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Jackson Slated to Make Hobbit Movie, Sequel
syrinx writes "Peter Jackson, New Line Cinema, and MGM have agreed to work on two new movies: a film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Hobbit', and a further sequel. From the article: 'The two Hobbit films ... are scheduled to be shot simultaneously, with pre-production beginning as soon as possible. Principal photography is tentatively set for a 2009 start, with the intention of 'The Hobbit' release slated for 2010 and its sequel the following year, in 2011.'" Not sure if it would be possible to nab Ian Holm as Bilbo, but here's hoping.
I would prefer he do a series of short films based on the Unfinished Tales, then a documentary based on the Silmarilion. That would be awesome beyond all reason.
Unless Jackson is able to completely redo his visual style (and/or the way of thinking) for this project, I would not call this a good idea. "Hobbit" and "LOTR", even though separated in time by only several dozen years, evoke completely different feelings - with the former still staged inside a fairy tale, a time of wonders, while the latter is a clinical account of the fading of the Age; and since Jackson completely nailed that one, I find it hard to believe that the all-important overall tone is going to be adequate for the "Hobbit" project. He's going to film another installment of the same movie, and no mistake.
I can assure you, the best way to get rid of dragons is to have one of your own.
turning faramir into a flawed human almost like his brother instead of a noble character was done for time? making the elves and elrond out to be cowards was faithful to the original text? aragorn had to be pushed to be king, he didn't *always* recognize it as his birthright? jackson did an excellent job creating the world of lotr, but he fails utterly to understand the nobility in the books. he only can conceive of the hobbits as the heroes, doesn't understand or was incapable of portraying the unswerving nobility of aragorn, the rangers, and the elves. if all he did was shorten the books, he would have nothing but my utmost admiration. otoh, the hobbit is a more folksy book, and those grander themes are only hinted at, so mayhap it's better suited to his talents.