Peter Jackson to direct "The Hobbit"

[J-Proof]

Sure, these are valid concerns.  I too am not sure how much of a "narrative" can actually be constructed from the events in the appendix--the bits about Dol Guldur and the Necromancer are only an educated guess, after all--and yes, I'm sure it is a cash-in.  But I'm curious to see what happens, and I'm guessing that the end result will almost assuredly be entertaining in one form or another.

As far as Bratpop, I'm simply tired of his constant unending negativity.

There's no shortage of material they /could/ make a movie out of between There and Back Again and Fellowship - but I absolutely draw the line with them creating their own characters to illustrate Middle Earthen events... For example - I disagree with the idea of them trying to show Balin's attempt to retake Moria by creating their own dwarf characters.

[KingOfShippers]

Sure, these are valid concerns.  I too am not sure how much of a "narrative" can actually be constructed from the events in the appendix--the bits about Dol Guldur and the Necromancer are only an educated guess, after all--and yes, I'm sure it is a cash-in.  But I'm curious to see what happens, and I'm guessing that the end result will almost assuredly be entertaining in one form or another.

As far as Bratpop, I'm simply tired of his constant unending negativity.

There's no shortage of material they /could/ make a movie out of between There and Back Again and Fellowship - but I absolutely draw the line with them creating their own characters to illustrate Middle Earthen events... For example - I disagree with the idea of them trying to show Balin's attempt to retake Moria by creating their own dwarf characters.

But they'd have to do that wouldn't they as only three known dwarves went there.

[J-Proof]

Sure, these are valid concerns.  I too am not sure how much of a "narrative" can actually be constructed from the events in the appendix--the bits about Dol Guldur and the Necromancer are only an educated guess, after all--and yes, I'm sure it is a cash-in.  But I'm curious to see what happens, and I'm guessing that the end result will almost assuredly be entertaining in one form or another.

As far as Bratpop, I'm simply tired of his constant unending negativity.

There's no shortage of material they /could/ make a movie out of between There and Back Again and Fellowship - but I absolutely draw the line with them creating their own characters to illustrate Middle Earthen events... For example - I disagree with the idea of them trying to show Balin's attempt to retake Moria by creating their own dwarf characters.

But they'd have to do that wouldn't they as only three known dwarves went there.

Sure - but I'd rather they just didn't show that piece of history than make up something completely foreign. They will probably focus on the Dunedain rangers protecting the Shire, and thigns like that to keep the story hobbit-centered

[J-Proof]

Yeah, I hear you. The pink Orc from Return of the King was phenomenally lame and stupid, and "Lurtz" was just a wrestler in orc makeup.

But they also changed the characters that were in the books pretty drastically--Frodo and Faramir and Aragorn and Gimli, for example.  So I won't be surprised when they do something similar here.

Maybe they'll make Beorn a tortured musical artist, and Thranduil can be a pedophile, or something "cool" like that.

Yeah rereading the novels over again, little things that they decided to do in the movies do bug me a little... Some more than others - like Faramir being a wuss, and Aragorn not being proud of his lineage... And why was the army of the dead a green blob? Maggot-flesh zombie warriors would have been much cooler and accurate at the same time.... I didn't mind Lurtz cuz he was killed off anyway.

But absolutely the WORST twist in any of the three movies was Gandalf's staff being broken by the Witchking during their confrontation in Minas Tirith. I saw that in the extended DVD and thought "Even with Legolas sliding down Helm's Deep on a snowboard, Tolkien is probably most pissed at that...."

[esoobaC .T bocaJ]

Entertainment Weekly chatted with director Guillermo Del Toro about the upcoming "The Hobbit" prequels, finding out that nothing has been signed yet, but things could get rolling before the summer.

"There have been a lot of discussions of cast and crew, agreements on the direction the movies would go, and if and when I come on board. But other than that, frankly it's all immaterial until everything is signed and put on paper," explained Del Toro.

He added that the folding of New Line Cinema into Warner Bros has not had a huge impact on the movies. What's slowing everything down, is the fact that the prequels are so massive and require "a half-a-decade commitment."

Finally, Del Toro mentioned that certain parts have already been dealt with; he, along with the original team (Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens) will be involved on the projects and the script.

[bratpop]

You can see how it would be impossible to make one book into one movie. Nobody's ever done that before.

[esoobaC .T bocaJ]

Director Guillermo Del Toro posted an update about "The Hobbit" movies on the official "Hellboy 2" message boards [via ComingSoon]. When he saw that fans were wildly guessing about the progress of the films, he jumped in by saying:

"Whew- Not yet. BUT there has been a lot of movement. And for the last few weeks there has been a lot of creative / cast / crew / visual talks and agreements and we have witnessed great progress in areas that I cannot disclose or that have already leaked from other sources.

I am dying to share news but I have to be patient and wait until the papers are done and my attachment is real. Nevertheless- a LOT of progress in defining the films, their cast and crew. And, may I add, we are all happily in synch about all creative aspects so far and all willing and eager to move forth.

I cannot say more but if all´s well the time will come To talk of many things: Of shoes -- and ships -- and sealing wax -- Of cabbages -- and kings --

May Luck be with us

GDT

PD my silnece means nothing more than the fact that we are RUNNING against an impossible deadline on the HBII film, poster, campaign, ADR, VFX, etc I am SWAMPED.

BUT- Expect good things in the next 2 weeks and a nice item at COMICON. See you there-"

[bratpop]

And don't forget, he typed all that with a funny Mexican accent!

How do they expect these movies to be any good if they aren't written by Peter Jackson and whoever he's currently sleeping with? Where are the standards of quality!

[ImOscardotcom]

Well, it's official.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117984595.html?categoryid=10&cs=1

EDIT: Sequel?

[esoobaC .T bocaJ]

TheOneRing got the chance to speak to the now-confirmed director of "The Hobbit," Guillermo del Toro, who revealed some of the "Lord of the Rings" cast that's planning to return.

"Well, I had the most charming meeting with Sir Ian [McKellen], and all bureaucracy pending, he's on board, as is Andy Serkis," said del Toro. "We will continue giving you progress reports as the occur. It is our intention that we will not lose any of the key elements."

The director also talked about some of the differences fans will notice from the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. "Another thing people will notice, at the beginning of the film will be the palette, that will be slightly different, the world will be the same but it will be a more 'golden' world, a more wide-eyed world. But by no means will we depart from the canon, we will take the three previous films as canon."

why do these things keep popping up?!

Spoiler

[ScottotD]

Awesome, I'm even more excited for Guillermo than I would be if Jackson was making them.

[SmilinJackRoss]

I'm very interested to see who they cast as Bilbo.  He has to be able to carry the weight of these films.

The best suggestion I've heard so far is Martin Freeman, but I have yet to see him do some real drama...he's mostly done comedies.

[ScottotD]

I remember suggesting him on here but I assume other people have since then.

[J-Proof]

I'm really excited about Del Toro picking up the director's seat for this project. And I'm stoked that Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens will be producing etc. I can't wait to see who they pick for Smaug's voice.

[Doctor Who?]

This movie can't come out soon enough for me.