The Hobbit is finally greenlit!

[Penfold]

Martin Freeman so looks the part for Bilbo, an inspired bit of casting imo.

 

[Bouncy Castle]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news ... obbit.html

Benedict Cumberbatch on Smaug appearance in The Hobbit.

 

[Bouncy Castle]

From: BBC.


The first part of Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy has been chosen for this year's 65th Royal Film Performance.

Based on the novel by JRR Tolkien, The Hobbit is set 60 years before the Lord Of The Rings, which Jackson also made into a trilogy of films.

The Hobbit's cast stars Sherlock's Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins.

Organisers of the performance said they are "thrilled" that The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey will have its Royal UK premiere in London on 12th December.

In An Unexpected Journey, Baggins attempts to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from Smaug, the dragon.

Sir Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, the character he played in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, with Elijah Wood as Frodo and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield.
'Unswerving support'

Also reprising their roles from The Lord of the Rings in The Hobbit are Cate Blanchett as Galadriel; Christopher Lee as Saruman and Hugo Weaving as Elrond.

Anne Bennett, the president of the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund, said: "We are thrilled to be able to host the UK premiere of this highly anticipated first instalment of The Hobbit trilogy."

She added that the fund was "thankful" to Jackson and the companies behind the film for "providing this opportunity" and for the "unswerving support the Royal Family gives to our charity".

The Royal Film Performance is the main fundraiser for the Cinema and Television Benevolent Fund (CTBF), the trade charity for the UK film and television industries.

It provides care and financial help for industry employees and their families who suffer from hardship due to bereavement, illness, redundancy or other misfortunes.

The film will have its UK release in 3D and 2D in selected cinemas and Imax two days after the royal premiere on 14 December.

The second instalment - The Hobbit: There and Back Again - is due for release in December 2013.

 

[Tonyblack]

Sir Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, the character he played in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, with Elijah Wood as Frodo and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield.

Did I read that correctly - that Elijah Wood was going to play Frodo in it? That can't be right, can it?

 

[Bouncy Castle]

Apparently, yes:

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2011/01 ... he-hobbit/

BUT DON'T BLAME ME FOR SPOILERS in the article, as I wouldn't know a LoTR spoiler if it bit me on the bum.

 

[Bouncy Castle]

And Peter Jackson wants to direct an episode of Doctor Who!

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s7/docto ... ckson.html

 

[pip]

Sir Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf the Grey, the character he played in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, with Elijah Wood as Frodo and Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield.

Did I read that correctly - that Elijah Wood was going to play Frodo in it? That can't be right, can it?

I assume from what i've heard that the film starts with him frodo and Bilbos book . The whole thing starts before Bilbos birthday party and then flashes back the 60 years .

 

[Tonyblack]

That makes sense at least.

 

[Jan Van Quirm]

So Frodo's the narrator in flashbacks

Well it's a good cinematic solution and the Red Book thing (the book Frodo writes after LoTR and before heading West) is certainly indisputable in canon so no real carps on that side of things. Be nice to see how good a job they make of rejuvenating Elijah Woods and Sean Astin (presumably) as they're supposedly very young adults indeed when Frodo first goes to live with Uncle Bilbo after his parents drown in a boating accident and first hears the story. But I suppose they're doing it from the book writing perspective so not much of a stretch there :|

 

[Bouncy Castle]

Steady now, ladies. Steady now!

 

[Alanz]

I really enjoyed the book so hope the film is just as good

 

[michelanCello]

Was late and only caught the end of the premiere, but was just in time for Peter Jackson's speech and Ian McKellen's video greeting from London...
Can't wait to see the movie!

 

[MongoGutman]

three films eh? tricky. i suppose the third would have to be the journey home which tolkein kinda glosses over if i remember right... not anti the idea, just... tricky...

 

[Tonyblack]

If I remember correctly, there aren't any epic battles in The Hobbit.

 

[Jan Van Quirm]

If I remember correctly, there aren't any epic battles in The Hobbit.

There's the Battle of the Five Armies right at the end in the Hobbit (Dwarves, Elves, Men v Orcs & Wargs) that's in the main canon. Also Smaug's attack on Laketown which promises to be a CGI firefest

In one of the other 2 films there'll be a really pivotal unwritten in mainstream canon battle between the Elves and the Necromancer which is to do with what Gandalf was up to (with Elrond and Galadriel's husband Celeborn) while the Dwarves and Bilbo were in Mirkwood that should be pretty spectacular in that there ought to be some serious magic flinging going on which could well instigate some academic/merchandising outrage with the Tolkien Estate if they get it scandalously wrong.

There may also be some 'prequel' action with a rendition of how Smaug drives the Dwarves and Men out of the Kingdom of Erebor in the first place that could be very exciting indeed - knowing how PJ likes his battle action I have high hopes for all of those with a justifiable tinge of concern for some of the Legolas action where the Mirkwood Elves are concerned... :shifty:

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

I don't really care if there is some extra action in it, I will take as it is and as it comes I know he will make a good job of it, getting a little bit excited now just over two weeks to go I'm going to see it in an IMAX cinema to get the most out of it.

 

[Bouncy Castle]

Reviews : Good But Not Great.

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/ar ... great.html

Critics were predictably divided over the decision by Jackson to film The Hobbit using high-speed 3D cameras that capture twice the normal number of frames per second, with some early audiences reporting that the filming techniques made them feel nauseous and even caused migraines.

The movie is shot at a camera speed of 48 frames per second - double that normally used.

'The results are interesting and will be much-debated, but an initial comparison of the two formats weighs against the experiment; the print shown in what is being called "high frame rate 3D," while striking in some of the big spectacle scenes, predominantly looked like ultra-vivid television video, paradoxically lending the film a oddly theatrical look,' says The Hollywood Reporter.

 

[Jan Van Quirm]

Weeeeeell - it's a £ extra for the 3D at our local flicks so I'll risk the headache

 

[Who's Wee Dug]

I don't really care what the critics say, their opinion is no more valid as yours or mine, just like the yorkie Barry Norman who slagged off Bill & Ted film years ago on his TV show and had to come back on the next week to say sorry and eat humble pie, when the box office proved otherwise. need to get my ticket for the Imax booked soon.

 

[michelanCello]

I don't care about the critics either, can't wait so see it!