Hobbit fans can get a tiny bit more excited as we now hear tales that the first of the two proposed Hobbit movies has finished its writing stage and is headed into preproduction. And we find this out while they are already half way done the second part!
Peter Jackson revealed that the script for the first of the two Hobbit films had been finished and handed off to the studio.
But that’s not all. “We’re now halfway through the second script and Philippa, Fran, Guillermo and myself are doing the scripts and having great fun,” added Jackson.
Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh previously co-wrote the screenplays for the Lord of the Rings film trilogy with Jackson. Now, all three are joining forces once again to produce and write both Hobbit films, though this time around it’s Guillermo del Toro, not Jackson, in the director’s chair.
I am really curious to see how this prequel turns out. I always liked the Hobbit storyline more because its so different from Lord of the Rings yet it still had the same feel. Now with a different director, we might just see how different they see it.
If they were able to bring the Silmarillion to screen I would die of happiness. I’ve always preferred The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion to The Hobbit but I love all of Tolkien’s works. It’s just a matter of which stories I love more.
This news of the first Hobbit script being finished is music to my ears!
While I’m looking forward to the results on-screen, I’ll mostly be anticipating the truly *great* Tolkien stories finally being adapted once these two films have come and gone.
Because clearly The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings were not truly great?
As great to *me* as stuff I’m referring to? No. Not ‘as great as’.
Heh, it’s the whole original Star Wars trilogy fans vs. the new trilogy fans all over again.
If true, then there will a bonus third wave of contention if The Silmarillion tales ever get told. (For which I would sacrifice the first two sets of films. Yeah, I know; blasphemy.)
But here’s the way I’ve always seen it: ‘The Hobbit’ was the innocent, mild tale. ‘Lord of The Rings’ is essentially the tale of Men…with everyone else playing supporting roles in a fading world. (You want to arm wrestle over this point? Bring it.) But ‘The Silmarillion’, because it primarily deals with Elves…contains the richest material. I mean, seriously; Sauron was second-fiddle to Morgoth…Elves rock…and how can you top actual Gods?
I won’t live to see any of The Silmarillion brought to the screen (We’re probably talking 15-25 years from now) but I’ll try to float a feather horizontally when the first epic tale premieres. LOL
While I’m looking forward to “The Hobbit,” I am also worried a bit. I know in the past Jackson and Del Toro have emphasized the fact that the film will have the same dark tone as LOTR. Frankly, I don’t think LOTR’s tone fits the story of “The Hobbit” at all.
While the book has its darker moments, it is more of a lighter, almost fairy-tale like adventure. More like some of George MacDonald’s work, who happened to be an influence on Tolkien.
I just hope that Jackson and Co. realize that The Hobbit has a somewhat different spirit than Tolkien’s later work.
I think hobbit and I automatically think of Clerks’ Randall and his hobbit views……
that and:
Walking! 3 f’n movies of people Walking!
I watched the trailer and I can’t wait to watch the movie next year. I am a LOTR fanatic. I read the book and I like the story. The hobbit will surely help me in putting up the stories together before the wars begin in LOTR sequel. I am excited about it.
Who do you think will play Bilbo? I really don’t know at this point, so I’m interested in your opinions.
With Boyens handicraft, Bilbo will probably have a sex change before the battle of seven armies.
There is no reason to think that. At all.
My problem with Boyens is the liberties she (and Peter of course) took with Tolkiens material.
I recognise the greatness of the movies, of course, but really hate the way Faramir isnt the same.
So, I am not talking through my ass, but just trying, through a small joke, show my worry about the transition of Tolkiens material.
Nope. Still talking out your ass.
There were no parts of the adaptation (which my definition MEANS changes for a different medium) that were so drastic as to assume that Boyens would change a gender or anything else that dramatic.
Lord of the Rings was VERY faithful, and the parts that were changed were done so to accomodate for the medium of film.
WHAT!?
That doesn’t make any sense at all and just trying to make it make sense makes my head hurt…
There is no sense to it. Boyens has no history of changing up genders in her writing, and has a long history in writing for Jackson in his most successful and faithful adaptations.
David is just randomly talking out his ass.
I was always a bigger fan of the Hobbit book than the LOTR trilogy, so this is a triumph for me. I never understood why Peter Jackson chose to do the Trilogy first or how it came about, but who can argue the choice made with the success of the movies. I just prey that the same magic is bestowed upon the Hobbit. I have nothing but faith it will be and I cannot wait!
The Hobbit is very much a character story revolving almost entirely around one Hobbit, while LoTR is an epic war story that is far bigger than Bilbo Baggins task.
I would think Jackson wanted to do the Epic story first, to not only show off his toys but to guarantee The Hobbit got made. If The Hobbit came first, and people didnt dig the character adventure, the epic that follows may never have happened.
Maybe.
@ Rodney, that is an interesting point you make about the character driven “Hobbit” book and thanks for the insight.
I will have to do a re-read of the Hobbit before the movie is released just as I am sure most people do. Just very excited about the whole thing!
Because LOTR is much more well-known?
Because The Hobbit is not necessary in order to enjoy LOTR?
Looking forward to the depictions of Smaug and Beorn
Smaug especially.
This is awesome!
I have read my LOTR trilogy so much during my childhood that it has no spine left, and was surprisingly ecstatic with the films.
If they can capture the pure magic of the Hobbit while still delivering the quality of the LOTR films it may end up being my favourite fantasy movie of all time.
A tall ask as it will have to knock off the Princess Bride to do it!
Awesome, really looking forward to this one. I absolutely loved the LOTR trilogy, I’m excited to see what they do with the Hobbit.
Kinda worried how the 13 dwarves will translate to screen, that and the singing… but too early to worry too much, I’ll just have to see how it turns out.