If the movie gets made in the next 5 years, there will need to be at least some changes from the book narrative to make it blend with Jackson's existing trilogy. Obviously casting will be quite different, although Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis (as Gollum) and Hugo Weaving are nearly a must at this point.

In terms of the story. I've often wondered if we will see some of the White Council discussions about the Necromancer. Maybe a little more of that subplot, to give the movie a "foreshadowing" of events in LOTR.

Maybe we'll even get to see some kind of flashback of Thrain and Gandalf in Dol Guldur? It might be a distraction from the simpler linear story line, but it would be great to see that in an Extended Hobbit edition.

Also interesting is the whole Elvenking sequence. This is a major character development part for Bilbo, but it could be a real momentum killer in terms of a film. How will they shorten up the escape from Thranduil's palace?

Your thoughts?

-Chaleins

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I have no answers, but a lot of questions:

Will there be a prologue, that takes you back to ME and introduces you to Thrain, Thror and Gandalf, and what has happened to Erebor?
Would PJ cast Ian Holm as Bilbo once again?
Would PJ build Bagend and Hobbiton again (I've heard rumours that he has bought some places in Matamata where they've built Hobbiton before for the trilogy. Is this right?)

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I think they should show a prologue introducing the characters and giving a bit of background information (I've no idea what they're really doing), I think the story shouldn't be changed very much,I think they should perhaps add a bit background information and a connection to LotR as well, I think it would be best if they took the same cast as in LotR for Bilbo, Gandalf, Gollum and so on, because otherwise it would be just weird...

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Almost certain that they will have to:

1. Use Ian McKellen as Gandalf
2. Use Andy Serkis for Gollum
3. Use Hug Weaving for Elrond

For Bilbo, my guess is that Ian Holm will be too old. He has not been very well, either in recent years.

A prologue makes sense, maybe the Dragon's coming to Erebor. They don't need to show the dragon himself, just the aftermath.

They did save parts of the Hobbiton sets from LOTR. Costumes and props are also in storage. In fact, I read something that said they saved the statues of the trolls they made for LOTR and put them in storage. But Rivendell no longer exists as a set.

However, they might want to make Rivendell look different anyway. A little less like fall turning to winter. Perhaps summer turning to fall.

A voiceover by Ian McKellen would work for whatever prologue they put together.

Just thinking about the possiblities is fun.

-Chaleins

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I think Rivendell was very different in the Hobbit than LotR, for one, all the evles are very happy and cheery and random in the Hobbit, while in LotR, due to all the wars and leaving Middle-Earth etc, they're a lot more sombre. I think that would have to reflect in Rivendell it's self, as you said Chaleins, more summery and happy sort of.

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Snow white, snow white, o Lady clear,
O Light to us that wander here.

yes, I think that the Rivendell as we saw it in LotR wouldn't fit to the Hobbit... it has to look a bit "happier"

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I think that The Hobbit would have to be happier, if you know what I mean, because wasn't the book meant for children?
I'll bet they'd do a really good job with Smaug though, with all the technology available nowadays.

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Amazing banner courtesy of Elfenwen!

im wondering what parts they will keep in The Hobbit and what they will cut out.i mean it would be hard to fit everything important that happens in the book into a 2 hour or so movie.there is really a lot.

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^thanks to arwenevenstar.com.

"...You can always trust a dishonest man to be dishonest.Honestly,it's the honest ones you want to look out for..."

Length of the movie is certainly another consideration. I think it could be done very well in 2-1/2 hours. If it goes by standards, let it run up to 3 hours.

Since this story is linear, one adventure to the next, like Fellowship, cramming in extra detail will probably not be a problem.

The hardest part to get right will probably be Beorn. Were-creatures always end up looking rather clumsy, no matter what you do. Of course, they don't actually have to show the transformation.

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Yes I also think the length will be ok.. and I think that the hobbit is happier than LotR, there's not as much suffering as in LotR I think..

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Hey, guys! Check out this link if you want a movie on The Hobbit!

Write a letter to MGM/UA and New Line and then sign the on-line petition.

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Thanks for this link. I'll have a closer look at it when I have more time

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Ya thanks for the link, but I will look later.

I think they might change Rivendell a bit to how it was in LotR. I don't think I can imagine the elves popping up here there and everywhere singing. Nor can I imagine Hugo Weaving playing someone so chirpy Elrond was very sombre in LotR. *thinks about Priscilla Queen of the Desert* in fact, I can, scracth that

But I don't know, the hobbit is very much a rough - early draft of M-E. I think Tolkien told the hobbit to his grand-children. Hence the chirpiness (sp?) and C.S. Lewis told him to write it down or something like that.

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I was cured all right.

Haha that's a good point. We need to see more flaming pine cones. I just hope they do more with the Wargs in the Hobbit.

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