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[Freshmaker]

I think one of the themes in the films is the passing of the time of Elves. PJ spends a lot of time with this and to have them show up at Helm's Deep is a cathartic moment. True to the book or not its effective in the films and I think it's more than just an ELVES R KEWL moment.

It makes absolutely no sense. Kills the tension of the entire scene.

It's also baffling. Legolas = Spiderman.

Elf in armor = just another random dude.

You'd think an army of Legolas' would be shield surfing and dancing among the orcs with impunity. Instead, they're archers, and... That's it.

 

[AngmarsKing701]

So what is this new trailer I've been hearing about? Can't seem to find it.

Trailer 2 is expected in September. There was an edited version of the original (G-rated by removing the pipe smoking) released with "Brave."

 

[Mr Cola]

Trailer 2 is expected in September. There was an edited version of the original (G-rated by removing the pipe smoking) released with "Brave."

I wonder if they show lotr pre watershed whether they have to remove the "finest weed in the south Farley" bit. Either way its a rediculous thing to remove from a trailer :/

 

[SiegfriedFM]

It makes absolutely no sense. Kills the tension of the entire scene.

It's also baffling. Legolas = Spiderman.

Elf in armor = just another random dude.

You'd think an army of Legolas' would be shield surfing and dancing among the orcs with impunity. Instead, they're archers, and... That's it.

But Legolas is a Prince!

 

[Edmond Dantès]

But Legolas is a Prince!

A Sindar no less.

But still, he was vastly overpowered in the films. You'd expect such power from the mighty Elves of the First Age (Feanor, Fingolfin, Finrod, Beleg Cuthalion, Turgon etc), not a Elf from the Third Age. It's like they gave him Glorfindel's might after omitting him.

 

[TCRS]

Everytime I end up listening to the LOTR soundtrack, I spend the next 2 hours listening to some more.

Do you have the complete recordings? If not, they are totally worth it.

 

[Red_Man]

Legolas taking down the elefant ( or however you spell it) in RoTK was one of the most badass scenes I've ever seen in a theater.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Do you have the complete recordings? If not, they are totally worth it.

Speaking of the scores, the Isengard/Uruk-Hai theme is very underrated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMifMVmoUyg#t=1m26s


Whom do you serve?

You do not know pain, you do not know fear, you will taste man flesh!

 

[Mr Cola]

Speaking of the scores, the Isengard/Uruk-Hai theme is very underrated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LMifMVmoUyg#t=1m26s


Whom do you serve?

You do not know pain, you do not know fear, you will taste man flesh!

Makes me wonder just how much well see of Saruman in the Hobbit films, i remember a while when they were in limbo Lee said he would not do them because of the travelling and his age, then he came around to do a "small" part which they could film in England. I have to think had this been 10 years ago Sarumans part would be much bigger, im honestly only expecting maybe a scene or two with him and nothing else.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Makes me wonder just how much well see of Saruman in the Hobbit films, i remember a while when they were in limbo Lee said he would not do them because of the travelling and his age, then he came around to do a "small" part which they could film in England. I have to think had this been 10 years ago Sarumans part would be much bigger, im honestly only expecting maybe a scene or two with him and nothing else.

He'll be at the council meeting, but beyond that his involvement will be minimal.

If the Lord of the Rings was adapted sooner as a live action film, Christopher may well have been cast as Gandalf which would have been very interesting.

 

[Cheebo]

He'll be at the council meeting, but beyond that his involvement will be minimal.

If the Lord of the Rings was adapted sooner as a live action film, Christopher may well have been cast as Gandalf which would have been very interesting.

Not necessarily. J.R.R. Tolkien himself said he wanted Christopher Lee to play Gandalf but that doesn't mean a director would have to cast him in the role. Which would be a good thing. Even though Tolkien wanted Lee as Gandalf I don't think Lee would have been a good Gandalf. He just isn't warm and Grandfathery enough to be a good Gandalf the Grey. Same with Sean Connery who I am very glad turned down the role when Peter Jackson offered it to him.

 

[Felix Lighter]

Just to throw my 2 cents in on the The Witch King vs Gandalf scene. When you consider, in the Fellowship of the Ring, Aragorn was able to fend off 5 Ringwraiths including the Witch King on Weathertop, virtually single-handedly, Gandalf's fear of the Witch King doesn't make a lot of sense even if you ignore everything outside of the films.

 

[Loxley]

Within the context of the film universe, I agree it didn't make any real sense for Gandalf to crap himself at the sight of the Witch King, but I still like that they did it. As someone who hadn't read the books back in 2003, that scene really worked for me as far as the films were concerned. Seeing Gandalf the White (aka: Gandalf the Confident) being taken back to a frightened state akin to that of when he first heard the Balrog roars echoing through Dwarrowdelf was a good way to make the Witch King seem like a terrifying presence.

Of course seconds later the Rohirrim arrive and the Witch King flies off, but I don't mind the scene at all - even if it was a bit of a cheap attempt to create some tension for the sole purpose of making the Rohirrim's arrival that much more epic.

 

[DodgerSan]

Just to throw my 2 cents in on the The Witch King vs Gandalf scene. When you consider, in the Fellowship of the Ring, Aragorn was able to fend off 5 Ringwraiths including the Witch King on Weathertop, virtually single-handedly, Gandalf's fear of the Witch King doesn't make a lot of sense even if you ignore everything outside of the films.

I don't know as much of the lore as I should, but the way it looked to me was that Sauron was at that moment at the peak of his power (without becoming corporeal) and the Witch King was able to somehow be boosted or channel some of that power.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

I don't know as much of the lore as I should, but the way it looked to me was that Sauron was at that moment at the peak of his power (without becoming corporeal) and the Witch King was able to somehow be boosted or channel some of that power.

Sauron already had a physical raiment by that moment in the book and in the film if you take into account the extended edition scene where Aragorn sees Sauron in the Palantir.

In terms of the lore, Sauron was at his peak in the Second Age before Numenor's drowning by Eru. He had his original shape shifting body (werewolf, snake, bat, sorcerer, Annatar and the striking, dark haired Numenorean looking form he took when captured by Ar-Pharazon.) and the One Ring. At that moment he was more powerful than Melkor at his weakest. Which is quite something considering how far above Melkor (he who arises in might) originally was above all the Maiar and most of the Valar.

Peter and co should never have included that bit of dialogue by Saruman regarding Sauron's physical form.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Hobbit reread thread is up, for anyone interested.

http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=485554

 

[Edmond Dantès]

More from Peter and co regarding 3D, scale & 48fps

http://spinoff.comicbookresources.c...kson-hobbit-stars-discuss-3d-scale-48-frames/

 

[DodgerSan]

Sauron already had a physical raiment by that moment in the book and in the film if you take into account the extended edition scene where Aragorn sees Sauron in the Palantir.

In terms of the lore, Sauron was at his peak in the Second Age before Numenor's drowning by Eru. He had his original shape shifting body (werewolf, snake, bat, sorcerer, Annatar and the striking, dark haired Numenorean looking form he took when captured by Ar-Pharazon.) and the One Ring. At that moment he was more powerful than Melkor at his weakest. Which is quite something considering how far above Melkor (he who arises in might) originally was above all the Maiar and most of the Valar.

Peter and co should never have included that bit of dialogue by Saruman regarding Sauron's physical form.

Ok, regardless of the physical form bit, he was at the peak of his power this time around. Is my theory otherwise possible? (I don't mind if it isn't btw!)

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Ok, regardless of the physical form bit, he was at the peak of his power this time around. Is my theory otherwise possible? (I don't mind if it isn't btw!)

Yes, certainly. There‘s no other way the Witch-King could garner such power without Sauron‘s help.

 

[Roland Garros]

Not necessarily. J.R.R. Tolkien himself said he wanted Christopher Lee to play Gandalf but that doesn't mean a director would have to cast him in the role. Which would be a good thing. Even though Tolkien wanted Lee as Gandalf I don't think Lee would have been a good Gandalf. He just isn't warm and Grandfathery enough to be a good Gandalf the Grey. Same with Sean Connery who I am very glad turned down the role when Peter Jackson offered it to him.

What was Connery's reasoning for declining? Would have been interesting had he accepted.

I still think it was perfectly cast though, Mackellen was brilliant. (Maybe Legolas could have been cast better?)

 

[Curufinwe]

Within the context of the film universe, I agree it didn't make any real sense for Gandalf to crap himself at the sight of the Witch King, but I still like that they did it. As someone who hadn't read the books back in 2003, that scene really worked for me as far as the films were concerned. Seeing Gandalf the White (aka: Gandalf the Confident) being taken back to a frightened state akin to that of when he first heard the Balrog roars echoing through Dwarrowdelf was a good way to make the Witch King seem like a terrifying presence.

Of course seconds later the Rohirrim arrive and the Witch King flies off, but I don't mind the scene at all - even if it was a bit of a cheap attempt to create some tension for the sole purpose of making the Rohirrim's arrival that much more epic.

I still can't believe they cut the witch king's best scene out of the theatrical version.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

I still can't believe they cut the witch king's best scene out of the theatrical version.

More concerned abour the omission of the Mouth of Sauron in the theatrical version.

 

[Steelyuhas]

What was Connery's reasoning for declining? Would have been interesting had he accepted.

I still think it was perfectly cast though, Mackellen was brilliant. (Maybe Legolas could have been cast better?)

Yeah I can't imagine anyone but McKellen for Gandalf. Perfection.

 

[Felix Lighter]

Yeah, Ian McKellen was a perfect Gandalf and I think Sean Astin nailed Sam Gamgee.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Yeah I can't imagine anyone but McKellen for Gandalf. Perfection.

 

[Ixion]

What was Connery's reasoning for declining? Would have been interesting had he accepted.

From Wiki:

Connery stated in interviews for the film (included on the DVD release) that he was offered a role in The Lord of the Rings series,[42] declining it due to "not understanding the script." CNN reported that the actor was offered up to 15% of the worldwide box office receipts to play Gandalf, which had he accepted, could have earned him as much as $400 million for the trilogy.[43] After the series went on to become a huge hit, Connery decided to accept the lead role in League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, despite not "understanding" it either. In July 2005, it was reported that he had decided to retire from film-making, following disillusionment with the "idiots now making films in Hollywood" and the turmoil making the 2003 film.

 

[Loxley]

Yeah, he had a less than stellar time making The League of Extraordinary Gentleman. Funny that his League co-star Stuart Townsend was Aragorn for about two weeks. There's probably some bad blood about that to this day, seeing as Jackson & Co. almost never refer to Townsend by name when talking about the initial casting of Aragorn. He always says "We'd realized that we had cast too young, that's when we called Vigo".

Man, there's footage out there with Townsend as Aragorn and I kinda want to see it. It's like the footage of Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly in Back to the Future, which was never shown until the blu-rays were released two years ago.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

I think a more interesting issue is Daniel Day-Lewis turning the role of Aragorn down. I wonder what his reasons were? Family commitments maybe? Or just not been fond of the fantasy genre etc.

He would have made a wonderful Aragorn though.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Yeah, he had a less than stellar time making The League of Extraordinary Gentleman. Funny that his League co-star Stuart Townsend was Aragorn for about two weeks. There's probably some bad blood about that to this day, seeing as Jackson & Co. almost never refer to Townsend by name when talking about the initial casting of Aragorn. He always says "We'd realized that we had cast too young, that's when we called Vigo".

Man, there's footage out there with Townsend as Aragorn and I kinda want to see it. It's like the footage of Eric Stoltz as Marty McFly in Back to the Future, which was never shown until the blu-rays were released two years ago.

Maybe in the Ultimate Blu-ray Sextology.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Also,

All we hash to dechide is whash to do with the time thash is given to ussh.

Spoiler

I know, terrible joke

Seriously though, what a great moment in the trilogy that was.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrlTeoFcf-Q

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Horse deaths plaguing Hobbit production.

Two articles about this story have already been taken down, seems like a controversy is brewing.

 

[ViewtifulJC]

Wanna see The Hobbit in 48fps and see what all the fuss is about? Unless you are some select, limited locations, TOO BAD!

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118057587

 

[Tathanen]

You guys think there'll be any 48/2D showings, or all the 48's will be 3D? I sorta want to see it both ways, I'm sure the "48 effect" will be much more noticeable in 2D, whereas the 3D show will just have "3D that finally looks as good as 2D, blur-wise," right?

 

[shira]

Wanna see The Hobbit in 48fps and see what all the fuss is about? Unless you are some select, limited locations, TOO BAD!

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118057587

Testing in smaller markets then re-release in major markets if succesfull

 

[maquiladora]

Royd Tolkien, great-grandson of JRR, and his brother Mark visit the Hobbiton set.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Smaug revealed.

Spoiler

Nah, only kidding, but I wonder how close to this design he'll be.

http://i.imgur.com/WJfd7.jpg

 

[Edmond Dantès]

Royd Tolkien, great-grandson of JRR, and his brother Mark visit the Hobbiton set.

Traitors.

 

[inky]

I would've loved to see Del Toro's design idea for Smaug. From some of the interviews I read, sounds like it was both ridiculous and magnificent.

 

[StealthGoblin]

More concerned abour the omission of the Mouth of Sauron in the theatrical version.

The way the film was spliced together, there was no tension in that scene. It was nice to have of course, but it was a Tolkien fan's scene, not a casual movie goers scene.

 

[JB1981]

Connery would have been an awful Gandalf. Thank god that didn't happen. McKellen is brilliant.

 

[Mr Cola]

The way the film was spliced together, there was no tension in that scene. It was nice to have of course, but it was a Tolkien fan's scene, not a casual movie goers scene.

I actually really hated this scene in the EE, I could understand entirely why it was taken out. Now one scene id love to see more of is the scene that was recut where Aragorn fought Sauron, later edited into a troll. I understand why it was cut but god damn it looked awesome.

 

[Felix Lighter]

Connery would have been an awful Gandalf. Thank god that didn't happen. McKellen is brilliant.

Yeah, I have a hard time picturing Sean Connery as a jolly fun loving grandfatherly type or as a dead serious sage.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

In defence of The Hobbit trilogy.

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/201...ks-guest-post-in-defense-of-a-hobbit-trilogy/


Excellent article and it mirrors much of my thoughts thus far.

One issue I have though is a certain sorcerer showing up at The Battle of the Five Armies. Far too much of a departure to have him involved in any capacity.

 

[Anton Sugar]

Yeah, I have a hard time picturing Sean Connery as a jolly fun loving grandfatherly type or as a dead serious sage.

I still think Connery was near his best as Dr. Jones. I could totally see him being able to go from lovable grandpa to serious, but I don't think he would have fit as Gandalf.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

I still think Connery was near his best as Dr. Jones. I could totally see him being able to go from lovable grandpa to serious, but I don't think he would have fit as Gandalf.

He made a decent dragon though.

 

[Cheebo]

I still don't get why J.R.R. Tolkien wanted Christopher Lee as Gandalf. I love Lee but he doesn't have the lovable grandpa vibe, more of the scary grandpa vibe. Seems so odd that Tolkien pictured Lee as Gandalf.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

I still don't get why J.R.R. Tolkien wanted Christopher Lee as Gandalf. I love Lee but he doesn't have the lovable grandpa vibe, more of the scary grandpa vibe. Seems so odd that Tolkien pictured Lee as Gandalf.

There's one particular instance in the Fellowship where he gave off the lovable grandpa vibe. It's when he first greets Gandalf at the entrance of Orthanc.

"The hour grows late, and Gandalf the Grey rides to Isengard seeking my council. For that is why you have come, is it not, my old friend?"

 

[Cheebo]

The only thing I can think of is that Gandalf the Grey in the books is a lot more crank;y and prone to scold the other characters as if they were children than in the movies.

 

[Mr Cola]

The only thing I can think of is that Gandalf the Grey in the books is a lot more crank;y and prone to scold the other characters as if they were children than in the movies.

I was listtening to the audio book yesterday and the opening bit between Bilbo and Gandalf felt most un Mckellan's version, i wonder how they will play this out in the movie.

 

[Edmond Dantès]

The only thing I can think of is that Gandalf the Grey in the books is a lot more crank;y and prone to scold the other characters as if they were children than in the movies.

He may well portrayed like that in The Hobbit. It's Peter's chance to show him in a slightly different light as well as showing off his wizardly skills.