At first I thought we would get the Hobbit in one film, then a second, created from Tolkein's vast backlog of material.
But now, apparently, we'll get one large film made up of events in the novel interspersed with this new content, broken into 2 films.
That means the first film will end part-way through the story..but when?
What dramatic point would best serve to split the narrative?
Will we see Smaug in the first film?
Has the split point been revealed offically, if so, at what point is it, and is that the best point?

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I really doubt that Smaug will be in the first movie, since he was in the end of the book (well, sorta). Which is a pity because I am waiting so badly for him!

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I have no idea where they're gonna split the story, but when Bilbo reunites with the dwarves after meeting Gollum or as Gandalf leaves them on the edge of Mirkwood always seemed to me to be good break points.

I actually think we might see Smaug in the First film, but in the same way that we saw Gollum in FotR, so that he's sort of a teaser for the next film. I think they'll have some flashbacks thrown into the plot so we'll see glimpses of him then

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I agree, Lembas. I think when the dwarves are talking about their journey, there might be some sort of shot of Lake Town and Smaug and all that. But probably not too much.

My guess is that they'll stop when they get to Beorn's house. It's a safe point to stop with a clear break in the plot.

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going on a journey through my old claims

Great thinking!

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Avatar http://www.lunaii-dollmaker.com/dollmaker

A friend of mine theorizes that the first movie will actually have a bit more White Council, and less "The Hobbit". Most of the 'action' from the book takes place in the later half, the earlier dangers seem comparatively episodic.

Hey, this seems more like a movie topic to me, so I'm going to move it over there.

Gosh, I hope they don't stop it at Beorn's house. I've got my hopes set on them getting to Mirkwood at least, and maybe even Laketown.

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Hearing this I will be writing my will. That is three movies stopping at a cliffhanger that I and so many others will have to endure for an unbearable extent.

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My heart lies with the sea, the only place it shall be~

This is more along the lines of what I heard. I heard a rumor that the first movie will end with Bilbo finding the Ring, but it was not from an official source, can't remember where I heard it.

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Sig by Legolas

"What? In riddles? No! For I was talking aloud to myself. A habit of the old: they choose the wisest person present to speak to." -Gandalf

^ Oh gosh, no way. That's only as far as, what, chapter 5? They've got two hours-- surely they can get beyond chapter 5!

My impression was that the second movie would have most of the White Council. After all, it's only after Gandalf leaves them on the borders of Mirkwood that he starts the siege of Dol Guldur.

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This guess was putting a lot of the White Council stuff in the first movie. The actual siege of Dol Guldur happened after the dwarves entered Mirkwood, but some stuff did have to happen before. But I honestly don't really have an idea and I don't put much faith in this guess as it was said quite a while ago and wasn't official.

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Sig by Legolas

"What? In riddles? No! For I was talking aloud to myself. A habit of the old: they choose the wisest person present to speak to." -Gandalf

My fear is that your right and we really won't get to see any of Beorn or Mirkwood or Thrandiul or anything east of the mountains! After all, I have as much an idea as you have.

The sad fact is that where ever it ends, it won't be enough. We're guaranteed to walk out of the theater crying and screaming for more.

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There are actually three movies

An unexpected Journey
The Desolation of Smaug
There and Back Again

Personally I think that is way too many films for such a short book.

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Lifes Too Short to even care at all.

So I've been going mad for all the news we've got recently and have seen some stuff that may clear this issue up!

Slight spoilers so read at your own risk!

Empire Magazine seemed to suggest that film 1 will follow a similar format to FotR e.g a party, a ton of exposition a minor conflict (trolls), more exposition in Rivendell, then an "overhill and under hill adventure".

I also looked through the visual companion book in the supermarket the other day, which gave the impression based on the order of the pages that they've jigged the order a bit so Bilbo meets Gollum in the caves before the Dwarves battle with the Goblin King. But Bilbo isn't with the dwarves in the clip in trailer 2 when the dead Goblin King crashes on top of the dwarves after "we'll that could have been worse". Is there a possibility that riddles in he dark will be intercut with the battle- they did it in helms deep!

Added to the fact that there is wargs in trailer 2 and the production video says Beorns house is film 2 I think it might finish somewhere after the eagles rescue the dwarves.

Rhadaghast seems to have had a lot of promotion going on in magazines and pictures so I can't work out theyve decided he'll somehow meet the dwarves or not.

Also now we know the hobbit is 3 films where do you think film 2 will end?

I think the battle of the 5 armies will definitely be film 3, but I'm not sure when we'll see Smaug die, it seems a good end for film 2 especially as Rings films have a tendency to have a big battle near the end.

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I am 99% sure that the first movie will end right before they reach lake town.

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Lifes Too Short to even care at all.

^ That would be my guess too.

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