The Hobbit: Film Director Is Chosen?

[DMark]

According to this Hollywood Reporter article Guillermo del Toro is in talks to direct back-to-back installments of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit,” with Peter Jackson being the Executive Producer.

As stated in the article:

"Few filmmakers have the cachet that del Toro has, as well as a deep love for the source material, an assured grasp of fantasy filmmaking and an understanding and command of geek culture as well as its respect. Del Toro has built that goodwill through such films as the Oscar-nominated “Pan’s Labyrinth,” “Hellboy,” “Blade 2” (which was made by New Line) and “The Devil’s Backbone.”

He seems to be a good choice, and with Peter looking over his shoulder during the entire process, I don’t think we have much to worry about in terms of quality.

[cmyk]

Yeh, if we just can’t have PJ, I think Del Toro is a great 2nd choice. After Pan’s, I have the utmost faith in him turning out a couple great films, as long as PJ has his back as producer.

On AICN, he apparently expressed that he feels strongly about maintaining the look and feel that PJ set up with LOTR, but can’t wait to add to the world as well. I’m down with that.

[TWDuke]

I must be the only person in the world who things Jackson did a great job with LOTR but wishes he had nothing to do with the Hobbit. We’ve seen his version of Middle-Earth, and it will always be there for us to go back to. I’d like to see someone do a complete reimagining (as much as is possible while remaining close to the source – which is Tolkien, not Jackson), and with Jackson holding the reins I don’t see that happening.

Knowing just what Rivendell and Hobbiton and Gollum and Gandalf and orcs and trolls are going to look reduces the sense of adventure. I’ll still probably be there on opening weekend though.

[Left_Hand_of_Dorkness]

Hot damn! If there’s a director who’d possibly get me more excited about Hobbit than Jackson, it’d be del Toro. Sweeeeeeet!

Daniel

[Orual]

I’m pleased with this news, but am utterly at a loss as to why The Hobbit needs “installments”.

[What_Exit]

I think this is a good choice. I hopes he stays closer to the actual text than Jackson. I think he might be a better director and Peter Jackson will still be there to ensure the look of Middle Earth which is what I think Jackson did best.

Jackson made strange additions to a situation where he had to trim, trim trim. I don’t think Del Toro will make such mistakes.

@Orual

I’m pleased with this news, but am utterly at a loss as to why The Hobbit needs “installments”.

There is talk of making a bridge movie between the end of the Hobbit and the Long Awaited Party. This would be the second movie in some accounts. I don’t know how I feel about this.

Jim

[Justin_Credible]

@What Exit?

I think this is a good choice. I hopes he stays closer to the actual text than Jackson. I think he might be a better director and Peter Jackson will still be there to ensure the look of Middle Earth which is what I think Jackson did best.

Jackson made strange additions to a situation where he had to trim, trim trim. I don’t think Del Toro will make such mistakes.
There is talk of making a bridge movie between the end of the Hobbit and the Long Awaited Party. This would be the second movie in some accounts. I don’t know how I feel about this.

Jim

That’s what I’ve heard too. I really hope that’s the case, as I would hate if they broke The Hobbitt up into two parts.

And as for Del Toro, that is awesome news. I really hope he signs on to do it. The only other person that I would be really happy with is Alfonso Cuaron. I think he would do a good job with it.

[Orual]

@What Exit?

There is talk of making a bridge movie between the end of the Hobbit and the Long Awaited Party. This would be the second movie in some accounts. I don’t know how I feel about this.

Ooh. That doesn’t exactly fill me with anticipation.

[Terrifel]

A “bridge movie?” That makes even less sense than “The Hobbit 2.” What would that even include? Nothing happens!

–oh wait, after consulting Appendix B, I now see how wrong I was. There’s easily material for a blockbuster sequel.

2950: The Birth of Finduilas! Of course, the kids will go nuts for that. I think everyone’s been waiting to see the origin story of Finduilas.

2951: Three of Sauron’s Nazgul retake Dol Guldur! And this time, it’s personal! Also, Elrond reveals to Aragorn his true name. Aragorn’s true name, that is. ‘Estel’ is actually Sindarin for “Hey you.”

2953: The White Council debates the Ring! Man, this is all pure box-office gold. Why didn’t Peter Jackson start with this stuff instead of LOTR?

2976: The marriage of Finduilas! Oh my god, this is so romantic! It’s Finduilas again! How she’s grown!

2980: Er… Gollum “becomes acquainted with Shelob.” Erm. Wow. Yeah, that’s definitely… Wow.

Any hoo…

2983: The birth of Samwise! There’s an essential chapter. Because otherwise we would have no idea whether he was actually born, or else perhaps grown inside a mud cocoon like the Orcs. You can see how all this would play out so well on widescreen.

2988: Finduilas dies young! OH SHIT! What the hell?! Not Finduilas! Dear sweet Finduilas! She had so much potential. This is the stuff of epic tragedy right here. Man.

What else? Hmm… Balin the dwarf goes to Moria, because he’s an idiot. And Saruman finally looks in the palantir, because he is also an idiot. Wonder if Christopher Lee will reprise that role after all? And… that’s pretty much it.

Still, a rich tapestry to work with. Most of it, of course, is the story of Finduilas. As it should be, really. The character of Finduilas really leaps out as the keystone of the whole narrative linking The Hobbit to LOTR. After seeing The Hobbit, people are going to be crying out as they leave, “But what of Finduilas?” I envision Charlize Theron in the role. Actually I just envision Charlize Theron. Pretty much all the time. In a diaphanous elven gown. I think that’s just my personal deal though.

In summary: Finduilas!

[What_Exit]

@Terrifel

A “bridge movie?” That makes even less sense than “The Hobbit 2.” What would that even include? Nothing happens!
…
In summary: Finduilas!

That was most terrifical Terrifel.

I actually think the Hobbit would make an excellent 2 part movie of just over 2 hours each. That would be how I would do it. However, it is sadly not up to me.

Jim

[Orual]

@Terrifel

Still, a rich tapestry to work with. Most of it, of course, is the story of Finduilas. As it should be, really. The character of Finduilas really leaps out as the keystone of the whole narrative linking The Hobbit to LOTR.

… Wasn’t she the elf-chick who mooned over Emo McJerkface and got killed when the orcs torched Nargothrond? Wasn’t that in the First Age?

Oh, wait. There was another one. Never mind.

[sub]This is what happens when certain characters hog more than their fair allotment of names. The poor tertiary characters end up having to share.[/sub]

[squeegee]

@Terrifel

In summary: Finduilas!

I thought it was Radagast!

@Terrifel

The most likely probability, of course, is that the other movie will reveal the epic story of Radagast! Master of shapes and changes of hue! Friend of Eagles! Secret architect of Sauron’s downfall! Radagast! Who came to earth with powers and abilities far beyond those of Mortal Men! Radagast! Who can change the hue of mighty rivers! Bend shapes in his bare hands! And who, disguised as a mild-mannered country wizard, fights a never-ending battle for Truth, Justice, and the Valinorian Way!

That was most excellent, sir or ma’am.

[Sage_Rat]

“Bridge film” doesn’t necessarily mean that it will be principally “bridge” material.

My guess would be that they would split the Hobbit (which I think would be good, since it means they wouldn’t have to give two seconds to each scene to pack everything in there), but then put in bonus flashbacks about the histories of the various characters and of Middle-Earth.

[drm]

In this thread I brought up the idea of Del Toro but I never thought it would happen. I really hope he signs on.

I’ll be anxiously awaiting to see who else is on the crew (specifically cinematographers and art directors) to see what direction they go.

[squeegee]

I think they’ve explicitly stated that the bridge film would take place after the events of the hobbit, and before LOTR.

Hmm, Tom Bombadil is the part that a lot of fans regret having been cut from LOTR., so he seems like a likely character to show up in a third film. Tom was familiar with Farmer Maggot after all, so there’s a tie to the Shire right there. Then we have Aragorn joining both the armies of Rohan and Gondor in disguise, meanwhile getting his Dunaid-on for Arwen. I don’t see how you’d bridge those two parts, or bundle them together into a coherent plot, though. OK, I do: you dump Bombadil again, and make the film about Aragorn. He was like 85 at the time of LOTR <looks around for a nitpicker to speak up with Aragorn’s really truly exact age, in Shire months>, and there’s quite a few hints and notes on a back story for him.

[squeegee]

from wiki:

From 2957 to 2980, Aragorn undertook great journeys, serving in the armies of King Thengel of Rohan, and Steward Ecthelion II of Gondor. Many of his tasks helped to raise morale in the West and counter the growing threat of Sauron and his allies, and he acquired invaluable experience which he would later put to use in the War of the Ring. Aragorn served his lords in disguise and his name in Gondor and Rohan during that time was Thorongil (Eagle of the Star). With a small Gondorian squadron of ships, he led an assault on the long-standing rebel province of Umbar in 2980, burning many of the Corsairs’ ships and personally slaying their lord during the battle on the Havens. After the victory at Umbar, “Thorongil” left the field and to the dismay of his men, went East.

Sounds like a movie to me.

[Ogre]

Maybe they’ll throw Tom Bombadil in there for grins.

No?

[Terrifel]

@squeegee

I thought it was Radagast!
That was most excellent, sir or ma’am.

Well yes, OBVIOUSLY Radagast. That just goes without saying. If the goal of the sequel is to provide a big picture of the struggles of the Third Age, you can’t NOT have Radagast. Otherwise a lot of this stuff just doesn’t make sense, because it’s all about Radagast.

The thing is, though: As Sauron’s polar opposite, his personal involvement is frequently invisible; which makes for problematic cinema. Look closely at the events of The Hobbit and LOTR, and Radagast’s influence is obvious throughout. Yet the Peter Jackson movies didn’t even bother to mention his name. This is not a problem; Radagast would be entirely cool with this. Radagast doesn’t need others to know where he is or what he’s up to. He’s the chessmaster, planning five moves ahead of everyone else.

That’s not to say that Radagast can’t or doesn’t figure into the tale of Finduilas! I’m just saying that as far as screen appeal goes, Finduilas is where it’s at. The kids are going to demand Finduilas. They are going to want to see that diaphanous elven gown backlit at every possible opportunity, until at last it is cast aside, crumpled up on the floor beside a Great Eagles’ nest somewhere in Wilderland…

[TWDuke]

What else? Hmm… Balin the dwarf goes to Moria, because he’s an idiot. And Saruman finally looks in the palantir, because he is also an idiot. Wonder if Christopher Lee will reprise that role after all? And… that’s pretty much it.

I detect a wee bit of sarcasm brewing in this thread, but since I first read LOTR back in the Fifth Age, I’ve always wished there was a little more information about Saruman’s fall from leader of the Wise to Sauron’s lackey. Of course any movie material wouldn’t be the same as a canonical history from the pen of Tolkien, but it could be exciting. As an anology, think how much fun it would be to watch the complete back story of Dar… never mind.

Hey, wouldn’t it be cool to know what the Blue Wizards were up to?

[Elendil_s_Heir]

Terrifel, you amuse me. Well done.

Del Toro could do a great job. His Hellboy is pretty much a perfect movie, IMHO, given its source material. But still, I’d rather see one long and complete Hobbit than two movies with “bridge” materials. Not sure they could do it right, but… I’ll admit it would be 'way cool to see Umbar in all its piratical (corsairical?) glory, a young Estel/Aragorn/Thorongil adventuring, Radagast communing with the birds and woodland critters, and Saruman’s fall from grace.

Oh, and Finduilas. Gotta have Finduilas.