The Hobbit finds a director

[ravenvii]

Green light!

The Wrap reports that MGM and Warner Bros. have reached a deal to officially start work on the highly anticipated prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy The Hobbit!

And here's the cherry on top of that nerd-gasmic sundae - Peter Jackson will direct the two part adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved novel! According to the source, production will begin in February in New Zealand, bringing the crew back to the Middle Earth sets where the original trilogy was shot.

For fans of the film franchise and casual observers of this often heartbreaking tale of financial woes and flip-flopping talent, today's announcement is a major sigh of relief. If there never was a plan to adapt The Hobbit, there wouldn't have been such an outcry when the project went into jeopardy as a result of MGM's money troubles. People's hopes were drummed up only to be let down time and time again as one problem after another kept the film from rolling before cameras.

It's strange that they're going for a two-part adaptation, when The Hobbit is actually the shortest and simplest as compared to any of the books in the actual trilogy.

[Sarkus]

It's strange that they're going for a two-part adaptation, when The Hobbit is actually the shortest and simplest as compared to any of the books in the actual trilogy.

More then one film has been the plan for a long time, presumably for potential revenue reasons.  Initially the talk was that The Hobbit story would be one film and then a second film would "bridge" it to the the LOTR trilogy and involve the later characters in earlier adventures.  But the current plan is to split The Hobbit story into two parts, with "padding" added in the form of showing what Gandalf (and others) were up to when he was away from Bilbo and the dwarves.

[The Grue]

But the current plan is to split The Hobbit story into two parts, with "padding" added in the form of showing what Gandalf (and others) were up to when he was away from Bilbo and the dwarves.

Yes, Hollywood knows better than Tolkein.  Sheesh.  This is why I rarely watch movies anymore.

[TiLT]

But the current plan is to split The Hobbit story into two parts, with "padding" added in the form of showing what Gandalf (and others) were up to when he was away from Bilbo and the dwarves.

Yes, Hollywood knows better than Tolkein.  Sheesh.  This is why I rarely watch movies anymore.

They're not really inventing anything new here. These events were chronicled in the LOTR appendix.

[The Grue]

But the current plan is to split The Hobbit story into two parts, with "padding" added in the form of showing what Gandalf (and others) were up to when he was away from Bilbo and the dwarves.

Yes, Hollywood knows better than Tolkein.  Sheesh.  This is why I rarely watch movies anymore.

They're not really inventing anything new here. These events were chronicled in the LOTR appendix.

Yes, but appendices aren't very entertaining, are they?

[TiLT]

But the current plan is to split The Hobbit story into two parts, with "padding" added in the form of showing what Gandalf (and others) were up to when he was away from Bilbo and the dwarves.

Yes, Hollywood knows better than Tolkein.  Sheesh.  This is why I rarely watch movies anymore.

They're not really inventing anything new here. These events were chronicled in the LOTR appendix.

Yes, but appendices aren't very entertaining, are they?

And do you think that's a problem with their contents or in the way they're presented?

[leo8877]

But the current plan is to split The Hobbit story into two parts, with "padding" added in the form of showing what Gandalf (and others) were up to when he was away from Bilbo and the dwarves.

Yes, Hollywood knows better than Tolkein.  Sheesh.  This is why I rarely watch movies anymore.

They're not really inventing anything new here. These events were chronicled in the LOTR appendix.

Yes, but appendices aren't very entertaining, are they?

And do you think that's a problem with their contents or in the way they're presented?

But the first 3 were fantastic and it's basically being made by the same people...or do I just think that because I'm not all about the books?

[The Grue]

But the current plan is to split The Hobbit story into two parts, with "padding" added in the form of showing what Gandalf (and others) were up to when he was away from Bilbo and the dwarves.

Yes, Hollywood knows better than Tolkein.  Sheesh.  This is why I rarely watch movies anymore.

They're not really inventing anything new here. These events were chronicled in the LOTR appendix.

Yes, but appendices aren't very entertaining, are they?

And do you think that's a problem with their contents or in the way they're presented?

Probably both, but my point really is that the story is good enough without adding filler from the appendix.

[TiLT]

On the contrary, the appendix is interesting enough that it's neat of them to add it to the movie. Tolkien wrote The Hobbit first without knowing he'd expand it into The Lord of the Rings later. The things detailed in LOTR's appendix expand on important background details that tie the two books together, particularly how the whole thing with Sauron started. That is also what we're going to see, I suspect. At some point in the movies Gandalf is likely to storm Dol Guldur and chase Sauron back to Mordor.

[metallicorphan]

hmm,i am quite happy that they are padding them out,if they do get it all from the Appendix,i wonder if Radagast the Brown will feature,as he had a part to play in both LOTR AND The Hobbit time frames in the appendix i think(was he in the main story of LOTR?(books))..i don't think there were anymore colours(after Saruman the White and Gandalf the Grey of course)

[TiLT]

Radagast was briefly involved in the Fellowship of the Ring movie, though he was never mentioned by name and he never appeared in person. He was the one who sent the great eagle to pick up Gandalf from Orthanc.

There were two other Istari (Wizards) present in the world. These were Pallando and Alatar, both of the color blue. They were in the far east during the events of The Hobbit and LOTR, and they had grown somewhat mad over time. The only Istari who seemed relatively sane was Gandalf.

[metallicorphan]

i think Radagast was in the Cartoon version of Lord of the rings(the Ralph Bakshi thing)..but its been ages since i saw that

[metallicorphan]

Finally!!!...green light given,Jackson directs!!

Sky News

Peter Jackson's long-awaited prequel to the Lord of The Rings trilogy has finally been given the green light after months of legal issues.

and as predicted

It comes shortly after the Oscar winning filmmaker confirmed he would direct the two-film adaptation of JRR Tolkien's novel The Hobbit.

Delays over financing the estimated £313m project forced orginal director, Guillermo del Toro, to quit in May after working on the movie for two years.

But now MGM and Warner Bros have reached a deal and production could get under way as soon as February 2011 with a release date pencilled in for December 2012.

Whether the 3D films will be shot in Jackson's preferred location of New Zealand is still not clear.

Casting so far includes Andy Serkis returning as Gollum, and Sir Ian McKellen will play wizard Gandalf.

The Office star Martin Freeman is moving closer to taking up the role of Bilbo Baggins while David Tennant and Irish actor Michael Fassbender are also in line to join the cast.

[Blackjack]

I found it amusing one report referred to Freeman as "Hot Fuzz star" Martin Freeman.  And here he thought he'd be forever known for his role in the British version of "The Office."

[TiLT]

"Hott Fuzz star", eh? That's a bit of a stretch, considering he was in the movie for like 2 minutes.

[Isgrimnur]

Finally!!!...green light given,Jackson directs!!

*tap tap*  This thing on? 

[CeeKay]

Finally!!!...green light given,Jackson directs!!

*tap tap*  This thing on? 

He shall not read!

[Blackjack]

"Hott Fuzz star", eh? That's a bit of a stretch, considering he was in the movie for like 2 minutes.

It'd be almost akin (in terms of picking out an odd work to highlight) to saying:

Peter Jackson, director of "Bad Taste," has agreed to direct The Hobbit films. 

[CeeKay]

"Hott Fuzz star", eh? That's a bit of a stretch, considering he was in the movie for like 2 minutes.

It'd be almost akin (in terms of picking out an odd work to highlight) to saying:

Peter Jackson, director of "Bad Taste," has agreed to direct The Hobbit films. 

hey, Steven Seagal starred in Executive Decision 

[Isgrimnur]

"Hott Fuzz star", eh? That's a bit of a stretch, considering he was in the movie for like 2 minutes.

It'd be almost akin (in terms of picking out an odd work to highlight) to saying:

Peter Jackson, director of "Meet the Feebles," has agreed to direct The Hobbit films. 

FTFY

[TiLT]

At least Peter Jackson actually directed the entire Bad Taste and Meet the Feebles, instead of just 2 minutes.

[Sarkus]

I actually remember Freeman most from "Hitchhikers Guide," mainly because of how bad that movie was.  However, I do have the sense that could very well do a good job of playing Bilbo based on that. 

[metallicorphan]

Finally!!!...green light given,Jackson directs!!

*tap tap*  This thing on? 

sorry i have been away for a couple of days,so i must if missed a lot that had been said

[CeeKay]

some casting news.

[metallicorphan]

bah i really wanted John Rhys Davis to play Gimli's father Gloin...well,why not?,LOL


do you remember the beginning of Fellowship of the Ring and it has a flashback on how Bilbo came across the Ring in Gollums cave,that's mainly the reason why i wanted Ian Holm to play Bilbo again,so i wonder if they will re-shoot that scene for The Hobbit and then stick that in to replace the old scene in 'Fellowship'..kinda like Lucas usually does?

[TiLT]

They don't have to reshoot it. Ian Holm looks very similar to Martin Freeman in that scene.

[metallicorphan]

They don't have to reshoot it. Ian Holm looks very similar to Martin Freeman in that scene.

surely they will have to reshoot it(doesn't mater about sticking it in 'Fellowship'),as that's part of the story of The Hobbit,right?

[TiLT]

Yeah, but I thought you meant reshooting it for The Lord of the Rings, which I think is unnecessary.

[Blackjack]

If Andy Serkis gets sick, Ricky Gervais is ready to step in as Gollum!  

And I don't think Peter Jackson is George Lucas -- I doubt he'd go back into his old movies and screw around with 'em (re, Hayden Christensen's mug getting pasted digitally into Return of the Jedi's sappy ending scene).

[CeeKay]

do you remember the beginning of Fellowship of the Ring and it has a flashback on how Bilbo came across the Ring in Gollums cave,that's mainly the reason why i wanted Ian Holm to play Bilbo again,so i wonder if they will re-shoot that scene for The Hobbit and then stick that in to replace the old scene in 'Fellowship'..kinda like Lucas usually does?

I'm sure they could add in another 5 endings to Return of the King too.

[zinckiwi]

do you remember the beginning of Fellowship of the Ring and it has a flashback on how Bilbo came across the Ring in Gollums cave,that's mainly the reason why i wanted Ian Holm to play Bilbo again,so i wonder if they will re-shoot that scene for The Hobbit and then stick that in to replace the old scene in 'Fellowship'..kinda like Lucas usually does?

I'm sure they could add in another 5 endings to Return of the King too.

See, that really didn't bother me. In the book, the ring is destroyed, what... two thirds of the way through? Three quarters?

[metallicorphan]

do you remember the beginning of Fellowship of the Ring and it has a flashback on how Bilbo came across the Ring in Gollums cave,that's mainly the reason why i wanted Ian Holm to play Bilbo again,so i wonder if they will re-shoot that scene for The Hobbit and then stick that in to replace the old scene in 'Fellowship'..kinda like Lucas usually does?

I'm sure they could add in another 5 endings to Return of the King too.

See, that really didn't bother me. In the book, the ring is destroyed, what... two thirds of the way through? Three quarters?

i must admit,i preferred the books ending,and also the end in the book for Saruman as well,Sarumans 'fall' in the uncut RotK was a bit corny,being them staking Christopher Lee through the heart(like Lucas calling Christopher Lee's character Count Dooku)...the end in the film with Frodo with as cup of tea in his hand was a bit shite...just when you thought an end happened,it carried on..and then again,and then again,the only good thing i liked was when they all got on the boat to their impending doom

[kronovan]

the only good thing i liked was when they all got on the boat to their impending doom

Huh...you're joking - right? The jouney from the Grey Havens to Valinor was Tolkien's equivalent of a Norse warriors journey to the glory of Valhalla. Where in that do you find "impending doom" ?

Anyhow, I really like what I'm reading about the casting choices. I'm just curious who they'll get to play the Goblin King under the Mountain and the King of the Mirkwood Elves? Really looking forward to the 2 films and I'm glad to hear parts of the saga that were relegated to back pages will now be written into the main story. Just as long as the script writers are up to the quality that Jackson had for LotR.

[Blackjack]

For me, ROTK's real ending is when Aragorn tells the hobbits, "My friends, you bow to no one." I loved the movie but the endings within endings did start to feel like a Terminator movie.
The End
No, not really, OK...
The End
No, no we have a little more exposition.
The End
No, no not yet. Gotta show what happens to those guys and these guys
The End
NO! No we have to have them all go to their equivalent of heaven.
The End
Really. That's REALLY the end! GO! Get out of the theater already! We're not kidding! OK we're kidding! You gotta see Sam and his family and the Shire one more time!
THE END
We swear!  

In retrospect, the ending makes it seem like without Gollum's last second greed attack, Frodo would've just put the ring on for good and taken over the universe, maybe turning Sam into a hand puppet. There's some sort of twisted, alternate spin-off sequel there just waiting to be made, maybe by Jerry Bruckheimer and Wes Craven.  

From the makers of Transformers 1-7, and A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream 1-5 and lots of lousy movies, comes:
FRODO AND SAMWISE THE HANDPUPPET: UNLEASHED!

[Isgrimnur]

From the makers of Transformers 1-7, and A Nightmare on Elm Street, Scream 1-5 and lots of lousy movies, comes:
FRODO AND SAMWISE THE HANDPUPPET: UNLEASHED!

In the style of Potter Puppet Pals!

[disarm]

bah i really wanted John Rhys Davis to play Gimli's father Gloin...well,why not?,LOL

i don't remember all the details, but i know that he had some pretty serious medical problems related to the makeup used in the original LotR films.  apparently, he had allergic reactions to a lot of the makeup and prostheses that took a significant toll on him all through filming.  he toughed it out at the time, but it was a big enough problem that it's not something he's willing to put himself through again.

[Blackjack]

Googling (even i my drunken state) pulls up proof of that:
http://www.cinemablend.com/new/John-Rhys-Davies-Will-Not-Be-In-The-Hobbit-15474.html

Of course his character from Lord of the Rings, Gimli, doesn’t appear since this movie is set before he was born. But most had hoped, even assumed, that he’d be brought in to play Gimli’s father who does figure prominently into The Hobbit story. Unfortunately, Rhy-Davies just isn’t interested. He says, “I've already been asked and to be honest with you, I wouldn't. I have already completely ruled it out. There's a sentimental part of me that would love to be involved again. Really I am not sure my face can take that sort of punishment any more.”

I woulda thought by now they could digitally do that sort of thing, but I guess they don't wanna go in that direction.

At least, they did ask him. 

[metallicorphan]

the only good thing i liked was when they all got on the boat to their impending doom

Huh...you're joking - right? The jouney from the Grey Havens to Valinor was Tolkien's equivalent of a Norse warriors journey to the glory of Valhalla. Where in that do you find "impending doom" ?

HaHa,yeah i am joking

Spoiler for Hiden:

No i am not!!,they drowned the bleeding lot of them,trying to find their imaginary Grey Havens!!

i said i liked that part because i think it was the only part of the ending that was taken from the book


that's a shame for John Rhys Davis...now,why was he not in Indy 4

[Sarkus]

Looks like the movies will be made in New Zealand after all.  There are reasons to think former Dr. Who Slyvester McCoy will end up as Radagast.

[CeeKay]

casting agent gets fired over using skin color as a deciding factor in hiring Hobbits.