on June 12, 2013, 06:43:40 AM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2339856/Orlando-Bloom-reprises-role-arrow-shooting-Legolas-new-Hobbit-trailer-The-Desolation-Smaug.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2339856/Orlando-Bloom-reprises-role-arrow-shooting-Legolas-new-Hobbit-trailer-The-Desolation-Smaug.html)
His face looks a little different doesn't it? Maybe different makeup to youngify him...
Quote from: Praxis on June 12, 2013, 06:47:43 AM
Quote from: Bromptonboy on June 12, 2013, 06:43:40 AM
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2339856/Orlando-Bloom-reprises-role-arrow-shooting-Legolas-new-Hobbit-trailer-The-Desolation-Smaug.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2339856/Orlando-Bloom-reprises-role-arrow-shooting-Legolas-new-Hobbit-trailer-The-Desolation-Smaug.html)
His face looks a little different doesn't it? Maybe different makeup to youngify him...
His eyes are light blue now.
It makes sense to me that Legolas was there during the Hobbit - if not mentioned by name - he must have been present.
Have there been any shots of Beorn released?
I can't help but think of the dragon in Shrek ;) lol
We should also keep oin mind the design limitations for Smaug as he needs to be able to speak so his mouth needs to look like it can form words.
Quote from: Bryancd on June 12, 2013, 12:40:51 PM
We should also keep oin mind the design limitations for Smaug as he needs to be able to speak so his mouth needs to look like it can form words.
Pff, words are overrated. Who really wants to listen to Benedict Sexy Cumberbatch's voice anyway? Not me I tell you. Not me at all.
No, I am not watching Sherlock on Netflix right now. Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo.
Thinking about what Rico said earlier about adjusting to the fact these films are not going to be the book (per say) it makes life a lot easier lol. Hey at the end of the day throw me into that world and i'm there. I do like Elves, Elves are cool.
Here is a good image of Smaug with better contrast. And yes, it is best not to be too pedantic with the source material, I have been saying it all along.
Quote from: Bryancd on June 12, 2013, 02:15:20 PM
Here is a good image of Smaug with better contrast. And yes, it is best not to be too pedantic with the source material, I have been saying it all along.
Especially since the only person who knows what Smaug really looks like has been dead for 40 years. ;)
I still feel that LOTR is the BEST book to movie adaptations ever, and Watchmen is a close second...and fans bitterly complained about both.
I am just so sick of the obtuse arguments made by fans against the new Trek film....
The thing is, as I've been saying, the Trek we all love still exists, now more than EVER. Every Trek show and movie ever made is streaming, being re-introduced on gorgeous Blu-Ray....Nothing can take that away. It's just silly. If you prefer the LOTR books, you can read them over and over again...this a product you aren't forced to consume! I wish people got as upset about other things, like, Oh, I don't know, invasion of freedoms?
Quote from: ChrisMC on June 12, 2013, 02:51:23 PM
The thing is, as I've been saying, the Trek we all love still exists, now more than EVER. Every Trek show and movie ever made is streaming, being re-introduced on gorgeous Blu-Ray....Nothing can take that away. It's just silly. If you prefer the LOTR books, you can read them over and over again...this a product you aren't forced to consume! I wish people got as upset about other things, like, Oh, I don't know, invasion of freedoms?
Off topic but I saw you post on FB, clearly your cause celebre today!
Picard makes things clearer. I read the quote and remembered how much I loved it when I heard it, and how it can apply almost anytime in history.
Adapting a classic book like "The Hobbit" is not the same as doing another Trek film. I still feel PJ has padded "The Hobbit" to the point that it really shouldn't even be called "The Hobbit" anymore. But, I can still try and enjoy it. The Trek film talk isn't quite the same thing. The Trek films have always been quite different than any of the TV series. So fans should really expect that - to a degree.
Yeah, maybe it should be called Middle Earth Chronicles or something, considering they are pulling from the Appendices. I guess if you've read a book a bunch of times people get persnickety about changes.
The over all story is still The Hobbit.
Here's how I look at adaptations.. Book versions of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings that's J.R.R. Tolkien's version of Middle Earth. The Hobbit movies and LOTR movies are Peter Jackson et al's version of Middle Earth. There are similarities but there are differences.. to me they are two totally different things. I love both of them equally.
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on June 12, 2013, 04:08:09 PM
The over all story is still The Hobbit.
Here's how I look at adaptations.. Book versions of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings that's J.R.R. Tolkien's version of Middle Earth. The Hobbit movies and LOTR movies are Peter Jackson et al's version of Middle Earth. There are similarities but there are differences.. to me they are two totally different things. I love both of them equally.
I love them both too but maybe not equally lol
Kenny posted this on the FB group showing the actors reacting to a set of fans watching the trailer. It's awesome!
Happy Elves (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ1LCvs8Xcc#ws)
Peter Jackson and his cast and crew have come a long way in making some of the most epic films in the 21st century. One of his earliest successes was the film The Frighteners with Michael Jay Fox in 1996 and went on to stun the world with Lord of the Rings in 2001-2003. Then, in 2005, he left the world wonderstruck again when he directed a remake of the epic film King Kong that featured veteran stars like Naomi Watts and Adrien Brody. And then, in 2012, Peter Jackson finally gained the rights to make a movie based on The Hobbit, much to the delight of fans at the time. However, things have somewhat changed after information on its second installment has been released. We'll get into that in a bit.
So okay, much like Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit has also been divided into three parts: An Unexpected Journey, Desolation of Smaug and There and Back Again. So far, we've only seen An Unexpected Journey, but it has proven to be one of the most successful films of 2012 and has gone on to become one of the most widely sold and rented home videos of 2013 when it was released in both DVD and blu-ray. Unfortunately, it seems that a lot of fans of both the films and the book are disappointed regarding Peter Jackson's handling of the story's canon. While Peter Jackson claims that many of the altered or additional elements that he has added to the films is purely for the purpose of enriching the story and endearing more fans to the franchise, some fans question whether all these changes are necessary at all.
One of these most apparent changes is of course the alteration or addition of characters into the film. A good example of this is of course the presence of the character Azog in An Unexpected Journey. Apparently, the character is only a posthumous one in the original novel and it is his son Bolg who serves as the antagonist for Bilbo and his thirteen (fourteen if you add Gandalf in the mix) companions. However, in the film, not only is the character alive, but antagonizes the protagonists every step of the way.
There are of course more of these issues that will likely appear in Desolation of Smaug, the second installment, once it rolls around in December of this year. As seen in the trailer, Legolas the elf prince that everyone knows and loves from Lord of the Rings will indeed be making an appearance. Of course, being the son of the wood elf king Thranduil, it wouldn't at all be that surprising for the character to make an appearance in the film.
This now brings us to one of the most egregious examples of Peter Jackson taking his artistic license too far in the films with the character of Tauriel. An original character created specifically for the film, the fandom is now effectively divided between those who want to accept the character as a welcome addition to the story or Peter Jackson needlessly altering the plot in order to please fans and earn a bigger profit.
It's been a huge argument among fans whether Peter Jackson's introduction of original characters like Tauriel in the up and coming installments of The Hobbit with Desolation of Smaug (coming this year in December) and There and Back Again (coming late next year) is an insult to the works of J.R.R. Tolkien or is she a welcome embellishment that adds a slight feminine touch to an otherwise male-dominated story. However, it should be noted that a lot of modern fans who are largely unfamiliar with the original source materials often wonder at the lack of strong female characters in the story.
While there are indeed quite a few of them with Galadriel and Eowyn, with the former being a strong and wise queen who often offers useful advice to the protagonists as well as the occasional trinket that can prove to be quite handy in risky situations and the latter being a brave princess who claims her own share of glory when she takes down the lord of the Nazgul with a little help from Merry (the film takes this a step further when Eowyn successfully makes her own tally of orc kills) and is altogether one of the most battle-hardened characters in the story. There's also the fact that the name "Luthien" is etched upon the grave of Tolkien's beloved wife Edith right beside his own, a true testament to Tolkien's devotion to his wife as Luthien was a powerful angelic being that fell in love with the mortal Beren, with the latter's name inscribed on Tolkien's own grave. However, one can still note that there are few female characters in Tolkien's work that openly participate in the adventures of the characters with the aforementioned Luthien just being one of those few instances where a female character does all the fighting.
The films however, as interpreted by J.R.R. Tolkien, put a different spin to things such as adding more action for the female characters of the film and, in the case of The Hobbit film trilogy, creating an original character. Indeed, most female characters in the stories of Middle Earth tend to play a minor role at best and most seem to be peripheral characters and is why Peter Jackson went on to expand on some of them such as Arwen (played by Liv Tyler) and her brief action in Fellowship of the Ring and Eowyn (played by Miranda Otto) with her added scenes in the Return of the King.
In Tolkien's defense though, he lived in a time when women did in fact play only minor or peripheral roles. While feminism did in fact begin to have its way with most of society, most women of the time were content with their station in life and only later during the 70s onward did women begin taking on more major roles in film, television and various other media. A good example of this idea would be that in Tolkien's time in the military, World War I to be specific, women played only a supporting role in wars or none at all while women are everywhere in the military forces of today, be it in the army, navy, air force, marine corps or coast guard.
However, it would be jarring to actually see an entwife or a female orc in the films...
Legends Making Legends
Posted: 14 Jun 2013 07:19 AM PDT
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey proved to be one of the most successful films of the decade, garnering in a massive profit that made it one of the most profitable films of 2012 alongside Dark Knight Rises and The Avengers. An Unexpected Journey also gained quite a following in terms of home video and became one of the most widely sold and rented films of 2013 when the film finally came out on DVD and Blu-Ray somewhere in April. While it's not really surprising with Peter Jackson's record, considering how Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) and King Kong (2005) fared during their respective releases.
While the success of the films can be chalked up to a lot of factors, from the great direction of Peter Jackson, the new motion-capture techniques used by the film crew to make the characters and scenes as realistic as possible or the lovely vistas and sets provided by New Zealand. Perhaps the most notable factor that boosted the film's success is its amazing cast of actors and actresses who have time and time again proven themselves to be legends in their own right. Here are just a few of the men and women who have made Peter Jackson's interpretation of Middle Earth what it is.
First off, we have the actor Hugo Weaving whose acting skill has allowed him some of the most impressive roles to date. Some of his memorable though include his portrayal of the character "V" in V for Vendetta, a masked terrorist/freedom fighter with noble intentions but often questionable methods. And of course, we also remember him well as the villain of The Matrix trilogy, the brutal Agent Smith who wants to assimilate all the denizens of The Matrix and make them all identical to him. Lastly however, fans of the Transformers franchise can easily identify him as Megatron, the leader of the evil and megalomaniac Decepticons. In both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings however, we see him as the mild-mannered elf lord Elrond who often offers useful advice to the protagonists if not assisting them directly.
Then we have Cate Blanchett, a popular British actress with a prolific record with one of the most memorable being her portrayal of Queen Elizabeth of England in the film Elizabeth as well as her role as a sexy Russian spy in the latest Indiana Jones movie, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Thanks to her versatility, we've also seen her in other films such as a deeply aggrieved mother in the film Babel as well as the love interest and best friend of a backward-aging man in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. In The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings however, we get to see Cate Blanchett as Galadriel the elf queen who also serves as a kind of guide to the heroes on their journey and occasionally gives them helpful trinkets on their way there. Strangely though, we also get to see her make an uncredited cameo in Hot Fuzz with Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit director Peter Jackson.
Then we have the amazing actor Christopher Lee who has just turned 91 lately. Perhaps one of the biggest names in British cinema considering his time in being part of it, we've seen him play as Dracula, a very memorable James Bond villain and even a Sith lord in some of the latest installments of the Star Wars franchise. We also know him well as the cunning and powerful wizard Saruman in both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and his impressive acting lends the character an even more sinister feel. And to top it all off, the man just recently released his heavy metal album, Charlemagne: Omens of Death.
Legends Making Legends is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Desolation of Smaug: Not Premiering in New Zealand?
Posted: 14 Jun 2013 02:56 AM PDT
So there you have it, the first trailer for Desolation of Smaug has hit theaters around the world and the reception has never been bigger or better. Some swooned at the appearance of Legolas, there are those that either fell head over heels or retched at the sight of Tauriel, those that jumped back at the sight of Beorn's huge nose and there are some left utterly speechless at the sight of Smaug the dragon as he rose up behind a helpless Bilbo Baggins in one of the most epic parts of the trailer near the end. It seems that fans will surely be in for quite a treat once Desolation of Smaug rolls around this December. If the trailer already seems to be as epic as it is, one can only imagine what the finished product will actually be like once it hits theaters late this year.
Surprisingly enough however, it seems that Desolation of Smaug will not be premiering in New Zealand, as confirmed by Matt Dravitzki, the spokesperson for Peter Jackson. This is certainly a surprise as the film has been made almost entirely in New Zealand (save perhaps the scenes involving Christopher Lee as the 91-year-old actor was simply too frail to make the journey to Wellington and instead had his scenes filmed in London) and the director Peter Jackson is from New Zealand as well.
While the decision to not premiere Desolation of Smaug in New Zealand is certainly surprising, it has done little to slow or dampen the popularity of The Hobbit and other works of J.R.R. Tolkien like Lord of the Rings in New Zealand. As a matter of fact, it seems that New Zealand has made a steady profit because of how the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films has made the country a hotspot for Ringers.
There is even a running tour throughout New Zealand that lets Ringers experience Middle Earth for themselves. This is mainly in part because of Peter Jackson and his film crew's efforts at making their sets as durable as possible so that common folk who come over to the scene can experience what places like Hobbiton and the Shire must really be like. They even have a Green Dragon Inn that comes complete with a bar that people can find out what completes the days of hobbits after a long day's work.
Then again though, it is quite curious as to why Peter Jackson chose not to premier the film in New Zealand but one supposes he has a right to and that he probably has other, more pressing, issues to attend to. Oh well, the important part is that we've all seen the trailer and know the kind of goodies we're in for come this December, from the lovely Evangeline Lilly and her long red hair to the mighty maws of both Beorn and Smaug, we're surely not short of anything epic with Desolation of Smaug!
Desolation of Smaug: Not Premiering in New Zealand? is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
I'm sure everybody's heard of the actor Stephen Fry one way or another. He's been in plenty of films after all, and his relaxed expression as well as his laid back attitude in his various roles throughout his films has become easily identifiable to fans if not outright iconic. A fairly active fellow, he has often written screenplays and whatnot for various shows and has even gone on to host them such as QI, a comedy panel show and Kingdom, a show that delves into the laws that surround law enforcement and how they are actually upheld.
Of course, it came as a surprise that he will indeed be appearing in the latest installment of The Hobbit, Desolation of Smaug which is due for release this coming December. He will portray the character of the master of Lake Town, a rather greedy fellow who seems to be more concerned with monetary gain than the safety of his own people. Stephen Fry has refused to reveal too much about his character although he has described the Master of Lake Town as a rather unpleasant and unattractive fellow who seems to be a caricature of a typical corrupt politician.
We've also seen Stephen Fry in many other films with some of the most memorable being his role in V for Vendetta where he is Gordon Deitrich, a brave TV show host willing to speak out against the tyranny of the local government which is run by Adam Sutler (played by John Hurt) a Hitler expy who has now taken over Britain and has made it a nation not that different from Oceania from George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty Four. In the midst of all the turmoil, Gordon Deitrich also tries to help a young woman named Evey Hammond (played by Natalie Portman) who is also helping V, the terrorist/freedom fighter who is the designated hero of the film.
We also get to see Stephen Fry in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows where he plays as the rather lazy and eccentric Mycroft Holmes. In this film, Sherlock Holmes (played by Robert Downey Jr.) and Doctor Watson (played by Jude Law) finally face off with their archenemy Dr. Moriarty. Due to the cunning and skill of their enemy, the duo are then forced to leave Watson's fiancé Mary in the care of Mycroft Holmes who, in his own way, try to care for her and help out in his brother's current predicament.
All in all, it seems that we're certainly in for a star studded cast once Desolation of Smaug finally rolls around this December. We've got a wealth of other characters that will certainly make an appearance in the second film of The Hobbit like Luke Evans as Bard and Orlando Bloom as Legolas. Also, we'll certainly be eager for the appearance of Stephen Fry's character once he makes his appearance in Desolation of Smaug. However, Stephen Fry has gone on to state that he has never really read The Hobbit but is certainly looking forward to how the movie will come out.
Stephen Fry and The Hobbit is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
More Fun than a Barrel of... Dwarves?
Posted: 18 Jun 2013 07:01 AM PDT
Okay, so we've seen just how fans have reacted to the first trailer of the much awaited second installment of The Hobbit film trilogy, Desolation of Smaug. There's been everything from costume competitions, children's games, feats of storytelling, youtube videos, musical tributes and many, many more to commemorate the success of Peter Jackson's latest project and perhaps second trip (the first being the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, of course) into Middle Earth, the strange and wonderful world created by J.R.R. Tolkien and populated with his beloved elves, dwarves, hobbits and more.
The trailer, which is perhaps one of the most anticipated trailers of the year along with that of the fourth installment of the Transformers franchise and maybe the second installment of The Avengers, has proven to be immensely popular and has gone on to take viewers around the world by storm. So far we've been treated to a good view of Middle Earth as Thranduil, played by Lee Pace, narrates the adventures and objectives of Thorin Oakenshield and his party on his quest to liberate the kingdom of Erebor which has been destroyed by and now occupied by the dragon Smaug who will be portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, the same actor we know who played the enigmatic and very dangerous individual John Harrison in Star Trek: Into Darkness.
And now we have this stunning poster by digital artist Kibbitzer that features Bilbo Baggins as well as the dwarves Thorin Oakenshield, Ori and Kili as they are within the barrels and rolling about the river and battling the currents. This epic scene is also featured quite prominently in the trailer of the film and even involves a number of elves pursuing them among the trees as they are washed about in the water. This specific scene is also featured in the book when Bilbo and his friends must escape the banquet after stealing food for themselves, which probably explains the elves flitting from branch to branch above them and their less than amused dispositions toward them.
Whatever the case, we're definitely in for quite a movie once Desolation of Smaug rolls around in December of this year. We've also been given a view of many new characters we'll encounter such as Legolas (once again played by Orlando Bloom) whom fans of Lord of the Rings can easily recognize as well as Tauriel (played by the lovely Evangeline Lilly), a glimpse of the great shape shifting man-bear Beorn and, finally, the Wicked Worm himself, Smaug the dragon whom Bilbo and his companions must confront in their quest to reclaim the dwarven kingdom of Erebor.
As for the artist of this lovely poster, you'll find Kibbitzer and his work on Deviant Art and has done quite a number of other images for various works as well. This includes a work of Loki from Avengers in his costume from the original comics as well as the Incredible Hulk. It's kind of surprising how many good artists are out there these days and you're guaranteed to find a lot of them at Deviant Art.
More Fun than a Barrel of... Dwarves? is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
The Hobbit and New Zealand Tourism
Posted: 18 Jun 2013 01:40 AM PDT
Well, the moment Ringers around the world have been waiting for months has finally come. The first trailer of The Hobbit has finally appeared in various cinemas along with Man of Steel just the previous week. So far we've been treated for quite a bit of adventure as it is revealed to us what's in store for us in Desolation of Smaug. We've seen Lee Pace in all his costumed glory as Thranduil the elf lord, seen a glimpse of Orlando Bloom who will be once again taking up the bow of the all too familiar Legolas the elf prince, the hot and hotly debated female elf guard Tauriel played by Evangeline Lilly and, of course, there's the mighty dragon Smaug, often nicknamed "The Wicked Wyrm", who will be portrayed by none other than Benedict Cumberbatch. It's also apparent that the characters will soon be entering Mirkwood, the home of the wood elves and explore other parts of Dale such as Lake Town, a dwelling of Men near the Misty Mountains and encounter the mighty shape-shifter Beorn somewhere along the way. Familiar scenes from the book, such as Bilbo and the dwarves rolling around a river in barrels as well as Bilbo's fateful encounter with Smaug has also been featured, resulting in the surprise and delight of many fans. Well, it certainly seems that fans had gotten what they had been hoping for with fans around the world reacting positively to what the trailer has shown them so far.
One should also note how The Hobbit, as well as a few other of Peter Jackson's films like the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, were filmed in New Zealand and how the environment somehow made the fantasy complete and even more believable than originally anticipated. It's like as if New Zealand is a magical land on its own or some lost part of Middle Earth that has somehow found its way into the real world. Of course, this can be attributed to the fact that New Zealand was one of the last places on Earth to be fully colonized by Western civilization. It's why it seems that the land seems to be in fairly pristine condition with rolling, grassy hills, dense and verdant forests and mountains that seem to have come straight out of some epic film. Interestingly, there are even those who go on to comment that many of the shots in both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings have CGI backgrounds despite the fact that much of the action in the films were taken directly from the open fields of New Zealand.
It also comes as no surprise that Peter Jackson's films have boosted tourism throughout the islands thanks to the ever growing popularity of film adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's work. Thanks also to making the sets of The Hobbit more durable than the norm, New Zealand even has a running tour of Middle Earth including that of the Green Dragon Inn which many of the characters in Lord of the Rings remember and speak of fondly.
The Hobbit and New Zealand Tourism is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Thanks for all these awesome articles.. but if you don't mind could you post links as well.. thanks :)
Quote from: Geekyfanboy on June 18, 2013, 03:51:07 PM
Thanks for all these awesome articles.. but if you don't mind could you post links as well.. thanks :)
Sure, will do - these are actually email updates I have been getting. I'll include the links going forward.
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/18/more-fun-than-a-barrel-of-dwarves/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/18/more-fun-than-a-barrel-of-dwarves/)
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/19/desolation-of-smaug-raising-the-stakes-upsizing-the-players/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/19/desolation-of-smaug-raising-the-stakes-upsizing-the-players/)
Desolation of Smaug: Raising the Stakes, Upsizing the Players
Posted: 19 Jun 2013 06:58 AM PDT
No one can doubt the success of the first installment of The Hobbit film trilogy, An Unexpected Journey. While some openly compare it to Lord of the Rings and state that it is not quite the same as Frodo's adventure into the lands of Mordor, it is nonetheless another testament of Peter Jackson's ability to put epics like Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien into film. Fans now eagerly await the second installment of the film franchise, Desolation of Smaug to hit theaters this year in December.
While we've seen the trailer and have been utterly amazed by what we've seen so far, one can only imagine what the finished product will be like once it finally hits cinemas around the world. We've seen glimpses of the elf king Thranduil narrating the journey of Bilbo and seemingly scoffing at their objectives such as their quest to take back the dwarven kingdom of Erebor and slay the dragon Smaug in the process. We're given a view of a clearly distraught Thorin Oakenshield as he weakens with every step on his journey and Bilbo's importance to the party grows ever greater. We also get to see Bilbo and the party rolling about the river as they try to escape elves flitting among the trees above them. And then we see Legolas (from Lord of the Rings with Orlando Bloom returning to reprise his role) and Tauriel (an original character portrayed by Evangeline Lilly) appear to confront and perhaps even aid the dwarves on their quest.
However, some of the most prominent features of the film are of course Beorn and Smaug, two very iconic characters of the original novel and are very likely to appear in Desolation of Smaug. We can only gleefully anticipate more information regarding the characters.
For the uninitiated, Beorn is a skin-changer, a kind of shape-shifter in Tolkien's stories. In the case of Beorn, he can take the form of a massive black bear capable of rending apart armies of orcs with just his mighty claws and teeth. Played by Mikael Persbrandt, an actor who is well-known for playing the role of "tough guys" in many films, Beorn becomes an even more ominous and terrifying figure. Also of note is the fact that they only show most of his nose and teeth (in bear form no less) in the trailer and we can only be thankful that he is more or less on friendly terms with Gandalf, Bilbo and the dwarves.
Finally we have Smaug, the Wicked Worm that everyone's been waiting for. In the final scenes of Unexpected Journey, all we've seen of him are his nostrils and eye, much like the original sketches of Tolkien. However, the full trailer finally shows him and his head in all his glory rising to confront a rather frightened Bilbo who has wandered into his lair. It seems all too bad that he doesn't speak as we could have heard the rather enticing voice of Benedict Cumberbatch.
Desolation of Smaug: Raising the Stakes, Upsizing the Players is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
The Hobbit and the Fandom
Posted: 19 Jun 2013 02:34 AM PDT
The trailer for The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug has finally been released to theaters around the world along with the release of Man of Steel which has proven to be a huge success in its own right. However, The Hobbit film trilogy is starting to receive a bit of criticism from fans of both the original book by J.R.R. Tolkien as well as moviegoers who have kept up with Lord of the Rings in 2001-2003. Oh well, its first installment, An Unexpected Journey, has proven to be a success in 2012 and ranks among the most successful films of that year alongside Avengers and has also gone on to be one of the most widely sold and rented films of 2013 when An Unexpected Journey was placed into DVD and Blu-Ray.
Like Lord of the Rings before it, which was just one novel but divided into three films with each lasting about an average of three hours and include Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002) and Return of the King (2003), The Hobbit has also been divided into three films which is one of the factors leading to the discontentment of some fans. The three films started with the aforementioned An Unexpected Journey in 2012, which is followed by Desolation of Smaug this year in December and finally ending with There and Back Again late next year. Also of note is the fact that all three films have roughly the same length of their Lord of the Rings counterparts.
While The Hobbit will most likely have the same length as Lord of the Rings, one wonders if it will garner as much popularity as that of Lord of the Rings. The trailer did get to show off a lot of good parts of the film as fans have hoped and have indeed gotten a lot of fans excited for what's to come in Desolation of Smaug. We definitely got a glimpse of The Hobbit's iconic villains like the orcs, the giant spiders and, let's not forget Smaug, the dragon that destroyed the dwarven city of Erebor and claimed its treasures for its own and the slaying of which is one of Bilbo and his company's objective. In the meantime though we are treated to new characters that will surely make things a bit easier if not a bit more complicated for Bilbo's party. Among them are Thranduil the king of the wood elves, the return of Legolas (whom we all remember well from Lord of the Rings), Tauriel the female elf guard (a source of griping for some fans due to her absence from Tolkien's book) and of course the gigantic bear who can only be Beorn the skin-changer.
Most of the complaints regarding the film trilogy can of course be attributed to the changes that Peter Jackson has brought on to the films that are contradictory to that written in the book. Some good examples of this include the presence of Azog in the films who was only a posthumous character in the book and Tauriel who is actually an original character created for the films.
The Hobbit and the Fandom is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/22/a-time-for-sequels/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/22/a-time-for-sequels/)
A Time for Sequels
Posted: 22 Jun 2013 07:39 AM PDT
Gone are the days of one-shot movies. Or at least it would seem so considering the way that the most successful of films often get two or even more sequels. Heck, almost everything comes in trilogies nowadays perhaps inspired by the successes of film trilogies like Star Wars, The Matrix and Lord of the Rings. And some even go for even more as the demand for films just seem to profitable to resist. Some argue that this is why some horror films manage to make it as far as seven or sequels thanks to fan demand. Movies like Saw and The Grudge spring to mind...
However we're in for quite a few blockbuster sequels in the coming years which are likely to spawn or be followed by sequels of their own. Here are just a few of these films in question:
First on our list would be Kick-Ass 2, a sequel to the original Kick-Ass film which was about a young man who decides to take on the identity of a superhero after purchasing a bodysuit. However, he soon gets struck by a car during a crime bust gone bad but has some unsuspecting benefits: getting his nervous systerm rewired and thus granting him superpowers. Kick-Ass 2 features the return of Kick-Ass, the aforementioned superhero who has now inspired others to become superheroes as well which include that of Colonel Stars and Stripes who will be portrayed by Jim Carrey.
Next up would be Thor: The Dark World or Thor 2. After the success of the first film Thor and The Avengers crossover film, Thor: The Dark World picks up one year after the events of The Avengers. Apparently, there have been many complaints regarding the loose ends of the first film, especially concerning Thor's relationship with the scientist Jane Foster. Thankfully however, Chris Hemsworth (the man portraying Thor no less), has confirmed that many of these loose ends will finally be resolved or at least given some light with the sequel.
Another long awaited sequel would of course be the fourth installment of the Transformers franchise. The film is believed to be in production and release will still be a ways off in 2014 although it's quite apparent that the fandom probably can't wait for another episode of epic robot brawling. Though there is scarce information on what the film will be about and what new characters we'll see, it's been made apparent that the film will feature a new cast with Mark Wahlberg as Flynn Vincent, a new human protagonist for the series.
And now for perhaps one of the most eagerly awaited film of them all, we have The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug. After the release of its trailer during the first screening of Man of Steel it's quite obvious that fans simply can't wait for the return of the heroes of Middle Earth. Along with the familiar faces we've seen in both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, we'll also be introduced to newcomers Bard the bowman (played by Luke Evans) Tauriel the elf guard (played by Evangeline Lilly) and Smaug the dragon (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) and many, many more.
A Time for Sequels is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/23/x-menthe-hobbit-crossover-artwork/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/23/x-menthe-hobbit-crossover-artwork/)
X-Men/The Hobbit Crossover Artwork
Posted: 23 Jun 2013 07:47 AM PDT
Ian McKellen has proven to be one of the most successful actors of our time. With his extensive career in the film industry, what with him being 74 now and all, it seems that he is now pigeonholed for roles involving both wisdom and authority. We've seen him in countless films from X-Men, Lord of the Rings, The Golden Compass, Stardust and many, many more. Due to his often imposing posture and the ability to command a rather fearsome voice as shown in Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring and his occasional verbal bouts with Patrick Stewart in the X-Men films.
And now, Deviant Art artist Dino Tomic presents us with this crossover portrait of two of Ian McKellen's most prominent roles in the film industry: Gandalf the Grey and Magneto/Erik Lehnsherr. Oh well, it seems Dino Tomic has always been a huge fan of fantasy films and has drawn characters from other franchises as well. In the meantime though, there's no doubt that these two characters are by far Ian McKellen's most famous roles as anyone can probably recognize the wise and bearded wizard from Lord of the Rings and the badass leader of the rebel mutants of X-Men.
This also goes hand in hand with the fact that it seems that Ian McKellen's career is showing no sign of slowing down despite his age. Oh well, he still seems to have a lot of projects over the horizon and, Illuvatar willing, he'll definitely be in for even more. First off, there's still Desolation of Smaug, the second installment of The Hobbit film trilogy that's slated to hit theaters this December and is soon to be followed by There and Back Again which is believed to finally roll into cinemas late next year. As for his role in X-Men, it has been officially confirmed that X-Men, after seemingly ending with X-Men: The Last Stand, will indeed receive a fourth sequel with Ian McKellen in it and is likely to last a 5th and possibly 6th sequel.
As for the artist of the X-Men/The Hobbit portrait, it seems that Dino Tomic has plenty of artworks based on some of the most epic and badass characters of the film industry. We have popular characters like Samwise Gamgee of Lord of the Rings, Frodo's faithful gardener and companion as portrayed by Sean Austin, a vicious portrait of Danny Trejo, Morgan Freeman and Captain Jack Sparrow as portrayed by Johnny Depp. Anyway, we certainly hope to catch more artwork from this guy as we're certainly in for even more epic films coming this 2013 and 2014. There's of course oncoming superhero movies like Thor: The Dark World and many more.
As for all you Ringers out there, the first trailer for Desolation of Smaug has indeed been released in theaters near you and features some of the scenes we're definitely see once the film itself rolls around in late this December. So stay tuned Ringers because Bilbo's journey is far from over!
X-Men/The Hobbit Crossover Artwork is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Frodo Goes Psycho
Posted: 23 Jun 2013 01:46 AM PDT
Elijah Wood has a rather iconic face in the film industry. In fact, it's not a stretch of the imagination to think that his face is possibly the best way to describe an innocent character who seems to be way in over his head, much like his role as Frodo Baggins in Lord of the Rings. As a child, he was fawned over by the media and was noted for his looks that just made you want to cuddle him and tell him that everything will be okay. That is, of course, until you find out what else he's been up to.
Anyway, as mentioned above, we've seen plenty of the young (or not-so-young as it turns out) Elijah Wood in quite a number of films as it is. Usually though, we can easily identify him as the often innocent character of a given program or movie that you just want to hug and say that everything will be alright. That is of course, until you find out what he's been up to. Well, let's just take a look at the good man's career and see for yourself what I'm actually talking about, shall we?
Well, Elijah Wood got his start starring in various advertisements on TV and then moved on to being featured in various TV series like Child in the Night. However, he would later appear in small roles in various other films like Back to the Future and Internal Affairs that would later serve to boost his career in the film industry.
Finally, he would appear in Radio Flyer in 1992 with Joseph Mazzello. A film about domestic abuse and the attempts of two boys to escape their abusive environment, it is a blend of fantasy and reality that never really sat well with critics due to its escapist message and tone. It tells the story of Mike and Bobby as they design a flying machine that they hope will take Bobby away from their cruel stepfather.
Later on, in 1993, Elijah Wood appear in the film The Good Son alongside Home Alone superstar Macaulay Culkin. In this psychological horror film Elijah Wood plays the role of Mark Evans, a boy who had recently lost his mother and is being raised with his aunt. However, he soon learns that his cousin Henry is a dangerous psychotic who slowly becomes more and more dangerous over time.
Then finally, we get to see Elijah Wood's career really bloom when he stars in Lord of the Rings in 2001-2003. Cast in the role of the (relatively) young hobbit Frodo Baggins, he is thrust into an adventure of epic proportions as he must now rid the world of the One Ring, a powerful artifact that could very well enslave all of Middle Earth.
And now, much to the surprise of many, Elijah Wood starred in the film Maniac in 2012-2013 which is a remake of the film of the same name in 1980. In a rather bizarre reversal of roles, this time it is Elijah Wood who plays the role of a psychotic killer who scalps female victims and attaches his gruesome trophies atop the heads of his mannequins at home.
Frodo Goes Psycho is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/24/new-faces-in-desolation-of-smaug/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/24/new-faces-in-desolation-of-smaug/)
New Faces in Desolation of Smaug
Posted: 24 Jun 2013 07:23 AM PDT
The trailer for The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is set for release this coming December and fans have never been more excited. So far, we've seen a lot of scenic views featuring some of the most memorable vistas of New Zealand and a lot of the excitement we're definitely in for once the film actually rolls around near the end of this year. We're also treated to a good number of epic parts of the film that have left many fans longing for more. Oh well, it's been almost half a year since An Unexpected Journey hit theaters late last year and its not like we can blame Ringers around the world to be so crazy for the film's next installment.
Anyway, we can also expect that a lot of the action will be every bit as shown in the trailer, with Bilbo and the dwarves bobbing about in the river inside barrels and finally meeting the people of Dale who live in fear of the dragon Smaug. We'll also definitely see a lot of old faces like Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Martin Freeman as Bilbo and many, many more. Even Orlando Bloom, who we all remember playing the role of Legolas in Lord of the Rings, will also make a return to Middle Earth. However, one of the more interesting parts of the film are the new characters that Ringers can enjoy.
One of these is of course Luke Evans who has taken the role of Bard in the film proper. A rather grim-faced bowman with a serious issue with the way his town is being run, he remains to be one of the most steadfast of characters in the film proper and focuses on protecting his beloved town from the looming threat of Smaug the dragon. As a side note, Luke Evans will also be starring in the latest installment of The Crow films, a definite surprise as the entire film franchise has long been believed to be cursed.
Another character confirmed to be added to the roaster is Mikael Persbrandt, a Swedish actor who will be playing the role of Beorn the skin-changer. A powerful man capable of transforming himself into an enormous black bear, Beorn lives amid the Misty Mountains and mainly keeps away from the activities of the other races save perhaps the orcs whom he enjoys slaying. Mikael Persbrandt has long been known for taking on the roles of tough guys and the idea of him being cast as Beorn isn't at all that surprising.
Then we have Stephen Fry playing as the Master of Lake Town who is, as described by the actor himself, a rather unpleasant fellow who seems to be a stereotypical evil politician found in many films and stories and his appearance itself was tailored to fit this. Anyway, for those of you who don't know, Stephen Fry has made a lot of other appearances like V for Vendetta and the second installment of Sherlock Holmes, Game of Shadows, where he is infamous for being nude.
New Faces in Desolation of Smaug is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/25/what-could-have-been/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/25/what-could-have-been/)
What Could Have Been...
Posted: 25 Jun 2013 07:29 AM PDT
Well, for those of you Ringers out there, the trailer for Desolation of Smaug is now out there in theaters for all of you to enjoy. There's plenty enough for everyone as they give us everything from a few quick previews of what we'll see once the film itself rolls around this December. We've been treated to a short narration from Lee Pace who will be portraying the role of the elf lord Thranduil as some of the most breath-taking views of Middle Earth which is in turn portrayed by the scenic landscape of New Zealand plays in the background. We also get to see plenty of other treats such as Beorn's nose, the hobbit and the dwarves rolling about a river, Azog the Defiler finally taking an offensive stance and, last but not least, the dragon Smaug rears its head to face off against a frightened and alone Bilbo.
However, it should be noted that Peter Jackson had quite a few other plans for the film proper that never really came into fruition. While not really a huge loss if one were to think about it and, indeed, since most of the changes he was planning to introduce were mostly original ideas that were absent from the book, some even see this as a good thing. But oh well, here are some of them:
Viggo Mortensen was invited to make an appearance in the film but the actor turned it down. Yes, that Viggo Mortensen, the dude we all remember who took on the role of Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings film. According to Peter Jackson, they wanted to create a bridge to like The Hobbit with Lord of the Rings despite the sixty year gap between the two stories. Unfortunately, it should be noted that Peter Jackson was denied any rights in using any of the other source materials by Tolkien due to legal reasons, a rather sad development and is probably one of the reasons he is making liberal use of his artistic license.
Though it is kind of sad that we won't be seeing much of Viggo Mortensen even after his good performance in the previous Lord of the Rings film and many other projects. It's surprising to note now that one of the first glimpses we've seen of this actor with some of the most memorable being his role as a very mean drill sergeant in G.I. Jane and the devil himself in The Prophecy.
Second on our list is Saoirse Ronan, the pretty Irish actress we all know from another Peter Jackson film in The Lovely Bones which is adapted from the book of the same name by Alice Sebold. A lovely young woman of Irish descent, she was scheduled to make an appearance in the Desolation of Smaug but it seemed she had other commitments at the time. After all, she did recently appear in the film The Host, a movie adaptation of the novel by Stephenie Meyer and has earned some acclaim in portraying as its heroine. Oh well, at least some fans are pleased as they won't be dealing with any more of Peter Jackson's deviations from the visions of Tolkien.
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/25/new-figures-for-the-hobbit-and-lord-of-the-rings/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/25/new-figures-for-the-hobbit-and-lord-of-the-rings/)
Well, for those of you not in the know, the first trailer for the second installment of The Hobbit film series, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug has already hit theaters around the world at the same time that Man of Steel also hit theaters. The trailer presented us with sights and sounds we're sure to see in the finished product when the film itself finally rolls around this year in December. We got a front row seat for some of the things we're sure to see such as The Hobbits rolling in the river inside barrels as well as meeting some of the characters we'll surely meet in the film such as Legolas (with Orlando Bloom reprising his role), Thranduil (portrayed by Lee Pace), Tauriel (portrayed by Evangeline Lilly), Bard (portrayed by Luke Evans), Beorn (portrayed by Mikael Persbrandt) and, of course, Smaug the dragon (portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch).
And now, to commemorate all those chills and spills so far, Comic-Con and Weta Workshop has presented us with these new and exclusive figures for fans of both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to enjoy and reminisce over those iconic scenes in both film franchises. Here are just some of those aforementioned figures:
First among these are of course Frodo and Sam as they travel into the heart of Mordor, the kingdom of the Dark Lord Sauron. In this particular figure however, they are garbed in the disguise of orcs in order to avoid detection and save finally destroy the One Ring once and for all. The figure also shows Sam Gamgee's devotion to his friend, extending far beyond just being Frodo's gardener and following him into the very jaws of death and worse as he surverys the land around them, searching for ways to approach Mount Doom, the one place that the One Ring can actually be destroyed.
Second we have the fateful meeting of The Hobbits with Strider, or Aragorn, as he is later known. While the figure only shows Aragorn, Sam and Bill the pony as they set out on their journey into the wilds beyond Bree to evade the pursuing Nazgul. Though relatively simple, the figure shows how the characters look forward to the challenges that the Fellowship of the Ring will soon have to face. From Sam's unflinching but cautious look ahead to Aragorn's wary watchfulness, this only shows that the Fellowship is in for even more hardship but they all seem willing to face it regardless.
And finally, for The Hobbit fans out there, there's this figure of Azog the Defiler, the pale orc we've all seen in the movies. He seems to be every bit as imposing and fearsome as the character we all saw in An Unexpected Journey. He even comes with detachable arms to better fit his scenario. From the sword he wielded in the battle for Moria where he successfully beheads Thror (Thorin Oakenshield's grandfather) and carries it off or the
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/26/an-unexpected-nomination/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/26/an-unexpected-nomination/)
An Unexpected Nomination
Posted: 26 Jun 2013 07:17 AM PDT
Well, looking back now, it seems that the world is now eager to see the second installment of The Hobbit trilogy, Desolation of Smaug which is slated for release sometime this December. With the trailer having been released in theaters along with the film Man of Steel, the reaction from fans and their apparent eagerness to see the film are quite understandable. Just the simple taste of what's to come has apparently sent fans into arguments over details as well as many fangirls fawning over the return of Orlando Bloom as Legolas and a lot of fanboys drooling over the newcomer Tauriel as played by Evangeline Lilly. Finally, nothing has hooked fans more than the appearance of Smaug the dragon in the closing part of the trailer, finally showing us the Wicked Wyrm in all his glory and horror as opposed to the eye and nostril we got of him in An Unexpected Journey.
However, it should be noted that An Unexpected Journey managed to make waves of its own. In fact, it proved to be a massive success in the box office and proved to be one of the most widely viewed, rented and sold home video when it was finally ported to DVD and Blu-Ray.
And now it seems that An Unexpected Journey, particularly Park Road Production, one of those in charge of making the special effects of An Unexpected Journey has been nominated for the IBC2013 Innovation Award for their great work in the film. Of course who can argue with the great CGI scenes in the film from the battle at Moria with Azog the Defiler, the fateful meeting of the party with the large and powerful Goblin King and, last but not least, Bilbo's encounter with Gollum in the tunnels beneath Goblin Town.
Anyway, Park Road Production indeed got the nomination for their excellent work with the 48fps cameras that allow for the amazing motion capture capabilities of the film and give the characters a realistic and entirely breath-taking experience. The 48fps (meaning 48 frames per second) is a new technique that enables the team who made An Unexpected Journey even more refined than that of Lord of the Rings which was only a 24fps film at the time. This can be seen in the finer gestures and expressions of the CGI characters in the film proper like Azog the Defiler, Gollum, the three trolls in the forest and the Goblin King.
Whatever the case we definitely hope they win as they are truly deserving of a good award for their efforts in An Unexpected Journey. Of course, everyone remembers the creepy moments with Gollum in the tunnels below Goblin Town, the epic battle between the orcs and dwarves of Moria and the appearance of the three trolls in the forest who ambush Bilbo and company. And then we can only pray for even better work when Desolation of Smaug finally rolls around in December with even more action and characters like Beorn and Smaug.
An Unexpected Nomination is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Desolation of Smaug and Other Films on Empire Magazine
Posted: 26 Jun 2013 01:50 AM PDT
Empire magazine has always been one of the leading names in media regarding what's up and coming in cinemas and what fans can expect. Based in Britain and known for making essays for some of the most prominent films of the time, they have established their name as one of cinema's most trusted names when it comes to telling the world what to expect in their favorite up and coming blockbuster. Some of their most famous works have included Raging Bull, Silence of the Lambs and The Harry Potter series. As for this year however, it seems that Empire Magazine has more to throw at us. What with the sudden appearance of new blockbusters for 2013, is it really all that surprising?
First off, we have The Lone Ranger, based on the old classic radio series of the same name. Scheduled for release on the 3rd of July, the film will boast a considerable cast with Armie Hammer as John Reid or the Lone Ranger and Johnny Depp, the man who made Pirates of the Caribbean famous as Captain Jack Sparrow, will play as the ever iconic Tonto, the Lone Ranger's reliable sidekick. Other actors and actresses in on the action will include Helena Bonham Carter (a woman Johnny Depp has worked with on numerous occasions) who will play as Red Harrington. The film has also received some criticism on the idea of Johnny Depp playing as a Native American but it's been confirmed that they are getting advisers on the topic in order for the film to be more accurate.
Then we have The World's End, the third and final installment for the Three Flavors of Cornetto Trilogy. It began with Shaun of the Dead in 2004, Hot Fuzz in 2007 and now, we finally have The World's End. Like the films before it, The World's End is a rather bleak British comedy that deconstructs a given genre of film and, in this case, disaster films. Anyway, it tells the story of five friends who attempt a pub crawl after their previous attempts end miserably but thing slowly start to take a turn for the worse when robots begin invading their town and taking over everything. Talk about the world ending. Anyway, as the troubles around them escalate, the five friends come to realize that there is more at stake here than their pub crawl.
Finally we have Desolation of Smaug, the second installment of the planned The Hobbit film trilogy. Composed of An Unexpected Journey (which we all probably saw in late 2012) and followed by Desolation of Smaug (which is scheduled for release this December) and, finally, There and Back Again which we'll catch sight of at the end of 2014. Anyway, the trailer for Desolation of Smaug has only recently hit theaters and it is already raking in even more fans as we speak. Three of the characters slated to appear in the film, Thranduil (played by Lee Pace), Legolas (played by Orlando Bloom) and Tauriel (played by Evangeline Lilly) have even graced the cover of the magazine in all their elven splendor.
Desolation of Smaug and Other Films on Empire Magazine is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/27/hobbit-actors-in-for-a-big-year/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/27/hobbit-actors-in-for-a-big-year/)
The Hobbit Movie New Post
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Hobbit Actors in for a Big Year
Posted: 27 Jun 2013 06:57 AM PDT
The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is due for release this coming December but it seems that the fandom just can't wait for the movie that the first trailer alone was enough to get the fans in quite a ruckus. Oh well, with all the scenes that were shown, is it really any surprise as to why the fandom seems to be going utterly nuts. From the encounters with elves in the forest of Mirkwood, the first meeting with men in the town of Lake Town to Bilbo's fateful face to face with the dragon Smaug in his own lair in Erebor. However, it seems that much of the cast is in for quite a year as 2013 is definitely going to have its own blockbusters that may very well compete with Desolation of Smaug. Here are just some of the things we can expect:
Martin Freeman
Martin Freeman, the little guy we all know who's playing as Bilbo Baggins. Well actually, not so little since he's of average height in real life. Anyway, we've also seen him play the role of often in-over-their-heads characters that are caught in situations that beg description. A good example of what I mentioned would be his role in the film Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy where he plays the role of Arthur Dent, an otherwise common every man who is suddenly taken aboard an alien spaceship named the Heart of Gold. Asides from Desolation of Smaug however, he will also be slated to appear in the film The World's End, the third and final installment of the Cornetto Trilogy which began with Shaun of the Dead and followed by Hot Fuzz. Another dark comedy, The World's End focuses on five friends who are attempting a pub crawl that they have also attempted and failed in the past. For some reason however, they are suddenly attacked by robots and the pub crawl becomes the least of their problems.
Benedict Cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch is also raking in his own fair share of recognition in the film industry. Known for having a rather sexy and almost mystical voice, it is little wonder that Peter Jackson has chosen him for the role of Smaug, the mighty dragon. Asides from the dragon however, he has also been given the role of the Necromancer of Dol Goldur, a character that those familiar with the lore of Lord of the Rings know very well. And just in the first half of the year, he was cast in the role of John Harrison, the enigmatic villain of the Star Trek films' second installment, Into Darkness who seems to be more than he meets the eye.
Andy Serkis
Ah, our precious Andy Serkis. Yes, while it's not likely that Gollum will be appearing again anytime soon in the upcoming sequels of The Hobbit, it has been confirmed that he is now Peter Jackson's faithful assistant director and is making good time with the upcoming films. He is also scheduled to reprise his role in the latest sequel of Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes where he will play as Caesar, the leader of the apes in the first film.
Hobbit Actors in for a Big Year is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Is Orlando Bloom Getting Too Old?
Posted: 27 Jun 2013 02:08 AM PDT
The trailer for The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug came out just a few weeks ago and it seems the fandom just can't get enough of it and can't wait for what's next. There's a lot more to be had once the film finally rolls around in December of this year, with some scenes that fans simply can't get over such as the epic meeting with the wood elves in Mirkwood, the rolling barrels in the river that Bilbo and company happen to be inside in, the meeting with the men of Dale and, of course, the fateful meeting with the mighty dragon Smaug.
Then there's the return of the ever iconic Legolas, the elven archer we all know well from Lord of the Rings and possibly someone that fangirls of the franchise have been cheering for since the announcement was made that he would play in The Hobbit film trilogy. Played by the actor Orlando Bloom, the fandom is divided between whether the character's return is a welcome change from the plot of the original or if this is another way that Peter Jackson seems to be stretching his artistic license a little too much. Nonetheless, it's certainly good to see the actor in action again after the overwhelming success of Lord of the Rings after 2003 onward.
We've seen Orlando Bloom in plenty of other films as well. For instance from 2003 until 2007, we have seen the actor play the part of Will Turner, a blacksmith caught amid the troubles of fearsome and comical pirates in Pirates of the Caribbean. There, he played as the love interest for Keira Knightley and the occasional ally and enemy of Captain Jack Sparrow who was played by none other than Johnny Depp. He played in the first three films of the film series until his story arc with Keira Knightley ended in the third installment, At World's End.
Also, we've seen an amazing performance from Orlando Bloom when he appeared in the film Kingdom of Heaven as Balian de Ibelin, another unassuming blacksmith who turns out to be the heir of a local noble. He is then sent to Jerusalem to rule and protect the kingdom left behind by his father, Baron Godfrey, played by veteran actor Liam Neeson. In the meantime, he learns that Jerusalem is not the holy city it is often believed to be and politics and fanaticism have made life difficult for all who dwell there.
Unfortunately for us fans however, Orlando Bloom has stated that he may no longer be able to fulfill the audience's expectation of what the light-footed elf prince should be. Apparently, he has stated that when he was fully garbed in the gear of the elven warrior, it seemed that he no longer felt the elven spring in his step and that he constantly worried that, after jumping, he would simply crash into the ground and hurt himself. Of course, this may not be all that surprising considering that, despite his role in the film and his misleading appearance, he is definitely not getting any younger as it is with the rest of us.
Except perhaps for Christopher Lee...
Is Orlando Bloom Getting Too Old? is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/29/desolation-of-smaug-and-other-hopeful-sequels/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/29/desolation-of-smaug-and-other-hopeful-sequels/)
Desolation of Smaug and Other Hopeful Sequels
Posted: 29 Jun 2013 06:37 AM PDT
Oh well, we all know the kind of waves The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey caused around the world with Ringers going head over heels over Peter Jackson's return to Middle Earth. The film proved to be very successful and it was a fitting final film for 2012 and was probably enough to make a number of moviegoers forget about the rumors of the incoming apocalypse at the time. Oh well, I suppose that's just how good a director Peter Jackson can be although I'm seriously doubtful if anyone could ignore Smaug himself descended upon Wellington or something. Well, worse yet, it seems that a recent fire on the set of The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug was rumored to have been caused by the Wicked Wyrm himself. Perhaps authorities will now keep a sharp eye for a large winged something above the skies of New Zealand.
Anyway, the trailer for Desolation of Smaug has just recently been released in theaters and has proven to be quite a hit amongst moviegoers. The trailer was released around the same time that Man of Steel hit theaters and it's even likely that many moviegoers actually just came to see the trailers of oncoming films. Then again though, there are so many new films for all of us to look forward to and here are just some of them.
Well, this might be surprising but it seems that Jurassic Park will indeed be having another sequel. Of course, Michael Crichton is now officially out of the picture due to cancer, but it seems there is now considerable development in producing the film. From rumors, it seems that the eponymous park will finally be in operation with dinosaurs managing to draw in tourists while remaining, surprisingly, safe for the latter. Talk of aquatic dinosaurs have also been mentioned which will be a first for the series although it isn't entirely clear what kind we're going to see.
There has also been rumors of the third Hellboy film coming although the statements from Guillermo Del Toro is quite vague and not entirely clear. According to him, he will resume the story of everyone's favorite man-demon once he finishes up with his work in The Hobbit series. And true enough, after writing the screenplay for An Unexpected Journey, it seems that Guillermo Del Toro has left for other plans. Though it seems that Del Toro's plans for Hellboy 3 is still in his mind, he has gone on to mention that the protagonist will once again face off with his enemies who are a remnant of the Nazi regime. In the meantime though, we can wait for one of Guillermo Del Toro's masterpieces to hit the big screen sometime soon called Pacific Rim, an epic film about giant robots and massive monsters.
Then of course we have the aforementioned The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, which is coming to theaters near you come December of this year. Alongside familiar faces like Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield, we'll also be seeing the return of Orlando Bloom as Legolas as well as the introduction of Luke Evans as Bard and Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug.
Desolation of Smaug and Other Hopeful Sequels is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/30/is-new-zealand-really-middle-earth/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/06/30/is-new-zealand-really-middle-earth/)
Is New Zealand Really Middle Earth?
Posted: 30 Jun 2013 07:36 AM PDT
Peter Jackson's return to New Zealand to shoot another film based in Middle Earth, the mystic land where J.R.R. Tolkien's epic stories Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit actually take place is proving to be quite popular among tourists all over the world. After the success of Lord of the Rings in 2001-2003, it seems that New Zealand became the destination for Peter Jackson's next greatest project, The Hobbit film trilogy and once again, as expected, tourism is once again booming in the giant boot south of the globe. The fact that Peter Jackson's film crew went on to use some more durable materials to make sure that their sets would be able to last longer than the previous ones they used for Lord of the Rings which were only meant to endure until filming finished. This meant that many of the residents of New Zealand could use the props left behind as a means of reliving many of the iconic scenes in the film such as the busy landscape of Hobbiton as the hobbits go on about their daily lives as well as a replica of the Green Dragon where many of the Shire's inhabitants go for a good day's rest and a pint of something to drink.
But just what makes New Zealand a successful substitute for Middle Earth? Well, I suppose we can answer some of those questions. And here are some of the theories involved:
New Zealand's Pristine Environment
New Zealand is known for being one of the most intact places in the world mostly because it's one of the last places on Earth to be explored by humankind. With its woods seemingly out of some storybook with its mountains and lakes seemingly places of mystical power, is it really any wonder that Peter Jackson chose the little country for the setting for some of his most epic films to date. Well, Peter Jackson is indeed from New Zealand as well but then again we now have a host of up and coming films like Top of the Lake which requires a bit of a mystical background in order to give the necessary feel to its audience.
New Zealanders' Dedication
New Zealanders are well known for their determination in making things work despite the odds stacked against them. For instance, in the Americas and Europe, you all too often hear the words: "that's not my department" or "I can't do that" but New Zealanders have always known for their gung-ho attitude and willingness to work against the odds. It's probably how they managed to pull of some big projects like Lord of the Rings to start with despite the fact that many directors before Peter Jackson had flat out stated that Lord of the Rings was impossible to film.
Peace, Quiet and Liquors
Oh well, there's no denying it that a lot of other celebrities from New Zealand had invested in the country's wine industry, enticing foreigners into coming over to have something to drink. Also of note is, as mentioned above, New Zealand's relative peace and quiet that can make one feel as if they were in paradise.
THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG, Production Diary 11 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Llxv8omjfU#ws)
Love these PJ updates.
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/01/hobbit-holes-for-everyone/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/01/hobbit-holes-for-everyone/)
The Hobbit Movie New Post
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Hobbit Holes for Everyone
Posted: 01 Jul 2013 06:52 AM PDT
We've seen plenty of crazy antics in anticipation of The Hobbit and this latest craze is, as best can be described, almost a phenomenon of sorts. So just what have we seen so far? Well, for starters, we've seen hundreds upon hundreds of costume competitions, battles of poetry and storytelling and works of art based on Middle Earth, the great and wonderful world created by J.R.R. Tolkien, is just the tip of the iceberg as new activities continue especially with the release of the film trilogy's second installment, Desolation of Smaug, having hit theaters in the previous few weeks. One can only imagine what kind of reception the actual film can expect when it comes out this December.
Another great way that fans and fanatics of the works of Tolkien show their devotion is by building houses in the general appearance of the homes inhabited by Tolkien's most popular creatures the hobbits. Yep, one great example of these is the house in Vancouver that greatly resembles a house from the Middle Ages. While not really intentional on the part of the builder, the house was nonetheless constantly associated with the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, especially in 2001-2003 when Lord of the Rings hit the big screen and Middle Earth rose to a new level of popularity. Luckily, the home itself was kept intact even after it seemed that the house would be demolished, thanks of efforts to preserve the house and declare it as a landmark.Then we have many tours in New Zealand that were made thanks to The Hobbit film crew's choice to make the miniature homes more durable and thus be used by locals as a way to commemorate and relive Tolkien's masterpiece. All in all, the tours have proven to be highly successful, what with even having a Green Dragon Inn where patrons can fully experience what it must be like to be a hobbit after a long day at work.
An now, for the latest in The Hobbit craze, we have the works of Wooden Wonders who are making cozy little Hobbit Holes for everyone to enjoy. Or at least for the enjoyment of both chickens and children. The small hobbit holes are mainly used as a home for various fowl and comes with several features that make it easier to clean and retrieve the eggs of said fowl thanks to openings in the structure. The only downside to this is that the chickens you seek to raise will probably be living larger than you. Either that or your neighbors will apparently think that you are crazy or something.
Anyway, the little Wooden Wonders homes are best used as a home for fowl or something like a playhouse for children. They would even make really great props if you ever decide to make a play of The Hobbit of your own. Just don't expect to be able to fit an entire fully grown actor like Martin Freeman into them as I sincerely doubt that they have been built for that kind of thing.
Hobbit Holes for Everyone is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/02/legends-of-middle-earth-on-the-rise/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/02/legends-of-middle-earth-on-the-rise/)
The Hobbit Movie New Post
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Legends of Middle Earth On The Rise
Posted: 02 Jul 2013 07:42 AM PDT
The trailer for The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug has been out in theaters for quite some time and it seems that the fanbase had never been happier. Well, this is not at all surprising considering the unquestionable success of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Heck, the last film isn't even done with impressing audiences as Peter Jackson has just recently released the extended cut of the film that will reveal more of the kind of life one can expect in the meadows of Hobbiton, an unsurprisingly unpleasant interaction between the dwarves and elves of Rivendell and a few more scenes involving the nauseating Goblin King. The trailer on the other hand enticed viewers with what they're in for once Desolation of Smaug finally hits theaters this year in December such as the elves of Mirkwood, the dwarves arrival at Dale and, finally, Bilbo's fateful encounter with Smaug the dragon.
Looking back now on some of Peter Jackson's previous projects, it seems that some of its actors owe their current popularity to his films. For instance, there is Orlando Bloom, whom we all know and remember from Lord of the Rings as the elf prince Legolas whom the whole world seemed to swoon over after his first appearance. And then there is Andy Serkis who served as the CGI actor for Gollum, making him one of the most successful and popular computer-animated characters of the time. Now, they have proven to be able to hold their own in other films with Orlando Bloom having already appeared in numerous epic films like Pirates of the Caribbean, Troy and Kingdom of Heaven and Andy Serkis managing to become assistant director in The Hobbit as well as playing the main character of Rise of the Planet of the Apes. And worry not as they have more projects to come with Orlando Bloom possibly appearing in another Pirates of the Caribbean film, Andy Serkis showing up for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and Ian McKellen scheduled to appear in the latest installment of the X-Men franchise.
However now, with The Hobbit, more actors will definitely get a boost in their respective careers thanks to their appearance in the film. For instance, there is Martin Freeman, who was already quite popular before taking up the role of Bilbo Baggins has made himself even more famous. Already he is scheduled to appear in the film At World's End with Simon Pegg, the third installment of the Cornetto trilogy which were preceded by Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.
Also of note is Mikael Persbrandt, who will be portraying the character of Beorn in the upcoming installments of The Hobbit. In Sweden, he had made quite a name for himself playing the role of various "tough guys" who was usually on either side of the law. It's almost as if Peter Jackson himself had little choice in picking the big guy for the role. Whatever the case, it seems that the world will never see him the same way again.
Legends of Middle Earth On The Rise is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
The Breaking of the Fellowship... Again
Posted: 02 Jul 2013 02:23 AM PDT
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey had been quite an adventure and remember that it's far from over. We still have the second installment, Desolation of Smaug, coming this December and the third and final installment, There and Back Again, set to hit theaters late next year so don't worry your little heads Ringers. Unfortunately however, not all good things last forever and now, we prepare to say goodbye to veteran actor Orlando Bloom, whom we all know well as the elven archer Legolas from Lord of the Rings, will now be sailing away to undying lands. Or at least, off to a new career.
Anyway, one can say that Orlando Bloom's career blossomed with Peter Jackson's first visit to Middle Earth with Lord of the Rings in 2001-2003. Before that, he had merely gotten minor roles such as his appearance in Wilde where he portrayed the role of a Rent Boy. It was through Lord of the Rings, when he played the elf prince of Mirkwood did he truly become a legend in his own right, causing many women (and possibly some men) to cry out in delight at the sight of him in the films. He became an overnight sensation and a heartthrob, not just for Ringers, but for people who were, before Lord of the Rings was put into film, entirely unfamiliar with the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.
His apparent popularity in the Lord of the Rings proved to be such a hit that he later gained other prominent roles in blockbuster films. One of these of course included his role as Will Turner in the Pirates of the Caribbean films where he was the love interest of Elizabeth Swann, played by Keira Knightley and the sometime friend and sometime enemy (frienemy?) of Captain Jack Sparrow, played by the legendary Johnny Depp. Throughout the three films he has appeared in so far, he plays the role of a bewildered blacksmith embroiled in the troubles of pirates with both mundane and less mundane adventures. It has even been noted that he is willing to reappear in the remaining films of Pirates of the Caribbean if offered to do so.
Also of note is his portrayal of Paris in a film adaptation of the classic story of Troy. Based on the epic of Greek Mythology, Orlando Bloom plays as a rather naive and fearful younger brother to Hector, who is played by Eric Bana. Things take a turn for the worst when Achilles, played by Hollywood hunk Brad Pitt arrives through the coercion of Greek kings in order to lead an assault on the city-state of Troy.
Of course, as mentioned above, it seems that Orlando Bloom's part in The Hobbit has just recently finished as the scenes involving Legolas have all been filmed and ready to be compiled in the remaining two films of The Hobbit trilogy. Whatever the case, it seems that he's certainly left his own mark in the film franchise and we definitely hope to be seeing more of him in other films, if nothing else. As a farewell, Peter Jackson has posted a video of Legolas singing "They are Taking the Hobbits to Isengard" on his facebook page.
The Breaking of the Fellowship... Again is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=37919 (http://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=37919)
Journey's Extended Edition
Expect some 'serious Dwarvish disrespect' and a lot more
25 June 2013 |
The latest issue of Empire - out this Thursday, June 27 - has three elves on the front cover, and inside there's plenty of information on second movie in the Hobbit trilogy, The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug. But if you're looking for more from the first out of the gate, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, feast your eyes on the following quotes discussing that movie's planned extended edition, straight from the magazine.
"You are going to get some serious Dwarvish disrespect of the elves at Rivendell," says Jackson, echoing what he previously said to us during our Unexpected Journey video interviews (see below).
"You are going to get more of Hobbiton," says producer / co-writer Philippa Boyens. "We always wanted to wend our way through Hobbiton, but in the end Bilbo has to run out of the door."
"You are going to get more Goblin Town, and the Great Goblin singing his song," adds Fran Walsh, Jackson's other half and fellow screenwriter. "It is a great song, but it was just another delay in terms of moving the story along."
"A number one hit from the Goblin King," laughs Jackson. "Barry Humphries is going to rise up the charts."
"We are putting things in the extended cut that are going to play straight into the second film," explains Jackson, "like this character Girion, who is defending [the city of] Dale using black arrows against Smaug. And the black arrows play a part in an ongoing story, for they are the one thing that can pierce the dragon's hide."
"There are also issues with [king of the elves] Thranduil (Lee Pace)," Jackson adds. "We get some of the reason why he and the dwarves had a falling out - to do with these white gems..."
The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug is out on December 13. The extended edition of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will be out about a month before The Desolation Of Smaug's release. The new issue of Empire, meanwhile, is out on Thursday, June 27.
Looking forward to that one!
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/04/desolation-of-smaug-darker-and-edgier/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/04/desolation-of-smaug-darker-and-edgier/)
Desolation of Smaug: Darker and Edgier?
Posted: 04 Jul 2013 07:46 AM PDT
Okay Ringers, it seems that it isn't really all that long before we finally get to see the long awaited second installment of The Hobbit film trilogy, Desolation of Smaug. The trailer is already out in theaters and fans can only fawn and drool over what they're going to see in December once the film finally rolls around. Examples include everything from the company of Bilbo and the dwarves finally running into the elves of Mirkwood which include that of Legolas, played by Orlando Bloom, Tauriel, played by Evangeline Lilly and Thranduil, played by Lee Pace. There is also the scene in Lake Town where the dwarves finally meet the Men of Dale along with Bard the Bowman who is less than enthusiastic about awakening the dragon Smaug. And then finally, there's Bilbo's fateful meeting with Smaug himself when he enters the Wicked Wyrm's lair.
However, Peter Jackson has gone on to confirm that The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug will not be as light-hearted as its predecessor and has gone on to cite that the film will be somewhat darker and less joyful than the first. This can come surprising to some fans, as the original novel was marketed as a children's story during the 1930s. Of course, J.R.R. Tolkien would probably understand as some of the darker themes and elements probably come from some of his experiences as a soldier in World War I, perhaps the darkest of the world wars due to their toll on the spirits of those who fought in it.
Well, for starters, as is shown in some of the sneak-peeks of Desolation of Smaug in Peter Jackson's video blog, they will show the lands of Dale in the dead of winter. Before Smaug came to the lands, all fire and ravaging claws, Dale had been a prosperous land with Erebor, the kingdom of the dwarves which is the main objective of Thorin Oakenshield and company and mentioned often in An Unexpected Journey, its wealthiest landmark and pride and joy of the dwarven race. As a matter of fact, actress Evangeline Lilly has gone on to note that Dale somewhat resembled some cozy and wonderful city in Europe before the arrival of the Wicked Wyrm. Now it will be shown to viewers the kind of damage that Smaug has done to the otherwise scenic countryside and that it has become a cold wasteland of misery and foreboding as those that dwell there live in constant fear of the dragon awakening and destroying the surviving inhabitants.
Then we have the characters. For all you arachnophobes, the giant spiders will finally be revealed in this film in all their glory. While everything about them is yet to be revealed one can note the kind of work the film crew has put into bringing them to life and will surely get all those fearful of creepy-crawlies shrieking helplessly. Then we have the mighty Beorn, the shape-shifting bear man who, despite being one of the good guys, is a violent and dangerous individual who is perhaps only on the side of the protagonists through Gandalf's diplomacy and the fact that he has great hatred for orcs.
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/05/a-journey-with-peter-jackson/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/05/a-journey-with-peter-jackson/)
A Journey With Peter Jackson
Posted: 05 Jul 2013 07:27 AM PDT
The anticipation for the release of The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is palpable in fans all over the world. It'll be a long time yet before the film finally makes it to theaters this year in December but already thousands of fans are just dying to get a glimpse of what's to come. Fan expectations were blown and worsened with the release of the first trailer for the film in June about the same time that Man of Steel came about. Epic scenes like the one in Mirkwood, Lake Town and Smaug's Lair were shown and Ringers throughout the world have never been more ecstatic.
However, one should note that Peter Jackson has made many films throughout his career and that his recent visits to Middle Earth are just some of his latest activities and that he's had quite a bit of time to make other films that, though they aren't blockbusters, have managed to make themselves a hit in their own right. Here are just a few of Peter Jackson's films that have at least managed to capture the hearts of moviegoers even if they never reached the same popularity level as that of Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit.
First off, we have The Frighteners, one of Peter Jackson's first hits starring another ageless-looking actor Michael J. Fox. Anyway, the story centers on a psychic who is still suffering from the trauma of his wife's tragic death. In an odd twist, he uses the ghosts he can communicate with to make a living, making them frighten common people so that he is soon called by them and hired to fix their issues. However, his antics end and is forced into dangerous circumstances when he finds himself involved in something worse than his usual fare of ghosts.
Then we have another story about ghosts, The Lovely Bones which features actress Saoirse Ronan, in one of her first notable film appearance. The Lovely Bones centers on the tale of young rape victim who lives on as a ghost and gradually watches as her family struggles to deal with her loss but is often shown to be failing quite badly at it. Initially, she resists at the thought of entering Heaven but as time goes on, the actions of her surviving family and friends come to a head and she comes to learn of a few things as well as teach the audience some of life's lessons before she dies.
And then we have Peter Jackson's adaptation of the 1930's hit King Kong in 2005 with Naomi Watts and Adrien Brody. A very long film, although not requiring multiple installments like Lord of the Rings in 2001-2003, it was nonetheless an exciting movie for most viewers and as faithful as can be hoped with the advances in technology regarding special effects. After all, it seems that directing a remake of King Kong had always been one of Peter Jackson's life-long dream and was indeed a treat for all audiences.
A Journey With Peter Jackson is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Wrapping Up The Journey
Posted: 05 Jul 2013 02:17 AM PDT
It's been said and proven that Peter Jackson had also had plenty of trouble trying to put his The Hobbit film trilogy into the big screen before his first success in 2012 when An Unexpected Journey managed to hit theaters in December of that year. It proved to be a huge success in both that year and the following as the home videos came out around April of 2013 and raked in its own profits. Heck, it seems that Peter Jackson isn't even done with the first installment as it is confirmed that the film will indeed include some extended scenes in later releases to home video. Now that is something to look forward to while we wait for Desolation of Smaug to reach theaters this December!
Unfortunately though, it seems that all good things must come to an end and it's quite true with the film cast and crew of The Hobbit as well. While fans need not worry as there is definitely more to come with Desolation of Smaug still due to come out this year and There and Back Again scheduled for late next year, it seems that filming is almost complete for the whole trilogy. Yup, that means that some of the actors included in the film are done and are now going back their respective careers.
One of these of course is our beloved Ian McKellen, whom we all know well playing as Gandalf, as well as a lot of other roles in various other films. It's been a long and fun journey and, considering his appearance in Lord of the Rings, this would be his second visit to Middle Earth, but it seems that the old British actor is finally done with his pick-up shots and now has to move on to other projects. As a lot of others may know, he has also made his career flourish through the X-Men films and it seems he is far from done in that franchise and is scheduled for an appearance in an up and coming sequel.
Next up is Orlando Bloom. Before Lord of the Rings and his role as Legolas, he mostly played minor roles such as a rent boy in the film Wilde. Thankfully however, his role in Lord of the Rings proved to be highly successful and he went on to take roles in other film franchise such as Pirates of the Caribbean and other less successful films like Kingdom of Heaven, Troy and Three Musketeers. It was quite a surprise when he made an entry in Peter Jackson's video blog in a tearful and somewhat intoxicated farewell.
Finally we have Evangeline Lilly whom we all remember well from episodes of Lost. Well, at least now she's no longer a fugitive although her hot blood is still quite apparent in her character Tauriel. Oh well, she's supposed to be young for an elf (maybe about 600!) and not really into all the quiet and graceful wisdom elves are known for. Anyway, it seems that her part is done too and we can all wait eagerly for what waits for us in Desolation of Smaug in December.
Wrapping Up The Journey is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/06/masterpieces-of-middle-earth/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/06/masterpieces-of-middle-earth/)
Masterpieces of Middle Earth
Posted: 06 Jul 2013 07:31 AM PDT
It's hard to deny that a lot of us just can't wait for the next installment of The Hobbit to reach theaters, but it seems that there's still quite a bit we can do to distract ourselves while we wait for the inevitable arrival of Desolation of Smaug come this December. One of these of course includes the extended scenes provided in the first installment, An Unexpected Journey, in home videos through DVD and blu-ray. We can also view Peter Jackson's video diary of his efforts and antics considering the completion of the upcoming installments of The Hobbit films with some hilarious scenes like a drunken Legolas and the dwarves performing some crazy dance aerobics.
And then there's the latest figures done by Weta Workshop that we can all enjoy and reminisce over as we relive some of our most favorite scenes in both the book and the films proper. Weta Workshop has always been known to make some very interesting figures for various fantasy and adventure franchises for fans to enjoy and it seems that they seem to hold the works of both J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson in high regard. Here are just a few of what they have to offer.
First off we have a rather life-like figure of Azog the Defiler, the pale orc we've seen running around in An Unexpected Journey. Played by Manu Bennett, an actor we also know well for playing the part of Crixus in the Spartacus series, the character has received quite a bit of ire from fans due to his rather obvious CGI appearance and the fact that he was only a posthumous character in the books and the real threat against the traveling party comes from Bolg, Azog's son. Apparently though, it seems that some fans are still willing to overlook this detail and embrace the character as a welcome embellishment. The figure itself possesses detachable arms that can allow owner to pose him in his battle against the dwarves with one hand holding the head of Thror (Thorin Oakenshield's grandfather) or with his painful looking prosthetic after Thorin severs his other arm.
Then we have a figure of Smaug the dragon himself as he is poised over the treasures of Erebor which he now covets for his own. Complete with his massive wingspan and his serpentine and brazen appearance, its certainly a welcome sight after all that was revealed of him in the films was his eye and nostril. Although we did get to see a bit of his head and neck in the first trailer for the film...
Finally, we have Bilbo Baggins who is struggling with a barrel which no doubt has to do with the scene where he and the dwarves are forced to hide in them as they try to flee from the elven banquet. The figure clearly illustrates Bilbo's worry and bewilderment as he (and we can assume his companions are also around him) battles against the currents of the river while he himself seems to have considerable difficulty just staying inside his own barrel.
Masterpieces of Middle Earth is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Growing Up and Getting Old. Or Not.
Posted: 06 Jul 2013 02:17 AM PDT
The Hobbit film trilogy is on the roll and it seems that we're definitely in for more as the first installment, An Unexpected Journey is expected to receive some extended scenes that fans we'll surely appreciate such as more scenes depicting more shots of the Hobbits hard at work in The Shire, the dwarves not exactly getting along with the elves of Rivendell and, of course there will be much more screentime for everyone's favorite Goblin King hidden somewhere in Goblin Town. Then add to the fact that Desolation of Smaug, the second installment, is coming this December and its trailer has just been recently released in the previous month and that There and Back Again looms on the distant horizon for late 2014.
Well, it really has been a long time for the film crew and cast of The Hobbit. Then again, it seems for the cast at least, it seems that the project seems almost over what with Orlando Bloom and Ian McKellen finally taking their farewells from the project. Anyway, we can hope to see more of these actors and actresses sometime soon as it turns out that you can never really be too old to be part of an epic story like Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit.
Take Christopher Lee for example, an actor well into his 90's but still manages to make a good run with playing as the character of Saruman in both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Although there were some complications beforehand as it seemed that his body was now too frail to travel all the way to New Zealand to reprise his role as Saruman. Nonetheless though, he managed to make a good enough performance when doing his own film shoot in England when he couldn't make his way to New Zealand in time.
And then there is Ian McKellen who comes back to play the role of Gandalf the Grey in The Hobbit. Another veteran actor, he has taken on many roles that involve an air of both wisdom and authority such as that of Magneto from the X-Men franchise and Iorek Byrnison in the Golden Compass movie adaptation. In fact, it seems that his career in films is far from over and will indeed be getting roles in what could possibly be even more blockbuster films in the future such as X-Men: Days of Future Past.
Also of note is Orlando Bloom, another actor who seems to be done with playing the role of Legolas. After all, it seems that he has already spent enough time in Middle Earth and he himself is often worried that he may no longer have the "elven spring" in his step in order to be fully able to play the character of Legolas. Nonetheless, it seems that there are still those who think that little has really changed about the character regardless of what Orlando Bloom may actually think. Oh well, at least he's left us with a farewell video in Peter Jackson's diary blog, leaving us with a good song.
Growing Up and Getting Old. Or Not. is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/07/2013-a-time-for-films/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/07/2013-a-time-for-films/)
Well, there's no denying the impact of films that have hit theaters so far. With the unquestionable successes of films in the previous year, does it really come as any surprise that films of today are also earning the attention of fans worldwide. Films like Avengers, Dark Knight Rises and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey come to mind when mentioning the various blockbusters of the previous year and this year is no slouch in presenting us with some of the most epic films to date.
We've seen the third installment of the Iron Man series with the rich, eccentric and idiotic Tony Stark attempting to rebuild his life after the climatic events of The Avengers film and it seems that he is far from fully recovering from his troubles. And then we were graced with the second installment of the Star Trek franchise, Into Darkness, with actor Benedict Cumberbatch as the mysterious and enigmatic terrorist John Harrison who is later revealed to have an identity that is deeply significant in Star Trek's lore. Then there is Man of Steel that tells the origins of one of the world's most well-known superheroes Superman and details his life story as he discovers his true identity and goes on his journey to become the superhero we all know and love. However, it seems that our adventures are far from over as it seems that there are more films to come that will surely capture our hearts and imaginations.
This coming July we have Pacific Rim which will hit theaters and probably leave a lot of viewers dumbfounded with its epic special effects and slam bang action. Created by the visionary Guillermo Del Toro, who was also involved in the making of the first installment of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Pacific Rim is a film where the Earth is being attacked by gigantic alien monsters that come through a rift from beneath an ocean trench. To combat this threat, humanity has resorted to building these mighty robotic war machines to repel these monsters.
Then we have Thor: The Dark World, the second installment of the Thor series. It should be noted that the first Thor film proved to be a good film but many fans were disappointed in the fact that so much was left at a loose end. However, after the success of The Avengers in defeating Loki, the God of Thunder returns to set things right. This time Thor must deal with enemies who may perhaps be older than the universe itself.
Finally we have the second installment of The Hobbit film trilogy, Desolation of Smaug. One of the most awaited films of the year, it will reach theaters sometime this December. The recent release of its first trailer has only further exacerbated the longing and excitement that fans feel for the movie as will definitely have quite a bit of fanfare with new actors like Luke Evans and Evangeline Lilly taking on some important roles as well as the return of iconic ones like Orlando Bloom who we all remember well as Legolas from Lord of the Rings.
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/09/evangeline-lilly-gets-dangerous/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/09/evangeline-lilly-gets-dangerous/)
The Hobbit Movie New Post
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Evangeline Lilly Gets Dangerous
Posted: 09 Jul 2013 06:58 AM PDT
So there you have it, it seems that Peter Jackson and his crew are finally finishing up with The Hobbit films and are ready for release soon enough. So don't worry Ringers, we can surely look forward to more as Wingnut films is almost ready to present us with what we're waiting for in the following few months. Already we have the first trailer for the second film, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, released not long ago after the release of Man of Steel on the big screen and the fans are already ecstatic over what they will probably see in the up and coming sequel. Cue also the cheer of fans when it was announced that Unexpected Journey will be receiving some extended scenes just to spice things up.
Now though, it seems that the journey is wrapping up and some of the actors and actresses who have made The Hobbit possible are now taking their leave. It's sad and heartwarming at the same time that the people who have brought Middle Earth to life are now making their heartfelt farewells to both fans and fellow actors and film crews. There's even that short video on Peter Jackson's video diary depicting a presumably drunk Orlando Bloom singing "They Have Taken The Hobbits to Isengard" as a kind of final joke as he moves on to the next projects in his career.
Another noteworthy person on the project is of course Evangeline Lilly, whom we all know as Tauriel in her movie incarnation. Again, it seems that Evangeline Lilly who made one of her first notable appearances in the TV series Lost where she played as the fugitive Kate Austen will be once again taking the role of a badass and rather renegade character. Of course, it seems that Evangeline Lilly is more than pleased to take on the role of Tauriel as is revealed in a few interviews with her and seems intent on pleasing the fandom who have come to accept the character.
Well, for those not in the know, the character of Tauriel received considerable criticism after Peter Jackson revealed her to waiting fans of the franchise. Being an original character not found in the original novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, it seems that a lot of fans were outright insulted by this development and have come to view the characters as almost a kind of a betrayal to the works of the great author. However, Evangeline Lilly herself has gone on to confirm that the character was made with great respect for Tolkien's works and was created solely to further enrich the story.
Tauriel, as Evangeline Lilly herself describes, is a rather young elf (600 years old to be exact) who has yet to be considered fully mature (like Legolas and Thranduil who are effectively past 1000 years of age) and is rather brash and reckless. However, she is confirmed to have the same amount of grace that elves are famous for although, unlike the rest of her peers, is quite blunt especially when it comes to combat.
Evangeline Lilly Gets Dangerous is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Fame is a Bitch, But Not for Martin Freeman
Posted: 09 Jul 2013 02:26 AM PDT
The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is ready to hit theaters come December of this year and it looks like fans just can't seem to wait anymore. The recent release of the film's trailer that came out along with the first screening of Man of Steel certainly didn't make things any easier for fans as they now clamor even more of The Hobbit. Even the first installment, The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug, has received a bit of tweaking and some extended scenes that will include more of Hobbiton and the hobbits' idyllic way of life, a scuffle between the dwarven company and the elves of Rivendell and a few more shots with the Goblin King (shudder).
However, the film itself took quite some time before it could be successfully launched possibly because of some major issues that director Peter Jackson had to contend with. This would include the legal repercussions as Peter Jackson has little access to other sources cited by J.R.R. Tolkien and had to make do with whatever could be found in both The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. There is also the case with the actors as some of them like Christopher Lee who was simply too frail to fly to New Zealand and had to do most of his shots in England and there was Hugo Weaving who not entirely sure about taking up the mantle of Lord Elrond again.
They also had a few issues with actor Martin Freeman who was set up to take the role of Bilbo Baggins, the main character of the story and film. Apparently, he had been busy with another project when Peter Jackson began work with The Hobbit, more specifically the British TV series Sherlock. A more modern interpretation of Arthur Conan Doyle's classic Great Detective, Martin Freeman plays the role of Dr. Watson, the faithful sidekick of Sherlock Holmes himself and, at the same time, a kind of surrogate for the audience as Watson is most certainly a typical everyman caught in situations that are in over his head.
Luckily though it seems that Martin Freeman made it after all and is slated to star in the up and coming sequels of the film as well such as Desolation of Smaug and There and Back Again. However, Martin Freeman goes on to note that, in Britain at least, he seems to be more popular for being Watson than anything else. Either way though, he seems to be quite popular for playing the role of rather everyman characters caught in situations that utterly defy description.
Also however, Martin Freeman's rather unassuming look has made him a little harder to recognize than some of his fellow celebrities. Take for example Orlando Bloom who plays the role of Legolas in both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and you'll notice the way the general public easily recognized him among the masses in New York City Park. Oh well, at least it'll keep Martin Freeman free from having any problems with Paparazzi.
Fame is a Bitch, But Not for Martin Freeman is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/10/benedict-cumberbatch-and-guillermo-del-toro/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/10/benedict-cumberbatch-and-guillermo-del-toro/)
The Hobbit Movie New Post
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Benedict Cumberbatch and Guillermo Del Toro
Posted: 10 Jul 2013 08:15 AM PDT
It seems that the hard work of Peter Jackson as well as the cast and crew for The Hobbit films have finally paid off. The results of the first installment, An Unexpected Journey, has already raked in considerable recognition and it seems that it has easily become one of the most successful films of 2012 alongside the really classic hits like The Avengers and Skyfall. And it seems its far from over as it was announced that An Unexpected Journey would come out with some extended scenes such as additional scenes in Hobbiton, a few scuffles between the dwarves and elves of Rivendell and perhaps maybe a few shots of the Goblin King.
Desolation of Smaug, the second installment of the film trilogy, is due this year in December and it seems the fandom just can't wait for it to roll around. Of course the recent release of the film's first trailer just over a month ago hasn't helped much with the yearning of fans and has possibly boosted the fan reception with the confirmation that Orlando Bloom, the actor who played as Legolas in Lord of the Rings and perhaps one of the film industry's biggest heartthrobs, would be returning to reprise his role as the elf prince of Mirkwood. However now, it seems that the some of the cast have already left as the project is now coming to an end while the third and last film of the franchise will be scheduled for release late next year.
It should be noted though that some of the people involved in The Hobbit films still have quite a bit ahead of them especially those who have become some of the most recognizable names in Hollywood like the aforementioned Orlando Bloom being interested in getting a role for the latest Pirates of the Caribbean films and Ian McKellen reprising his role as Magneto in the latest installment of X-Men franchise. But now we have Guillermo Del Toro and Benedict Cumberbatch planning a new project of their own.
Indeed, Benedict Cumberbatch, the same guy who played as Sherlock Holmes alongside Martin Freeman (the guy playing as Bilbo in The Hobbit) in the ever popular British TV series Sherlock as well as the mysterious John Harrison in the latest installment of the Star Trek reboot, Into Darkness, may indeed be joining visionary Guillermo Del Toro in a new project. In The Hobbit proper, its quite impressive to note that he gets to play not just one character, but two. He plays as both the fearsome Wicked Wyrm, Smaug and the mysterious Necromancer who I'm sure fans of Tolkien are easily familiar with.
Guillermo Del Toro has also been quite busy with his own projects like Pacific Rim, an epic film with giant robots and huge monsters set for release this month. For those not in the know, Guillermo Del Toro was also behind the Hellboy film adaptations as well as the Spanish film Pan's Labyrinth. Anyway, it seems now that he wants to get together with Benedict Cumberbatch in order to launch his latest project which seems to be Frankenstein. Of course, knowing his passion for classics, we can only hope to see his new project launched soon.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Guillermo Del Toro is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
A Long Awaited Journey
Posted: 10 Jul 2013 02:07 AM PDT
Of course, we all know about Peter Jackson in some way. After all, the world cheered him on after he successfully adapted Lord of the Rings unto the big screen. And this after a lot of directors before the 21st century claimed that the epic novel by J.R.R. Tolkien was impossible to film. I suppose that just goes to show the ingenuity of the director himself who has gone on to direct many more movies in his time and impressed audiences around the world. One can even note that, although his version of Lord of the Rings was quite loyal to the source material (unlike The Hobbit today) it could be said that people will never look at that classic the same way ever again.
Well, for those of you not in the know, Peter Jackson is originally from New Zealand, which probably comes as no surprise considering he made some of his most noteworthy films in the little country south of the world. Some of his earliest films include that of The Valley, a short film about a group of prospectors who stumble into a space/time portal of some sort and finding themselves in another age and forced to fight against mythological creatures and other nasties as they attempt to get away and seeks some kind of shelter in the otherwise hostile world they have found themselves in.
And then there is the rather bizarre Bad Taste which Peter Jackson made sometime in 1976 which became a cult classic in its own right. It tells the story of a group of paramilitary personnel investigating a bizarre incident in Kaihoro, a fictional town in New Zealand. Soon enough, the four members of the team discover, much to their horror, that all the people of the town have been abducted and possibly devoured by aliens. To make matters worse, it seems that the aliens have set up shop in the town as a kind of fastfood for other aliens with human flesh as one of the major commodities.
Then there is yet another film called Meet the Feebles which didn't really succeed but proved to be quite interesting in its own right and became a cult classic. The movie is actually quite reminiscent of The Muppets, but whereas The Muppets can be thought of as a wholesome adventure with the characters constantly suffering from their own naivete and innocence, The Feebles are known for their largely rude and brutal sense of humor. A black comedy in every sense of the word, the film involves everything from sex and violence to the naturally shady nature of the film industry.
The Hobbit film trilogy, which the world has been waiting for eagerly since Peter Jackson finished up with Lord of the Rings also took quite some time to make as there have been numerous issues regarding the film's crew and cast. For instance, they had plenty of trouble just making the film as laws prevented Peter Jackson from making use of any other sources by Tolkien asides from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
A Long Awaited Journey is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
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http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/12/the-hobbit-an-extended-journey/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/12/the-hobbit-an-extended-journey/)
The Hobbit: An Extended Journey
Posted: 12 Jul 2013 07:31 AM PDT
The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is due this year in December and the fandom has never been more eager to welcome the latest installment with open arms. Of course, considering the massive following the adaptations of works by J.R.R. Tolkien, this isn't really surprising and there are those who expect more from Desolation of Smaug once it rolls around by the end of this year. Oh well, we can assume that it's all worth the journey as the recent release of the trailer for the film has garnered a huge response from fans on its own and the hilarious contents of Peter Jackson's video diary that details his recent activities in completing the film trilogy.
Anyway, as we wait for Desolation of Smaug to come to theaters, Peter Jackson has left us a bit of something to lessen our boredom and longing for the film with a new edition of An Unexpected Journey, the first installment of the film franchise, has received some extended scenes that will leave fans yearning for more. Indeed, this should prove to be a welcome distraction as we await Desolation of Smaug. Here are some of the aforementioned scenes we'll find once the new edition of An Unexpected Journey comes about:
We're going to receive additional shots of Hobbiton, something that we didn't get much with the first release as we immediately cut to Bilbo's house and the subsequent visit of Gandalf to his home as well as the invasion of the dwarves. With the new extended scenes for the film will get more coverage of the beautiful landscape that Peter Jackson has prepared to make sure that fans get the most breathtaking view of the hobbits' idyllic home. They even used more durable materials to make sure that the props on the set would last longer and allow locals to fully experience the magic of Middle Earth for themselves. Heck, thanks to the props and the realistically mystical feel of New Zealand, the place has spawned a tour for fans of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and it even has a little bar made in the image of The Green Dragon Inn in Hobbiton!
Also, remember the opening scenes in Erebor? Of course last time we didn't really get to see much of that but we did get to see Thorin Oakenshield's father Thrain in his throne room with the Arkenstone, a few dwarven women for the first time (which is somewhat different from what Gimli said from his own story) and of course the dragon Smaug descending on the hapless little city and razing it to the ground sparing only its vast treasury to keep for himself. Peter Jackson has confirmed that there will indeed be added scenes involving the little dwarven city and even a new character called Girion who will help in the defense of the mighty dwarven citadel but whether or not he actually survives the encounter with the mighty dragon is something that viewers will have to find out for themselves.
The Hobbit: An Extended Journey is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Harvey Weinstein: The Battle of Two Companies
Posted: 12 Jul 2013 02:12 AM PDT
We already know about Peter Jackson and his highly successful films such as Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit and King Kong. However, let us talk about another showbiz personality, shall we? Here we have Harvey Weinstein, a rather famous British producer who has produced quite a few films in his time like the infamous Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill and Inglorious Basterds and the co founder of the Weinstein Company along with his brother Bob. Lately however, it seems that the company has fallen under fire from the movie titan Warner Bros. which, according to Harvey Weinstein, is directly related to the company's latest project, The Hobbit, which we are now all too familiar with.
Anyway, the Weinstein Company was never really a big business like its current adversary. It was established sometime in 2005 by Harvey and Bob both of whom previously made films for the Disney owned Miramax Films. After establishing their own company, the Weinstein brothers have gradually made their way through the years to make films of their own and become successes in their own right. They even went on to partner with Peter Jackson and Wingnut films when Lord of the Rings was released on the big screen in 2001-2003. However, now it seems that the Weinstein Company has ran afoul with Warner Bros. over the film The Butler which is set for 2013.
Apparently, the ruckus boils down to rights to various films which is all too often the source of these kinds of problems to start with. Based on what Harvey Weinstein has said so far, it seems that Warner Bros. still feels a bit mad about the way the Weinstein Company has managed to secure rights to The Hobbit which, as we all know, is proving to be quite a hit in its own right and while it may suffer from a few disgruntled fans here and there, it's still proving to be a strong contender in the film industry especially with two more sequels that have yet to be shown on theaters.
The Butler, a film that has the unfortunate name of sharing the same name with a number of other films has enabled Warner Bros. to put the film on hold. Harvey Weinstein has gone out of his way to say how unfair this is as there have been many other films out there that have similar names. A good example of this would of course be "Heat" which is found in almost every niche of film, usually of action although there are even adult films with this kind of title. Regardless, it seems to be coming down hard on The Butler and Weinstein Company unless it relinquishes its rights on The Hobbit films.
For those who are curious, The Butler is actually a film regarding the lives of African-American butlers in the White House. The film will feature Forest Whitaker in the role of Cecil Gaines, a kind of tribute to Eugene Allen, who is well known for leading a successful career for 34 years.
Harvey Weinstein: The Battle of Two Companies is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/14/battle-for-middle-earth-in-lawsuits/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/14/battle-for-middle-earth-in-lawsuits/)
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Battle for Middle Earth... In Lawsuits
Posted: 14 Jul 2013 07:42 AM PDT
Well, I'm sure we're all aware of how successful the works of J.R.R. Tolkien have become over the years. It is especially noteworthy that its popularity rose to new heights when Lord of the Rings was finally adapted into film in 2001-2003 and managed to increase the size of the fandom exponentially as the book was long considered to be impossible or simply very difficult to put into film. This goes to show how far filmmaking and special effects have come and the films themselves have even gone on to appeal to people who are unfamiliar with the works of J.R.R. Tolkien or those who were never fans of the fantasy genre to start with.
Unfortunately now it seems that the works of Tolkien are now fought over by quite a few major moguls for the opportunity to make a profit off of its rather large fanbase. Among these of course are Warner Bros. one of the many highly successful film companies out there. There is also the relatively new but nonetheless successful (in its own right at least) Weinstein Company who also became part of the Lord of the Rings project with Peter Jackson and Wingnut films. And then there is the Tolkien family, the descendants of the nigh legendary J.R.R. Tolkien who have somehow lost some rights over the intellectual property of the great writer.
Apparently, Warner Bros. has seized any rights from other companies or organizations to make use of The Hobbit themed products. There was even the last issue with Harvey Weinstein who claims that Warner Bros. was somewhat upset by the fact that the Weinstein Company had access to the rights of The Hobbit which countered by seizing rights to "The Butler" which is a film slated for release this August and is a project of the aforementioned Weinstein Company. A film that details the story of black butlers who have served in the White House over the years and features Forest Whitaker as the hero of the story. According to Warner Bros. however, the title "The Butler" has already been used for one of the films they've produced and own the rights and title of said film even if their film has little similarity to the Weinstein Company's latest project.
As for the Tolkien Estate, it seems that Warner Bros. has seized rights to a lot of the materials for The Hobbit, though luckily it only seems to extend towards online and gambling games. While it may not mean much for those who simply focus on the books and films of J.R.R. Tolkien, it is apparent that due to this recent development, the Tolkien Estate will no longer be able to take advantage of licensing opportunities that may help in expanding its assets.
Even before all this started it seems that a lot of Tolkien's intellectual properties have often been debated over. As a matter of fact, one of the main reasons that it took so long for Peter Jackson to finish up with the production for The Hobbit was because he was only allowed to draw materials from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and other sources by Tolkien were off-limits.
Battle for Middle Earth... In Lawsuits is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/16/dwarvicise-staying-fit-in-middle-earth/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/16/dwarvicise-staying-fit-in-middle-earth/)
The Hobbit Movie New Post
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• Dwarvicise: Staying Fit in Middle Earth
• Times of Ending
• Guillermo Del Toro: A Very Busy Man
Dwarvicise: Staying Fit in Middle Earth
Posted: 16 Jul 2013 07:57 AM PDT
We've been following Peter Jackson's films in Middle Earth for quite some time now starting with the Lord of the Rings film trilogy in 2001-2003 to The Hobbit which has finally made it to the big screen in 2012 with its first installment, An Unexpected Journey. A welcome development since it took Peter Jackson nearly nine years to clear all the legal and financial issues regarding the film and of course finding the right actors and actresses to play the many characters in the world that J.R.R. Tolkien created. So far it seems that he succeeded or there are still fans who are openly discontent about the way Peter Jackson has handled Tolkien's intellectual properties such as his addition of new characters like Tauriel and slightly altering existing ones like Azog the Defiler as the latter was mostly a posthumous character in the original novel.
Now, the project is getting closer and closer to its fruition as the cast and crew is finishing up with the remaining films Desolation of Smaug and There and Back Again. Actors who have now left the project to be part of other upcoming films include Ian McKellen, who we'll certainly never forget as Gandalf, has gone on to complete other projects such as the next installment of the X-Men franchise called Days of Future Past. And then there is Orlando Bloom who has gone on to even leave fans with a video of himself singing "They Have Taken The Hobbits To Isengard" while drunk as a kind of awkward but hilarious farewell. Lastly, we have Martin Freeman who has taken his leave to return with Benedict Cumberbatch in the the British TV series Sherlock that features them as Dr. Watson and Sherlock Holmes respectively.
Sadly, Peter Jackson has gone on to announce that their usual appearance in San Diego for the annual Comic Con has been cancelled in order to complete a lot of their pick-up shots for the remaining films of The Hobbit. It has even been announced that An Unexpected Journey, the first installment, will even receive some extended scenes such as additional shots of The Shire, a battle in Erebor as Smaug tries to overtake the little dwarven city and some scenes involving the Goblin King. And then, to give us more things to distract ourselves with as we wait for the remaining films to roll into the theaters, there's Peter Jackson's video diary.
The video diary contains the various activities and antics the cast and crew have been up to while they finish the pick-up shots as well as the long-awaited Battle of Five Armies which will certainly be one of the most epic scenes in the film series. And, much to the joy of some fans, the video does include some scenes of Thorin Oakenshield and company struggling to keep themselves fit for the up and coming scenes of the film as it surely must be challenging for dwarves to keep up with such large enemies like the orcs.
Speaking of the orcs though, it one can only wonder how Azog and his son Bolg manage to keep such athletic physiques that Peter Jackson should also include another video featuring orc-sercise...
Dwarvicise: Staying Fit in Middle Earth is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Times of Ending
Posted: 16 Jul 2013 02:15 AM PDT
There you have it, it seems that filming for The Hobbit films is now coming to an end and that a lot of the cast and crew have now been gathering up and moving on to new projects. Not to worry though as the project is still quite far from being over and we can definitely expect more from Peter Jackson and his crew as Desolation of Smaug is due this year in December and There and Back Again is slated for release somewhere late next year. There is even going to be some extended scenes of An Unexpected Journey which I'm sure fans are now eagerly anticipating.
Unfortunately though, it seems that some members of the cast are indeed done with The Hobbit and are moving on to other projects. For instance, it seems that Ian McKellen is done with his part as Gandalf and is possibly moving on to a new project, likely the new installment of X-Men entitled Days of Future Past where he will be reprising another of his iconic roles, the mutant leader Magneto. Then there is also Orlando Bloom who has also moved on from the project and has even left us with a funny and somehow sad farewell video involving him singing "They Have Taken The Hobbits To Isengard" while probably mildly intoxicated. Of course, it's been a fun journey but seeing the departure of actors who have become such a staple part of the franchise who have made the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit what it is can still bring a tear to the eye.
And then now we have Martin Freeman, whom we have all come to know and love for his portrayal of Bilbo Baggins in the films is also taking his leave from the project. Although one can note that the actor has played the actor quite well despite the fact that Martin Freeman was at first hesitant to take up the role of Tolkien's "Hobbit" due to his commitment to the British TV series Sherlock and, at one point, Peter Jackson even considered recruiting Jack Black and even Ian Holm for the project despite the latter's age. Thankfully though Martin Freeman did show up for the role and the project was a go. Sadly though, it seems that Martin Freeman is indeed moving on to new projects, possibly another eagerly awaited film of this year, The World's End, which is part of the Cornetto trilogy that includes Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.
The movie itself, The World's End will also feature quite a few other actors who are quite well known in the film industry such as Simon Pegg, whom we all remember well from the Cornetto trilogy as well as his various roles in other films such as Benji Dunn of the Mission Impossible and Scotty from Star Trek. It centers around the story of a group of friends making their annual attempt at a pub crawl but then takes a turn for something else entirely when the group, along with all humans in the vicinity, are attacked by robots.
Times of Ending is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Guillermo Del Toro: A Very Busy Man
Posted: 15 Jul 2013 02:25 PM PDT
Well, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is proving to be quite a hit, going on to become one of the big movies in 2012 alongside The Dark Knight Rises and The Avengers. It also became one of the films ported to home video that has managed to keep a lot of home video companies afloat despite the troubles brought about by the economy which seems to be tanking, well at least according to some sources. That doesn't even include the fact that Peter Jackson has now included some extended scenes to the latest edition of the home videos which will feature a bit more of The Shire as it seems that the crew wants viewers to see more of the lovely New Zealand countryside, an expansion on the events when Smaug overran the city of Erebor and even includes a new character and then there are a few additional scenes involving the Goblin King somewhere in Goblin Town.
However, it's quite peculiar that Guillermo Del Toro, one of the screenplay writers for An Unexpected Journey, still hasn't seen the film proper. Of course, given the man's many projects, it's quite likely he just hasn't found the time to watch them. After all, he seems to be working on some really big films as of late and probably has even more in store for us. One of his latest projects, Pacific Rim has proven to be an epic film thanks to the massive machines and monsters duking it out in cities around the world. It seems that Guillermo Del Toro did live up to his promise to delivering some of the biggest monsters and most badass robots onto the big screen. And now it certainly seems that Guillermo Del Toro is quite busy in preparing other new films for his ever growing fanbase.
While it's been a long development hell, it seems that Guillermo Del Toro may be finally making some progress towards resolving the Hellboy films. Of course, this is still largely tentative as Ron Perlman and Guillermo Del Toro have only discussed the possibility as of late but it does seem that the two are intent to finally put the project into motion after the success of Pacific Rim.
And there is Guillermo Del Toro's Frankenstein project. Apparently, he has been a big fan of the 1994 adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein and indeed he has made plans to making his own film based around the aforementioned film and the Bride of Frankenstein. And to make matters even better, it seemed that Guillermo Del Toro has gone on to ask Benedict Cumberbatch to become a part of his film. One can only imagine the implications of this considering a lot of Benedict Cumberbatch's success in a lot of other films such as Star Trek: Into Darkness where he played the role of the mysterious terrorist John Harrison. And of course there's his epic portrayal of, not one, but two of The Hobbit films' major villains such as Smaug the Dragon and The Necromancer.
Guillermo Del Toro: A Very Busy Man is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/15/the-journey-back/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/15/the-journey-back/)
The Hobbit Movie New Post
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The Journey Back
Posted: 15 Jul 2013 01:08 AM PDT
They say that all things must come to an end and the case has never been more true for the cast and crew of The Hobbit. After the success of the first installment, An Unexpected Journey, in December of last year, it seems that a lot of those involved in the project are ready to wrap up the remaining loose ends of the remaining films Desolation of Smaug and There and Back Again. Sad to say that we'll have to say goodbye to a lot of the cast members but it's quite true that a lot of them have indeed left to complete other projects. Among those to be mentioned are Ian McKellen who has made an excellent and memorable portrayal of Gandalf and Orlando Bloom who has made Lord of the Rings extra special for Ringers when he took up the role of Legolas in both Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. This is even made worse by the fact that Peter Jackson has only been given access to Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit and is barred from using any other works by J.R.R. Tolkien like the Silmarillion and The Children of Hurin as sources.
Indeed, it seems that Ian McKellen has indeed left for other projects and seems to be involved in the latest installment of the X-Men franchise, Days of Future Past and Orlando Bloom has left us with a comical but somehow heartwarming video of himself while singing "They Have Taken The Hobbits to Isengard" as a kind of farewell on Peter Jackson's own video blog. And now it seems time that we also said goodbye to two other actors who have made the journey even more interesting, Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch, without whom The Hobbit films would be nothing like what they are now.
Indeed, Martin Freeman, whom we've all come to easily recognize as the character who is often forced into situations way beyond his ability to cope or even understand with his predicament seems to be done with his role as Bilbo Baggins, a character who easily fits into the kind of character Martin Freeman is often cast into. However, while there were other actors who were considered for the role of Bilbo Baggins such as Jack Black and even Ian Holm, it seems that Peter Jackson made no mistake in choosing Martin Freeman for the role despite the hassles that took place before he could be recruited as he initially seemed to busy with his work in Sherlock.
Then of course there's Sherlock Holmes himself, or at least the man who plays the role of Sherlock Holmes, Benedict Cumberbatch. We all seem to be familiar with his silken and sexy voice that has landed him in some major roles such as Sherlock Holmes, as mentioned above, and the mysterious terrorist known only as John Harrison from the second installment of the Star Trek reboot, Into Darkness. It seems that he is in for quite a few more roles come this 2013 with August: Osage County and The Fifth Estate.
The Journey Back is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/17/smaug-goes-puff/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/17/smaug-goes-puff/)
The Hobbit Movie New Post
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Smaug Goes "Puff"
Posted: 17 Jul 2013 07:38 AM PDT
All things must come to an end and this never more true with the current status of The Hobbit films. While we can certainly await the up and coming sequels of the film which are still quite a ways off, with Desolation of Smaug still several months away and There and Back Again scheduled to hit theaters in late next year, it seems that a lot of the filming has already ended and we can only say tearful goodbyes to the many people who made The Hobbit films what they are. Indeed, since it seems that Peter Jackson has been barred access from any other sources by J.R.R. Tolkien, it seems that the journey is indeed over.
Still, it's still quite a journey and definitely worth remembering as a lot of viewers may note. Ian McKellen, whom we've all come to know and love as Gandalf the Grey has left the project perhaps to move on to other projects. There is also Orlando Bloom, beloved by the world as Legolas Greenleaf, the elf prince of Mirkwood and son of Thranduil, has also said his farewells on Peter Jackson's video diary by leaving a video himself possibly being intoxicated and singing "They Have Taken The Hobbits To Isengard". And then we have Martin Freeman who is quite done with his role as Bilbo Baggins and is now moving on to other projects, possibly The World's End which is the the third and final installment of The Cornetto trilogy which includes Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz.
But now it's time for us to also say goodbye to another very important member of the show's cast, Benedict Cumberbatch who plays not just one but two of The Hobbit's major villains Smaug the Dragon, who is responsible for the destruction of the dwarves' once prosperous city of Erebor, claiming its treasure for its own and leaving the dwarves for dead and also The Necromancer who I'm sure fans of the original works of J.R.R. Tolkien are quite familiar with. Benedict Cumberbatch even went on to expound that he didn't simply provide the voice of Smaug, but actually played the role as any other live-action role, no doubt made even more realistic with some of the equipment designed to make motion capture even more believable with 48fps that manages to capture even the smallest movement detail of actors to present viewers with top-notch CGI animations.
As of late, Benedict Cumberbatch has made quite a performance in the second installment of the Star Trek film franchise, Into Darkness, where he plays the role of the mysterious and unquestionably dangerous John Harrison who is definitely more than he seems to be considering his aptitude in combat. He even appeared briefly in Japan to further promote the popularity of Star Trek's alternate universe. He also seems to have some up and coming projects of his own as Guillermo Del Toro, who actually wrote part of the screenplay for An Unexpected Journey, has considered making him part of his own adaptation of Frankenstein.
Smaug Goes "Puff" is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Weta Workshop: Commemorating Legends
Posted: 17 Jul 2013 02:26 AM PDT
After a few years of hard work, putting together funds, more hard work, recruiting the cast members for the films proper and even more hard work it seems that the efforts of Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and all of Wingnut Films have finally paid off considering the anticipation of The Hobbit's fanbase. Oh well, we're certainly expecting the second installment of The Hobbit, Desolation of Smaug this coming December and it certainly seems that we'll be in for quite a ride as it seems that the adventure will get even more exciting as characters like Tauriel, Bard and Beorn will soon be joining the fray. That doesn't even take into account that the book's primary villains are now also taking center stage with Benedict Cumberbatch taking up the role of both Smaug the Dragon and The Necromancer. Also, it seems that Azog the Defiler (played by Manu Bennett) will be making a reappearance and is now accompanied by Bolg, the pale orc's son and is played by Conan Stevens.
Sadly however, it seems that filming is coming to an end and some members of the cast have been leaving the project proper. Among those who have left include Ian McKellen, whom we all remember well for playing the role of Gandalf the Grey, Orlando Bloom, whose unforgettable performance as Legolas earned him numerous leading roles in other blockbuster films and now even Martin Freeman, whom we have all come to know and love as Bilbo Baggins has gone on to move to other projects as well as return to his role as Dr. Watson in the British TV series Sherlock along with Benedict Cumberbatch who plays as the titular detective.
Then again though, we still have much to look forward to as the remaining films of The Hobbit are set to theaters with Desolation of Smaug and There and Back Again still a long ways off late next year. Nonetheless though, it seems that we still have a few goodies we can enjoy before the last two films come up and some of these include the latest figures presented to us by Weta Workshop.
For instance, we have here a figure of Bilbo Baggins as he flounders about in his little barrel as he and the dwarves escape the elves of Mirkwood using the barrels they found near the banquet. In this small figure alone, we can clearly see what a lost character the young hobbit is compared to the great challenges that he and the rest of his companions must face further along on their journey to Erebor, the city of the dwarves which has been overtaken by the dragon Smaug.
And coming soon, we have a figure of Tauriel, the red-headed elf action girl whose causing quite some controversy among the fans of both the book and film. Being absent from the original novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, it seems that fans are divided over accepting the character as a welcome addition or consider her as an affront to Tolkien's original canon.
Weta Workshop: Commemorating Legends is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/19/virgin-media-dropping-3d-in-films/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/19/virgin-media-dropping-3d-in-films/)
The Hobbit Movie New Post
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Virgin Media: Dropping 3D in Films
Posted: 19 Jul 2013 06:36 AM PDT
After the announcement that Virgin Media was presenting a host of blockbuster films for one of their big events has now expanded the choice of films to be viewed asides from the mentioned films in 3D. While it seems that we'll indeed be getting some of the films, it's likely that Virgin Media has allowed for more film choices that audiences can pick from probably to take advantage of the way films in 3D will now be handled.
So far, few can really argue with the quality provided by 3D technology. It was very popular during the 70s but it then quickly lost popularity for one reason or another. Reasons vary over the topic but some go on to blame the fact that there was some sort lack of creativity among filmmakers and that they had come to rely too much on the flair and visual effects provided by 3D instead of providing viewers with an intriguing plot while some simply deemed it too impractical. However 3D experienced a resurgence sometime in 2003 when it could present the viewers with even more epic views of their favorite films but also began losing popularity when the equipment involved in as well as the budget to afford them was beginning to become less and less practical. Also of note was that when a lot of film companies and producers, like Virgin Media mentioned above, decided against producing any more of them on TV despite its current decision to put out more film choices for its audiences.
All in all though, it seems that 3D films experienced a resurgence especially with films like Avatar in 2009. Somehow the film, with its awesome scenery and depictions of high-tech space marines and their ultra-advanced equipment fighting against a race of scantily clad blue-skinned cat people, it's small wonder that viewers were quickly taken by the special effects masterpiece. As the years rolled by with more films however, it seemed that 3D has once again lost popularity when people decided that paying extra money to see an otherwise mundane film with (for some at least) rather cumbersome glasses.
It just seems all too bad that Virgin Media has decided to pull the plug on some of the films it was planning to present in 3D. Some of its presentations that will come through would of course include Silent Hill: Revelations, the long awaited sequel to the first Silent Hill film but also conflicted with its predecessor when the creators wanted to be more loyal to the game's storyline. We also have Wreck-It-Ralph which is a film about video game characters and their activities during the downtime of their respective games. Then we have The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the first installment of The Hobbit film trilogy and it has even been announced that the film will be receiving some extended scenes to boot to link it to its upcoming sequels. It has been confirmed however that BBC will be shelving its 3D film section once it finishes up with its Doctor Who presentation.
Virgin Media: Dropping 3D in Films is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
TORn Tuesday: Something To Look Forward To
Posted: 19 Jul 2013 02:33 AM PDT
It's been a long time coming but it seems that we'll finally get to see some more action as we wait for the second installment of The Hobbit, entitled Desolation of Smaug. Though Peter Jackson sadly announced that he nor any of the materials he's using will be making an appearance at Comic-Con San Diego, it seems that there will indeed still be some events commemorating the success of first film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and the apparent fan anticipation of the sequel The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug. You'll find some exciting Webcasts and what not discussing the the movies in question as well as everything else between them such as Peter Jackson's video diary featuring some of the antics he and the film cast and crew of The Hobbit have been up to in making the films.
Sadly, filming seems to have finished for the movies and a lot of the cast and crew have already left the project. Among these actors include Ian McKellen who has played the role of Gandalf the Grey since Lord of the Rings and we will surely miss him in his resplendent robes and who can really forget his "You Shall Not Pass" speech to the Balrog in Fellowship of the Ring? We also have Orlando Bloom who has played the role of Legolas Greenleaf and has endeared fans from all over the world as well as boosted his otherwise small-time career at the time and has left us with a memorable video of him singing "The Have Taken The Hobbits To Isengard". There's Evangeline Lilly who's played the role of Tauriel, perhaps the only main female character to appear in the film trilogy and is entirely absent from the original novel. Martin Freeman and Benedict Cumberbatch have also left the project possibly to continue their adventures in the British TV series Sherlock.
The journey is far from over though and fans can certainly anticipate the arrival of the following films as Desolation of Smaug is set to hit theaters this December and There and Back Again scheduled to appear sometime in late next year. An Unexpected Journey even received a few extended scenes to make the journey even more complete for viewers with various scenes depicting more of the landscape in The Shire, the fierce but futile battle the dwarves fought in their attempt to repel Smaug from their kingdom and then there's a few more scenes involving the Goblin King in Goblin Town.
And now, as we continue to wait for the films to hit the big screen, we can enjoy a lot of the antics that are going on at the Comic Con WebCast and discuss scenes as well as artwork and other such activities. There are even various fan art of the various characters as they go about their adventures with one depicting a scene where Bilbo and the dwarves desperately try to hold on to the barrels they are swept through the river as well as a rather attractive amazonian depiction of Tauriel.
TORn Tuesday: Something To Look Forward To is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/18/the-hobbit-moving-on-and-settling-down/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/18/the-hobbit-moving-on-and-settling-down/)
The Hobbit Movie New Post
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The Hobbit: Moving On and Settling Down
Posted: 18 Jul 2013 07:18 AM PDT
The Hobbit films have proven to be quite a ride for cast, crew and audience and it's a bit sad when you think about the fact that most of the filming has already been done and a lot of the cast and crew are now leaving the project. Nonetheless though it has indeed been a great journey and it seems that Peter Jackson has made the journey even more amazing by providing some extended scenes for An Unexpected Journey and leaving us with something to distract ourselves before Desolation of Smaug and There and Back Again hits theaters in December of this year and late next year respectively by letting us look into his video diary which provides with some laughs while explaining what the cast and crew have been up to during filming.
Among those to leave include that of Evangeline Lilly who plays the role of the female elf Tauriel. The character is largely debated over by many fans as Tauriel was never present in any of the source materials, leading some to condemn her as an insult to the works of Tolkien. However, the actress herself has stated that the character was created to further enrich the story of The Hobbit and some fans have indeed come to welcome the character as an embellishment to the already iconic legend of The Hobbit.
Then we have Ian McKellen, a rather famous actor whom we've all come to know and love as the wizard Gandalf in The Hobbit films. Indeed, before Ian McKellen was chosen for the role, Peter Jackson had briefly considered getting other actors for the role such as Sean Connery, but decided to settle for Ian McKellen when it was decided no other actor can emulate the character as well. However, it seems that Ian McKellen's part in the films are done and is now moving on to other projects, most possibly the next installment of the X-Men franchise entitled Days of Future Past wherein he will reprise his iconic role as Magneto, the mutant rebel leader.
Next up, it seems that Martin Freeman who we've come to accept as Bilbo Baggins, the titular "hobbit" whom the story centers on has also taken his leave and has moved on to other projects. Some of his other films which we can soon expect him in is The World's End wherein he, along with other actors Simon Pegg and Nick Frost are a gang of friends attempting their annual pub crawl which always ends in failure. This time around though, it seems that robots and other nasties are involved turning the otherwise mundane but difficult pub crawl into an epic adventure.
And then we have Orlando Bloom, who, along with Ian McKellen, has become an iconic figure in the franchise due to his role as Legolas, has also taken his leave from the project. However, he has left a rather memorable video of himself on Peter Jackson's online diary involving him singing "They Have Taken The Hobbits To Isengard". Also, now that the Hobbit is now complete, it seems that he's using the time given to him to spend more time with his son Flynn as the two had been spotted in various scenic places just enjoying the countryside.
The Hobbit: Moving On and Settling Down is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
The Hobbit in 3D and Many More at Virgin Media
Posted: 18 Jul 2013 02:06 AM PDT
Virgin Media has announced that will be introducing a large number of films for moviegoers to enjoy all of which will be in 3D to add to the atmosphere and enjoyment of fans. There's been considerable argument whether or not 3D films are the way to go but with the impressive collection Virgin Media is giving us, perhaps we'll be able to to finally decide if watching films in 3D are truly worth it. So let's see the big line-up that Virgin Media has just prepared for us and decide for ourselves! While there are effectively more than 20 films for our viewing pleasure, here are at least a few of them that we can certainly enjoy.
First off we have Silent Hill: Revelations, the long awaited sequel to the Silent Hill film which picks up a few years after the events of the film although a lot of its contents are contradictory to the original film. For one thing, when the last film ended, it left Rose Da Silva, played by Radha Mitchell, and her daughter Sharon stranded in the misty otherworld in a bittersweet ending. However, the sequel begins with Sharon and her father Harry, played by Sean Bean (whom Ringers will also possibly remember as Boromir) who are on the run from the law and are forced to return to the eponymous town of mysterious monsters and demons in order to find an end to their troubles.
Then we have Wreck-It-Ralph which is a film by Pixar which has always been the mainstay of CGI films responsible for memorable movies like Toy Story, A Bug's Life, Wall. E and, finally, Monsters University. Anyway, Wreck-It-Ralph is the story of videogame villain who, during the game's downtime, is actually a good guy who just wants to prove to himself and others that he can be a hero. This leads him to leave his own game and search for fame and recognition in other games but turns out to have a number of consequences on its own.
Also on the list of films to see on Virgin Media is the Life of Pi, the story of a young Indian man who had somehow survived the sinking of the ship that he and his family was on. Based on the novel of the same name by Yann Martel, the story plays out much the same way that Pi relates his story of being stuck in a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger as he makes his way across the pacific.
Then last but not least, we have The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey which has definitely set the mood for the up and coming Desolation of Smaug which is set to hit theaters this December and There and Back Again which will make an appearance late next year. In the meantime though, we can certainly enjoy An Unexpected Journey as Bilbo begins his trek with the dwarves towards Erebor, the dwarven city now overtaken by the dragon Smaug and must face numerous enemies and dangers like orcs and trolls along the way.
The Hobbit in 3D and Many More at Virgin Media is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/20/giveaways-at-comic-con/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/20/giveaways-at-comic-con/)
The Hobbit Movie New Post
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Giveaways At Comic-Con
Posted: 20 Jul 2013 07:39 AM PDT
The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is coming this December and There and Back Again is due for release late next year. And indeed, the fandom has never been more eager for some action. However, while the wait can seem tedious, we still definitely have quite a few goodies to take note of as the films come closer and closer to a theater near you. Among these are of course the extended version of An Unexpected Journey which will go on to include a few more shots of The Shire, a more detailed account of Smaug's attack on Erebor and even features a new character and additional scenes involving the Goblin King.
And then now we have the figures on offer here at Comic-Con as the stuff of legends prepares to hit theaters once the two films roll around. One of these figures include that of Azog the Defiler, the pale orc we all remember all too well from An Unexpected Journey. Perhaps one of the most debated characters alongside that of Tauriel, Azog has received considerable criticism for being a posthumous character in the original books. Of course, being played by Manu Bennett, also known for his role as Crixus in the TV series Spartacus, the character has enjoyed at least some positive reactions from fans. Anyway, the figure itself is presented with quite a few features that I'm sure fans will enjoy as the miniature Azog can be made to pose in his incarnation during the battle against the dwarves in Moria where he triumphantly raises the head of Thror, Thorin Oakenshield's grandfather after he successfully decapitates the dwarf leader or his more recent appearance with his rather painful looking prosthesis in place of the arm that Thorin Oakenshield has severed.
Another more memorable figure is that of Bilbo Baggins himself, the titular "hobbit" of the book and films as portrayed by Martin Freeman. Apparently, the character is done in the scene where he struggles against the currents of the river inside a barrel, one of the more iconic scenes of The Hobbit and is one we're likely to see once Desolation of Smaug comes about. After all, it was all but confirmed in the trailer that we would definitely see the river scene as well as a few other scenes that has made The Hobbit the grand adventure that it is. Hopefully they'll even have a figure soon of Bilbo facing against Smaug, as was shown in the trailer.
Asides from the figures featuring characters from The Hobbit, Comic-Con will also be providing fans with other figures from epic superhero films from both the DC and Marvel Superheroes such as Spider Man, Batman and Superman. If that isn't a good way to commemorate some of the most epic films of last year, I don't know what it, so don't hesitate to join up Comic-Con to get a chance to win one of these figures. Details on how to join and how to win can be found on Yahoo Movies.
Giveaways At Comic-Con is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
The Hobbit: A Literary Treat
Posted: 20 Jul 2013 01:46 AM PDT
The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug is coming this December and already fans just can't seem to wait for it to get here. Of course, it's not really surprising as The Hobbit series is one of the most awaited masterpieces by Peter Jackson after his success with Lord of the Rings. Apparently, he just had too much trouble with making The Hobbit due to a lot of legal issues and the fact that the cast were not all accounted for as actors like Martin Freeman who would play as Bilbo Baggins was unavailable for the part as he was busy with other projects and Hugo Weaving who was meant to portray Elrond the elf lord was somewhat reluctant to reprise his role. However now, we can at least be thankful that the movie did come through after all even if the three parts of the film are years apart.
However, since we're on the subject, one must note that The Hobbit, at least in terms of the literature crowd, has always been popular. Indeed, based on how many stories of fantasy changed after the beginning of the 20th century, more specifically in the 1930s after J.R.R. Tolkien first came out with the book. Before then, most stories of fantasy were more or less stereotypical children's stories with all manner of magical creatures and generally idyllic settings while some turned out to be dreams and was not something Tolkien approved of calling "fantasy" according to the lectures and essays he left behind such as "On Fairy Stories". The Hobbit changed all that with its own set of mystical creatures that Tolkien brought over from even older sources such as Germanic folklore and was tempered with a gritty feel that was representative of Tolkien's own often tragic experiences during World War I.
Of course now, we simply enjoy his works and those that it inspired at leisure. One can note that the creatures found in Middle Earth can also be found in much of the worlds created by Dungeons and Dragons, the many characters and their dynamics with one another can be found somehow similar with that of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and there's the fact that Warhammer Fantasy shares some resemblances with Tolkien's creations but throws all the idealism out the window and plunges it straight into tragedy and cynicism.
On the whole though, as we wait for Desolation of Smaug and There and Back Again to hit theaters, it may be a good idea to read up on Tolkien's masterpiece which the movies are supposedly based on. After all, there are now many complaints over the liberties that Peter Jackson has taken with the artistic license for the films such as the addition of new characters or the heavy alterations of existing ones.
In some universities even, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings have become college courses for those who wish to learn more about them. The Hobbit is also preferred by many readers over Lord of the Rings due to its more simplistic tone and more idyllic feel. While Lord of the Rings can be considered an epic showdown between good and evil, The Hobbit is more or less a coming-of-age story and Bilbo's struggles in achieving both fame and fortune.
The Hobbit: A Literary Treat is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Last day of filming was today, July 25, 2013.
It is no doubt with a heavy heart that Peter Jackson now begins his final day of production on the set of The Hobbit in Wellington, New Zealand. He has, however, a special treat for fans as he works through his final hours in Middle Earth.
"Ever since starting these blogs," he writes on his official Facebook page, "there's been something I thought I'd like to try one day (as well as answering the other 19 questions I owe you!) - blogging throughout a shoot day in real time. Try to give you all a feeling for what we deal with on an average day. Today is not exactly "average", given it's our last day of shooting, but if I don't do it today, I never will!"
You can check out the fruits of his labor when The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug arrives this December 13 and The Hobbit: There and Back Again concludes the trilogy on December 17, 2014.
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=106999 (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=106999)
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/28/a-long-journey/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/28/a-long-journey/)
It seems that filming for The Hobbit has already ended and the cast and crew are going their separate ways. Ian McKellen seems to have left to continue with the long-awaited film franchise of X-Men with its latest installment, Days of Future Past where he shall be reprise his role as the rebellious mutant leader Magneto with a lot of the original members of the film franchise like Patrick Stewart and his awesome baldness to play as Professor X and the lovely Anna Paquin as Rogue. Orlando Bloom has also been noted to be interested in being part of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise again but so far, he seems to be content spending time with his son Flynn as he had been spotted with his beloved little boy in New York City Park. While Andy Serkis doesn't seem to be finished with the series after he had been appointed as assistant director to Peter Jackson but it seems that he's slated for projects of his own such as Dawn of the Planet of the Apes where he will once again take on the role of Caesar, the leader of the rebellious apes. Benedict Cumberbatch on the other hand has gone back to play the role of Sherlock Holmes in the TV series Sherlock with Martin Freeman also reprising his role as Dr. Watson.
All in all though, it's been a great ride for everybody, from the cast, the crew and the audience who had never been more supportive. After all, a lot us have waited for the films to actually come out and while some may have complaints here and there, it has nonetheless been an epic journey for all of us. And take note to remember that the journey is far from over as we still have quite a ways to go before Desolation of Smaug and There and Back Again.
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/29/from-the-shire-to-bouldin-creek/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/29/from-the-shire-to-bouldin-creek/)
I don't think anyone can ever forget the youthful appearance of Elijah Wood who seems to be perfect for the role of a hobbit, considering his almost ageless looks and ability to put on the innocence of a lost and heartwarming puppy. Anyway, it seems that the actor has moved on to Bouldin Creek last year in a large Victorian home that seems to have cost up to at least a million US dollars which, while probably fairly affordable for such an affluent and quite famous celebrity, may be a bit too much for the more common citizen. Oh well, after Lord of the Rings, he did go on to state in one interview that he had already succeeded in being part of the century's most epic fantasy flick and considers it one of his greatest achievements. No doubt the fandom agrees with him considering the success of said films and has even gotten him at least a cameo appearance in The Hobbit films.
Elijah Wood has been around for quite a while in the film industry with his beginnings somewhere in TV commercials. Later on, he played as an extra in Back to the Future and from there began to steadily grow popular. Due to his innocent appearance, as mentioned above, he went on to play the roles of troubled children like that of Mark Evans from The Good Son who finds himself at the mercy of a psychotic cousin/brother played by Macaulay Culkin and Mike from Radio Flyer where he must fight against an abusive father to protect his brother from harm. And then there was The War, a truly heart-wrenching story about the effects of the Vietnam War and how the pieces of a shattered family attempts to put itself back together.
Apparently, Elijah Wood, who seems to be in the process of filming Cooties, a horror comedy film about some strange virus hitting an elementary school where Clint Hadson (Elijah Wood's character) happens to be a substitute teacher at.
I have The War on my Netflix Q.
http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/30/sherlock-and-the-hobbit/ (http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2013/07/30/sherlock-and-the-hobbit/)
The Hobbit Movie New Post
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Sherlock And The Hobbit
Posted: 30 Jul 2013 01:45 AM PDT
Filming for The Hobbit films have finally ended and we are now only waiting for the second installment of The Hobbit entitled Desolation of Smaug to hit theaters sometime this December. While just a few months away now, it still seems to be quite a wait for a lot of fans and indeed Peter Jackson has thrown a few goodies along the way to make the wait just a little bit more bearable. Some of these of course include the extended scenes for the first installment An Unexpected Journey which will include some additional scenes for both Hobbiton and the desperate attempts to repel Smaug from Erebor and of course, there's Peter Jackson's very own video blog that includes some of the silly antics that cast and crew have been up to during the filming process.
Sadly though, it seems that for much of the cast who made one of J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpieces come alive, the journey does seem at its end. Indeed, Martin Freeman who played the role of Bilbo Baggins and Benedict Cumberbatch who portrayed both Smaug the Dragon and The Necromancer, have left the project and have continued their roles for the British TV series Sherlock with Cumberbatch taking on the role of the eponymous Great Detective and Freeman playing as the ever reliable Dr. Watson.
Martin Freeman has even gone on to note that his role as Dr. Watson in Sherlock is possibly more popular than his role as Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit. This is probably justified considering that the previous season of the show ended with a cliffhanger with Sherlock Holmes falling off from an otherwise fatal height. Of course, to those who have followed the adventures of Sherlock Holmes, it's probably no longer a surprise but Benedict Cumberbatch has indeed left a few clues as to how the Great Detective survived. Apparently, he has stated that he had become quite tired of keeping secrets from fans like he did in Star Trek: Into Darkness and The Hobbit. However, making sense of the clues will probably be entirely up to the viewer.
Sherlock And The Hobbit is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
Meet The Lord of the Rings
Posted: 29 Jul 2013 05:53 PM PDT
While the works of J.R.R. Tolkien claim that it was Sauron with the help of some elven smiths who crafted the Rings of Power, apparently, all Peter Jackson needed to make the rings for his films was but one man by the name of Nelson Benjamin Clark. And while Sauron crafted at least twenty rings (that's the One Ring, three for the elves, seven for the dwarves and nine for men, which also turned those nine into wraiths in the end) to bring all of Middle Earth to its knees, it seems that Clark had made at least twice as much. That's right, the Lord of the Rings films required at least forty rings and he had been hired to do fifteen more when The Hobbit came about.
Surprisingly enough, this Ringmaker is nowhere near as old as Sauron or the elven smiths mentioned above. In fact, this expert jeweller got his start when he was only seven years old, producing rings as an apprentice for his father, and had been making rings and other jewelry ever since. Clark goes on to note that one of his biggest challenges was when an American couple called him to make ring for them that was in the shape of a nail. After successfully giving the couple one of his best works to date, Clark felt confident about his abilities as a jeweller and silversmith and went on to make the iconic props of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.
However, it seems that success stories do not come without making sacrifices and indeed Clarke has mentioned that when he had first started his business he had to rely on his girlfriend's salary but had finally secured a bank loan after a few months. And from there, his career took off despite he himself admitting that it wasn't entirely what he expected as a career choice and has made quite a name for himself as a jeweller in New Zealand.
Meet The Lord of the Rings is a post from: The Hobbit Movie
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Extended Edition
Street Date: November 5, 2013
http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=107210 (http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=107210)
Saw this and I think I will order it up. :)
That's what I've been waiting for! Preordered.
Can't wait for this.. 9 hours of BTS and an extra 13 minutes added to the movie.. gonna be epic!!!
Am I allowed to confess that we didn't get to see this? Our eldest went with her friends but we never got to find a child free evening to get out and see it. We even missed it on pay-per-view on Sky.
Bad Boy, I know...
Turn in your Geek card.. ;)
Cool extras...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E9HML1Q/ref=s9_newr_gw_d0_g74_ir01?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1FX2T2GD9EP38YP72Z5V&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E9HML1Q/ref=s9_newr_gw_d0_g74_ir01?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1FX2T2GD9EP38YP72Z5V&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846)
New trailer. Cool!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbOEknbi4gQ#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbOEknbi4gQ#ws)
Pretty great. They put done effects on Cumbie's voice but I don't think they needed to. He already sounds like a dragon!
Looking forward to 12/13/13..
Cool banner!
New posters up here...
http://www.zergnet.com/o/106207/1 (http://www.zergnet.com/o/106207/1)
Kate is an Elf?! ;)
The wife loves Lost so maybe I can talk her in too seeing this at the theater.
Dharma bunker in Dale? ;)
Cool!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfflhfn1W-o#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfflhfn1W-o#ws)
New triptych poster.
We have been listening to the audiobook (unabridged) while on family trips to prepare.
I'm back from Erebor! Whew, lot's in the Desolation of Smaug, some familiar, and quite a bit brand new to create this triliogy. I had a great time, saw it in IMAX 3D, but the 3D wasn't too big a deal, so don;t feel compelled to see it that way. I loved it, although I think I may have liked An Unexpected Journey more. Spoilers below..
[spoiler]The elements which are in the book work very well for the most part, although I was a bit underwhelmed by the Beorn element and felt the barrel escape the elves was a bit over the top (kind of like the Goblin Town sequence in Unexpected Journey), and the spider of Mirkwood kind of feel been there down that after Shelob in LOTR. The Legolas/Tauriel inclusion works well, and she was terrifc, way better then Arwin. Some of the Laketown sequences drag a bit as well. A new element with Gandalf discovering the emerging Sauron was exciting and Smaug rocked the house. [/spoiler]
Thanks Bryan, I'll save the $'s on 3D then - since the whole family will go - and that ads up. :)
IMAX means 3-D. I love IMAX, so that's where I'm going Sunday, I think!
Quote from: Rico on December 13, 2013, 02:30:44 PM
IMAX means 3-D. I love IMAX, so that's where I'm going Sunday, I think!
Yeah, it wasn't bad, just minimal. Imax is DLP so the image is nice and bright.
Saw part 2 today in IMAX and really enjoyed it. At this point, these films are really not "The Hobbit", but basically "The Lord of the Rings - The Early Years." And, I'm along for the ride. The new stuff was cool and fun to watch. As Bryan has said, Evangeline Lilly makes a great elf in Tauriel. I actually think this part moved better and seemed tighter than part one. And Smaug - WOW! Looks great in IMAX! Perfect casting too for his voice. Bring on Part 3!
I really want to go see it again while still in theaters.
Evangeline Lily makes me feel kinda funny...like when we climbed the rope in gym class.. ;)
I saw this today in the HFR 3D, and really enjoyed it. I found it moved along quite well. I will have to admit, I have not read the book since I was a kid, so I really only had vague recollections of the story, some of the stuff Between Smaug and Bilbo was familiar to me. I think I liked this one over the first one, as the pace was just much more quicker, and I felt a bit more into middle earth. I liked the references to the LOTR scattered throughout, and liked the scenes where Legolas and Tauriel where fighting, as they looked so smooth.
Uggh, killing me that I haven't been to this one yet.
Saw this today. Smaug was amazing, Tauriel was amazing, but I am very disappointed in the movie. This seems to be the minority opinion - so I will chalk it off to me be a crotchety old guy who loves the original story. Once I digest it - and it stops repeating on me..maybe I'll list my observations in a spoiler tag. I think they were planning a Disney park ride when they wrote the script for this movie.
I wasn't as in love with this one as I was the first, either Pete, which does seem to be the minority opinion, but I still very muched enjoyed.
Here goes a few observations. I don't want to rain on the anyone's parade, so I will not harp on about it.
Things I loved:
Smaug is magnificent! BC is perfect for the voice - the CGI was brilliant.
Lake Town looked great.
It was visually thrilling to see these parts of Middle Earth.
[spoiler]I liked the inclusion of Legolas - since that is very logical. Tauriel was amazing, and also a logical addition. Evangeline is stunning.
Thranduil looks great. Bard looks like what I had in my mind from the books.[/spoiler]
Things I didn't like so much:
[spoiler]I groaned from the story line between Tauriel and Fili. I don't like the whole Azog - now Bolg chase and invasion of Lake Town. The extended action scenes were like filler, and tedious. It looks like he is setting up a ride for Disney or MGM - or mabye even a new theme park based on middle earth (which I wouldn't mind seeing!).[/spoiler]
Things I hated:
[spoiler]Gandalf being captures in Dol Goldur. The pursuit while escaping from the Elven fortress in barrels.The biggest thing I hate about this movie - is Bilbo's diminished role. He was much more clever and brave in the books - especially the escape from the Elven fortress. He is more clever in the first encounter with Smaug in the book. I hated the wormtongue like character that got added into the Lake Town scenes. Beorn - while looking cool - has a diminished role.[/spoiler]
I could go on..
All that being said, I recognize that things have to change to appeal to a newer audience. You can be certain I'll see the 3rd as well....and I'll hate myself for it. :)
Going this weekend with my daughter Riley, looking forward to it!
I like this poster a lot!
Just come back from my little cinema and I really enjoyed the film. Loved the additional characters, it added to the feel of the film. Irritating ending but that's not a critique it's just because I really want the third one.
The 3rd film is to be called: The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
I have to say that I've been disappointed with the Hobbit films. The first one just dragged on and on for me and I couldn't wait for it to be over. The Desolation of Smaug I enjoyed more but the CGI in both films was not as good as the Lord of the Ring trilogy, and often it just looked downright fake to me, and made me feel like I was watching a long video game instead of an epic film. Also many scenes looked like sets and not real places and I have had a hard time enjoying the films because of it. Out of the two films so far the scenes with Smaug had the best CGI though but many of the action scenes are just laughable. I wish Peter Jackson could have captured the magic of LOTR as I really love those three films. The first Hobbit film I would give 2 out of 5 stars and the second one 3 1/2 at best but closer to a 3 overall.
Kevin
I can't really agree with you...I didn't notice any glaring effects problems. I think that Gollum in the first film looked even better than in the LOTR films.
That's OK Chris. I might be more critical than the average viewer because I'm a big film buff and run a site for fans of classic films. What's obvious to me may not be to others. However, when I compare the sfx of the Hobbit films to the recent Marvel films or even something like Pacific Rim it looks cheesy to me. The transitions from CGI to live action in many instances looked unnatural. In any case I believe that far better work was done by Peter Jackson on Lord of the Rings (even if Gollum might have looked slightly better in The Hobbit).
Kevin
I'm with Chris - the effects looked very good in "The Hobbit" films. These are fantasy creations so there really is no good way to compare them to something real. Oh, and I think we are all pretty big film buffs here and are quite well versed in CGI, and film effect techniques. So, I think it comes down to the eye of the beholder - to a degree.
Yeah, I'm pretty critical, but I'm not seeing any issues. My father once told me that problems you go looking for are often the problems that you find. When we don't like something, our mind can and does over compensate to justify our reasons to not like it.
For one, I think that if you like the classic film effects, these really can't be that bad because on a bad day, they are significantly more believable that almost all of the "classic" films.
Quote from: X on April 24, 2014, 07:55:20 PM
Yeah, I'm pretty critical, but I'm not seeing any issues. My father once told me that problems you go looking for are often the problems that you find. When we don't like something, our mind can and does over compensate to justify our reasons to not like it.
For one, I think that if you like the classic film effects, these really can't be that bad because on a bad day, they are significantly more believable that almost all of the "classic" films.
But I am not using classic film effects as the standard. I place films within their proper time frame and setting. I am however comparing it to LOTR and as far as I'm concerned the sfx are not as good. Many scenes look like they were filmed on stage sets, which I know is true, but these type of movies are supposed to help you suspend belief. Perhaps you need to watch the films on a 60 inch LED to see what I'm talking about? I don't know I just know that the sfx in Avengers, Iron Man, Pacific Rim, Star Trek Into Darkness etc. etc. look far more real. The action scenes are especially distracting because there is a morphing effect that is so obvious when the characters are CGI and when it's live action and back again. I just think that LOTR set the bar quite high and these two films never quite reach there and definitely don't exceed it. I also think these films would be way better if they were about 20% shorter and more tightly edited.
Kevin
I think in general, there were simply less and less complicated CG vs. live action in LOTR vs. The Hobbit. I also think LOTR relied on more actual location filming whereas more of the Hobbot's environemnts are computer generated, they visit a lot of fantastical places going there and back again. And it likely saved them $.
Sounds like the Extended Edition Desolation Of Smaug is coming out with 25 more minutes of extended film.
Bring me those 25 mins now!!!!
Yeah, I'll hate myself for doing it, but I will probably buy this as well..
Yeah I held off knowing the extended edition would be out. Can't wait for all those extras.
Quote from: Meds on April 25, 2014, 02:42:14 PM
Yeah I held off knowing the extended edition would be out. Can't wait for all those extras.
My wife and I love those, going way back to the LOTR EEs. It's like a reality show of the making of a movie. I get lost in them.
Yes, I love that as well. I hate spending the $'s but I will never the less.. ;)
It's pure me time with those behind the scenes. I'll take a day off work so I'm not bothered lol.
Ah, we think alike.
Watched the "Desolation of Smauq" last night and even though I liked it better than the first Hobbit I don't think they stack up to the LOTR trilogy. I did like the Elves in this one and the barrel scenes were pretty awesome. And I did like the looks of the dragon and thought they got him. I will watch the 3rd one but I don't know if it will be at the movies or at home like the first two Hobbit movies were for me.
Some cool shots of the filming process involving B. Cumberbatch:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2818691/Benedict-Cumberbatch-gets-character-fearsome-dragon-shoots-scenes-Hobbit-DesolationOf-Smaug.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2818691/Benedict-Cumberbatch-gets-character-fearsome-dragon-shoots-scenes-Hobbit-DesolationOf-Smaug.html)
This series hasn't gotten near the talk around here as LOTR did and here we are a month away from the final installment. I guess Kenny was Tolkien's biggest fan around here and without him to lead us on there just isn't much to say. Oh I guess I could say how bored I have been by the Hobbit series. They should have stuck to two films. I think it would have been far better.
Kevin
I am a huge Tolkien fan, but I really dislike what they have done to the Hobbit in the movies. But I will shell out at any rate and see the movie when it comes out.
My preference would have been 2 movies that more or less stick to the story in the book, and then a 'bridging' movie made from the appendices of LOTR.
I'm happy enough with the films as they've come out so far but I agree that I'd probably have been even happier with a two-hit attempt at the actual story rather than the three-hit wonder we've actually been given.
Having said that, we never actually got around to seeing the first one in theatre and had to wait for the DVD release so it doesn't hold the same attraction as the LotR series did.
What annoys me is how they diminished Bilbo - especially turning him into an attempted deserter in the first film.
Quote from: Bromptonboy on November 03, 2014, 01:46:09 PM
What annoys me is how they diminished Bilbo - especially turning him into an attempted deserter in the first film.
You could make the case he needed a more substantial story arc.
Bryan has some kind of eerie sixth sense when we all start talking about Peter Jackson mega-Hobbit movie series. :biggrin I've enjoyed the movies pretty much, but they are not the book or even really close to it anymore.
I'm as big a Tolkien fan as most around here, and I like the films, but I have nowhere near as much of a love for these as I did for the LOTR series. I felt from the beginning that there was no need or call to drag and pad this wonderful book into three overstuffed films...and nothing I've seen on the screen has changed my mind. Whereas for the first series of films I anticipated the extended editions with baited breath and inhaled them over and over for the commentaries on each, I look at the extended edition DVD releases of these Hobbit movies as a sad joke.
edit to add: good to see you Bryan, hope all is well daddy!
The inclusion of the 'hearthrob' boy-band dwarf was tough for me (but I do like seeing Evangeline Lilly as an Elf) - so I should probably keep my mouth shut about that! :)
I just hope they don't get hold of The Silmarillion or Children Of Hurin..
Final trailer for part three. Very impressive looking!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVAgTiBrrDA#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVAgTiBrrDA#ws)
Visually very stunning.
Actually part 3 looks to be the best of the three judging by the trailer. I hope it winds up that way.
Kevin
Good article - some spoilers:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2856759/Spectacular-wizardry-moments-pure-horror-BRIAN-VINER-reviews-Hobbit-Battle-Five-Armies.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2856759/Spectacular-wizardry-moments-pure-horror-BRIAN-VINER-reviews-Hobbit-Battle-Five-Armies.html)
I'll put the review in a spoiler link to be extra safe:
[spoiler]http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2870963/A-scorching-finale-special-effects-wizardry-Gandalf-proud-Hobbit-trilogy-ends-flourish-BRIAN-VINER-reviews-Hobbit-Battle-Five-Armies.html[/spoiler]
Looking forward to seeing this last film later this week.
I'll see it this week as well I think. Might take a half day..
Saw it today in digital 3D. I thought it was great fun with some nice character moments. It's also a sprawling mess. :)
Worth the 3D premium?
Quote from: Bromptonboy on December 17, 2014, 04:02:38 PM
Worth the 3D premium?
Same as the others, sometime yes, sometimes no. One thing I will say that is not a spoiler, the efforts to tie this to LOTR in e first two were well done. In this movie they relied way too much on reminding you this is a LOTR prequel.
Hmmm..well, I'll probably shell out for 3D then.
Today I finally saw "The Hobbit" 3, 3-D, HFR, and any other initials you want to add, etc... Good end to the saga and I enjoyed it. Tauriel was my favorite of Jackson's additions by far. But I won't be going to another HFR (high frame rate) film again. Just didn't care for that HFR look at all.
Oh, and I need this piece of art!
I will see this film over the week. Maybe I'll avoid the extra $'s for the extras.
R Rated Extended Edition?
http://www.comingsoon.net/dvd/news/475699-the-hobbit-the-battle-of-the-five-armies-extended-edition (http://www.comingsoon.net/dvd/news/475699-the-hobbit-the-battle-of-the-five-armies-extended-edition)