The Hobbit Trilogy Discussion Thread

[BJ Blazkowicz]

It's so late in the game to decide to make it a trilogy. The second film being split would create some pacing and structural issues I imagine. Then again if they film more of the appendices I'd like to see a cold-drake.

[LordCrumb]

Originally Posted by BJ Blazkowicz

It's so late in the game to decide to make it a trilogy. The second film being split would create some pacing and structural issues I imagine. Then again if they film more of the appendices I'd like to see a cold-drake.

It's hard to tell, remember all the extra footage they had for the LOTR series? they were able to add on like 30+ minutes to each film for the Extended Editions.. could be the same with Hobbit.

[Dead By Shaun]

Actually, it's not too late. Jackson only wrapped principal photography on The Hobbit earlier this month (July) and is just now beginning the process of editing together the final cut of the films. He has also stated that he wrapped production with too much footage. With this overabundance of material, Jackson could easily break the first movie earlier in the storyline than initially planned, in order to allow for a logical narrative to take place over three films. With the addition of two extra months of filming next year, Jackson could flesh out the material needed to expand the second and third films. Of course a decision to do so would have to be reached in the next couple of weeks in order for Jackson to have the necessary time to properly assemble the first film with a trilogy in mind, hence the discussions now taking place between Jackson and Warner Brothers to possibly expedite the process. Only time will tell if The Hobbit will remain two films or expand to three, but one thing's for sure...we'll all certainly know something sooner than later as a decision needs to be made rather quickly.

[Snicket]

Originally Posted by LordCrumb

It's hard to tell, remember all the extra footage they had for the LOTR series? they were able to add on like 30+ minutes to each film for the Extended Editions.. could be the same with Hobbit.

Completely different. Just because you have 30 minutes of cut material does not mean you have another film just laying around.

[jbig31]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

Jbig,

That seems to be a reasonable guess. I would imagine it all depends what parts of the appendices he uses and the time intensity of the material. For example, if he adds a lengthy prologue (ala Fellowship), that could push the actual Hobbit story back, but it would still make sense to end the first of three movies where you indicated. It looks as though that at least the Rivendell sequence will be quite involved, so that could be another factor in the first film. Likewise, extensive background with the ouster of "you-know-who" could also lengthen the second film, as would adding material to cover the 60 years between Hobbit and LotR have the same effect on the third. Conceivably, most (all?) of the third movie could be auxiliary material. He has titles for the first two - An Unexpected Journey and There and Back Again. If he "comes back", what would be the title of the third movie?

Thanks GB!

Originally Posted by Dead By Shaun

Funny... I was just thinking about this the other night myself and have assembled my own thoughts on the subject which I'd like to share. I based my concepts off a few key points...

First off, I don't think a bridge film is likely, as there isn't a strong enough narrative and it would require Jackson and his team to invent too much material. It would make much more sense to grab various plot details from the Appendices and weave them into The Hobbit, rather then try to conceive an entirely new film based on the Appendices alone.

Secondly, Jackson recently admitted that he shot way more footage than he initially expected, which indicates to me that it's entirely possible that he could shift the break points in each of the films and create a third, simply by filming a couple more months next year and combining it with the footage he already has. Remember, he only just wrapped principal photography a couple weeks ago and is just now entering the post-production stage, so a complete edit of the first film likely does not exist yet, is only in a rough format, or is too long. The reason that talks with the studio right now regarding a third film are so critical is that a decision would need to be made sooner, rather than later, in order for Jackson to know how to properly edit and place the break point in the first film, should a third film be approved. I think it's highly likely that a decision about this will be reached in the next couple weeks.

Anyhow, with that out of the way here's what I came up with based on chapters from The Hobbit. I hope you enjoy...

[Show spoiler]The Hobbit - Part One: An Unexpected Journey

- An Unexpected Party (Bilbo meets Thorin & company)
- Roast Mutton (Trolls)
- A Short Rest (Elrond and Rivendell)
- Over Hill And Under Hill (The goblins and the Goblin King)
- Riddles In The Dark (Bilbo discovers the ring of power and meets Gollum)
- Out Of The Frying Pan Into The Fire (Wargs, Goblins, burning trees, and Eagles' rescue)
- Queer Lodgings (Beorn)
- Flies And Spiders (Mirkwood and Spider Attack)

The first film would be quite linear, similar to Fellowship of the Ring (which also began in the Shire). An Unexpected Journey would follow Bilbo, Gandalf and the Dwarves as they begin their journey. Gandalf leaves just as they're about to enter Mirkwood Forest where Bilbo must do battle with the spiders. It's likely that we would get our first glimpse of Radagast the Brown around this time, as he would probably be Gandalf's first point of destination since Radagast lives on the western eaves of Mirkwood and is friends with Beorn. The film ends shortly after the spider battle when the dwarves are captured by the Wood Elves and Bilbo is left alone to fend for himself.

The Hobbit - Part Two: The Desolation of Smaug

- Barrels Out of Bond (The Elven King, escape from the Wood Elves)
- A Warm Welcome (arrival at Laketown)
- On The Doorstep (the ascent up Lonely Mountain, search for the secret door)
- Inside Information (Bilbo confronts Smaug)
- Fire And Water (destruction of Laketown and death of Smaug)

The second film would follow two story lines: one of course being Bilbo and the dwarves, while the other would explain where Gandalf went. The film would start out with Bilbo rescuing and reuniting with the dwarves by escaping from the Wood Elves and into barrels on the river, then continuing on their journey all the way to Lonely Mountain. Gandalf's story would obviously utilize the LOTR Appendices for extra material and contain a plot concerning the White Council, Dol Guldur and the Necromancer (Sauron). I would surmise that we may see more back history on the town of Dale (especially since Jackson has commented in his VLOGs that its set construction rivals those built for LOTR), probably told by the Bard once the dwarves and Bilbo arrive in Laketown, and we would also be introduced to the controversial new character Tauriel, which would obviously be introduced in the hall of the Elven King. The film would end following the destruction of Laketown and the death of Smaug.

The Hobbit - Part Three: There And Back Again

- Not At Home (Thorin reclaims his treasure, Bilbo finds the Arkenstone)
- The Gathering Of The Clouds (Armies of Men and Elves appear and lay claim to Thorin's gold)
- A Thief In The Night (Bilbo sneaks away from Thorin to negotiate with the Bard and Elven King)
- The Clouds Burst (The Battle of Five Armies)
- The Return Journey (The aftermath and Thorin's death)
- The Last Stage (Back in Hobbiton)

The third film would focus on Thorin Oakenshield and the growing strain on his relationship with Bilbo as he prepares for battle to defend his reclaimed treasure. This could allow for flashback sequences derived from the LOTR Appendices concerning Durin's Folk (which includes the Battle of Azanulbizar) as Thorin may try to explain to Bilbo the nature of dwarves and why they would fight to protect what they consider rightfully theirs. We would also see the resolution of the White Council story line in which the Necromancer (Sauron) flees Dol Guldur. The film would climax with the Battle of Five Armies, mirroring the epic nature and scale of The Return of the King's battle sequences, and wind down with Bilbo's journey back home.

Breaking the trilogy down in this manner would give each of the three films an epic climax:

- Film One: Bilbo battling the spiders
- Film Two: The death of Smaug
- Film Three: The Battle of Five Armies

I swapped chapter 13 "Not At Home" with chapter 14 "Fire And Water," as technically the events in these chapters don't happen in chronological order and it obviously makes for a better climax at the end of film two. Chapter 13 deals with the dwarves and Bilbo hiding inside Lonely Mountain and wondering if Smaug will return, all the while not realizing that Smaug is already dead. Chapter 14 explains what happens to Smaug while the dwarves were hiding and waiting inside the mountain.

Oh, and if you haven't already guessed... I'm one of the crazies that thinks a trilogy could actually work... oh yeah, and one more thing... I'm also looking forward to the day when I can view back-to-back Middle-Earth trilogies as well!

Nice breakdown! Those were just my thoughts in my post-it's great to hear what others have to offer.

[radagast]

Video on Fox news about The Hobbit movie:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/174483633...ected-journey/

I had to cringe when the Fox reporter narrating the piece, Dan Springer, said that "Richard Armitage" is playing the "king of the hobbits".

[TruBlu06]

Originally Posted by radagast

Video on Fox news about The Hobbit movie:

http://video.foxnews.com/v/174483633...ected-journey/

I had to cringe when the Fox reporter narrating the piece, Dan Springer, said that "Richard Armitage" is playing the "king of the hobbits".

Wouldn't you have thought that the reporter would get it right? Yikes!

[irockmysocks]

Peter Jackson just confirmed the third hobbit movie!!!!!!!! yes!!!!!!!

From his facebook:

"It is only at the end of a shoot that you finally get the chance to sit down and have a look at the film you have made. Recently Fran, Phil and I did just this when we watched for the first time an early cut of the first movie - and a large chunk of the second. We were really pleased with the way the story was coming together, in particular, the strength of the characters and the cast who have brought them to life. All of which gave rise to a simple question: do we take this chance to tell more of the tale? And the answer from our perspective as the filmmakers, and as fans, was an unreserved ‘yes.'

We know how much of the story of Bilbo Baggins, the Wizard Gandalf, the Dwarves of Erebor, the rise of the Necromancer, and the Battle of Dol Guldur will remain untold if we do not take this chance. The richness of the story of The Hobbit, as well as some of the related material in the appendices of The Lord of the Rings, allows us to tell the full story of the adventures of Bilbo Baggins and the part he played in the sometimes dangerous, but at all times exciting, history of Middle-earth.

So, without further ado and on behalf of New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Wingnut Films, and the entire cast and crew of “The Hobbit” films, I’d like to announce that two films will become three.

It has been an unexpected journey indeed, and in the words of Professor Tolkien himself, "a tale that grew in the telling."

Cheers,

Peter J"

[NARMAK]

interesting to see him do this. Will a prequel trilogy be as strong or stronger than his original work? Only time will till

[Buddy Ackerman]

Well I was apprehensive about it at first but my greed for all things Middle-Earth has got the better of me and I was absolutely thrilled to read this. I can't wait, I really can't.

I love Lord of the Rings and I trust Jackson. If he wants to tell more of Middle-Earth's story and has the time, money and resources to do it then I say let him go for it. Grab the chance while he can. I'll be very interested to see how it develops and how everything is structured now - and I'm well aware that this could disappoint - but for now all I can do is relish the news that we're getting more of Jackson's vision of Middle-Earth and that is a very, very fine thing indeed.

[TruBlu06]

Originally Posted by Buddy Ackerman

Well I was apprehensive about it at first but my greed for all things Middle-Earth has got the better of me and I was absolutely thrilled to read this. I can't wait, I really can't.

I love Lord of the Rings and I trust Jackson. If he wants to tell more of Middle-Earth's story and has the time, money and resources to do it then I say let him go for it. Grab the chance while he can. I'll be very interested to see how it develops and how everything is structured now - and I'm well aware that this could disappoint - but for now all I can do is relish the news that we're getting more of Jackson's vision of Middle-Earth and that is a very, very fine thing indeed.

+1 Now to the next point of discussion: How long will we have to wait for the third film?

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by TruBlu06

+1 Now to the next point of discussion: How long will we have to wait for the third film?

Most outlets are reporting summer 2014.

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by TruBlu06

+1 Now to the next point of discussion: How long will we have to wait for the third film?

It's not exactly sticking my neck out but I am going to say FRIDAY 12TH DECEMBER 2014.

It makes my mind ache realising I have to wait another two years, four months and 13 days to see the end of The Hobbit but, with the others being 14th December 2012 and 13th December 2013, it's almost inevitable.

I know some might post that we'll get it summer 2014, six months after the second film, but no way. The Hobbit is not a summer film, none of them have been. Plus they need all the extra time they can to make it work as three films. I wish they were all out tomorrow but, as it is, I don't think anyone who books 12th December 2014 off from work is going to have to change it.

EDIT - sorry Walt, wrote this as you were posting that! I'd be very surprised if that were the case. I think they're just guessing. these films have always been Christmas films and I can't see why this one would change.

[chris_sc77]

Wow. Never thought this would happen. Still kinda suspicious about all this and a little peeved. SO now we gotta wait an additional year to see the end of the tale. We gotta pay more at the theater for this. We gotta wait longer for the Blus to be released. We gotta pay more now since their is another film and now another Blu, etc.
And I know personally that I would much rather have 2 3-hr. films than 3-2 hr. films.
But....I kinda gotta trust Jackson after what work he has already done. if we do indeed get 3 3-hr films I will be more than happy to give up whatever money they ask for when it comes time to support this.

[Jezza]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

Most outlets are reporting summer 2014.

Well that would make sense, kind of like what they did with Harry Potter where they released the climax as a summer blockbuster. I just hope the whole trilogy doesn't turn out to be elongated when it could have easily been the original two films as planned.

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by Jezza

Well that would make sense, kind of like what they did with Harry Potter where they released the climax as a summer blockbuster. I just hope the whole trilogy doesn't turn out to be elongated when it could have easily been the original two films as planned.

The key difference is that Harry Potter had been a summer blockbuster just as many times as it had been an autumn one.

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by chris_sc77

Wow. Never thought this would happen. Still kinda suspicious about all this and a little peeved. SO now we gotta wait an additional year to see the end of the tale. We gotta pay more at the theater for this. We gotta wait longer for the Blus to be released. We gotta pay more now since their is another film and now another Blu, etc.
And I know personally that I would much rather have 2 3-hr. films than 3-2 hr. films.
But....I kinda gotta trust Jackson after what work he has already done. if we do indeed get 3 3-hr films I will be more than happy to give up whatever money they ask for when it comes time to support this.

Agreed

[Jezza]

Originally Posted by Buddy Ackerman

The key difference is that Harry Potter had been a summer blockbuster just as many times as it had been an autumn one.

Yeah, but it still wouldn't make much difference either way, because there will be a lot of anticipation for the first two films, so naturally audiences will want to see the climax as soon as possible, and summer would be the perfect time. So I don't think being a summer film would make that much difference.

[irockmysocks]

I'll be 22 when the last movie is out

[Buddy Ackerman]

Originally Posted by Jezza

Yeah, but it still wouldn't make much difference either way, because there will be a lot of anticipation for the first two films, so naturally audiences will want to see the climax as soon as possible, and summer would be the perfect time. So I don't think being a summer film would make that much difference.

I agree they'll want to see it as soon as possible - hell, I want to see them all RIGHT NOW - but I still don't see that as a reason to have the film in the summer. They didn't move Return of the King up.

All five films leading up to that point will have been mid-December releases. I see no reason for them to change that. It's traditional to have these films at Christmas, it's proven a perfect financial position for them. Plus the windows between blu-ray releases, especially if they do the regular release/Extended Edition later pattern again (it worked perfectly last time). but most importantly they are going to eed all the time they can to structure and do post-production o the thrid film. The extra filming won't be until next year, and then there'll be pick-ups again in 2014 (every other film in the series has had pick-ups to sharpen and add scenes).

All in all I am 99% convinced we'll get this December 2014. The reasons for this date are just more powerful than "audiences will want to see it as soon as possible".