The Hobbit

[Bryancd]

Sounds great! I trust PJ and his writing team to do the material justice and I want Smaug in 3D!

[Geekyfanboy]

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 :)

[Bromptonboy]

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

[Bromptonboy]

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.

[Meds]

Ah this could be the reason why i found out that the next Bond movie looks to be back inthe works again.

[Bryancd]

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!

[moyer777]

agreed Bryan, I can't wait for more, and I LOVE the story of the Hobbit.

[Bromptonboy]

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.

[Meds]

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.

[Geekyfanboy]

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.

[Geekyfanboy]

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.

[Bryancd]

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.

[Bromptonboy]

@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.

[Bromptonboy]

What do you think of Bobbie Coltrane (aka Hagrid, aka 'Cracker') to play Bombur? 

[Geekyfanboy]

@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.