The latest news on the two (two?) forthcoming Hobbit films (from here):
We have names for the two films (carved out of the single novel by J.R.R. Tolkien) — The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: There and Back Again — and we have release dates, Dec. 14, 2012, and Dec. 13, 2013.Several veterans of The Lord of the Rings trilogy will appear in the prequels to Jackson’s smash-hit, Oscar-winning film trilogy. Returning stars include Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, Andy Serkis as Gollum and Orlando Bloom as Legolas.British actor Stephen Fry has also been assigned a role.The $500 million 3-D project began filming in New Zealand in March, following months of wrangling, delays, financial woes and health problems for Jackson.
By Morgoth's iron crown, why, oh why, must it be 3-D? I hate 3-D films! Hate, hate, hate them... L
That complaint aside, it's good to hear that Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis will be back. (And I'm fine with Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom, although I'm deeply puzzled as to why they would be appearing, given that neither 'Frodo' nor 'Legolas' appear in the novel!)
I'm curious to know which character Stephen Fry will be playing. Perhaps Thorin?
And who will play Elrond (assuming it's not Hugo Weaving), Beorn, Bard, and Thranduil (the 'Elvenking')?
Stephen Fry is playing the Master of Laketown. Hugo Weaving is back to play Elrond. I suspect that, because it's being made after the LotR, it will begin as a flashback sort of thing, possibly being treated as if a tale being told by Bilbo. Legolas, being the son of Thranduil, king of the wood-elves of Mirkwood, can easily be slotted in when the dwarves are captured, and I have no doubt he'll get to do some elvish acrobatics during the Battle of Five Armies.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the additional info, Fitz! :)
ReplyDeleteApparently, there is also going to be an ass-kicking female Elven warrior. I assume as Legolas' love interest. Although they will probably go with the 'We don't like each other! We despise each other!' courtship methodology.
ReplyDeleteMeh. When I heard it was going 3D, my interests cooled down considerably. I'll probably end up watching it, but I really wish they'd go back to making films the good old way.
ReplyDeleteI now feel very old...
I'll wait for the 2D release.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm aware, Legolas' main role will be hovering about in the background of his dad's scenes. I'd imagine we'll only see Frodo at the end, in some scenes to link these films up with the, er, originals.
Legolas and Frodo aren't mentioned in the books, but then again Frodo wasn't stabbed with a boar spear by a troll, elves never fought at Minas Tirith, and the Mouth of Sauron never had his head cut off.
ReplyDeleteAbout 3D, aren't your movie theaters presenting the movies in 3D and 2D? I hear people complaining about 3D all the time... Just go see the 2D version, dammit!
ReplyDeleteI'll see 3D if it is the type of movie that benefits from 3D. Otherwise, I see the 2D version. Given that the movie is specifically made for 3D, I'll probably see it in 3D. Last night's trip to see Thor, an other other hand, was strictly 2D.
ReplyDeleteI think Kevin has got why Frodo will be in it. Bilbo's adoption of Frodo is fairly well discussed in the opening of LotR but doesn't appear in the movies. The scene where Bilbo tells Frodo they might as well move in together so it's easier to celebrate their birthdays (paraphrase but that was the general gist) would be a good transition.
ReplyDeleteIts too bad "3D" inevitably means "throw things at the screen in a contrived and cartoonish manner so the audience jumps". Never any chance of escapism in a 3D movie, that's for sure.
ReplyDeleteI'll probably see first film twice if it's any good (and, based on the LotR films, I think we have reason to be optimistic). If so, I'll see it in both 3D and 2D (assuming that a 2D showing will be available). It may be an interesting comparison.
ReplyDeleteI saw 'Thor' recently in 3D, and while I enjoyed it, it did seem much darker and murkier than I would've liked. When I walked out I had a mild headache.
It's being filmed in 3D. I highly recommend finding Peter Jackson's Facebook page and back-reading the first few entries, because he describes the benefits of it. While I myself am not a fan of 3D (mostly because I wear glasses), it will be viewable in 2D or 3D. No one will be forcing you to see it in 3D.
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