Who should direct "The Hobbit"?

[Thenamir]

For the moment, Peter Jackson is slated to be one of the executive producers, as his schedule is already too full to direct The Hobbit. So who would be your choice for the Director's chair? Defend your position!

[Galendor]

I'm hoping for Guillermo del Toro.

I liked the look and feel of Pan's Labyrinth, serious and dark. I would like to see what he would do with The Hobbit.

[Thinlómien]

Is this a serious thread? I mean, are we supposed to argument reasonably and make rational suggestions or say anything that would make an interesting film (like nominate a dead director or anything like that)?

[Finduilas]

I'm afraid my vote was from limited information, as I have only watched movies from three of the directors meantioned. But Peter Weir did an excellent job with Master and Commander, and he did the character in his movie very well, and pretty near the book characters. I'm afraid I don't care for the director of Narnia, but it didn't help my opinion that I almost know the Narnia books by memory. And Jackson? I have given some complaints on other threads, and don't think I will do so here. But any way it goes, I still believe I will be seeing it.

[Thenamir]

Yes, this is a serious thread. And if you don't like one of the choices above, please feel free to suggest a different director (please, keep it to realistic possibilities).

[Thinlómien]

I'm not going to vote just yet, but I think I would love to see Tim Burton's Hobbit. (It was discussed on some thred some time ago, but I've totally forgotten where and am too lazy to find it right now.) Of those you listed, I'd prefer Guillermo del Toro. I'd rather let someone else than Jackson have his/her chance on M-E, Adamson would possibly be too simple and childish, Raimi too action-ish and Weir too dry. Pan's Labyrinth was a very intriguing movie and it would be more than appropriate if similar intense magic would be found in The Hobbit. Ooh, just imagine del Toro's Mirkwood...! All in all, I think it should be someone with vision who could approach the world of the book innovatively, not just someone who'd cut half of it away and do the rest exactly as was said in the book (or worse, simplify it) and Middle-Earth should definitely not look like a faerie candyworld.

[Thenamir]

Just for grins, I have added Tim Burton to the poll. Anyone who wishes to switch their vote let me know.

[Sauron the White]

My first choice would be Jackson. If its not broke don't fix it. If that is not in the cards I would like to see Spielberg get the nod, at least on the first one - HOBBIT.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Why doesn't the poll include 'Nobody?'

But of those listed I'd go with Weir. Among others, perhaps Bruce Beresford.

[William Cloud Hicklin]

Del Toro, if Pan's Labarynth is anything to go by, is far, far too dark for The Hobbit.

What about Rob Reiner, in Princess Bride mode? That wouldn't be bad at all, if a little of the archness were removed.

[Sauron the White]

Why doesn't the poll include 'Nobody?'

I would imagine because the thread title is WHO SHOULD DIRECT THE HOBBIT?
It is not the Purist desire WHY NOBODY SHOULD MAKE THE HOBBIT.

I think that is clear.

[Galendor]

Del Toro, if Pan's Labarynth is anything to go by, is far, far too dark for The Hobbit.

Yeah, I see your point. But since it is suspected that The Hobbit movie will be darker than the book, I think I'd prefer to see what Guillermo del Toro's style and substance could do for it as opposed to how we suspect Jackson might approach it.

[Mithalwen]

Of those listed it has to be Peter Weir who has directed some of my favourite films including "Picnic at Hanging Rock" and "Witness". I would just about anyone to Jackson. The Hobbit deserves to be taken on its own terms not as a prequel to a franchise movie - if PJ does it it will be same old same old *yawns* and definitely not a children's film. Hate to think what he would do with 13 dwarves to toss... and even more camp elves.

Ang Lee would be my not on the list choice. Crouching Tiger shows he can do myth and Sense and Sensibility shows he can do "English".

[Galendor]

Of those listed it has to be Peter Weir who has directed some of my favourite films including "Picnic at Hanging Rock" and "Witness". I would just about anyone to Jackson. The Hobbit deserves to be taken on its own terms not as a prequel to a franchise movie - if PJ does it it will be same old same old *yawns* and definitely not a children's film. Hate to think what he would do with 13 dwarves to toss... and even more camp elves.

Peter Weir would be a good choice. At least there have (thankfully?) not been any further statements that The Hobbit will be filmed in 3D...

[Thenamir]

I am not at all sure that a 3-D Hobbit would necessarily be a bad thing. I have seen none of the major 3-D flicks of recent times, but I vivdly remember seeing, during a trip to Disney World (Orlando) circa 1995, a full-color 3-D Muppet film presentation which was utterly smashing! It did require special glasses, but not the old-fashioned red/blue ones. I don't know how they achieved the effect, but the effect astounded me at the time -- very convincing indeed. And with 10+ years to improve the effect, I can only imagine that it has gotten better.

Now, don't mistake me for wanting to overuse the effect just because you can -- the Spy Kids 3-D movie was, according to my kids, an excuse to abuse the effect in virtually (no pun intended) every scene. But as an extra measure of realism in a well-made movie, used with restraint, I would endorse such a move entirely. I get giddy imagining a 3-D Smaug in aerial assult against Lake-Town.

[Galendor]

Posted by Thenamir:
But as an extra measure of realism in a well-made movie, used with restraint, I would endorse such a move entirely. I get giddy imagining a 3-D Smaug in aerial assult against Lake-Town.

I saw the digital 3D Beowulf, the audience had to wear glasses. The 3D took (me at least) some getting used to, but I must admit it was neat. The visuals in the last 30 minutes containing the dragon attack were pretty spectacular. It was the best looking and realistically-moving dragon I have ever seen in a movie.

[jabbernaut]

I've heard a lot of people mention Alfonso Cuaron as a consideration...

... but my vote (second to PJ, of course) would be for Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean).

I consider him much like PJ in style, and like PJ he too has a very workable knowledge of effects and uses them to enhance his story, not just effects for their own sake.

[A Little Green]

Tim Burton, absolutely. :D I think he has not only a stunning vision of fantasy and myth, but also a lovely twisted sense of humour. I'd love to see what he'd do with the Hobbit. Of the others, well, Guillermo del Toro would be interesting as well.

PJ, on the other hand, would do well to leave the Hobbit for someone else. I'm quite bored of his massive, effect-oriented style of picturing Middle-Earth and I'd love to see another director's vision as well. Besides, I wouldn't like ME becoming known only by PJ's versions.

[Groin Redbeard]

I would love to have Peter Jackson do the Hobbit, since he was the one who started the Lord of the Rings he should finish it, but if I could pick any other directer it would be Peter Weir. Both he Jackson stay pretty true to the books, that they make into movies.
Jackson and Weir would make an awsome team! :D

[Nogrod]

Given these options it should be Peter Weir (to have a quarantee of a good film) or Tim Burton (to have a quarantee of an interesting and fresh film). :D

[Sauron the White]

Daily Variety is reporting this today

After "Drag Me to Hell," Raimi is expected to go right back up the mountaintop and take the helm of "The Hobbit" films for New Line and MGM now that Peter Jackson has made it clear he won't direct.

Sam Raimi -- is he on anybodys wish list?

[Kitanna]

Tim Burton does a good job with turning books into movies. I'm not sure I'd want him directing The Hobbit though. Adamson did a good job with Chronicles of Narnia and he could probably do the same for The Hobbit. PJ would seem the obvious choice, but I'd like to see someone else's vision of Middle-Earth. Taking this seriously, I'm not sure who I'd like to see directing it.

However, I thought about humorous choices, like Stanley Kubrick (yes, yes I realize he's dead). But image Bilbo floating on a barrel down a river of blood. Or Gandalf riding a bomb down right in the middle of the Battle of Five Armies. Not to mention the Goblin King throwing a pony bone into the air, only to have it become an eagle.

Daily Variety is reporting this today

After "Drag Me to Hell," Raimi is expected to go right back up the mountaintop and take the helm of "The Hobbit" films for New Line and MGM now that Peter Jackson has made it clear he won't direct.
Is that so? Did he direct all three Spider-Man films? Because the first two were good, but that third one was something else.

[zxcvbn]

I'm sceptical of Sam Raimi because his previous example in the fantasy genre was Xena Warrior Princess. I would say that the best person to direct the Hobbit so as to tie it in with the LOTR film trilogy would be Peter Jackson himself. Can't he tell Spielberg to direct the first Tintin film so that he'll be free?

[Thenamir]

There is an unconfirmed report on marketsaw.com that PJ may do exactly that - pass on the first two Tintin films to direct the third, which will leave him barely-adequate time to direct The Hobbit.

And as I voted for Sam Raimi but never defended my vote, I will do so now. First, Sam Raimi has indicated intense interest in the project - it wouldn't be "just another movie" to him, as it was not for PJ. Second, he has simultaneously professed respect for the existing work of Peter Jackson on the LOTR movies, and not keen to make radical changes in the style. Third, while the Spider-Man movies are not Fantasy per se, they do involve filming fantastic elements and making them look real. Raimi's work can be credited with virtually singlehandedly reviving comic-books (ahem, graphic-novels) as viable movie franchises.

So what if his last fantsy work was Xena? His work since then has been sterling, and I think he'd be a great choice.

[Kitanna]

Guillermo del Toro (http://www.slashfilm.com/2007/12/20/guillermo-del-toro-in-line-for-the-hobbit/) is another consideration if Raimi can't commit to The Hobbit. The look and feel of Pan's Labyrinth was really breathtaking. Perhaps del Toro could do the same from The Hobbit.

[Thenamir]

Personally, if Sam Raimi can't do the film (and PJ isn't going to rearrange his schedule), I agree that Del Toro would be another excellent choice.

[Galendor]

Guillermo del Toro (http://www.slashfilm.com/2007/12/20/guillermo-del-toro-in-line-for-the-hobbit/) is another consideration if Raimi can't commit to The Hobbit. The look and feel of Pan's Labyrinth was really breathtaking. Perhaps del Toro could do the same from The Hobbit.

According to the link provided by Kitanna, here's a quote from del Toro about The Hobbit:

“I’ve heard some rumblings, but nothing official. I don’t want to think about it because it’s such an eventuality,” Guillermo del Toro told EW. “It’s the only Tolkien book I read. I tried my best to read the Lord of the Rings, the trilogy. I could not. I could not. They were very dense. And then one day, I bought The Hobbit. I read it and I loved it. So it would be a privilege. But listen, I wish I knew.”

Based on this, I may want to change my vote away from del Toro. Shouldn't being able to read (and appreciate) LOTR be a prerequisite for directing The Hobbit? Of course, I wouldn't be surprised if Raimi, Burton, and others haven't even read LOTR either.

[sreeja]

In my opinion Get Peter Jackson anyway, by hook or crook!:)

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Tim Burton? Goodness gracious me, no! Lots of black make-up, just for the sake of it? Johnny Depp as Bilbo, or more likely Gandalf? And the inevitable created part for ol' Big Hair herself, Helena Bonham-Carter? Gollum, perhaps?

No thanks.

Also, Del Toro's Pan's Labyrinth featured completely the wrong mood for the Hobbit, so I wouldn't trust him for this particular fantasy tale.

I'd prefer Kevin Costner, as director and to play the part of Gandalf. :D

[Finiel]

If Tim Burton's gonna be the director dont be surprised if Depp would be casted.
Sam Raimi is more like an action film director than a fantasy movie director.

I like the guy who directed the 3rd Harry Potter film and a 3D cartoonish movie would be a good idea since its a children's book. The movie should convey Bilbo's wonderment in seeing everything new in Middle Earth--> seeing Elves and Trolls for the first time.

Its a movie with a bit of humor in it too

[Azaelia of Willowbottom]

I think that none of these directors would be bad. I

Del Toro would be a very interesting choice. He has a great sense of the artistic. I am a bit worried about the darkness factor--I wouldn't mind seeing a darker Hobbit, not at all, but Pan's Labyrinth approached the pitch-dark, midnight type of deal, and while it was interesting, it was also painful to watch in a way that I don't think it is necessary for TH to be.

I like Peter Jackson. Just for the sake of contenuity, I want TH's Middle-earth to look and feel like the same Middle-earth of the three LOTR movies.

I also like Adamson's spirit. He seems to at least know how to conduct business in a very heavily effects-laden project, and I really enjoyed his Narnia. I think that he can handle more grown-up fare (Narnia gave me that impression), and I'd be curious to see what he made of Middle-earth.

Peter Weir wouldn't be an awful choice, though I don't know so much about him. I saw Master and Commander, but it really wasn't my type of movie at the time (I'd probably like it better, now), through no fault of his.

Tim Burton is probably not my first choice. His style is too much his own, and I feel like there's always an element of the stylized or unreal (or surreal) about his movies. Not a bad thing--I actually enjoy what I've seen of his work (though I've avoided Charlie and the Chocolate factory like a very special kind of plague)--but not quite right for Middle-earth. His Hobbit, like Del Toro's, would, at the very least, be visually interesting.

Raimi is ...meh. While they were hugely successful, the first two Spiderman movies weren't bad (I didn't bother with the third), but they also weren't great. They struck me as, I don't know, a little too mainstream and uncomplicated, or something. Perhaps that's unfair. I don't know what else I would have been expecting from a summer blockbuster. I think he has a passion for the project, and I like that he'd try to preserve PJ's style of Middle-earth. However, I just don't know if he has the artistry to carry it off.

[Sauron the White]

here is the latest on Del Toro from TORN

TheOneRing.net reported here at the end of January that Guillermo del Toro was 99 percent sure to direct “The Hobbit”. Since then the Tolkien Estate filed a lawsuit against New Line Cinema (a copy of which can be found here) and the movie studio has been folded up and put in the pocket of its owner Warner Bros. and its bigger parent Time Warner Inc.

After all the speculation and angst, the director of two “Hellboy” films (the second set for a July 11 release) still seems to be the top choice for director and despite the legal uncertainty, the quiet movements by the key players seem to suggest the film will still be made and sooner rather than later. So in this season of waiting, TORn was finally able to contact the fan-friendly director.


“At this stage anything I say is of no consequence for I am not yet signed to do “The Hobbit.” Negotiations advance but are still ongoing,” he said.
The Mexican born director is busy however researching not only the Hobbit but the greater J.R.R. Tolkien library.

“All I can say is that I am diligently going through all Tolkien material related to Middle-earth but only as a way of bridging a gap in my reading. I still respond the strongest to “The Hobbit,” but as an avid reader of Mythology I find a lot of his other writings fascinating. A perfect Cosmology forged from very eclectic sources,” he said.
He described himself as a bibliophile and his study of Tolkien’s mythology fits in with his passion for myth.

“I bought my first book at age 4 and my last one, last week an original pamphlet edition of Calmet’s (Augustine Calmet) dissertation on Ghosts and vampires from the 18th century.”
The director embraces Internet communities and has his own fan site at www.Deltorofilms.com where he participates and corresponds with fans.

“It is my belief that your community will be a joy to be a part of, whether I do “The Hobbit,” or not,” he said.

[Bêthberry]

A perfect Cosmology forged from very eclectic sources

That's quite a positive observation, bodes well. He's into the mythological/fairie elements rather than the adventure aspect.

[Mister Underhill]

More from the director on his Hobbit prospects here (http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/04/del-toro-hobbit.html#more).

This is like the third mini-interview with Del Toro that I've seen in two weeks on the subject. At this point, I think it's all but a lock that he'll be at the helm. But sharpen your knives, haters! He says he'll be working with some version of Jackson's writing team.

[Sauron the White]

Well it does look like its all starting to come together... although a bit slower than you would otherwise think. Thanks for that update Mr. U.
Del Toro does say its a five year committment. Thats pretty significant.

[Bêthberry]

More from the director on his Hobbit prospects here (http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2008/04/del-toro-hobbit.html#more).

This is like the third mini-interview with Del Toro that I've seen in two weeks on the subject. At this point, I think it's all but a lock that he'll be at the helm. But sharpen your knives, haters! He says he'll be working with some version of Jackson's writing team.

It will prove interesting to see if Del Toro's interest in the dark and disturbing aspects of fairy tales is brought out in his direction of TH or if Jackson's lighter fare of thrills and madcap adventure shows.

[Mister Underhill]

When it was announced that PJ wouldn't direct, I said that if they hired someone like a Del Toro, they'd definitely get films that had the new director's stamp. Del Toro is no hack, and he's not going to spend five years of his life just executing PJ's vision. And to PJ's credit, I don't think he'd expect him to. He could have easily hired more of a "hard-hat" director the way Lucas did for Empire and Jedi. Not to say that Kershner or Marquand are hacks, but clearly Lucas's was the dominant vision there.

I figure there'll be an attempt to maintain a certain continuity between LotR and TH, but I expect that Del Toro will bring a healthy dose of Faerie to his vision.

[Sauron the White]

And that would be a good thing. I do not want to see cookie-cutter films. It would be great to have continuity in that the world of Middle-earth is the same visually and in design, the necessary actors are brought back, and the tone and feeling is more or less consistent. But to hire a talent like Del Toro and then not use his talents - that would be a waste of his abilities and a waste of the opportunity.

[Morthoron]

Terry Gilliam. Monty Python's Holy Grail, Brazil, Adventures of Baron Munchausen, Jabberwocky, The Fisher King, The Brothers Grimm, Time Bandits, Twelve Monkeys, etc....

Definitely more of an interesting choice for a fantasy than Tim Burton.

[skip spence]

Terry Gilliam huh?

Yeah. I like. I like it a lot.

Gilliam is an intelligent filmmaker and visually gifted as well. Those forest-scenes in The Brothers Grimm were well tasty.

[Bêthberry]

Interesting how we seem to name directors whose forte picks up one aspect of TH: DelTorro with his understanding of perilous fairie/fantasy and Gilliam with his madcap whimsical humour. I did enjoy The Brothers Grimm.

But there's the question (with either one of these directors) of how will this film capture the flavour of a children's tale, if at all. And does it need a parodic touch?

[Sauron the White]

This will probably anger some here - but I am used to that - I do feel that those who are expecting a childrens movie of THE HOBBIT are not facing the economic realities of the situation. A childrens movie has less than half the earnings potential of a film made on the same level as the LOTR films. You can scream, moan and cry all you want about what the HOBBIT really is as a book but the harsh and cold financial realities of the film business will rule out on this decision.

Hoepfully, there will be some lighter moments throughout the film that capture some of the more whimsical spirit of the book. I would think that the entrance of the Dwarves in Bag End is one such opportunity that would also make a great scene on the big screen.

It is interesting that many people have jumped on the Del Toro bandwagon because of his directorial work on PANS citing his handling of the fantasy elements. I liked PAN but felt that the fantasy portions were the weaker parts of the film. The far more interesting parts were the story of the Facists in Spain and the people on both sides of that struggle. The fantasy stuff almost seemed to get in the way at times.

Del Toro is a great talent and I look forward to what he can do with THE HOBBIT under the supervision of Jackson and with the cooperation of WETA and others from the earlier films.

[Mister Underhill]

Less than half? I dunno. A quality kids' movie is one of the surer bets in Hollywood -- check the all time charts and you'll find kid-friendly stuff like E.T., Star Wars, Shrek, Finding Nemo, and Harry Potter in the top 15 or so. It's a darker vision like Pan's or Hellboy which is probably less intrinsically marketable, looked at purely from that perspective. I wouldn't be surprised at a PG Hobbit, though with Del Toro on board PG-13 is probably more likely.

[Sauron the White]

Mr. U - there is a middle ground with many of the films that you mentioned. E.T. is a great example of something which can appeal to both ends of the age demographic. I suspect that if they make the HOBBIT as a kids movie, word of mouth would get around rather quickly and they would lose much of the business that they took in for the first three Middle-earth films.

Maybe my estimate of one-half is too brutal - however, I think it would be less and no studio is going to kiss that potential revenue good-bye just to stay faithful to a perception.

[Morthoron]

Interesting how we seem to name directors whose forte picks up one aspect of TH: DelTorro with his understanding of perilous fairie/fantasy and Gilliam with his madcap whimsical humour. I did enjoy The Brothers Grimm.

But there's the question (with either one of these directors) of how will this film capture the flavour of a children's tale, if at all. And does it need a parodic touch?


*The Dark Elf bows to Bêthberry*

Hmmm...I would think that Peter Jackson has little interest in presenting The Hobbit as strictly a 'children's tale'. From what I could garner from the prelease information regarding the two movies that will be produced, one is The Hobbit and the other a prequel to LOTR. This indicates to me more of a continuing saga comprising 5 films; thus the necessity for conceptual continuity (if I may borrow a Frank Zappa phrase). If I am wrong regarding my understanding of the project, please direct me to a link that states otherwise.

I am not saying that a continuing saga concept in which The Hobbit is rendered in a more adult fashion (a la LOTR) is right or wrong; rather, that seems to be the general direction of the production. Therefore, my suggestion for Gilliam, who I think has the ability to direct movies with a fairy tale/fantasy ambiance that could embody the delightful childlike innocence of TH, yet with a more adult undercurrent stirring the dark waters of Mirkwood.

[Bêthberry]

*The Dark Elf bows to Bêthberry*

Hmmm...I would think that Peter Jackson has little interest in presenting The Hobbit as strictly a 'children's tale'. From what I could garner from the prelease information regarding the two movies that will be produced, one is The Hobbit and the other a prequel to LOTR. This indicates to me more of a continuing saga comprising 5 films; thus the necessity for conceptual continuity (if I may borrow a Frank Zappa phrase). If I am wrong regarding my understanding of the project, please direct me to a link that states otherwise.

I am not saying that a continuing saga concept in which The Hobbit is rendered in a more adult fashion (a la LOTR) is right or wrong; rather, that seems to be the general direction of the production. Therefore, my suggestion for Gilliam, who I think has the ability to direct movies with a fairy tale/fantasy ambiance that could embody the delightful childlike innocence of TH, yet with a more adult undercurrent stirring the dark waters of Mirkwood.

*Bethberry returns the bow to the Dark Elf*

You are right that Gilliam can capture whimsy and darkness. Yet I keep thinking of the naughty bits in The Brothers Grimm and wonder how much delight in that comedic touch would seep into a hobbit movie, willy-nilly almost. And he definitely leans towards ironic black comedy which is not how I would characterise Tolkien's humour. (Come to think of it, have we had any threads on Tolkien's humour?) Yet I could well be slighting Gilliam as his work does show a range of styles.

Sadly, though, Warner Brothers refused to consider him for the Harry Potter films, didn't they, even though Rowlings wanted him? And doesn't Warner now own New Line? Would that not bode well for him?

[Morthoron]

*Bethberry returns the bow to the Dark Elf*

You are right that Gilliam can capture whimsy and darkness. Yet I keep thinking of the naughty bits in The Brothers Grimm and wonder how much delight in that comedic touch would seep into a hobbit movie, willy-nilly almost. And he definitely leans towards ironic black comedy which is not how I would characterise Tolkien's humour. (Come to think of it, have we had any threads on Tolkien's humour?) Yet I could well be slighting Gilliam as his work does show a range of styles.

I would much prefer Gilliam's sense of humor to Tim Burton's (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory makes me cringe -- a horrid adaptation -- I like the first movie version with Gene Wilder), and I am unconvinced Del Torro has a sense of humor. But you are right, a thread defining Tolkien's humor is a great idea (as Treebeard opined, "There are Ents and Ents, you know; or there are Ents and there are things that look like Ents but ain’t, as you might say.").

Sadly, though, Warner Brothers refused to consider him for the Harry Potter films, didn't they, even though Rowlings wanted him? And doesn't Warner now own New Line? Would that not bode well for him?

Ahhh, it's such a muddled mess...MGM has a hand in it as well, as they still hold the movie rights to The Hobbit. In the end, it will probably be a director no one will agree on, and since Phillipa Boyens will write the script, be assured the movie itself will be as outrageous as LOTR in its rendering of the source material. Let's see, we can have Angelina Jolie as Bilbo's love interest (one can't make a Hollywood movie without a pronounced romance, right?), and Orlando Bloom will be Thranduil in this one (because, after all, he is Orlando Bloom), and if Tim Burton directs we'll have Johnny Depp as Smaug. Bah.

[Bêthberry]

I would much prefer Gilliam's sense of humor to Tim Burton's (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory makes me cringe -- a horrid adaptation -- I like the first movie version with Gene Wilder), and I am unconvinced Del Torro has a sense of humor. But you are right, a thread defining Tolkien's humor is a great idea (as Treebeard opined, "There are Ents and Ents, you know; or there are Ents and there are things that look like Ents but ain’t, as you might say.").

What I would like to see in one of these many interviews with DelToro is a sign that he has read Tolkien's essay on fantasy, On Fairie Stories and can thoughtfully comment on Tolkien's ideas.


In the end, it will probably be a director no one will agree on, and since Phillipa Boyens will write the script, be assured the movie itself will be as outrageous as LOTR in its rendering of the source material. Let's see, we can have Angelina Jolie as Bilbo's love interest (one can't make a Hollywood movie without a pronounced romance, right?), and Orlando Bloom will be Thranduil in this one (because, after all, he is Orlando Bloom), and if Tim Burton directs we'll have Johnny Depp as Smaug. Bah.

Oh--the Brothers Cohen. Now there are two none would agree on. And as for romance, in Part Deux I'm sure something could be arranged for Galadriel at the White Council--perhaps it's a tempation to stray which could cloud her focus and vision and make her unable to see Saruman for his true intentions. Or, hey . . .

[Morthoron]

Oh--the Brothers Cohen. Now there are two none would agree on.

Yes, the Coen Brothers would be unnatural, as Samwise might say. Although I can see Javier Badem as Gollum offering a coin toss for Bilbo's life (one of my favorite scenes in No Country For Old Men).

And as for romance, in Part Deux I'm sure something could be arranged for Galadriel at the White Council--perhaps it's a tempation to stray which could cloud her focus and vision and make her unable to see Saruman for his true intentions. Or, hey . . .

Let's just hope the script is more conventional than the LotR travesty and sticks somewhat faithfully to the original story. I am already nearing physical illness thinking of how a 'prequel' to LotR might be presented.

[Bêthberry]

Yes, the Coen Brothers would be unnatural, as Samwise might say. Although I can see Javier Badem as Gollum offering a coin toss for Bilbo's life (one of my favorite scenes in No Country For Old Men).


Well, Gollem would need a bit more hair to recreate that atrocious coiffure, wouldn't he? That scene is the single most significant scene in the movie, particularly as its theme is replayed with Carla Jean at the end. I've googled for dialogue from that scene, but all I come up with are videos. Must be a new generation. The scene itself to me suggests the truth of Tolkien's observations on allegory and realism.

But such a scene, Badem as Gollem (do the names really rhyme?), now would that lead to a discussion of free will and fate in TH? We've had them concerning LotR, but not that I can remember on TH.

Won't it be interesting to see how Laketown is depicted in the movie and how/if the bridge is cut and thrown down.

[Mister Underhill]

I've googled for dialogue from that scene, but all I come up with are videos.You can get the script here (http://http://www.youknow-forkids.com/No_Country_For_Old_Men_2.pdf). Good ol' internets has it all these days.

EDIT: Better version here (http://www.miramaxhighlights.com/pdf/no-country-for-old-men/screenplay).
The scene itself to me suggests the truth of Tolkien's observations on allegory and realism.Could you elaborate on this?

[Bêthberry]

You can get the script here (http://http://www.youknow-forkids.com/No_Country_For_Old_Men_2.pdf). Good ol' internets has it all these days.


EDIT: Better version here (http://www.miramaxhighlights.com/pdf/no-country-for-old-men/screenplay).

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bêthberry
The scene itself to me suggests the truth of Tolkien's observations on allegory and realism.

Could you elaborate on this?

You has most interesting links, Mister U and better (or more) internets than me. Danke!

As for my thoughts about realism and allegory, I was not thinking so much of Tolkien's comments in the Foreword to LotR, but some of his observations in his Letters. Unfortunately I don't have them to hand now--packed away pending work on new library--so I canna quote and don't have them by memory. (I know, terribly failing that. What kind of fan am I that don't know the letters chapter and verse?)

The fascination of Chigurh I think lies in the dual nature of the character. He, as most of the film, is depicted with a specifically, intensely realised realism. But the character isn't just a hitman, a brutal human being. He is more, approaching the status almost of a Bergman-like Death personified--and this is not just in Chigurh's mind. How the character achieves both states is a fascinating part of the movie. And Tolkien talked about this kind of allegory in one of his letters, as I recall.

[Morthoron]

The fascination of Chigurh I think lies in the dual nature of the character. He, as most of the film, is depicted with a specifically, intensely realised realism. But the character isn't just a hitman, a brutal human being. He is more, approaching the status almost of a Bergman-like Death personified--and this is not just in Chigurh's mind. How the character achieves both states is a fascinating part of the movie. And Tolkien talked about this kind of allegory in one of his letters, as I recall.

Yes, he was rather like the chess-playing reaper in The Seventh Seal. Strange movie, and without Chigurh (and Badem's portrayal), just a run-of-the-mill drug-deal-gone-bad chase movie. Not a very eucatastrophic ending either, eh Beth?

[Bêthberry]

Yes, he was rather like the chess-playing reaper in The Seventh Seal. Strange movie, and without Chigurh (and Badem's portrayal), just a run-of-the-mill drug-sale-gone-bad chase movie. Not a very eucatastrophic ending either, eh Beth?

I wouldnt leave out Badem's hair style either--nor the very strange way that people pass by each other without connecting. (Are the only connections deaths?) That at least provided some difference from the run of the mill movie type.

But as for the definite lack of eucatastrophe, indeed, a very telling reason why the Cohen Brothers would be, as you said, "unnatural" to direct TH.

Now, to return to a movie StW suggested: if ET could appeal both to children and adults--as did Aladdin--why can not a movie of TH? Why would the producers/writers/director have to choose either the adult or the child frame of reference?

[Almesiva Moonshadow]

We want Peter Jackson!!! :D

PJ has already proven himself to be an exellent director with the LOTR trilogy
if any man is acctualy capable of filming "The Hobbit",then it is definitly Pete...:)

I dont think any other director can do the job...:smokin: