The Hobbit in July 2007?

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Tim Burton has already been mentioned as one director who might have a very different take on TH. I think it would really be fascinating to consider what kind of TH film other directors might make.

Yes, Tim Burton's ability to combine a children's tale with just the right touch of darkness would seem fitting for such a project. The question is whether he would have sufficient enthusisam for the works of Tolkien to make it work. I have no idea what the answer to that is.

I can think of another director who would be ideal for the project, were he so inclined (and, again, I have no idea whether he would). He has already made a film in which a hero with whom children may identify goes off on a strange adventure with a bunch of dwarves. In another of his films, an everyman hero is drawn from a mundane existence into a fantasy world following an encounter with a mysterious man associated with pipes. Yet another of his films involves a protagonist renowned for embellishing the tales of his fantastical adventures. And his most recent film, set on the edge of the real world and faerie, explored the nature of fairy-tale in a most novel way.

He is a wonderful, quirky director, eminently capable of combining the fantastical and the comedic but his films also often have a dark side to them, and he is no stranger to special effects.

Can you guess to whom I refer?

[Mister Underhill]

Nice call, Sauce -- I was going to mention Gilliam myself. He would certainly be an interesting choice -- better than Burton IMO.

Further to the question of actors and a Jackson-less Hobbit, I just saw this article: McKellan "sad" that Jackson may not make "Hobbit". Notice how Sir Ian doesn't say he would never do TH without Jackson. And anyway, I seriously doubt that Jackson would want anyone to pass up the job for his sake. It's a hard world out there for actors. Choice parts like Gollum and Gandalf don't come down the road every day. My bet is that both men would return to reprise their roles -- with Jackson's blessing.

[Rikae]

I adore him...but for The Hobbit?
Much as I would like to see Smaug argue about swallows (or sparrows in this case), and the Sackville Bagginses explode, I'd have to say he's a tad TOO quirky.

I'd be quite the birthday present, if they called him up today...

EDIT: X posted with Mr. Underhill

[Rikae]

TORn just posted this:
"Word from a reliable source indicates that Sam Raimi has been approached to direct THE HOBBIT"

[Mister Underhill]

Ooh, Raimi -- another very interesting possibility. He's certainly more than qualified to handle the FX side of things, and his handling of the emotional side of the Spiderman franchise has been pitch-perfect so far.

[Rikae]

Has it been? I've never seen the Spiderman movies, which is why I didn't comment on Raimi. I'll have to go to Family Video tomorrow...

[doug*platypus]

Well, well, so the speculation has ended, and for good or ill we now know that there will be no PJ Hobbit. In spite of my many gripes about Jackson's version of LOTR, I do admit that given his geographical position and passion for the job, the three movies would not have been made without him, and we would have missed out on the visuals and cinematic story which expanded and breathed life into Tolkien's works. So it was with mixed feelings that I heard the breaking news.

Although it could quite easily be argued that PJ was the only man for the LOTR job, I think that The Hobbit could quite successfully be handled by another director. At least the triumvurate of LOTR script writers would not then have their wicked way with any more of Tolkien's material, and we may get a more faithful adaptation (nice dream). I suppose that the tone and narrative style of a non PJ Hobbit would differ from the trilogy, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. It would probably mean that the movie could stand on its own and not simply be a prequel. I for one am looking forward to the fresh perspective which another director will bring to The Hobbit.

It would be a shame if McKellen did not return to reprise his role as the grey wizard, and something of a loss if Andy Serkis was not there to perform as Gollum, but as for the other actors I am not too fussed. If Hugo Weaving were to return as Elrond it would do much for consistency between the movies, but on the other hand I would be interested to see whether an actor more suited to the part could be found (I wasn't a big fan of Agent Elrond). As for Galadriel, Legolas and Saruman, well I would prefer if the filmmakers stuck to the story as it is, rather than expanding on it and including scenes of the White Council and Dol Guldur, although I suppose an Orlando Bloom cameo would be good for fangirls/boys.

But whoever ends up directing and starring, I will be there with my popcorn and Coke (nice plug) watching the story unfold on the big screen. I may only watch it once, if it is terrible, but I will be entertained for a few hours at least! At least whoever directs it will have to show us Smaug the Magnificent in all his glory.

BTW, while we're speculating or fantasising about directors, may I suggest Andrew Adamson (do I have his name right?). I thoroughly enjoyed The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. That is, unless he is busy.

[The Saucepan Man]

Well, the report refers to a "reliable source" indicating that Raimi has been "approached". It's not necessailry a done deal. This may turn out to be another gambit in the war of words.

Originally Posted by doug*platypus

At least the triumvurate of LOTR script writers would not then have their wicked way with any more of Tolkien's material, and we may get a more faithful adaptation (nice dream).

This is an important point. It is just as important, if not more so, that a decent screenplay writer is involved. And there are, I am sure, many who would do a good deal worse than the LotR triumvirate ...

[Azaelia of Willowbottom]

Now that it's definite that PJ will not be back on board, I have to admit some skepticism about the whole project.

The movies stayed true to the spirit, if not the letter, of the books...And now that we know the same team won't be around, it makes me even more grateful for what we already had. It could be so much worse, though there is room for some improvement. There were problems and differences, but what they produced was a coherent adaptation of the LOTR book. They worked out of well-meaning passion for the story, and it could be much, much worse. We could wind up with a writer/director team only looking to please mainstream fans (in general, that means not us), and only after the money involved. Such movies would be tired and dull and definitely not up to standard.

I don't mean to be a pessimist about the whole thing, but I just feel like PJ is the man for LOTR...even though I know that many, especially here, will not agree with me. I didn't realize how much I trusted him until I read the news and began worrying: Oh no! What's going to happen now?!

I agree with Rikae's feelings about this movie.

I just don't trust anyone else with Middle-earth. *ducks, runs, hides*