The Hobbit Trilogy Discussion Thread

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by Duffy12

Does anybody know if they are building this set on the exact same spot as the LotRs movies, or is it being built at another location?

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I have been wondering the same thing, because it was my understanding that they tore down alot of the set at the original location (sheep farm), but did some minor reconstruction for the tourists who were coming to New Zealand to see the LoTR sites. If in fact they are rebuilding at the same site, I would imagine that they would wisely leave the structures intact, because a much greater amount of money could be made from the area as a tourist trap, as compared to what the sheep were bringing in.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

I have been wondering the same thing, because it was my understanding that they tore down alot of the set at the original location (sheep farm), but did some minor reconstruction for the tourists who were coming to New Zealand to see the LoTR sites. If in fact they are rebuilding at the same site, I would imagine that they would wisely leave the structures intact, because a much greater amount of money could be made from the area as a tourist trap, as compared to what the sheep were bringing in.

During a recession though, stuff like tourism takes a huge hit, the sheep may still be making the rancher(s) some money.

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

I wonder if those shots are of completed sets, I thought they were CGIing the sets for these movies.

Definitely not CGI - Hobbiton is the real McCoy. Additional scaled sets are built on a sound stage to emphasize the size difference between Gandalf and hobbits (and for this movie, I would imagine Dwarves). This time there should be an added emphasis on the dining room and parlour in Bag End, as that is where much of the beginning action occurs. Also, we might get a look at the Green Dragon tavern, since that is where Bilbo meets the Dwarves after he rushes out of Bag End without his handkerchief.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

Definitely not CGI - Hobbiton is the real McCoy. Additional scaled sets are built on a sound stage to emphasize the size difference between Gandalf and hobbits (and for this movie, I would imagine Dwarves). This time there should be an added emphasis on the dining room and parlour in Bag End, as that is where much of the beginning action occurs. Also, we might get a look at the Green Dragon tavern, since that is where Bilbo meets the Dwarves after he rushes out of Bag End without his handkerchief.

Bilbo is definitely a very absent-minded fellow, which makes the fact that he cons Smeagol out of the One Ring even more impressive.

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

During a recession though, stuff like tourism takes a huge hit, the sheep may still be making the rancher(s) some money.

That's OK. It looks like the location will always be amenable to sheep, with or without Hobbiton.

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

Bilbo is definitely a very absent-minded fellow, which makes the fact that he cons Smeagol out of the One Ring even more impressive.

No conning necessary; the Ring left Gollum because he was a loser.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

No conning necessary; the Ring left Gollum because he was a loser.

[Show spoiler]Didn't they play at riddles in Gollum's dark cave for hours on end until Bilbo finally won the ultimate prize?

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

[Show spoiler]Didn't they play at riddles in Gollum's dark cave for hours on end until Bilbo finally won the ultimate prize?

[Show spoiler]Bilbo found the Ring before he ever got to Gollum's cave. Gollum was trying to win the riddle game because he wanted to eat Bilbo. He didn't guess until Bilbo won that he had the Ring.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

[Show spoiler]Bilbo found the Ring before he ever got to Gollum's cave. Gollum was trying to win the riddle game because he wanted to eat Bilbo. He didn't guess until Bilbo won that he had the Ring.

Ew Gollum's a lot grosser than I thought and it makes you wonder why he's so nice to Frodo almost 50 years later.

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

Ew Gollum's a lot grosser than I thought and it makes you wonder why he's so nice to Frodo almost 50 years later.

He is only nice to Frodo because Frodo made him swear by "the Precious" to help him. The nice-ness ends when Gollum decides to have Shelob eat Frodo so he can find the Ring after she has completed the end result of digestion.

[Batman1980]

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

He is only nice to Frodo because Frodo made him swear by "the Precious" to help him. The nice-ness ends when Gollum decides to have Shelob eat Frodo so he can find the Ring after she has completed the end result of digestion.

That was probably Sam's shining moment, very similar to Bilbo's in the Hobbit when he, the unlikely hero, saves his warrior friends' lives.

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

That was probably Sam's shining moment, very similar to Bilbo's in the Hobbit when he, the unlikely hero, saves his warrior friends' lives.

In both instances, it demonstrates a capability to solve problems on their own, and is a great self-esteem booster.

[Witch King of Angmar]

Am I the only who thinks Eowyn is better for Aragorn than Arwen?

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by teracore

Am I the only who thinks Eowyn is better for Aragorn than Arwen?

Under what context? The movies or the book?

[Witch King of Angmar]

Movies

[P@t_Mtl]

Originally Posted by teracore

Movies

Movies I would have to say yes.

The trouble is neither character as that much time devoted to them in the book as in the movies, Arwen even more so. Both were given more time by Jackson and the writting team for the movies.

[mjbethancourt]

Originally Posted by Wolverine1980

I wonder if those shots are of completed sets, I thought they were CGIing the sets for these movies.

No CGI necessary, New Zealand is Middle Earth. Ever been there? I've got a few hundred photos to share with you if you want to see them. I even have a good idea as to which mountain in New Zealand is the perfect geologic and geographic fit for Erebor the Lonely Mountain... it's an extinct volcano called Mount Taranaki.

Originally Posted by Duffy12

Does anybody know if they are building this set on the exact same spot as the LotRs movies, or is it being built at another location?.

Yes, exact same location.

Originally Posted by Grand Bob

I have been wondering the same thing, because it was my understanding that they tore down alot of the set at the original location (sheep farm), but did some minor reconstruction for the tourists who were coming to New Zealand to see the LoTR sites. If in fact they are rebuilding at the same site, I would imagine that they would wisely leave the structures intact, because a much greater amount of money could be made from the area as a tourist trap, as compared to what the sheep were bringing in.

Yep, it's the same site, and the basic structures were never torn down. However, everything that could be defined as a prop was stripped off. Doors, window glass, the exterior wood paneling, the gardens, everything, all stripped away. They left bare hobbit holes with white stucco exterior walls and no doors... and they still had the nerve to charge tourists a fortune to see the site. (I didn't fall for it myself, I had so many other amazing things to do while I was there.)

From what I know of the local people, the tourism is a nuisance. The ranchers were fine before LotR came along, and the tourism is a disruption to their sheepherding. However, New Zealanders also have a very unique attitude about land ownership. New Zealand landowners tend to exhibit an attitude that land is to be shared, if people want use of their land, they are prone to be very co-operative in negotiating the conditions of use. There is a prevailing attitude that even private land is part of the public heritage, to some extent.

I was there in 2005, things may have changed a little. I hope tourists didn't overdo it in the last few years to the extent that the Kiwis would develop a negative attitude about it.

[mjbethancourt]

Originally Posted by teracore

Am I the only who thinks Eowyn is better for Aragorn than Arwen?

Yes, she's a better match for him, I certainly like her better... but he already has an established commitment to a relationship with Arwen. It would be wrong to dump her just because he found someone who he might possibly be happier with.

I guess people just have very different moral values... to me, I think when you're with someone and you're happy, it's wrong to even think about looking for a replacement.

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by teracore

Am I the only who thinks Eowyn is better for Aragorn than Arwen?

It ended up being a bad deal for Arwen. She could still be getting a tan on the beach at Tol Erresea, if she just said "no" to Aragorn.

[Grand Bob]

Originally Posted by mjbethancourt

From what I know of the local people, the tourism is a nuisance. The ranchers were fine before LotR came along, and the tourism is a disruption to their sheepherding. However, New Zealanders also have a very unique attitude about land ownership. New Zealand landowners tend to exhibit an attitude that land is to be shared, if people want use of their land, they are prone to be very co-operative in negotiating the conditions of use. There is a prevailing attitude that even private land is part of the public heritage, to some extent.

I would imagine the tourist dollars help make up for the inconvenience somewhat, maybe they will adopt the same attitude towards tourists that Hawaiians have; a necessary evil.