# LOTR IV... and other possible adventures in Middle Earth? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 18, 2003, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701 "2003-12-18T05:52:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Alzarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@Alzarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alzarian)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/1 "2003-12-18T05:52:01Z")
With the phenominal success of the Lord of the Rings series, I wonder if the movie studio will contemplate future adventures set in the world of Middle Earth. Tolkein has apparently mapped out an entire history, with many possibilities for new stories to be told in any of the Four Ages, or even before… I can’t seem to find any works by other authors creating adventures within the framework that Tolkein created, but now that the book and movies are selling so well, would it not be smart to give the fans, old and new, other adventures within this world. I know that the Hobbit is still a possibility, but I’m just thinking of beyond that project. Sure LOTR is too good a franchise to ignore, just because the books have been adapted. Surely, it’s time to take the groundwork given, and grow… ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/2 "2003-12-18T05:57:34Z")
Non-Tolkien Middle Earth movies? Ick. No thanks. That said, some bits of the Silmarillion could make good movies. I’d pay to see the story of Beren and Luthien brought to the big screen. Course, nine tenths of the stories in the Silmarillion have unhappy endings, so it seems unlikely that any decent adaptions would be made. 'Sides, I doubt Christopher would sell any of the rights. Just because something can be done doesn’t mean it should be done. ---
**Author:** ![Super\_Gnat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Super\_Gnat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Super_Gnat)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/3 "2003-12-18T06:18:04Z")
Tolkien’s estate generally doesn’t like people mucking around his world. And I’m glad for it, too. ‘The future adventures’ would be horrible. The end of LOTR is presumably when it starts turning into the real world of just Men; who would want to read about that? I wouldn’t mind someone fleshing out parts of the Silmarillion, but it would have to be someone awesome. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/4 "2003-12-18T12:50:22Z")
The only movie other movie I want is a new version of _The Hobbit,_ done by the same guy who is doing the movies now. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/5 "2003-12-18T12:50:55Z")
It would be wonderful if Peter Jackson would do THE HOBBIT, of course, but… ---
**Author:** ![Orual](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orual](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orual)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/6 "2003-12-18T13:02:35Z")
There is enough material in _The Silmarillion_ for 10 movies. Of course most of these movies would involve: a) Betrayal b) Hubris c) Massive amounts of death d) Incest e) Any combination of the above It’s like Greek tragedy, and what do you think the chaces are for seeing _that_ get a big-screen treatment. Beren and Luthien would be great though. As would a Peter Jackson _Hobbit_/ ---
**Author:** ![Meatros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Meatros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meatros)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/7 "2003-12-18T13:08:43Z")
I’d like to see the Hobbit made into a movie, but I think it would be a bit of a disappointment for audiences who haven’t read the book. In my mind, they’d be going to see the Hobbit thinking that it was just as good as LOTR, which would mean they would end up disappointed. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/8 "2003-12-18T15:20:39Z")
JRRT started a story set in the 4th age, but gave up after only a chapter or so. Actually there is some interesteing stuff in the Appendicies about stuff in the 4th age, but I doubt you could make a movie of it. I’ve read some decent fan fiction (yes, really!) about the story of Elenor Gamgee who becomes one of Arwen’s ladies in waiting (or something like that). Brian ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Prize](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d2c977/32.png) [@Sir\_Prize](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Prize)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/9 "2003-12-18T16:07:42Z")
I think a Scouring of the Shire movie would be a great idea. I’m glad they kept it out of ROTK but it is an important part of the story. I was suprised that the ending to ROTK implied that things were Okey Dokey when they got back to the Shire. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/10 "2003-12-18T18:26:15Z")
Another lover of the Beren/Luthien tale checking in. But I don’t think I want to see it made as a movie. Nothing could top the version I see in my head. The Hobbit, now, is a different matter. It would probably be lots easier to do, and be more accessible to more folks. I wouldn’t mind seeing that well done. ---
**Author:** ![Archergal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c89c15/32.png) [@Archergal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Archergal)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/11 "2003-12-18T18:35:19Z")
Another lover of the Beren/Luthien tale checking in. But I don’t think I want to see it made as a movie. Nothing could top the version I see in my head. The Hobbit, now, is a different matter. It would probably be lots easier to do, and be more accessible to more folks. I wouldn’t mind seeing that well done. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/12 "2003-12-18T19:35:17Z")
It would be difficult to do any sequel to Lord of the Rings because it’s the story of an _ending._ The Third Age of Middle-Earth is passing, the Elves and other beings are going away forever, and a new world with an entirely different dynamic is beginning. Any story set in that time wouldn’t be the same. I think that Jackson should do The Hobbit, and soon. The other Tolkien stories don’t have enough of an audience now to justify a movie, and something not written by Tolkien will not feel right. ---
**Author:** ![Matchka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Matchka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Matchka)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/13 "2003-12-18T19:47:01Z")
On AP: There’s a lot of curiosity now about whether anyone will film Tolkien’s prequel, “The Hobbit.” Are you interested in directing that someday? JACKSON: I’d be happy to. It would be strange for somebody else to do it. And I also think to do justice to “The Hobbit” it would be great to bring some of the same actors back. (Like Ian McKellen for the wizard Gandalf and Andy Serkis for the ghoulish Gollum.) I think it would be cool thing to have the continuity of the design and the look and feel of the world and use whatever actors we’re able to repeat in the story. AP: Any movement on that project? Jackson directs Sean Astin in a scene from “Return of the King.” JACKSON: New Line hasn’t talked to me about it yet. I can only assume they’re motivated to do it now, but the rights are kind of complicated. [The Hobbit](http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/Movies/12/15/film.rings.jackson.ap/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![Matchka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Matchka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Matchka)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/14 "2003-12-18T19:48:47Z")
Wow … attack of the coding gremlins…sorry 'bout that ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/15 "2003-12-18T23:08:53Z")
I bet if New Line dropped another 100 million or so on _The Hobbit_ and got Jackson to direct, it’d pay off. It probably wouldn’t need that much money, except I bet that Smaug (who’d make a good VA for the chiefest and greatest of calamities?) and Gollum (with Serkis reprising) and the trolls and the battle of the five armies would take some major rendering time and expense. Just how far in the black has _The Lord of the Rings_ put New Line, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![kasuo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8c91f0/32.png) [@kasuo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kasuo)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/16 "2003-12-18T23:15:29Z")
Last I heard, the movies alone made at least USD$300 million per flick so that would gross at least $600 million after ROTK, given the combined total cost of the trilogy is about $300 million. ---
**Author:** ![Delly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/85f322/32.png) [@Delly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Delly)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2003, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/17 "2003-12-18T23:32:58Z")
There is a UK film Show called ‘Film 2003 with Johnathan Ross’. This weeks show was a LOTR special and basically contained clips from the movie and interviews with the actors at the ROTK UK Prem, Billy Boyd said there were talks about doing something else… Whether its true or not I have no idea, but I wouldnt mind seeing some of what happens in the Appendices. Not so sure about Silmarillion though, its a great book, but so much happens in it for just one movie… ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2003, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/18 "2003-12-19T01:47:44Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Delly \* > \*\* I wouldnt mind seeing some of what happens in the Appendices._\* Yeah! I really want to see PJ’s take on the essays about the various runes: Angerthas Moria vs. Angerthas Daeron! And to see the commentary of the Tengwar, that Fëanorian script! And let’s not forget the notes on the calendar in the Shire!!! \<\\> “thud” 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![c\_carol](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e79b87/32.png) [@c\_carol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/c_carol)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2003, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/19 "2003-12-20T02:30:53Z")
I desperately want PJ to make _The Hobbit_. I also think that the story of Beren and Luthien could make a great movie, as long as PJ is not allowed within ten miles of the script. He mangled the Elrond-Arwen-Aragorn storyline so badly that I don’t trust him with that kind of story. P.S. Qadgop: Marry me? ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2003, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701/20 "2003-12-20T02:44:31Z")
If they made a movie about Legolas, I know I’m not the only one who’d go see it 😃 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lotr-iv-and-other-possible-adventures-in-middle-earth/219701.md?page=2)