The Hobbit gets green-light and announces February start

[Galadriel]

Originally Posted by Mister Underhill

Looks like this thing is gonna be a reality.

A well thought-out reality, let's hope, and not one that's dangling on the loose end of a string. I think this is the link:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/bre...-1225939513402

[Tuor in Gondolin]

So when's the planned release date?
And hopefully not in 3d.

[Mister Underhill]

Definitely in 3D, from what I read. Though 3D movies always have the option to see them traditionally, so really what's the difference?

[Lindale]

Originally Posted by Mister Underhill

Definitely in 3D, from what I read. Though 3D movies always have the option to see them traditionally, so really what's the difference?

3-D is always a bit too expensive for me... and after The Last Airbender fiasco, I'm not yet ready for another splurge. Yay for traditional films for underpaid teachers.

[TheGreatElvenWarrior]

I can't even watch anything in 3D. Being practically blind in one eye makes that task difficult. I don't know about those new glasses either. They scare me. Hopefully the film in the traditional method of viewing will look all right. Otherwise I wont see it. So take that Peter Jackson.

[Nerwen]

I saw Avatar in 2D and it looked fine. At least, I didn't notice too many of those cheesy random-object-thrust-at-the-camera shots you see 3D films from the eighties.

So hopefully filmmakers these days have learnt that that kind of thing tends to look absurd on a flat screen.

That said, I have to admit I don't really see the point of filming The Hobbit in 3D in the first place. Not the artistic point, anyway. It does seem to be a good way of getting viewers to suspend their judgement.

[Glirdan]

I'm just rather leery about a 3D version of The Hobbit. It's just a massive cash grab and really, I don't really see many points in the movie where 3D could actually be used (with the exception of Smaug) in the film and look good.

On a separate note, any word on who the actors will be? As a Theater geek, that tends to be the part that I'm most interested in. If the acting sucks (coughORLANDOBLOOMcough....sorry, I have a hate on for him lol) then it will ruin the movie for me

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Mister Underhill

Definitely in 3D, from what I read. Though 3D movies always have the option to see them traditionally, so really what's the difference?

In my case, nausea. But they haven't actually cast Bilbo yet have they? So who are they starting with?

If they haven't definitively closed the door on Martin Freeman then that is interesting scheduling. They interviewed the writer of Sherlock last night on TV and they start filming the next series of that in the Spring and Freeman is committed to that for 20 weeks.... so for the Hobbit if not Freeman who? And if Freeman what are they going to start filming? There isn't so much in the original book that doesn't centre on him.

[Mister Underhill]

Deadline Hollywood usually has pretty accurate scoops, and their latest report (linked in the first post of this thread) still says that Martin Freeman will "soon be set to play Bilbo", so if you like the idea of Freeman in the role, don't give up hope yet. I'm not familiar with him, but just looking at his picture, he has a certain hobbit-like quality.

Regarding 3D, I reckon I can understand the fear about randomly poking things at the camera/audience. I guess I wouldn't put anything past PJ, who has shown a willingness to try almost anything for a gag. We'll have to wait and see. It will be interesting to see how Jackson has matured as a director in the interim.

[Mithalwen]

He was Arthur Dent in the film version of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as well as Tim in the British version of the Office and was also in Love Actually. He is a good actor - more an everyman type than the ultra bourgeouis Bilbo of the book version but I think he would do it as well as anyone and better than most. The only person I would prefer would be Michael C Hall because in his role of David in Six Feet Under he managed the trick of playing a character who was likeable despite being repressed and prissy. But I guess playing Dexter would now make him too much of an odd choice!

[Mister Underhill]

So I got a blast email from AFTRA that the "Do Not Work" order has been lifted, and SAG has posted the same on their website -- but apparently the production might still abandon New Zealand, per the latest reporting at Deadline Hollywood: Ire in the Shire Could Still Push Peter Jackson Pics Out of New Zealand.

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

He was Arthur Dent in the film version of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as well as Tim in the British version of the Office and was also in Love Actually.

Missed Hitchhiker's Guide, only saw a few snippets of the British The Office a long time ago, and saw Love Actually when it was out six years ago and don't remember him. Guess I'll have to check Netflix to see if I can scout him a bit...

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

Michael C Hall because in his role of David in Six Feet Under he managed the trick of playing a character who was likeable despite being repressed and prissy. But I guess playing Dexter would now make him too much of an odd choice!

Ha! The thought of Dexter as Bilbo adds a whole new dimension to Gandalf's assessment: "There is a lot more in him than you guess..."

[Aganzir]

Originally Posted by Tuor in Gondolin

So when's the planned release date?
And hopefully not in 3d.

December 2012 for the first film, it seems.

The difference between 3D and normal is that if they're doing it in 3D from the start, they'll probably do some silly camera tricks that are supposed to look cool in 3D but are really quite awkward. Well, it's their problem not ours - I probably only want to see the traditional version (assuming I decide to watch the movie in the first place, not so sure about that yet).