The Hobbit movie(s) anticipation thread

[Mahaloth]

It looks like it will, indeed, happen. Let's have this thread, if you all don't object, to talk about it.

The cast has just been unofficially announced. It sounds quite likely.

Tim from the Office is Bilbo. Not sure who the others are.

Here is Aint-it-Cool's report on it.

Martin Freeman – Bilbo Baggins
Richard Armitage - Thorin Oakenshield
Aidan Turner - Kili
Rob Kazinsky – Fili
Graham McTavish – Dwalin
John Callen – Oin
Stephen Hunter – Bombur
Mark Hadlow – Dori
Peter Hambleton – Gloin

[Oakminster]

Originally Posted by Mahaloth

Martin Freeman – Bilbo Baggins

I read this as Morgan Freeman. Confusion ensued.

[Leiko]

I like that Arthur Dent is now Bilbo Baggins. Or, you know, will be, assuming this ever gets made. Fingers crossed!

Also: Aidan Turner is a gorgeous man. So is Richard Armitage. I'm having trouble imagining them with the beards and possible facial prosthetics used for in LotR. They'll do great jobs, I think.

[bucketybuck]

Not great news in my opinion. I always found Martin Freeman to be a bit of a one trick pony. Guy from the office=Arthur Dent=Bilbo. His mannerisms will be just the same as always, and that is most definately not how I would picture Bilbo.

[Baron Greenback]

Hmmm, they haven't cast Balin yet. Martin freeman is an excellent choice though, as are Richard Armitage and Aidan Turner.

[N9IWP]

Does it really matter who plays Ori, Bifur, or Dwalin? Does anyone besides Thorin or Balin have more than 5 lines in the book? Though since they are making 2 movies maybe they will get 9 or 10 lines.

I am curious about Beorn and the voice of Smaug (John Rhys-Davies would be an interesting choice)

Brian

[Skammer]

They should have cast Rhys-Davies as Gloin (father of Gimli). I heard there was an uncanny resemblence.

[Musicat]

Who will play Smaug?

And will they bastardize the story to add a love interest? (Other than Gollum, of course)

[GuanoLad]

Originally Posted by Skammer

They should have cast Rhys-Davies as Gloin (father of Gimli). I heard there was an uncanny resemblence.

He didn't want to return. He had a tough time of it, physically, after a bad reaction to the prosthetic make-up.

[Paranoid Randroid]

Originally Posted by Oakminster

I read this as Morgan Freeman. Confusion ensued.

"Get busy eatin', or get busy dyin'. That's goddamned right."

[Bosstone]

There's only one choice for Thorin: BRIAN BLESSED.

[Lust4Life]

Latest rumour is that they're checking out locations in the U.K. as there is some sort of industrial action going on in New Zealand amongst actors and/or film technicians.

[Hampshire]

So are you hoping that Peter Jackson ups the ante on these making them "better" than the LOTR trilogy or would you prefer them to be as similar as possible (f/x, cinematography, scoring) to the trilogy so they blend together?

[Skammer]

It's hard to imagine the cinematography or scoring being better (I thought the score, particularly, was fantastic) but it would be nice for the score to have some thematic ties to the trilogy. It shouldn't be identical, but recognizably related.

As for the f/x, go ahead and use whatever advances have been developed in the last 8 years as long as continuity is preserved (for example, Gollum can look more "real" but shouldn't look "different.")

[N9IWP]

Originally Posted by Lust4Life

Latest rumour is that they're checking out locations in the U.K. as there is some sort of industrial action going on in New Zealand amongst actors and/or film technicians.

An Australian Union instigated a boycott of the movie. They wanted some sort of collective bargaining (which is apparently illegal in NZ). The boycott has been lifted, but it may be too late. Warner's is flying down monday to see if filming in NZ is viable (they are worried there may be a later strike)
(lots of she-said/she-said here)


A bunch of techs actually marched to STOP the boycott (being worried they will lose thier jobs if the movie films elsewhere)

Brian

[BrainGlutton]

I wonder how they'll handle the elves? They're much less serious and dignified, much more the magical Fair Folk, in The Hobbit than in LOTR.

[GargoyleWB]

Originally Posted by Musicat

Who will play Smaug?

And will they bastardize the story to add a love interest? (Other than Gollum, of course)

They'll have to write in a major female character of some sort. I predict that we'll see a couple of young hot teenage hobbits, perhaps Camellia Sackville and Daisy Boffin, who stow away in the dwarves' wagon as they leave Hobitton. Competition for Bilbo's affection leads to hijinks ensuing...

[carlb]

Originally Posted by Musicat

Who will play Smaug?

One of the rumored contenders is Stephen Fry. Interesting, and I love Fry, but I'm not sure he's quite right.

It's easy to go straight for a rumbling bass/baritone ominous-sounding voice, and there needs to be an element of that in there, but Tolkien's dragons were almost as formidable in their abilities with their voices as with their physical presence. From that standpoint I think Fry is an excellent candidate; I think he'd nail the witty, intelligent, even seductive aspects of the voice. I'm just not sure he could turn that voice scary (unless they used some sort of processing).

Bill Nighy has also been suggested as a potential voice of Smaug. In my head, he's not quite as "smooth" as Fry, but his voice might be more versatile.

[BrainGlutton]

Originally Posted by Mahaloth

It looks like it will, indeed, happen. Let's have this thread, if you all don't object, to talk about it.

The cast has just been unofficially announced. It sounds quite likely.

Tim from the Office is Bilbo. Not sure who the others are.

Here is Aint-it-Cool's report on it.

Martin Freeman – Bilbo Baggins
Richard Armitage - Thorin Oakenshield
Aidan Turner - Kili
Rob Kazinsky – Fili
Graham McTavish – Dwalin
John Callen – Oin
Stephen Hunter – Bombur
Mark Hadlow – Dori
Peter Hambleton – Gloin

Who plays Gandalf?

And the climactic hero of the story (though he doesn't get a lot of lines) is Bard -- who plays Bard?

[Elysium]

I love the casting of Martin Freeman!

And it's rumored that Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis will reprise their roles, but that contracts are still being negotiated.

It would be strange to have a new Gandalf. But I think Bill Nighy would be excelllent as Smaug!

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by Musicat

Who will play Smaug?

What is James Earl Jones voice like now?

[Tim R. Mortiss]

I nominate Sean Connery for the voice of Smaug.

[Musicat]

Originally Posted by Tim R. Mortiss

I nominate Sean Connery for the voice of Smaug.

He has experience in the dragon department, right?

[Mahaloth]

Originally Posted by Musicat

Who will play Smaug?

And will they bastardize the story to add a love interest? (Other than Gollum, of course)

I think De Toro did not rule out Ron Perlman.

[Bosstone]

Originally Posted by Mahaloth

I think De Toro did not rule out Ron Perlman.

Perfect.

Although BRIAN BLESSED would work as well.

[teela brown]

Originally Posted by Musicat

Who will play Smaug?

I'd like any of these:

Derek Jacobi
Peter O'Toole
Geoffrey Rush
Martin Clunes

Or maybe an out-of-left-field choice for comic timing sensibility:

Hugh Laurie

[Capitaine Zombie]

Originally Posted by Mahaloth

It looks like it will, indeed, happen. Let's have this thread, if you all don't object, to talk about it.

The cast has just been unofficially announced. It sounds quite likely.

Tim from the Office is Bilbo. Not sure who the others are.

Here is Aint-it-Cool's report on it.

Martin Freeman – Bilbo Baggins
Richard Armitage - Thorin Oakenshield
Aidan Turner - Kili
Rob Kazinsky – Fili
Graham McTavish – Dwalin
John Callen – Oin
Stephen Hunter – Bombur
Mark Hadlow – Dori
Peter Hambleton – Gloin

I have no idea who any of those guys are.

I just hope Del Toro doesnt try to match his Hobbit at all costs with the Lord of the Rings movies (like Lucas redesigning the original trilogy to fit better with his new shit). It wouldnt make any sense, as the Hobbit has precisely a very different flavour. I also hope he makes it more digestible thant TLOTR trilogy, but considering that's Del Toro, I doubt it, he trampled on Hellboy's finesse and wit like an obese on an ant farm.

P.S: I really disliked LOTR movies, except for the first. I much prefer the Ralph Bakshi flick. But then again, I am no teenager with milk out of my nose, that might explain.

[teela brown]

I thought Del Toro decided not to direct after all? Tired of the long drawn-out squabbling, IIRC.

[N9IWP]

GDT is not directing - he dropped out because he had other commitments and the process was taking a LOT longer than he had allocated.

PJ is now directiong

GDT still has a cowriter credit

Brian

[carnivorousplant]

Originally Posted by Capitaine Zombie

I have no idea who any of those guys are.

P.S: I really disliked LOTR movies, except for the first... But then again, I am no teenager with milk out of my nose, that might explain.

Nor do I, but I enjoyed the LOTR films. I'm an old guy with Dom Pérignon running out of my nose.

[Peremensoe]

Originally Posted by BrainGlutton

I wonder how they'll handle the elves? They're much less serious and dignified, much more the magical Fair Folk, in The Hobbit than in LOTR.

On the other hand, these movies are expected to have much more of the "serious" story that wasn't actually seen in the book--the White Council, the Necromancer. And there was stated intent to go for a "hard" PG-13 rating; they're not interested in making a children's movie.

I expect that the Hobbit movies will be closer in feel to the LOTR movies than The Hobbit was to The Lord of the Rings. I'd be astonished if they didn't use elements of the score, and even fragments of scenes shot for LOTR, to explicitly tie them all together.

[Arnold Winkelried]

Originally Posted by Musicat

And will they bastardize the story to add a love interest?

Do we know for sure that one of Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Fili, Kili, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur etc. was not a dwarf woman? If I remember my appendix from LOTR correctly, dwarf women can have beards, and often go abroad dressed as men.

[Mahaloth]

Originally Posted by teela brown

I thought Del Toro decided not to direct after all? Tired of the long drawn-out squabbling, IIRC.

He isn't. Peter Jackson is.

However, some of the casting could remain the same.

[Capitaine Zombie]

Originally Posted by Arnold Winkelried

Do we know for sure that one of Dori, Nori, Ori, Oin, Fili, Kili, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur etc. was not a dwarf woman? If I remember my appendix from LOTR correctly, dwarf women can have beards, and often go abroad dressed as men.

Jesus Christ, not the "Bearded Dwarven Women" controversy again!! I've left that behind with my roleplaying years, I ain't going back to it.

[Peremensoe]

What's the controversy? Dwarf women have beards.

[Capitaine Zombie]

Originally Posted by spark240

What's the controversy? Dwarf women have beards.

In a Pratchett book that's hilarious, in a Tolkien one that's just ridiculous ( darn, you got me dragged into it. 10 years of psychotherapy, hypnotism and meditation just down the drain. Ah thank you very much!)

[Lissla Lissar]

My husband and I just watched the BBC Sherlock, with Martin Freeman as Watson. He was great. I'm very happy with him as Bilbo.

[GuanoLad]

Originally Posted by Capitaine Zombie

In a Pratchett book that's hilarious, in a Tolkien one that's just ridiculous

In a book where trees can walk and talk, giant spiders roam the mountains, and ghosts fight battles, bearded females barely scratches the 'ridiculous' surface.

[jackdavinci]

PLUS:
Peter Jackson involvement
Martin Freeman involement

QUESTIONABLE:
How did they deal with the New Zealand union issue?
How did they deal with the PJ LOTR accountant issue?
How did they deal with the MF Sherlock conflict issue?

[Mahaloth]

By the way, did anyone else see the cool "reunion" pictures of the Lord of the Rings cast in this weeks Entertainment Weekly?

It was neat.

[Mahaloth]

Here is a video showing the Rings cast back together for some fun.

EW video.

[N9IWP]

Yay! they will be filmed in NZ!
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010...n-new-zealand/

Brian

[Mahaloth]

Originally Posted by N9IWP

Yay! they will be filmed in NZ!
http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010...n-new-zealand/

Brian

I saw this as well. Very good news.

[Maus Magill]

Originally Posted by Mahaloth

I think De Toro did not rule out Ron Perlman.

Man, I'm more tired than I had thought. I was trying to figure out how Ron Perlman was going to be Bilbo's love interest.

Originally Posted by jackdavinci

How did they deal with the MF Sherlock conflict issue?

I was also trying to figure out your beef was with Sherlock.

[Mahaloth]

Originally Posted by jackdavinci

How did they deal with the MF Sherlock conflict issue?

Looks like Martin Freeman will finish a second set of Sherlock episodes before filming Hobbit.

However, I assume the Hobbit will delay a third series of Sherlock for quite some time. I am not sure, but the scheduled length of shooting for the Hobbit is pretty long.

Anyone heard how long? It starts February 2011.

[yojimbo]

Interview with Jackson about the problems can be found on this page.

http://blog.moviefone.com/2010/10/25...bit-interview/

[Mahaloth]

Update:

Looks like Frodo will be in the Hobbit, but only in the opening. I guess he'll be listening to the story and we flashback to it.

Elijah Wood to be in the Hobbit

[Mahaloth]

Ian McKellen announces he will be Gandalf in the Hobbit and he starts filming in just over a month.

Read his comments here.

[carnivorousplant]

Great news.

[Mahaloth]

Originally Posted by carnivorousplant

Great news.

The way he writes it makes it sound like he is thinking to back out, but I'm glad he is committed to the role. Honestly, it does make a difference to me that he plays the part.