The Hobbit - The Movie: Speculation and Discussion

[Philipa]

I'd love to see Steven Fry in it - though he's now lost so much weight his face has thinned down from the roundish look I imagine dwarves having.

But this is film...anything is possible.

[Iolanthe]

OK, then I vote for these:

Viggo
Eric Bana
Hugh Jackman
David Tennant
Sean Bean

At least the box office would really rock!

[Merry]

TOR.n is reporting that GDT is no longer the director of the Hobbit movie. Wonder what happened?

[marbretherese]

Just found this on the BBC , Merry!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainmen ... 204138.stm

[Merry]

Thanks, marbretherese. Big news! There was even an article about it in my hometown St. Louis newspaper.

I don't pretend to know anything about the movie world, but it seems to me that there has already been a lot of money spent on this movie and there is undoubtedly a lot of money to be made, so it will happen.

[marbretherese]

I'm sure you're right. The Beeb says that the project is taking longer than expected to get under way . . . if it's shaping up to be something really, really huge it could turn out to be far bigger than GdT anticipated - I do hope so . . . !!

[Iolanthe]

I must admit I'm pretty glum that Del Toro has had to drop out . I think he would have made a fantastic job of the films. I'm sure the reason is the reported one - he would have had to give so many years to this extended project. What director with future plans can afford to do that?

I've a feeling that the only way to see this through now is for PJ to do it himself, despite his other commitments. A new director will not only be following in the footsteps of PJ, but of PJ and Del Toro! I wonder how many directors are prepared to do that - adopt the vision of two previous directors?

[Merry]

I'm thinking, too, that it has to be PJ. Surely they would not announce GdT's resignation without already having a plan in the bag. Otherwise, it all just looks too chaotic for people working at this level.

[marbretherese]

I too hope that PJ is going to direct it himself. It would be consistent with the LOTR films then. But who knows? judging from the DVD extras, his way of working can be chaotic . . . !!

[Merry]

TOR.n has interesting speculation today: that PJ will be directing and that an Australian fellow named Westaway has auditioned for Thorin. He has a handsome face: I hope they don't cover too much of it up!

[Iolanthe]

I'm all for PJ directing, despite his reservations about 'competing with himself'. I really think, now, that this is the ONLY way these films are going to get made.

[Riv Res]

Above all, I think they need his name ... his horsepower ... or the powers that be will no longer back the project.

[Iolanthe]

I think that's it in a nutshell. The whole thing has had so many knocks (not of the project's making) it needs his drive and steadying hand at the helm. At the moment the whole film is in a weak position from both sides - production and funding.

[hope]

For me filming the Hobbit just allows Tolkien to come to life again on screen...I feel so much pleasure and delight in reading his work that whilst his written word surpasses any DVD , seeing his creatures and characters brought to life is amazing... I so hope that any wrangles and problems in production etc can be sorted and The Hobbit eventually arrives

[Merry]

Welcome back, hope!