Slashdot Mirror


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.

37 of 496 comments (clear)

  1. sequel? by BlueStraggler · · Score: 5, Funny

    Didn't he already shoot the sequel to The Hobbit?

    1. Re:sequel? by moderatorrater · · Score: 5, Interesting

      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.

    2. Re:sequEl? by Gaerek · · Score: 5, Funny

      The first movie will be entitled "The Hobbit." The second movie is tenatively entitled "Movie About Hobbits in an Effort to Milk the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit Properties for All They're Worth." Of course, this is a tenative title and subject to change.

    3. Re:sequel? by rehtonAesoohC · · Score: 4, Insightful

      That would be awesome for the nerds of us who stayed awake through the introduction to the Valar.

    4. Re:sequel? by Lev13than · · Score: 4, Funny

      Be ready for disappointment - we've seen this "shoot the prequels after the main trilogy" bit before. $5 says Bilbo stabs first, Gimli will be replaced by an annoying CGI sidekick, and we'll learn that the rings get their special power because they're made of high-strength mitochlorian alloy.

      --
      When you have nothing left to burn you must set yourself on fire
    5. Re:sequel? by Ed+Avis · · Score: 4, Funny

      Will it include The Ballad of Bilbo Baggins by Leonard Nimoy?

      --
      -- Ed Avis ed@membled.com
    6. Re:sequEl? by techpawn · · Score: 5, Funny

      NO just watch...
      First movie. The Hobbit: There
      Second movie. The Hobbit: And Back again

      Just like the iocane powder I found, I'd bet my life on it!

      --
      Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what your country did to you
    7. Re:sequel? by roc97007 · · Score: 4, Funny

      I can understand the source of your confusion -- "Peter Jackson" and "George Lucas" sound almost identical.

      --
      Oliver's law of assumed responsibility: If you're seen fixing it, you will be blamed for breaking it.
    8. Re:sequel? by RDW · · Score: 4, Funny

      'Will the sequel be an original story? Or is there an existing (unfinished?) story to base it on?'

      Jackson isn't really bothered either way. He pretty much wrote a new story for The Two Towers, with a few set pieces from the book (mainly battles) inserted to let us know which film we were watching. And a Hobbit sequel will give him plenty of time to explore the history of Lurtz:

      http://archives.theonering.net/movie/char/lurtz.html

      explain how the Elves developed the art of Shield Surfing:

      http://www.theonering.net/scrapbook/view/7427

      tell the sad story of how Denethor became such a messy eater:

      http://www.tk421.net/lotr/film/rotk/img/rotk0911.jpg

      get Bilbo's friends out of a tight situation with a hilarious dwarf tossing scene:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_tossing#Popular_culture_references_to_dwarf_tossing

      and have Agent Elrond turn up with a sword at random moments:

      http://productimages1.colony1.net/5851/Elrond%20Bust.jpg

      just in time for a bit of gratuitous decapitation:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/?title=The_Mouth_of_Sauron

      Ian McKellen will be excellent, though.

    9. Re:sequel? by AdmiralWeirdbeard · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I think that the opening, with the creation of the world through the orchestra of the Valar would probably be one of the most epic and impressive audiovisual entertainments ever, if done right.

      --
      Come read my stupid blagablog. Rants and Giggles
    10. Re:sequel? by nightgeometry · · Score: 4, Insightful

      "The movies are for entertainment"...

      So what the fuck are the books for?

      --
      The best is the enemy of the good
    11. Re:sequel? by zero_offset · · Score: 4, Funny

      Documentary based on the Silmarillion

      Now that is a brilliant idea.


      Oh god, no... are you insane? The Silmarillion was like the Old Testament "Numbers" but for people who fantasize about fucking elves. And yeah, "fucking" is a verb in that sentence. "And Elbereth begat Dorkagar who begat Losermir and Choadalwyn, and Choadalwyn began Unwashedereth who did dewll in his mother's basement."

      --

      Slashdot quality declines as the number of hot grits posts decreases. - Provolt's Law, Apr-09-2005

    12. Re:sequel? by PCM2 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Be ready for disappointment - we've seen this "shoot the prequels after the main trilogy" bit before. $5 says Bilbo stabs first, Gimli will be replaced by an annoying CGI sidekick, and we'll learn that the rings get their special power because they're made of high-strength mitochlorian alloy.

      Don't be ridiculous. Whatever changes Jackson makes to the original plot will only be to engage the audience and create a more enjoyable movie experience. For example:

      • We will find out exactly why nobody tosses a dwarf.
      • We will witness the pulse-pounding "River Elf Olympics," complete with log rolling, barrel tossing, and other feats of leaping and agility.
      • Dori will be revisioned as a bearded, female dwarf -- but will her fondness for gold jewelery doom the expedition?
      • Jackson has secured the rights to the "Down, down to goblin town" song from the Rankin-Bass production, to be sung by Meatloaf during the end credits.
      • Due to pacing issues, Gollum's riddle game will be replaced with a form of Sudoku based on elf-runes -- expect toy tie-ins to be hot sellers for the Christmas season!
      • Extended sequences featuring Sauron in his guise as the Necromancer, complete with much foreshadowing.
      • We are enthralled as Andy Serkis succumbs to the Gollum persona as the movies progress; he completes his transformation by the end of the second film. Also, we are treated to a sneak preview of the riddle (sorry, Sudoku) game, in which Bilbo sees Gollum playing against Smeagol.
      • Beorn saves the party by battling several dinosaurs and a giant ape.
      • While in the house of Elrond, Bilbo plays Cyrano to a young Aragorn as he attempts to court his lady love, Arwen.
      • Bilbo kills Smaug.

      Great fun for the whole family!

      --
      Breakfast served all day!
    13. Re:sequel? by bckrispi · · Score: 4, Funny

      I mean, Gimli's not even in The Hobbit.
      ... not yet.
      --
      Xenon, where's my money? -Borno
    14. Re:sequel? by aussie_a · · Score: 4, Funny

      A cure to insomnia.

  2. Slashdot trolls by ZeroExistenZ · · Score: 4, Funny

    finally have a place to apply.

    --
    I think we can keep recursing like this until someone returns 1
  3. Re:Not that I care, but by rehtonAesoohC · · Score: 5, Informative

    Jackson has always wanted to do film The Hobbit, but due to legal issues they couldn't agree on terms.

    They've finally resolved, woo!

  4. Re:Not that I care, but by Chris+Burke · · Score: 4, Insightful

    But of course, like every such statement people make (e.g. "There's no way i'm sleeping with that donkey"), there is an unstated but very much present addendum of "unless someone gives me enough money, in which case hell yeah".

    P.S. examples are not from personal experience, and you can't prove otherwise.

    --

    The enemies of Democracy are
  5. Re:is this a good idea? by nuzak · · Score: 5, Insightful

    He will disappoint you. Bank on it. The other 99.99% of us will, however, probably like it.

    --
    Done with slashdot, done with nerds, getting a life.
  6. Hmmm... by CaptainPatent · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Peter Jackson did a great job in visualizing and bringing to life a story in which the plot was already fully written. I love the fact he's producing a version of "the hobbit" to go along with the LOTR Trilogy, but I'm not so sure about the sequel to it. I realize there is a gap between the two stories (around a 70 year gap actually) but what will the plot consist of?

    I suppose it could go both ways, the first way with Peter Jackson doing a great job of tying the two books together and leading straight into the LOTR trilogy, the other with Peter Jackson unzipping and urinating on JRR Tolkien's masterpieces.

    --
    Well, back to rejecting software patent applications.
  7. The Sequel's title will be... by Korveck · · Score: 5, Funny

    "The daily life of Tom Bombadil, Treebeard, and Radagast" Sponsored by Green Peace.

  8. Re:Martin Freeman Would Be Better by charlesbakerharris · · Score: 5, Informative

    Am I the only one who's noticed that Martin Freeman wasn't actually in the LOTR?

  9. Re:Not that I care, but by Kjella · · Score: 4, Funny

    P.S. examples are not from personal experience, and you can't prove otherwise. Unless I pay someone enough money for the tape, right?
    --
    Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings
  10. Re:Note to director: no jar-jar by gstoddart · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Note to director: please don't add some pointless character to sell kids toys in this movie, just go "by the book", literally.

    But, Jackson didn't do that in LOTR did he? Except for some minor changes to the overall arc of the film, I found he did a pretty faithful job of it.

    I think he's the director we have the least to worry about. At least, I hope he is. The cinemas wanted him because he has proven he can make the movies (and, of course, make the money) - at least it's not Uwe Boll. ;-)

    Cheers
    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  11. Re:Actors ... by njfuzzy · · Score: 5, Informative

    I believe that Sir Ian McKellen has said that he would be overjoyed to play Gandalf-- but not if Peter Jackson wasn't involved. I would say he's likely to reprise the role, which is more important than Ian Holm (who would clearly be too old) in terms of continuity. I'd say the other big role to worry about would be Gollum.

    --
    My Photography - http://ian-x.com
    The Deathlings (comic) - http://thedeathlings.com
  12. Re:Not that I care, but by Chris+Burke · · Score: 4, Funny

    Unless I pay someone enough money for the tape, right?

    Ah, you're catching on.

    --

    The enemies of Democracy are
  13. Re:is this a good idea? by OmegaBlac · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Given the abject disasters that Jackson's "The Two Towers" and "The Return of the King" were
    Box office sales, the Oscars (ROTK garned a Best Film award of 2003), numerous film critics, the countless fans that enjoyed the trilogy, and many other film awards disagree with you there. Those two films may have strayed of the Tolkien path somewhat, but to call them an "abject disaster" is hilarious. Fortunately, your opinion is only shared by a small minority.
  14. the ending.. by savuporo · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hope they get the the ending right this time.

    --
    http://validator.w3.org/check?uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.slashdot.org Errors found while checking this document as HTML5!
  15. Re:Sequel?? by dubbreak · · Score: 5, Funny

    ..with Bilbo at the end screaming "DO NOT WANT"

    There, fixed that for you.
    --
    "If you are going through hell, keep going." - Winston Churchill
  16. LOTR actors by syrinx · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I don't think Ian Holm will be able to be cast as Bilbo... they made him look younger for a brief shot in LOTR, but from what I remember it involved stretching the skin on his face, etc, and wouldn't be workable for a full movie.

    Ian McKellen and Andy Serkis I believe have both said they'd be very interested in coming back for a Hobbit movie as Gandalf and Gollum. The only other cross-over character bookwise would be Elrond; I don't know if Hugo Weaving has said anything one way or the other. (I suppose there was some guy in the FOTR movie who was ostensibly Gloin at the council scene, but I don't think anyone would notice if he came back or not...)

    They could sneak in cameos from other actors I suppose; there's nothing saying Legolas wasn't hanging out with his father in the Elves' home in Mirkwood. I don't know that I want Legolas showing up at the Battle of Five Armies to surf on an eagle shooting down wargs though.

    (Hey, so about 7 years in between accepted Slashdot submissions. Roland, I'm catching up!)

    --
    Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
  17. Saumel L Jackson? by fahrbot-bot · · Score: 4, Funny
    Was I the only one who was worried that the title was referring to Michael Jackson?

    For some reason, I initially thought of Samuel L Jackson. Wouldn't that be interesting? "Get away from the gemstone Mother F*cker!"

    --
    It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
  18. Re:sequal? by spocksbrain · · Score: 4, Funny

    The second movie will be a TV special entitled: "The Lord of the Rings Holiday Special", in which Gandalf and Frodo visit the shire to celebrate "Life Day". Meanwhile the town of Hobbiton is being overrun by ringwraiths who try to ruin everything but eventually learn the true meaning of Life Day. Also includes Liv Tyler singing the main theme of "The Lord of the Rings".

  19. Re:Comical dwarves? by Man+On+Pink+Corner · · Score: 4, Insightful

    What was Jackson thinking there? "Hey, let's make an epic movie, based on an epic novel. And why not change the complete character of one of the key players?"

    He was thinking, "Goddamn, this Tolkien guy needed to get laid. This whole thing is one giant sausage-fest, and ol' J.R.R.'s idea of comic relief appears to have been, well, Tom Bombadil. If I'm going to bring these stories to a wider audience, which I have to do in order to justify the production costs needed to do justice to the material, I'm obviously going to have to tweak a few things. I can have turn Gimli into a goofball and have Arwen save Frodo, or everything else about the production is going to suck. Gee. What do I do here?"

  20. TFA, apparently sucks, read the BBC story by captainjaroslav · · Score: 4, Informative

    I say "apparently" because TFA is actually blocked where I am right now, but the most common questions people seem to be asking in this discussion are:

    1) "Sequel, WTF?"

    and

    2)"Will Ian McKellen return as Gandalf?"

    According to this article:
    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7150644.stm
    the answers are:

    1) No, there will not be a sequel based on some new not-created-by-Tolkien story, The Hobbit will be two movies.

    2) Yes.

    --
    I'm just sayin'.
  21. Re:Not that I care, but by ddavis539 · · Score: 4, Informative

    Somehow I think that this has more to do with the disappointing results from the Golden Compass movie, which New line was hoping would be a 3-year blockbuster holiday series. It appears that the various religious groups are convincing their members to stay away from it due to the anti-religious message in the books.

  22. I'd rather not by Yurka · · Score: 4, Interesting

    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.
  23. Re:good, might as well ruin the Hobbit too by Yunzil · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Don't write- just film the book. Thank you.

    Yes, because there's nothing the general audience adores more than a 20 hour movie, of which 15 hours are shots of people walking, accented by the occasional 2 hour Ent song.