"The Hobbit" filming to begin in New Zealand in July

[AllenVanAllen]

Shooting of the long-awaited film version of JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit is set to begin in New Zealand in July.


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8573948.stm">BBC News: Hobbit filming to begin in New Zealand in July


I'm glad this is a go but I'm not sure what to think about this. "The second will be an original story focusing on the 60 years between the book and the beginning of the Rings trilogy."

[Political Heretic]

1. I don't mind if it is a stand-alone film. I'm ok with people imagining into Tolkien's world

As long as they don't horribly alter the original narrative and as long as I can simply walk away from the movie if its crap :)

[lazarus]

2. the problem is

iirc, nothing of much import really happened in that time. Unless they're going to follow Gollum's leaving the Misty Mountains and making his way to Mordor, but they already covered that in the film trilogy.

[Political Heretic]

3. Oh I'm assuming they'll take great liberty in that film

But as long as they don't screw up the narrative that we DO have from Tolkien, I don't care if they use their imaginations to add some drama to those 60 years.

[mcollins]

5. There was allot going on.

Just not in Hobbiton. You should read the History of Middle Earth by Chris Tolkien, not to mention the Children of Hurn.

There is so much background about the books that you could literally make movies about them forever.

JRR Tolkien recently released a new book, his take on epic Anglo-Saxon poetry. Man is it great. (yes, I know he's dead- his estate released it).

Tolkien is responsible for Beowulf being known as well as it is today.

[lazarus]

6. I've read them

It's just that, if they're going to call it The Hobbit, it sorta needs to be about hobbits.

I'd love to see a high budget series done of the Silmarillion.

[AllenVanAllen]

8. "I'd love to see a high budget series done of the Silmarillion. "

The fall of Gondolin would be amazing to see realized! I do see this happening someday. The success of Rings trilogy opened the door wide. Hopefully it'll be sooner than later.

[AllenVanAllen]

7. Del Toro is going to attempt a seamless transition

from The Hobbit to the Rings trilogy even to mimic Jacksons style of film making I've heard. It could be pretty interesting.

[mcollins]

4. I am so looking forward to this!

I am such a huge Tolkien fan. I know it will be great, but I still enjoy the cartoon they made back in the 70s. The songs were so good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSHLGnexe-w

and now I am going to have to watch it tonight! Again!

[AllenVanAllen]

9. I dug the Rankin Bass Hobbit a lot

I loved their interpretation of the dragon Smaug.






Here's a cool movie concept of Smaug by Peter Konig:


I can't wait to see what Del Toro does with him!
:hi:

[YOY]

10. I would not be surprised if he took Konig's to the next level.

He seems to love that weird eye, nose, mouth disproportion away from the traditional that Konig's work shows.

[AllenVanAllen]

11. Konig's Smaug is reminiscent of

the Tri-Star Godzilla, Beast from 20,000 Fathoms, the Balrog and Panzer Dragon Orta. I think it's pretty cool but I bet they'll go with a more traditional dragon look.

Del Toro does have a great knack for picking cool creature designs though.


http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_j4twdnk8ZvI/R6ZM9FiEn8I/AAAAAAAAA3E/wmFOjT9Sw1A/s400/backbone+ghost.jpg

[YOY]

12. Ah the "Devil's Backbone"...loved that movie.

The worst and scariest monsters were human.

[AllenVanAllen]

13. Well, so much for that.

Guillermo Del Toro leaves THE HOBBIT...

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/45299

[Iggo]

14. Aw, crap.

[AllenVanAllen]

15. Here's a little more information.

AP: Director quits 'Hobbit' film over production delay.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100531/ap_en_mo/as_film_new_zealand_hobbit_delay