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^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*

I've actually heard recently that they've decided to simply split the book into two films. I'm rather happy about that decision, since it gives the film makers more concrete stuff to work with instead of relying on notes that can be up to interpretation.

Thanks for answering my question about the writers, by the way!

^ You're very welcome, Lar.

It's true the second film was supposed to be a bridge film, but they decided to put more of the Hobbit into it. I agree with JF that the Hobbit itself would work well as one film, and I think they're splitting it because they are going to add in more of the bridge material in the first movie. For instance, they are probably going to follow Gandalf's storyline in addition to Bilbo's. I feel like the first film will be mostly Hobbit and the second film will be mostly bridge, but thinking about it I don't have much concrete evidence to support that. The only thing I've read about the split is del Toro saying that there was an "obvious" point in the book. To me, that's definitely after the death of Smaug.

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^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*

Ooooh I'm so so excited for the hobbit, I'm glad Sir Ian has told us when its gonna start filming, hopefully that means it won't be too long until we actually find out who's cast. Ian seems like the fans connection to all the crazy going on, bless him!

I'm looking forward to seeing the old faces again 9Ian and andy HAVE to be back, Hugo should too, and Orlando has apparently emailed PJ about it all), but I'm really worried about casting, rumors I've heard so far have not been particularly pretty, about a month ago the papers here claimed that Jedward (yes that Jedward off X factor) had tried out and Ronan Keating from Boyzone- this is NOT good news lol! The One Ring has recently been saying that Clive Standen, who was Archer in BBC's Robin Hood is up for Bard, I think he'd be alright, but he's a bit to young and pretty and I think he might just play the part as Archer all over again

Also theres the whole 3d not 3d descision, What do you guys think?? I'm personally all for a 2D hobbit, I really don't want this film of all films to become another Avatar- all effects and no real story- not that that is likely to happen with PJ writing the script

Anyway I'm SO SO up for moving to NZ this Summer

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^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*

Heheh Your so right about Ian and the fans, I wasn't part of the whole LotR film progress before FotR (I was actually surprised when I heard that there was a film version) so I don't know how much news got out about it, but I think this time round they're really going to struggle to keep all the details like cast, release date etc quiet, becuase they are following the greatest film trilogy ever and people are going to be looking out for all the details. like you said, it'll get out eventually so it may aswell come from the horse... well Wizards mouth rather than through sketchy press rumors

I think your right, its just scary!! I'm all for them casting realitvely unknown people, and I think some roles like Bilbo I think would be better played by a smaller name, whereas other parts like Thorin or maybe even Thranduil (who i'm actually most worried about who they cast) would be better as a more known actor. I liked that sort of mix they had in LotR and I hope they do something like that again, obviously I don't want them to cast super famous people like Brad Pitt in a role, but people who are well known faces or were in fairly distinctive roles would be amazing.

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I'm not going to feel easy until they start rolling. It's not the crew or the script or the actors that are the problem, it's the studio causing the delays due to money problems. I take comfort in the fact that Sir Ian is definitely going to be in New Zealand in July doing a play, and they've apparently started construction on the Hobbiton set! This is definitely a step in the right direction.

Does anyone foresee any changes they're going to make to the book? I imagine they'll flesh out the characters of the dwarves a little, probably extracting major comic relief from poor Bombur, and maybe turning a pair of them into a Merry-and-Pippin like couple. I can also see them adding an extra adventure after the trolls, and maybe changing the way they become prisoners of the Mirkwood elves. They might do something with the riddle game, too. I think it's too iconic for them to throw out completely, but then I can also understand that from a cinematic point of view, sitting and asking riddles isn't very exciting!
But these are just my guesses, and some things that I'm anticipating. I really hope they get the Bilbo right. I don't really like what they did to Frodo. They made him too incompetent, mostly, and now I'm concerned they'll make Bilbo too competent!

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Yep hobbiton is being re-built, I'm kinda surprised that they've left it fairly late compared to lotr, where they started a year in advance to make it look overgrown. And Sir Ian has said many times after he's finished Waiting for Godot in London he's going to Australia for a 10 week run of Godot (I think) and then onto the Hobbit set!!!

I think the action scenes, like the Goblin Fight in the caves and the Battle of the 5 armies will be extended and made into much bigger spectacles, rather than the short and disorientating scenes in the book. I'm kinda thinking that there might be some flashbacks in there somewhere too, maybe smaug taking over the lonley mountain. For some reason I really think they won't make the spiders talk (and probably the same for the Wolves and the Thrush), I think they'll want them to be as scary as shelob, and making them talk would just shatter that. I think they might make the riddle game a bit more dramatic, but audiences aren't opposed to Long scenes of dialougue so long as its dramatic. I also hope they flesh out some of the dwarves, I think bombur should become the sort of comic releif, as there needs to be a some of that fun-ness of the book. I also hope that bard and Thranduil are fleshed out a bit more too.

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Well, they could be saving Hobbiton for the end of the shoot. It'll be overgrown by then.

Oh, the Battle of Five Armies should be really astounding! I agree, they'll probably be some flashbacks. I wonder, too, whether they'll have some sort of prelude or start it cold, in Hobbiton. But I have this feeling that del Toro is going to keep Smaug in reserve, and we won't get to really see him until Bilbo does. I think you're right about the animals, too. There's something a little too fantastic about talking animals. I wonder how they'll get around it, though. It's pretty important to the plot, after all!
Speaking of things that shouldn't talk, I just remember that the trolls' wallet talks! That's something they've got to change. I never understood how or why a wallet talks anyway.
Also, I suspect they'll change the drunken Mirkwood elves. I just can't see the elves from LotR drinking themselves to sleep, especially after Legolas's drinking game from RotK! And anyway, I think it'll reflect Bilbo's character better if they make him more proactive in the escape.

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After reading through all of your posts I'm ashamed to admit that I'm going to have to go back and read The Hobbit again. I believe the last time I read was about five or so years ago, perhaps longer!

Anyway, I have to disagree with you, Taur, about the film makers making Frodo incompetent. I never saw him as such! I always considered what you may see as incompetency to be mere naiveté or ignorance on his part. He's a rough and tumble Hobbit from the simple land of the Shire after all.

As for talking animal and other changes - I always thought PJ did a fair interpretation of LotR despite some of its obvious flaws [as JF said, the drinking game in RotK], so I'm sure del Toro will do the same. Sometimes it's just necessary to change certain aspects of books to better fit them for a film adaptation.

Also, JF, I will take you up for your offer to go to NZ with you this summer.

^ I think it's exactly his naivete and ignorance that bothers me. In the book, Frodo was much more worldly and wise, having been taught by Bilbo and being much older than as portrayed in the movie. I'll admit, it makes sense cinematically... it makes the main character more relatable, and better fits the theme of 'even the smallest person can change the course of the future'... but I can't help but regret the change. I think it bothers me because it makes Frodo less special in himself, and more special just because of the Ring.


Anyway, del Toro explained that he can't close deals with actors until he gets the green light from the studio. So it seems like there will be no finding out who Bilbo is before the green light!
There hasn't even been a rumor for some time. I wonder if this means they're looking at a unknown actor.

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^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*

Huge bummer. I also just read that it will be due out in Imax as well as in regular cinemas. You don't think they're going to make it in 3D, do you? I might just die if they do.

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^ By me and my SS *squiggle hugs*

TORN says that this is wrong... at least, for the first one, which is still set for 2012. *sigh of relief*

D'you remember we thought it was going to be late 2009? And that seemed like forever?

I don't think they should make The Hobbit 3-D, but would it really matter if they did? After all, you don't have to see it in 3-D.

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