The Hobbit Discussion Thread

[Greendragon]

Alright so I noticed we don't have one on here - possibly due to lack of interest or similar but why not get one going for those, like me, who cannot wait until later this year!

So a brief summary, they've split the hobbit into two films - something a lot of wished they had done with each LOTR book but never mind. Film one out this year is called "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" here is the trailer if you haven't yet seen it http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOGsB9dORBg

I for one am really interested in how they will portray Smaug, with the film reportadly delayed further still as they wanted to spend more time working on him (voiced by Bennerdict Cumberbatch (spelling?)). The reason they've split it into two is said to be to include more of what Gandalf went off to do, the attacks on the necromancer Sauron at Dol Guldor and Aragorn's hunt of Gollum and later setting watch over the shire to protect against the likes of the Nazgul.

Anybody else excited about this as much as I am? It will also be interesting to see if Games Workshop re-release a few of their models to match how they look in the films if they turn out to be completely different, or what else GW will manage to milk from this.

[The Dire Troll]

I am thinking they wanted a two parter so the battle of the five armies and other larger parts can have their time to shine. i want to see how they show all the talking animals my self.

[ForgottenLore]

The reason they've split it into two is said to be to include more of what Gandalf went off to do, the attacks on the necromancer Sauron at Dol Guldor and Aragorn's hunt of Gollum and later setting watch over the shire to protect against the likes of the Nazgul.

Haven't heard that they are including anything extra other than the white council attacking Dol Guldor, and unless it is done as a quick epilogue at the end I don't see it happening, Aragorn was only 10 years old at the battle of five armies.

[Greendragon]

The latest press release gave us information that the hobbit part two is set to lead directly into the fellowship of the rings, covering the events between the battle and the moment Gandalf rolls on into the shire - It is unclear wether this is set in stone/script or not, and my information has come from wikipedia so ya'know, pinch of salt, still excited to see what they DO include! Give us a little snippet of Tom Bombadil why dontchya

[Dr Grant]

I'm pretty sure this info is now out of date. The proposed bridging material you mention comes from an earlier concept for the films where the first would be The Hobbit and the second would bridge the gap between The Hobbit and LOTR. They've since made it clear that the 2 films are going to split the Hobbit in two and not bridge the gap. The extra material they are including is largely the Dol Goldur/White Council stuff that takes place at the same time as the primary narrative of The Hobbit. I really like this idea as otherwise Gandalf is just going to be constantly leaving the company with no real explanation. it will also allow them to add in some lovely precursory nods to LOTR that aren't present in the book such as the imminent corruption of Saruman and the threat of Sauron.

They are using Elijah Wood and Ian Holm to visually bridge the films, whilst it's still unclear exactly how they're doing this I would imagine that both Hobbit films will open and close with EW and IH talking about Bilbo's adventures. If you watch the trailer it's pretty clear that this takes place just before Bilbo's birthday party (the sign is on the gate) and it looks very much like Frodo is running off to meet Gandalf. I think perhaps the 2nd film's bridging scenes might take place in Rivendell after Bilbo has finished his book and so can finish telling Frodo the story.

However, what i would LOVE, is that at the end of the 2nd Hobbit film, Frodo finishes reading the book whilst sitting by the tree and then just as he's finished he looks up and hears Gandalf approaching, there's a big close-up of his eyes and the screen goes black. That for my money would be the perfect end to the 2nd film and tie it in wonderfully with FoTR's scene where he's reading a book and waiting for Gandalf. It is a little anachronistic in that Bilbo finishes the book at Rivendell after this scene but I think you could argue that he was expanding/revising/illustrating the book there and that some version of the story already existed for Frodo to read in Hobbiton.

As for what I'm looking forward to in the movies, I'm most intrigued to see how they update/omit/translate some of the more childish aspects of the book. As much as I love the story, the talking animals, trolls that argue for a good 2 minutes before the sun comes up, drunk elves etc. are all at odds with the LOTR films (and books) and need to be handled very carefully. I'm also very excited about seeing all the Dol Goldur stuff which is only hinted at in the book and could potentially be incredibly cool.

As for the figures I'm sure we'll get updates of Bilbo, Thranduil and Radagast at the very least. We'll also likely get some new poses for Gandalf, Legolas, Elrond etc. Balin is an interesting one as the portrayal in the film (and description in the books) is quite different to the current SBG incarnation. It's all good though, lots of new figures for elves and Moria is just fine by me!

And finally yes, I would say that I am almost certainly as excited as you are, I'm following the production like a stalker and devouring every tiny bit of info released. I can't wait for December to have PJ's Middle Earth back on the big screen and some lovely new toys to play with!

[Greendragon]

Wow thats a pretty darn good idea right there regarding Frodo reading the book at the end of the 2nd film, would send everyone home happy. I too am interested in how they handle the drunk Elves, particularly seeing as they portrayed Legolas as not being able to get drunk in the Two Towers extended. The trolls scene is my second favourite that I'm looking forward to seeing, with the first being Smaug and a close third being the battle. To round off, I am very glad PJ has taken over, when Del Toro was announced I wasn't too keen, then it fell apart and a lot of people (myself included) said "told you so". The day the news break that PJ was back in the chair was a very good day indeed, roll on this winter!

[jonthebetrayer]

I am so happy that Jackson took the driving seat off of Del toro, but saying that I think he would of done a grand job, you only have to watch Pans Labyrinth to see that he was up for the challenge. really looking forward to the battle of 5 armies and riddles in the dark, the interaction between Bilbo and Gollum has just got to be seen

[Greendragon]

LOVE that picture

[The Lost Hobbit]

I'm also very excited about seeing all the Dol Goldur stuff which is only hinted at in the book and could potentially be incredibly cool.

I'm wondering if we get a sneak peak of Dol Goldur in the trailer. There is a scene in which Gandalf descends a square staircase which could be him entering the dungeon. There are also a few shots of Gandalf alone among some ruins and a statue that looks rather like a Ringwraith. However, these could always be other locations such as the Goblin's lair. Only time will tell.

[The bearded one]

So a brief summary, they've split the hobbit into two films - something a lot of wished they had done with each LOTR book but never mind. .

Actually when Peter Jackson went looking for a studio to film the lord of the rings they originally only had 2 movies to do it, untill the studio said they wanted only 1 movie. At that point Peter made a bet with the studio that he could find another studio in 2 weeks, or he'd walk out without the scripts and no compensation. Luckily he managed to come upon new line cinema who, instead of 2 films, wanted 3. And thus a trilogy was born. However they definately did not have the option to do 6 if they so wanted, they were lucky to get 3.

I'm wondering if we get a sneak peak of Dol Goldur in the trailer. There is a scene in which Gandalf descends a square staircase which could be him entering the dungeon. There are also a few shots of Gandalf alone among some ruins and a statue that looks rather like a Ringwraith. However, these could always be other locations such as the Goblin's lair. Only time will tell.

In the trailer gandalf is fighting 'something' in a ruined landscape with chains, spikes and cages. After careful observation of the trailer I am pretty confident that it's Thrain II (that's the one who was imprisoned in dol guldor, if I got the name right?) who went crazy.

[The Lost Hobbit]

In the trailer gandalf is fighting 'something' in a ruined landscape with chains, spikes and cages. After careful observation of the trailer I am pretty confident that it's Thrain II (that's the one who was imprisoned in dol guldor, if I got the name right?) who went crazy.

At first I thought that was an orc but actually I think you might be right. The clothes certainly look dwarven.

[The bearded one]

His clothes feature a pattern of geometrical shapes, which is the dwarf style chosen in the design of the LotR movies.

[Greendragon]

Having reviewed the trailer again I would agree with your comments, it appears to show Gandalf entering Dol Goldur and fighting Thrain. Wasn't Elrond and co supposed to be there too? I'm also curious about the appearance of the riders from Gondor in Rivendell, did they have a seat on the white council?

[ForgottenLore]

As I understand it, gandalf went into dol guldur, discovered thrain in the dungeons, who gave gandalf the map of lonely mountain and the key to the secret door, and also that the necromancer was in fact Sauron. With that knowledge he convinces the white council to move against dol guldur and organizes the dwarve's expedition to the mountain.

Most people seem to think that those are elvish cavalry, not gondorian.

[Peregrin]

Yes. Gandalf went in alone, got the stuff from Thrain, then basically by accident ran into Thorin on the road before making it to the Blue Mountains. It was once Thorin and crew were past the Misty Mountains that the White Council put the Necromancer to flight.

[Intrepid Adventurer]

Most people seem to think that those are elvish cavalry, not gondorian.

The location also looks like Rivendell to me.

[Greendragon]

Ah I may be mistaken, it did notice Rivendell but took them for Gondorian riders as you only see them for a fleeting moment, to finally see some Elvish calvery in the films would be amazing

[GodlessM]

The reason they've split it into two is said to be to include more of what Gandalf went off to do, the attacks on the necromancer Sauron at Dol Guldor and Aragorn's hunt of Gollum and later setting watch over the shire to protect against the likes of the Nazgul.

Just as a note, while your overall reasoning is correct, the latter two examples are incorrect as these took place at the time of Lord of the Rings, not during the Hobbit (not to mention that Viggo is not returning to work).

Anyway, moving on from that; what I am most eager to see is what part Khamul is going to play in the movie. I know he was the Keeper of Dol Guldur, but he wasn't mentioned in being present when the White Council attacked and he was menat to also only be keeper afer Sauron was expelled.

[kingcici]

in lotr sbg do u think that Merry Pippin Sam and Frodo are wothe £3.00+ £3.00 postage

[Greendragon]

metal or plastic?