[Elladan and Elrohir]

Dude, BERGIL, that sounds awesome! That would be a phenomenal way to open the film!

So, would they do a prologue? I would say, no. There's not nearly as much backstory to explain as you had with LOTR. I say everything necessary you can show in a flashback sequence as Thorin tells the story to Bilbo at Bag End.

After much thought and consideration, I must agree that Ian Holm is just too old for Bilbo. *SOB* So, that quite obviously raises the question: Who fills that starring role? Another unknown, would be my vote. I agree that no major stars (other than the ones reprising their roles from LOTR) should appear in the film at all.