posted
From what I've read, PJ at the very least has said that McKellen is premature in his announcement of filming this year. Filming is indefinitely on hold until after the MGM problem is solved. That's another saga that has had a lot of rumors floated around.
On the other hand, it has been confirmed that Neil Blomkamp will NOT direct, which still leaves room for my choice, Alfonso Curaron to direct.
Sorry for the thread necromancy, but it seemed silly to start a new thread when this one is exactly what the subject matter was about.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
Thread necromancy. One of my new favorite terms ever. As to the OP, since Del Toro and Jackson had a hand in all the pre-production work (designing characters, settings, locations, beginning storyboarding, etc.) I see no reason why a fairly competent director can't take this over at this point and have a successful telling of the story. And there are many, many competent directors out there who can manage to tell a story on film. The design aspects are what makes Jackson and Del Toro geniuses in their craft anyway. Additionally, I'm not that concerned about timetable. I'm willing to wait for a film to be done "right" rather than "right now." I think that's one of the (many) failings of the "Twilight" phenomena being brought to film.
Posts: 786 | Registered: Jun 2003
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I wouldn't even call it semi-official. They're in talks. Given how the history of the directorship has gone, that means the studio REALLY wants PJ to do it, and they're ready to start writing down dollar figures.
But with MGM still tied up, and with The Hobbit revenue pie already divvied up between Tolkien's family, Saul Zaentz, MGM, and Harvey Weinstein, among others, adding another hand to the pot, even on what will surely be a huge blockbuster success, is not a done deal. It also remains to be seen when shooting will actually start, as pre-production rolls on with PJ's involvement. People on the Hobbit team say that MGM's financial woes aren't a factor, but given the funding issues, I don't see how they couldn't be. The next Bond movie is being held up by the same problem.
It's not nearly a done deal...but it wouldn't surprise me if it ended up that way. Jackson doesn't want to see it in the hands of someone he doesn't trust, and from what I understand, he more or less has veto power. We'll see.
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Looks like we should be hearing in the next week that Jackson is officially on board to direct the two Hobbit films. This is big news to Jackson supporters and fans of the first films.
The only reason I wanted someone else to do it was so the wargs looked like wolves and not hyenas, but that's a minor quibble. There isn't really much that Jackson can mess up in The Hobbit, unless he leaves out characters that there is really no reason to leave out. I'm kind of even hoping for some sweet back story scenes where he shows Smaug attacking Lonely Mountain, and even showing the Dwarf army attacking Moria and thus highlighting the feud between them, and Azog/Bolg. Lots of great stuff they COULD do. Maybe they'll even integrate some of the songs/poems from the book like they did the in the trilogies.
I mean, I can let the "tralalalalley way down in the valley" stuff go, but the poem when the dwarves explain Smaug's coming with their song in Bag End could be really cool.
I'm starting to get excited again!
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posted
I keep throwing terrible hexes at this movie and it's still getting made, what's up with that.
Posts: 15421 | Registered: Aug 2005
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Blayne Bradley
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posted
The Hobbit with Jackson at the helm leaves me in complete satisfaction and reassured that it will be both truthful to the book, compelling visual epic, and the entertainment of whatever year it gets made.
Weird nonsequitor deviations aside LotR I felt was fairly truthful.
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quote:Originally posted by Lyrhawn: I mean, I can let the "tralalalalley way down in the valley" stuff go, but the poem when the dwarves explain Smaug's coming with their song in Bag End could be really cool.
I'm starting to get excited again!
For sure about the song in Bag End. That could/should be awesome.
Posts: 2827 | Registered: Jul 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Samprimary: I keep throwing terrible hexes at this movie and it's still getting made, what's up with that.
It's almost like you don't have magic powers.
I, however, have learned recently in some disturbing happenstances that I might actually have magic powers. I'd set something up for you, but I actually want to see the movie made, so, maybe we can get together on Harry Potter or something?
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Lyrhawn: I'd appreciate it if you stopped the Star Wars movies from being released in 3D. If it's not too much trouble of course.
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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Last I heard the project was having union problems... Not to mention the array of legal complaints that have been flying like buzzards around everything having to do with the Tolkein movies in the last five years or so. Has something changed?
Posts: 3826 | Registered: May 2005
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The union thing is a recent development, and I'm not totally sure what's happening with that. It had to do with the actor's union throwing a hissy fit about something, it was either non-union actors or payscales, but it wasn't so heinous that it would in any way hold up production. The money being talked about was child's play for a production this large. But there's another issue that will affect the workers as well.
One of the other big recent disputes is actually the shooting location. Other countries are offering big rebates to Warner to move production out of NZ and to wherever that country is. Canada is in serious contention, apparently, as are Australia, Scotland, and half of Eastern Europe. There's still no telling what will happen with that, and it could very well stay in NZ, but Fran Walsh had an interview saying she's very disappointed with the NZ government for not putting up a competitive fight for the project. Jackson was initially offered NZ as a shoot location as a courtesy from Warner, but when other countries came forward with big rebate offers, Warner told Jackson they were going to crunch numbers and see if they might need to force a change. If they move, some of those actor problems go away. It sounds like some of it was inside baseball anyway. A lot of NZ actors are independent contractors, and there was a push from Australian big unions to portray Jackson and the movie as anti-union perhaps as a power play to move filming off of NZ entirely. I don't think it's as big a problem as it is being made out to be.
As for the legal problems, what I've been reading is that they were close to a deal with Spyglass after the deal with Lion's Gate fell through. But now, a guy from Lion's Gate who was initially against the deal has bought 10% of MGM's debt in an effort to force a merger with his company. MGM and Spyglass have already started some formal paper work, and buying this guy out could end up being pricier than they are willing to go, so it's up in the air, but a lot of people are optimistic. Regardless, pre-production is continuing as if everything is fine, even though no contracts have been signed with actors yet (and Ian McKellen, for one, is anxious to have that done). There's still a bit of a grace period while pre-production continues before they actually need the go ahead, but that window might be an okay time period.
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posted
Saw this, the labor disputes are being called a formality, and to be honest I think getting Jackson to agree on his salary, and MGM/Warner Bros giving the green light for funds were the biggest hurdles. Assuming all the actors thus far don't suddenly leave for whatever reason we might actually get a movie.
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posted
From what I've read elsewhere, Martin Freeman was at one point offered Bilbo, and I think it'd be a great choice. He had to turn it down due to scheduling conflicts, but now he's supposedly back in talks again.
The only role that really comes to mind for Tennant might be Bard, but he'd have to bulk up a little I'd think. Or I guess, if they do the White Council, he could be Radagast. I'm most curious about the casting choices for Bard, Smaug, Thorin and Beorn. I also think it'd be interesting if they make the orcs into actual characters rather than as snarling monsters like they were in Fellowship. The goblin king in the Misty Mountains and Bolg of Moria.
Some of my bigger narrative questions are how much of the pre-Bilbo story will be told. Will the first half hour be the formation of the White Council, Gandalf entering Dol Goldur and Gandalf's chance meeting with Thorin? Or will they just launch into the movie with Gandalf knocking on Bilbo's door, perhaps covering the rest in flashbacks? Also, I wonder if Galadriel will do the voiceover again. I really hope so. When I loved the cartoons as a kid, John Huston was the VOICE of LOTR for me. Cate Blanchett is the voice of LOTR for me now.
I plan to start a new Hobbit thread in the coming weeks as casting and production information starts to flow.
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quote:Cate Blanchett is the voice of LOTR for me now.
But Cate Blanchett has a horrible voice! *boggles*
Posts: 37449 | Registered: May 1999
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Blayne Bradley
unregistered
posted
Cate was Galadriel right in the movies? She's good.
As for Tennant I can most assuredly attest that the man has a HUGE range of voices and could play any manner of roles, I have the audi books for "How to Train You Dragon" and he does the narration and every character pretty swell.
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quote:Cate Blanchett is the voice of LOTR for me now.
But Cate Blanchett has a horrible voice! *boggles*
Seriously? Don't get me wrong, John Huston is still a far better narrator, if we're comparing people who've made the attempt in some version of a LOTR film, but I thought she was fantastic in the prologue and throughout.
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I just realized (off of memory, so I hope I'm right) that the first chapter of The Hobbit is An Unexpexted party, and the first chapter of Fellowship of the Ring is A Long-expected Party.
I am finding this so awesome right now, I needed to share.
Posts: 856 | Registered: Jun 2007
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Great link, Lyr. They all sound like really great choices.
In other news, I find it a little disturbing that I'm hoping Aidan Turner still manages to look sexy with a beard. O_o
Posts: 2283 | Registered: Dec 2003
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posted
Anyone who is not sure whether Martin Freeman will be a good enough actor for the role needs to watch 'Sherlock' (it's a pretty different role, but it shows that he has serious range and talent - plus he looks like he has furry feet). He'll be a great. He also resembles Ian Holm enough for it to sync nicely with the other movies.
Now we just need them to film in New Zealand and it'll be perfect.
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quote:Originally posted by LargeTuna: I just realized (off of memory, so I hope I'm right) that the first chapter of The Hobbit is An Unexpexted party, and the first chapter of Fellowship of the Ring is A Long-expected Party.
I am finding this so awesome right now, I needed to share.
That was the first thing I noticed when I read The Fellowship of the Ring
Posts: 1029 | Registered: Apr 2007
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quote:Originally posted by Bella Bee: Anyone who is not sure whether Martin Freeman will be a good enough actor for the role needs to watch 'Sherlock' (it's a pretty different role, but it shows that he has serious range and talent - plus he looks like he has furry feet). He'll be a great. He also resembles Ian Holm enough for it to sync nicely with the other movies.
Now we just need them to film in New Zealand and it'll be perfect.
I think he's absolutely perfect for it. Not only does he have the look, he has the demeanor and mannerisms that I think would make Bilbo really pop (or not pop, since it's Bilbo).
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In case any one missed the memo, The Hobbit has officially begun shooting, and there are production videos that can be viewed, I believe on Jackson's FB page.
posted
He's gotten chubby again to give himself nerd cred! Looks a lot healthier, also seems more jolly.
Posts: 3564 | Registered: Sep 2001
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Ive heard other directors say that there is little else to do but eat while filming on a set, imagine having an all you can eat buffet at work filled with delicious food. And as the director you might expect there to be some of your favorites on the menu just for you.
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It is a little bit odd to me that they destroy beuatiful sets like that when they are done, so much work undone for such little gain.
Posts: 2302 | Registered: Aug 2008
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For LOTR, they didn't destroy. They took them down and put them in storage. Not all of them maybe, but a lot of them.
Posts: 21898 | Registered: Nov 2004
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posted
IIRC, the stuff they saved from LOTR were primarily the "bigatures" and other models, not the entire actual sets themselves. That's why PJ mentions having rebuilt the Rivendell and Bag End sets to perfectly match the originals - the original sets themselves are long gone.
Sets aren't designed to hold up for the long term. You'll notice that in the video, the new Rivendell set looks shockingly drab and tiny compared to the lush images we saw in LOTR. That's not because of shoddy workmanship - that's because that's how all sets look in "real life." The impression of vast, ancient beauty is a product of careful camera placement, lens selection, lighting, panning, and post-production, applied to a location ultimately made of foam and wood slats.
As a side note - this is why the new Harry Potter theme park cost more to build than the entire budget of one of the feature films. Building a perfect replica of the film sets as they appear in the film, and capable of withstanding the pounding of hundreds of thousands of visitors walking over and touching everything, requires an order of magnitude more effort (and cost) than building that same set for filming.
Posts: 1321 | Registered: Sep 1999
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Blayne Bradley
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posted
That was a great video, I cannot wait for this movie.
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