LOTR vs. TROY/KING ARTHUR

Hail! My first post in 2 years! Well anyway, those two epic movies are coming their way this year. Do you think they stand a chance in outweighing or even just reach the level of LOTR's onscreen magnitude? I've seen the trailers of both and I think they do come up with LOTR's scale (particularly the battle scenes in Troy as well as King Arthur w/c was really like watching a scene from the Pelennor field battle..)? *worried*..

[Mister Underhill]

What's to worry about? As a fan of epic quasi-historical adventure pics, I hope they're both great.

Wolfgang Petersen is an excellent director, so I have high hopes for Troy. On the other hand, King Arthur is directed by Antoine Fuqua, a former music-video director who now makes music-video action pictures (The Replacement Killers, Tears of the Sun), and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, who has made a load of money, but not, frankly, by making artistically ambitious movies. So my expectations for KA are, shall we say, a bit lower.

Neither film will stir the kind of mania that LotR has. I think both projects owe more to the success of Gladiator than to the success of LotR.

[Elentári_O_Most_Mighty_1]

I don't know anything about King Arthur...no, hang on, isn't Keira Knightley Guinevere in that one?
As for Troy...man, I can't wait for that one...(take a look at my avvie )

But they won't compare to LOTR...you won't get the obsessive fora and so on and websites springing up like you have for LOTR...and unless there are large numbers of people obsessing over Homer and the Athurian legends...*sniggers*

Nah, can't see it happening, to be honest. We're safely the freakiest of the freaks...

[Lathriel]

ALL FREAKS REJOICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway I didn't know about this King Arthur movie. Could you tell me more. Keira Knightly, Guinevere??
That sounds intersting, you made me curious.

I am not sure about Troy. they suddenly decided that Helen had to be Achele's wife. What the........!!!!!!!!
I think Troy looks a little plasticy, have you seen Brad Pitts armour. I don't know but it looked plastic.

[dancing spawn of ungoliant]

Off topic: for King Arthur (and other movies) trailer can be found from http://www.apple.com/trailers/

I was surprised to find out, how many historical war movies there are /are coming into theatres. Have there always been so many such films or has LotR made some kind of trend of war? At least both King Arthur and Troy seemed to have _HUGE_ battle scenes...
But I don't think that neither of this two will threaten LotR's position as a...well, what is it? One of our time's greatest film epics?

[Kronos]

As has already been mentioned both of these films were born more from the success of Gladiator (good box office and an Oscar) than LOTR. They both were likely to have been in the planning stages prior to the release of FOTR and it is interesting that both take a decidely non-mythological stance.
Arthur is based on more of an Ancient Briton, Celtic vibe. No knights in armour and magic swords here.
Troy is also being presented more as a historical epic than a straight interpretation of the Iliad. The Gods will not feature.

These factors seem to suggest that they are indeed based on Gladiator's success rather than LOTR. Although obviously the publics reaction to the battle scenes in TTT and ROTK will have reassured the investors greatly.

[Failivrin]

I can't wait for both

I found the trailer for KA to be ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING. it looks simply amazing. very few trailers actually do take my breath away and this was one of them. The power of Arthur ('mark my face, fo it is the last thing you shall see upon this earth'), the majesty of Merlin and KK excelling herself. I believe she is a very competent actress and in this she looked very good. In fact, my favourite shot from the whole trailer (which i watch every week) is near the end and it is of her commanding the troops. I cannot wait to see this amazing amazing looking film.

Troy also looks very good. the shot of all the boats is amazing. The Fantastic Orlando looks very good, it has Beanie in it, and Brian Cox, and Brad Pitt; all very very good actors. I love the quote that is something like 'thousands will die, cities will fall, and for love a nation will be raized to the ground'. The only thing i don't particluarly like is all the focus on Achilles when it should really be on Paris, Hector and Odysseus.

I think they will both match or almost match LOTR in terms of cinematic spectacle, but they will not touch me as much because i am in love with Tolkien.

[Finwe]

All right! I'm nearly obsessed with historical fiction, so I'm going to be the first in line to see both King Arthur and Troy! Granted, they're not going to get a following as large as LotR's, but they will have their share of fandom.

[Lathriel]

I am really curious about King Arthur because there are many movie versions out there. And most of them are far from acceptable. For example Excalibur is a terrible movie. I actually saw it at school and the whole class was just laughing their heads off.
Well Finwe I love historical movies too! If you ask me those are the best kind around.All my favourite movies are historical ones. If you like historical movies you should watch Master and Commander (If you haven't already) I really enjoyed it.
And King Arthur does look really cool. This movie might actually be a good version.

[Mister Underhill]

This topic had only a thin relationship to LotR to begin with, and I think it has run its course.

Closing -- though I am compelled to say in parting that Nicol Williamson was an excellent Merlin.