I'm sure they'll use Tolkien art as their inspiration, as they did before. I'm hoping for a Smaug like this: http://www.thelandofshadow.com/mordorga ... smaug3.jpg

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I am sure Smaug is definetly going to look something like that.

Is PJ directing or only producing? That is confusing me oh so much.

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if I understand it correctly, PJ is only gonna be the producer.
@ FRODOFAN: I also hope that Smaug will look like this - or at least similar to that dragon, because this is kinda how I imagined Smaug, too.

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Yeah, that's right. The last I've heard is that Raimi (Spiderman) will be directing... unfortunately. Not really keen on that guy at all anymore...


EDIT:
Just found this: http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/article/wi ... the_hobbit
Can't say I think a "Hellboy" director could do it justice, especially if he didn't even like The Lord of the Rings books!

Couldn't have agreed more with this though,
"Raimi is too cheesy and would most likely add another Saturday Night Live street dancing scene. You think it is impossible? Well it would be just as out of place in The Hobbit as it was in Spider-Man 3 so who's to say he wouldn't do it again?"

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oh no, I wouldn't wanna have Raimi directing the hobbit. I also agree with that comment in the article..

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There is no official word on who's Directing yet. Only rumours.
Sam Raimi has been rumoured the longest, Del Toro was just recently. He also said he would be unemployed after finishing off Hellboy 2. That's not strictly true as he has at least two movies in the works between now and 2009. I think Raimi also has something in the works, though he may just be a Producer. He is also heavily rumoured to be the Producer if/when Spider-Man 4 happens.

Why are Del Toro and Raimi so bad?
Are you forgetting Peter Jacksons movie past?
The Frighteners? Bad Taste? Brain Dead? Meet the Feebles?
On first reading, not exactly the calibre people seem to be looking for.

So what Del Toro and Raimi did comic book movies. Raimi also did The Gift and Del Toro also made Pans Labyrinth. Both critically acclaimed movies.

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I guess, but I don't care for any of them.

When Peter Jackson showed up, I didn't know anything about him. I also hadn't read the books. I started reading them when the buzz about the films started. I don't like what he changed, but I think that if there is going to be a Hobbit movie that it should definently match the others.

Del Toro is bad because he doesn't even like the Lord of the Rings books, just The Hobbit. I think you definently have to have an understanding of The Lord of the Rings to do it justice. Granted that The Hobbit was written before Tolkien had even thought of The Lord of the Rings, but they've become very connected.

Raimi... well... I think the answer is in the question personally. Spiderman 3 makes me cringe.

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I still PJ would be a better director.

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Faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the misty future.
It's simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step Joni Erickson Tada

I think you seem to have missed my point.
My point wasn't wether you knew about PJs past movies or not. The point is that he wasn't this huge well thought of Director prior to LotRs. I'm sure Peter was met with the same sort of derision I'm seeing now at the time he was announced as helming the huge epic project.

Del Toro has an understanding of The Hobbit. That's the movie that's being filmed. Plus Peter and Fran will be as heavily involved as possibly can without writing and Directing it. No matter who gets the nod, Raimi, Del Toro or anyone else for that matter will have as much help with things from everyone that will be involed in the movie making process. So really his knowledge of Tolkiens other work, doesn't concern me. He also never said he didn't like them, only that he found them too dense and had to stop.

Raimi on the other hand is a self confessed Tolkien fiend. Just like our beloved Peter Jackson.
The hack splattercore director that went onto bigger things. Raimi is also proven with films with big effects. He's not a big movie noob.
Raimi's career almost parallels Jacksons in that they started on low budget films and then moved on to bigger and better things.

Honestly I can understand concern and worry. That's understandable, but the movie isn't even out yet. Nor has it been cast or even written. At least wait till you see it before you judge it.

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Ooh, totally just found this thread.

I'm excited. At least, I think I am. I absolutely adore the Hobbit. I know that it won't hold a candle to the book (they never do), but I'm prepared to view it the same way as I do the Trilogy - books and movies are completely different things. As long as they don't completely butcher Tolkien's work, I'm okay.

As far as Raimi goes...eh, I'm not too worried. He's not my favorite, and I'm not overly fond of what he did with Spiderman 3, but there are worse directors to be had. Besides, with PJ producing, I feel a little better (though he certainly did a little butchering of his own in places). Really, I'm just glad that they're making one at all. It'll be a good revival for this forum, and for Ringerism in general. Worst-case scenario, we have something new to rant about.

Oh, and if they're having too much trouble with the whole screenwriter thing (what with the strike and all), I happen to know a nice little community of about 4000 Ringers who would probably be more than happy to help them out.

Sorry to break up the convo here... but aha, people all want Orlando Bloom back for Thranduil
http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles ... ewscrawler

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I don't really know if I've seen anything Ryan Gosling is in, but from pictures I dug up and the one they show, he's not how I imagined Bard at all. I think he needs to be someone who looks more manly and from days of old. He definently shouldn't be a big star.

David Bowie as Thranduil?! LOL. I don't think so... Maybe Orlando Bloom. But I think that could confuse people. Plus I think of Thranduil as looking older and having more distinguished features. Bloom has sort of youthful look, which is great for Legolas, but I think Thranduil needs to be maybe more like Haldir looked, but thinner and taller. At least, that's how I invisioned him. I think Bowie DOES kind of have the look, but I don't know... I keep seeing the goblin king. What do you think?

I think the only one I'm seeing so far is Alfred Molina as Beorn. I don't know if he'd be my first choice. I'd probably pick someone who wasn't as famous, but I think he could pull it off. He was good in Chocolat and with a big beard and all... Yeah, I can see that one.



What do you think of Rufus Sewel possibly tackling a dwarf? Thorin maybe? Or maybe David O'hara for Thorin or any of the dwarves.

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^You know, I would love to see a Orlando-less movie. But, I suspect that if he's not in The Hobbit, he'll probably land a role in the bridge/sequel movie, along with Viggo.

About the bridge/sequel, here's TORN's specualtion on what it might be about...



Not horrible, I guess. It might work... I guess it wouldn't be completly made up...

Hmm...I could see Isaacs doing the voice for Smaug. His voice practically screams "pathetic human" (or dwarf of halfing). And the accent! Add a deep rumble and some all-powerful echoing effects and....*melts* Wait, we're not supposed to like Smaug. Umm...yeah, no Isaacs then. PotR already has enough of a reputation for fangirling the villain's voice, thank you. Seriously, though, I could see either Isaacs or Irons doing a fairly good "powerful dragon" voice. Maybe James Earl Jones, just because he's so flexible vocally, and we already know his voice commands respect. Except then everyone would be expecting Smaug to randomly go "Bilbo...I am your father!"

For Thorin...yeah, Cox might work. I've only seen him in X2, but I think he could pull off the role, as long as he was willing to go through hours of makeup. Kingsley...not so much. It would take a pretty good amount of makeup for me to not think of Fagin every time I looked at him.

Thranduil....If it weren't for Harry Potter, I'd actually say Jason Isaacs for this role even more than Smaug. Plus, I'm allowed to fangirl Thranduil's voice (I think). But he's already done long, blonde hair once, so people might confuse him with Lucius Malfoy. David Bowie, not so much. Definitely Goblin King for him.

I do agree with Alfred Molina for Beorn. There might be someone better out there, but I think he could pull it off quite easily.

Finally the casting rumours begin lol

My choice for the voice of Smaug is Stellan Skaarsgard. He has such a great range in his voice and imo would be absoutely perfect.

Orlando Bloom or Bowie as Thranduil? LOL no...just no. Get Orlando in for a cameo maybe. But not as his own father no. I'm not sure who I'd pick for Thranduil, still mulling that one over.

Thorin. Brian Cox would be great, really, really great. If not him I'd call for someone like James Cosmo or Brendan Gleeson. You could cast them in any of three roles really. Thorin, Gloin and Dain. Personally I'd love Cosmo as Gloin, Cox as Thorin and Gleeson as Dain. But it works for me either way.

Beorn. Well I had a great chuckle at the thought of Bruce Campbell as Beorn. I adore that man to death, but he should be nowhere near any movie version of The Hobbit. Serious option....Gordon Kennedy (Little John in the new Robin Hood series). Vladimir Kulich (The 13th Warrior) is another option. Alfred Molina is an interesting choice too.

Ryan Gosling as Bard? Too young and pretty looking I reckon.
I'd love someone like Jack Davenport. He's not too old, not too young and has that Aragorn/Faramir look about him that I feel would really suit the role.

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Nah. I can't see Jack Davenport doing it either.

I do think Isaacs could do a pretty good Smaug, but not James Earl Jones. I think Jones' voice is too harsh and deep while I think Smaug's needs to be more entrancing and manipulative (like Isaacs!). Ha ha.

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