Less of GdT

[preat]

Even tho its still very quiet "concerning The Hobbit" in general, there are more to read about PJ's involvement than it is to read about GdT's involvement in the movie.. At least there are more interviews with PJ, perhaps GdT wants to be more anonymous? Any thoughts or am i mistaken?

[Elwen]

Hmmmm... I think this is a coincidence. PJ has been doing the round in the lest few weeks (even months, since hte smaller festivals in autumn), because 'The Lovely Bones' is finally out.

And wherever he goes, he is asked about the Hobbit!!
GDT is happily ensconced in NZ and probably hasn't got much reason to venture out to face the baying reporter pack.

He does stray into the TORN forums now and then and leaves a few hints there..... I bet he enjoys the calm before the inevitable storm, once the whole thing really gets going!

[preat]

Mmm.. Guess you're right about that Elwen.. I got a strange feeling that PJ was taking over more and more re The Hobbit movie

So.. We now have (about) 22 months left to premiere of part 1 and (about) 34 months left to part 2.. When did the hysterical activity start before the premiere of FoTR here at C-o-E? Isnt it about time now?

[Ainawen]

We hope it will pick up soon.... But Elwen said that when cast information comes out, it will get more busy in here.

(Sorry, I haven't been here than long either )

[Elwen]

Originally Posted by preat

Mmm.. Guess you're right about that Elwen.. I got a strange feeling that PJ was taking over more and more re The Hobbit movie

So.. We now have (about) 22 months left to premiere of part 1 and (about) 34 months left to part 2.. When did the hysterical activity start before the premiere of FoTR here at C-o-E? Isnt it about time now?

Actually, it is now almost certain that the films will have to be pushed to 2012/13. There have been fairly substantial rumours about it (I think I put it on the front page a few days ago?). The way they haven't been getting on with things would make this almost inevitable by now. 22 months seems very little to shoot two films and do full post production on the first.

So, we are probably talking 34/46 months (I know!!! Awful, isn't it?) - but that gives them a more realistic time frame.


Of course, the way buzz worked with LotR was very different anyway - they were already shooting (starting in September or October 1999) when we were still trying to guess who had been cast for some of the main roles!!! I think the Hobbits and Gandalf were known, but I remember when the name Orlando Bloom made the rounds for the first time (and that appalling first photograph of his which I can't find anymore) ... I am almost certain that this was very late in 1999 or perhaps even in sping 2000!!!! When I joined Imladris in may 2000, and the shoot was more than half done (they wrapped Christmas 2000, for release Christmas 2001), there were still casting speculations.

The whole thing was a lot more under wraps than it is now, and I think we will have to get some casting news soon - the latest promise was 'two or three months from now' in an interview around Christmas, but don't hold your breath if they really have moved the whole thing backwards by a year.

Anyway - since there are only two films, shooting won't take quite as long as for three LotR films, but they'll probably need a good part of a year, and perhaps they'd like to give themselves a little more time for PP this time, so I am thinking that shooting will start late in 2010, at least to get some nice summery Shire scenery before they go off to other things.....

Still, a bit more buzz should be starting sooner rather than later.... they'll be delivering the second script soon, and then they'll get a budget and a schedule, location work will start in earnest (the Shire won't be the only one that needs extensive work!). Since we know some of the actors (McKellen!!), their presence in Wellington (even if it's just for costume and makeup tests) won't go unnoticed.... All this creates buzz.

With TORN and its spies waiting, very few things will be going on without being noticed in some way!

All the above is guesswork, of course.

[preat]

Thanks Elwen.. To be honest i dont mind if the movies is pushed forward a year or two.. Its like waiting for christmas.. Smth to look forward to.. Wouldnt be fun if it was like easter: nothing, nothing, nothing, nothing and then!! WAMBAM!! Easter is here - Easter is over!!
Personally i get to learn more about Tolkien in general so tbh, i dont want it to end - I mean, what will "happen" after The Hobbit? Is it realistic to believe that another book will "screened"?
On the other hand, is it only the movies that keep the community alive? I dont want to think that.. The whole Tolkien history is so fascinating so it lives on based on his literature, so there are so much more to talk about.. Omg, i sound like an extremist That im not, im just fascinated

[Bad Lag]

This may be an irrational fear, for sure, but real, nonetheless, to me - what if I die before the films come out. I will never see them realized. Perhaps one has to lose some friends and family members to appreciate this level of fear.

(I think this shows how much of a fan I really am.)

I, for one, don't want them moved out.

[Elwen]

Originally Posted by Bad Lag

This may be an irrational fear, for sure, but real, nonetheless, to me - what if I die before the films come out. I will never see them realized. Perhaps one has to lose some friends and family members to appreciate this level of fear.

(I think this shows how much of a fan I really am.)

I, for one, don't want them moved out.

Well, if you are that much of a fan, then it is of course hard. I'd say that the chances are pretty good that you'll live to see the films, though, even if they are done in 2013.

Originally Posted by preat

Thanks Elwen.. To be honest i dont mind if the movies is pushed forward a year or two..

....

what will "happen" after The Hobbit? Is it realistic to believe that another book will "screened"?
On the other hand, is it only the movies that keep the community alive? I dont want to think that.. The whole Tolkien history is so fascinating so it lives on based on his literature, so there are so much more to talk about.. Omg, i sound like an extremist That im not, im just fascinated

I am the same, I like the waiting, and speculating, and discussing (although a bit more fodder for discussion would be welcome).

I think it's not entirely unlikely that Tolkien films will eventually continue to be made.... there is the mysterious plan for a bridge movie, and if the Hobbit rakes in a lot of money, that will be in discussion again - film companies don't like to end lucrative franchises if they don't have to - unlss thimngs change very seriously by 2013 or the Hobbit sinks at the box office (both rather unlikely, IMHO).

Of course, Christopher Tolkien (may he live long!!) isn't getting younger - in fact, he has just turned 85, Wikipedia tells me. We don't know what will happen with the film rights once he is gone. Will his heirs respect his intentions not to have any of his material filmed or will they give in to the temptation of the huge sums they could have for the film rights to material from the Silmarillion?




Concerning the Tolkien community: it will continue even without films - but smaller communities which grew round the films, such as this one, will find it hard to survive in the long riun if there aren't any nw films, We made it for a few years after RotK, but we were pretty close to going quiet when the first Hobbit rumours again brought a bit of life to the forums (this is already a lot more lively than it was a year ago!).

Big places with a bigger focus on the literature (TORC, perhaps also TORN, not so sure) will hang on for longer, but I think Tolkien fans will always want to gather somewhere on the web.

[gwendelf]

At this rate, Elijah will be old enough to play young Bilbo!!

[Chaleins of Norbury]

I hope everyone lives to see the films, otherwise, I'm petitioning the Valar to send me back until my task is done!!!

[pmcatnip]

Of course, Christopher Tolkien (may he live long!!) isn't getting younger - in fact, he has just turned 85, Wikipedia tells me. We don't know what will happen with the film rights once he is gone. Will his heirs respect his intentions not to have any of his material filmed or will they give in to the temptation of the huge sums they could have for the film rights to material from the Silmarillion?

Oh, the Silmarillion on screen would be so fantastic! I don't expect it to happen anytime in the foreseeable future, though.

[preat]

Originally Posted by pmcatnip

Oh, the Silmarillion on screen would be so fantastic! I don't expect it to happen anytime in the foreseeable future, though.

Havent read Sil yet, tried a few months ago but it was too hard to read for me - I didnt get a grip of it.. (noob book reader)

But i got hold of a Sil audiobook but the reader is kind of boring - No feeling in the words, just goes blablablabla... I wish Bob Ingles could sit in front of me and read it

[Elwen]

Originally Posted by preat

Havent read Sil yet, tried a few months ago but it was too hard to read for me - I didnt get a grip of it.. (noob book reader)

But i got hold of a Sil audiobook but the reader is kind of boring - No feeling in the words, just goes blablablabla... I wish Bob Ingles could sit in front of me and read it

Hmmm... try the Children of Hurin book, perhaps, for one bit of the Silmarillion.

Also, the Sil has an advantage in that it is a set of short bits which don't necessarily have to be read in one go.



As far as films are concerned - if the rights are ver sold I'd guess that they'd start with Turin' story or Beren & Luthien. I don';t think that the SIl as a whole could (or should!!) be a film. But it has a few wstories whch could make amazsing films. Personaly, I'd also like to see the story of Tuor and Gondolin adapted in some way. That would be awesome.

[Angelica]

I would love to see the Akallabeth filmed. Numenor's downfall is perfect for the silver screen. It has Sauron in his beautiful form, the history of Aragorn's ancestors, lots of cool action that could generate massive special effects and major suspense for the Tolkien non-readers.

[Elwen]

True - that could be great! I wouldn't want Emmerich to direct it, but it could have 2012-style effects, at least at the end.

But there is enough to make it a human story, too....

This would be very cool, definitely.

[Bad Lag]

I was reading Silmarillion. A factoid I vaguely recall is that "Alkalabeth" is the Numenorean word and "Atlantean" is the Elvish word for "the downfall". Please correct this vague recollection of mine.

Arrogance and pride and greed lead to the downfall of mankind from their highest point of evolution to their lowest (they're almost exterminated). A few ships of faithful Numenoreans sail to Middle Earth in the nick of time to avoid the destruction which completely consumes Numenor.

[Elwen]

Yes, that's it....

I am not sure what la nguage Akallabeth is, but 'Atalante' means 'the Downfallen'. Tolkien mentions this right at the end of the whole long story. Someone has called it the pun with the longest run-up in literary history.