Inching closer to The Hobbit film - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Sauron the White · 12-01-2007, 08:50 AM

This in from a site called marketsaw which specializes in 3-D news. They have some track record as they have released some items about the James Cameron film AVATAR. Jacksons company is also doing some special effects work on AVATAR. While I cannot vouch for the accuracy of this site or this report, it is interesting and gives us something to speculate about.

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Friday, November 30, 2007
Hot Hobbit News! Jackson Will Helm "The Hobbit" As Two 3D Prequels to LOTRs! AND...
Ok folks - this is hot off my sources and they are the ones who provided the Avatar Ney'tiri image so it is pretty darn reliable:

Peter Jackson will indeed DIRECT "The Hobbit"! This is my second source telling me this. You can be 100% SURE that this is happening. The story will be split into two separate movies as was previously thought with the second relating much more to "Lord of the Rings" than the first.

Wait, as if that wasn't enough: Here is the kicker people: "The Hobbit" will be in 3D. Yes. You heard it on MarketSaw first - both Hobbit movies will be shot in 3D. FURTHER, New Line and Peter Jackson then intend on converting the Lord of the Rings trilogy into 3D as well and re-releasing them in theaters between 2012 and 2014! How is that for big news??Awesome stuff!! I have this news from one source, not two.

Of course this is exclusive news and has not been announced by New Line or Peter Jackson yet. If my sources are 100% correct (and I have plenty of trust in them, believe me) then we are going to see an announcement relatively soon as "The Hobbit" is not a trivial project to be sure and needs to get ramped up!

Just what does this mean for the 3D movie industry? It means total validation. It underscores that if you are going to do a huge motion picture from today on, it had better be in 3D. George Lucas is still intending on converting his entire stable of Star Wars films into 3D too. The validation is huge for the movie industry as a whole and for the theater customers! Lets just hope that my sources are bang on as they usually are.

SAME DAY UPDATE: Here is an excerpt from my email with my source regarding CASTING:

"No casting info yet. But they are looking forward to bring back Sir Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis and Hugo Weaving. For these 3 actors, the chances are really good.
I'm not sure about the release date, but I think 2010 for the first film, and 2011 for second, is what they are trying to get into everybodys calendar. So it would make sense with my information of following with the converted Trilogy in 2012 – 2014. That is all happening, but there must be said, that there is a possibility of +/- 1 to 2 years to the whole thing. If I get to know more, I try to tell ya."
I would heavily suspect that Jackson will shoot "The Hobbit" back to back as he is an old pro at that now and heck you know damn well that its gonna rake in cash. And as my source pointed out, finding a window to fit everyone's schedule is going to be damn hard.

Galendor · 12-01-2007, 05:33 PM

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Hot Hobbit News! Jackson Will Helm "The Hobbit" As Two 3D Prequels to LOTRs!

Thank you STW for posting this update news. But I don't think it is good news. I fear it means the primary emphasis will be on creating wow-bang! 3D special effects, and little things like, um, acting and storyline will suffer for it. All 3D movies have scenes stuck in them soley for the purpose of having something appear to come out of the screen at the audience. Bleah.

I fear Jackson will make The Hobbit as a vehicle to showcase 3D special effects and to appeal to the lowest common denominator, the popcorn-chewing masses. And The Hobbit story we know and love will get lost in all the SFX.

Worst case scenario, here is a potential synopsis of a Jackson 3D The Hobbit movie, from the perspective of his target audience member (a 15 year old boy):

Cool! Those smoke rings were coming right out at me!

Cool! That Troll reached right out at me!

Cool! Them wargs jumped right out at me!

Cool! That white stag jumped right out at me!

Cool! That giant spider jumped right out at me!

Cool! That Smaug fire came right out at me!

Cool! That black arrow flew right out at me!

Cool! That blood from Bolg sprayed right out at me!

Cool! Those eagles flew right out at me!

Sigh. I don't want 3D special effects. I just want the magic and beauty of the book to be carefully and thoughtfully turned into a movie that focuses mainly on storyline, acting, character development, and emotions. Just my 2 cents.

TheGreatElvenWarrior · 12-01-2007, 08:55 PM

Ugh!

I think that 3D is a bad idea, because some people can't watch them. Like me, because you have to wear those funky glasses and some people can't use them because their blind in one eye or something.

Stupid special effects!.... I could shoot them!

Sauron the White · 12-02-2007, 09:29 AM

There is no doubt that the history of cinematic efforts in 3D films is not a stellar one which has produced excellent films. And yes, it mostly has been a gimmick niche of entertainment where the story and acting has taken a distant backseat to the eyepopping effects. However....

Jacksons company is currently working with James Cameron in developing something revolutionary for his massive AVATAR project. Cameron is leading the way for an entirely new approach to film in much the same way that both sound or color did for feature films. We will have to wait another two years to see AVATAR and judge its effectiveness as a film and to judge its effect on the industry. I see Jacksons interest in 3D along the same lines of Cameron. I would fully expect the story to be excellent, the acting to be on a par with the LOTR films, and see a multi-layered approach to story telling complexity and characterization.

Of course, this story that I posted yesterday could be bogus. We will see. The one thing that tends to ring with a bit of truth is that Jackson may see an opportunity here with THE HOBBIT that he could not garner with any other film property. It is widely assumed within the industry that THE HOBBIT is a billion dollar property. It is also widely assumed within the industry that Jackson is the only man to make it and maximize that revenue potential. This combination gives Jackson more power and latitude in making the film than in any other choice he could make.

We will see.

Sauron the White · 12-02-2007, 10:21 AM

AICN - aintitcoolnews is reporting that they have contacted Jacksons people and they are denying the story saying it is not true.

Sauron the White · 12-06-2007, 08:35 AM

Marketsaw is not backing down from the earlier report that said Jackson would indeed direct THE HOBBIT in two parts. In fact they have gone even further saying that is is a definite thing already agreed to. Here is the story from their website

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Concerning "The Hobbit":

Basically my source confirms that PJ's camp is covering up what they don't want the world to know yet. But this is what he can assure me:

1. New Line WANTS Peter Jackson to direct The Hobbit. (Another source has said that they are close to an agreement). My sources are "guaranteeing" that he will direct. I have never heard them say this before! My reputation is riding on this one. 100% veracity.

2. The Hobbit WILL BE a two part film - but here is the new information - the second film will be influenced by the foundation of "The Silmarillion" and "The History of Middle-earth Series" (which is a 12 part series of books where JRR's son, Christopher Tolkien analyses JRR's old manuscripts; the manuscripts that ultimately led to become "The Silmarillion", "Lord of the Rings" and "Númenor" which is sort of like Atlantis). The second movie will ultimately lead us up to creation of The Fellowship in a graceful and logical fashion! So for all of you out there that thought that "The Hobbit" is too short a story for two feature movies (let alone two Peter Jackson feature movies) then you were right. Before you ask, my source has reminded me that PJ has access to the JRR manuscripts and extensive notes as he did for the LOTR trilogy. These notes were the foundation for the two books mentioned above, but are not the books themselves (which are still in the Tolkien family's hands). I mention the books to better frame what he has in mind. Jackson borrowed from Tolkien's notes for LOTR to build the story he wanted. He will do so again for The Hobbit.

Now that is simply awesome news! There is a great deal of Middle-earth information in those manuscripts and the interpretation of Tolkien's son adds much more content of course. It goes without saying that this has not been officially announced. Peter Jackson will direct "The Hobbit" and it's sequel: This is insider information from sources that are on the battle front and they are staking their reputation on it! I have this info from two separate sources as I have posted before. I have never heard them be so emphatic about something taking place before. The Hobbit in 3D is just the sort of movie to bring 3D to the masses in a big way with Avatar providing the 1-2 punch.

Reactions???

Quempel · 12-06-2007, 09:35 AM

Who is Marketsaw and what connection do they have to the movie industry, New Line, Peter Jackson and Tolkien? I researched the blog and to me it seems it's a blog by a single man who may or may not have any connection to anything. I have to ask where does he get his information.

12-01-2007, 08:55 PM	#3
TheGreatElvenWarrior Mighty Quill Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Walking off to look for America Posts: 2,230	Ugh! I think that 3D is a bad idea, because some people can't watch them. Like me, because you have to wear those funky glasses and some people can't use them because their blind in one eye or something. Stupid special effects!.... I could shoot them! __________________ The Party Doesn't Start Until You're Dead.

12-06-2007, 09:35 AM	#7
Quempel Haunting Spirit Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: In a flower Posts: 97	Who is Marketsaw and what connection do they have to the movie industry, New Line, Peter Jackson and Tolkien? I researched the blog and to me it seems it's a blog by a single man who may or may not have any connection to anything. I have to ask where does he get his information. __________________ Lurking behind Uncle Fester

12-02-2007, 09:29 AM	#4
Sauron the White Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 903	There is no doubt that the history of cinematic efforts in 3D films is not a stellar one which has produced excellent films. And yes, it mostly has been a gimmick niche of entertainment where the story and acting has taken a distant backseat to the eyepopping effects. However.... Jacksons company is currently working with James Cameron in developing something revolutionary for his massive AVATAR project. Cameron is leading the way for an entirely new approach to film in much the same way that both sound or color did for feature films. We will have to wait another two years to see AVATAR and judge its effectiveness as a film and to judge its effect on the industry. I see Jacksons interest in 3D along the same lines of Cameron. I would fully expect the story to be excellent, the acting to be on a par with the LOTR films, and see a multi-layered approach to story telling complexity and characterization. Of course, this story that I posted yesterday could be bogus. We will see. The one thing that tends to ring with a bit of truth is that Jackson may see an opportunity here with THE HOBBIT that he could not garner with any other film property. It is widely assumed within the industry that THE HOBBIT is a billion dollar property. It is also widely assumed within the industry that Jackson is the only man to make it and maximize that revenue potential. This combination gives Jackson more power and latitude in making the film than in any other choice he could make. We will see.

12-02-2007, 10:21 AM	#5
Sauron the White Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 903	AICN - aintitcoolnews is reporting that they have contacted Jacksons people and they are denying the story saying it is not true.