Peter Jackson should direct a Marvel film

[Hypestyle]

He's going to need something to do after being done with the Hobbit films.. unless there are some unexploited Tolkien properties to explore..

He can give a Marvel film an epic scope that it deserves, far and beyond the 90 minutes that is typical for superhero fantasy..

..The WETA special effects group is top notch, they could work wonders with the spectacle that would likely be involved in Marvel's films..

So, it would be in Marvel's best interest to approach him as soon as possible, you never know what could come up..

[Project862006]

marvel would interfere and not give him a good enough budget imo

i would have better faith if it was marvel property not under Marvel studios so he can be left to his own devices

[dark_b]

marvel? marvel studios are cheap. Peter Jackson needs to work with a studio that will give him a big budget for his big vision.

[KangConquers]

Wow, really going for obscure and inspired choices aren't we? :-).

[Bruce_Begins]

According to Marvel fans, Marvel Studios are already very good in bringing epic comic book movies to big screen, a sentiment shared by many established movie critics, they have talented new directors, so who needs a Peter Jackson ?

And WETA and ILM are both already working for Avengers.

[KangConquers]

According to Marvel fans, Marvel Studios are already very good in bringing epic comic book movies to big screen, a sentiment shared by many established movie critics, they have talented new directors, so who needs a Peter Jackson ?

And WETA and ILM are both already working for Avengers.

I also feel like Marvel Studios has their own vision that would interfere with a Spielberg, Jackson, or Lucas. You basically need a director who will bend to Marvel's will on some level.

Directors whose filmographies have outgrossed a company's entire output aren't likely to bend at all.

[Bruce_Begins]

^^ And well known directors have their own unique vision on comics characters like James Cameron's Spider-Man was very different concept from the comics Spider-Man.

[KangConquers]

^^ And well known directors have their own unique vision on comics characters like James Cameron's Spider-Man was very different concept from the comics Spider-Man.

I think Marvel's best bet is always to find the next great director, not go by past accomplishments. Consider this; prior to the Lord of the Rings Trilogy's towering 3 billion dollar worldwide gross, Jackson was a director of unprofitable yet likeable low-budget horror films. If New Line hadn't taken a chance with Jackson, we wouldn't have the trilogy, and Jackson wouldn't even be discussed on these forums.

The same thing holds true in comic book movies; Martin Campbell was a famous, respected director, and his Green Lantern bombed and had a weak reception. Christopher Nolan, Sam Raimi and Jon Favreau were all lesser known at the time of their big movies, and those 3 launched the 3 biggest superhero franchises around.

Marvel Studios should always search for the guy with the right vision, not the proven director.

[Bruce_Begins]

So far I have liked the choice of Jon Favreau and Sony's choice Mark Webb, Kenneth Branagh and Joe Johnston were safe choices, as for Joss Whedon we have to see what happens but he seems to be alright.

[cherokeesam]

I agree with all the assessments of Marvel Studios above....Jackson is, frankly, out of their league and not the kind of big-name director they're interested in.

PJ would be far likelier to direct a DC movie for Warners or a Fox or Sony Marvel film before you'd ever see him working for Marvel Studios.

[Willie Lumpkin]

I'd give my left nut to have him direct an FF film with appropriate budget.

[Alientraveller]

He's going to need something to do after being done with the Hobbit films..

He does actually.

http://us.tintin.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/adventures-tintin-red-rackhams-treasure-album.jpg

http://www.scifinow.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/mortalengines.jpg

http://img1.fantasticfiction.co.uk/images/c4/c24684.jpg

[DarkSovereignty]

and he could always, idk, go back to directing original films.

[El Payaso]

I don't see what for. The movie will look and feel like a Marvel movie, not a Jackson movie anyways. For the better or the worse, directors don't do their thing with Marvel.

[Thebumwhowalks]

There is no way PJ will ever direct any superhero film for any studio, I just don't think it's his style.
He will probably direct more fantasy book adaptations though at some point, there was talk a few years ago of him getting the rights to a series of fantasy books that had flying boats or something.

[El Payaso]

There is no way PJ will ever direct any superhero film for any studio, I just don't think it's his style.

True but at the same time I never thought Branagh would.

[Airwings]

A Marvel Studios film, or a film with a Marvel Comics character? I prefer the latter, because that is not limited to just Marvel Studios.
Maybe Fantastic Four?
There is no way PJ will ever direct any superhero film for any studio, I just don't think it's his style.
He will probably direct more fantasy book adaptations though at some point, there was talk a few years ago of him getting the rights to a series of fantasy books that had flying boats or something.
So fantasy films are his style, but not superhero films? That depends on the superhero character, I say. There are some fantasy-based at DC's

[Thebumwhowalks]

So fantasy films are his style, but not superhero films? That depends on the superhero character, I say. There are some fantasy-based at DC's

I know, but I just get the feeling he is more into adapting novels.

[Airwings]

I know, but I just get the feeling he is more into adapting novels.But he's also into doing films with fantasic sceneries and settings, and telling stories about supernatural stuff. Not to forget, there are good vs evil themes in his films.

[batdude]

He would have been a great choice for Thor, but I can't seen him doing the sequels. Dr. Strange maybe?

[Majik1387]

All you people saying Jackson needs a huge budget is crazy. :o

[KangConquers]

Not budget, but total power. He wouldn't play ball with marvel studios, who are quite frankly small fish compared to him.

[Video Business]

He could direct a Marvel Secret Wars movie in a pinch.

[Oberon sexton]

Love to see him do a Hulk movie with Andy Serkis in the title role.

[DrCosmic]

^Wow. Jackson would actually do the Hulk some justice. Like it.

[KangConquers]

He could direct a Marvel Secret Wars movie in a pinch.

Secret Wars was literally an event thrown together to sell action figures. It wouldn't make an incredibly inspiring movie, especially with half the key characters over at Fox and Sony.

[marcvader]

If I had to pick something for Jackson it would have to be Ka Zar.

[KangConquers]

If I HAD to (and I probably wouldn't) I'd go with Guardians of the Galaxy, The Inhumans or something else with a huge ensemble cast.

[cherokeesam]

If I had to pick something for Jackson it would have to be Ka Zar.


I dunno, he'd do a damn fine job with Thor, and probably with Fantastic Four. Maybe even some of the cosmic films, like Guardians of the Galaxy.

It's just not gonna happen when you've got a budget-conscious studio on a tight schedule versus a big-name filmmaker who wants his own creative control.

[Willie Lumpkin]

If I had to pick something for Jackson it would have to be Ka Zar.

Seriously or are you just kidding? I could see that he could make a good story out of it, but there are so many properties that could use his touch to tell a much grander story.

I still don't feel that any Marvel Characters have lived up to their potential.

Spider-man came close, but I can't help feeling that every film I've ever seen of any marvel character has always seemed . . . smaller . . . than what I read in the comic books.

Jackson has shown an amazing talent for telling huge tales - the way comic book movies should be.

I'd definitely see a Jackson directed Ka Zar but I'd rather see his talents used to finally give us a grand marvel film of the scale we've always expected from the images we saw and worlds we imagined as kids.

[marcvader]

The only reason I'd pick him for something smallish like Ka Zar compared to what some of you are suggesting is that I really haven't seen him do any sci fi or family type stuff yet. Not suggesting he can't do it cause I think he's a beast of a director. Ka Zar I feel is more up his alley with they beautiful but dangerous vistas and locals he always seems to nail as well as his use of creatures and monsters. None the less that's my reasoning for going with Ka Zar as opposed to the big sci fi properties you guys seem to be suggesting for him.

[Willie Lumpkin]

The only reason I'd pick him for something smallish like Ka Zar compared to what some of you are suggesting is that I really haven't seen him do any sci fi or family type stuff yet. Not suggesting he can't do it cause I think he's a beast of a director. Ka Zar I feel is more up his alley with they beautiful but dangerous vistas and locals he always seems to nail as well as his use of creatures and monsters. None the less that's my reasoning for going with Ka Zar as opposed to the big sci fi properties you guys seem to be suggesting for him.

:up: Good point.

[Thebumwhowalks]

Secret Wars was literally an event thrown together to sell action figures. It wouldn't make an incredibly inspiring movie, especially with half the key characters over at Fox and Sony.

Aw, who cares why it was put together, it still reads as a great popcorny sci-fi yarn, the stuff with Doctor Doom becoming god-like was superb, they could hang a good storyline on that for a movie adaptation, while all the usual type of action is going on with the war.
Talking theoretically here of course, as it would be very difficult to find a super-villan who could fill that DDoom role in a Marvel studio production.

[marcvader]

Wouldn't mind an animated Secret Wars.

[The Morningstar]

Annihilation. If Marvel want to kick off their cosmic stories then they need to do something spectacular and not end up with another Green Lantern.

But yea, I doubt Jackson would work with Marvel.

[Thebumwhowalks]

But he's also into doing films with fantasic sceneries and settings, and telling stories about supernatural stuff. Not to forget, there are good vs evil themes in his films.


Aye, I know all that of course, it's just a gut instinct I have that he will never make a superhero movie, for *any* studio. I think he would just look at the genre and feel that it would be too much of a predictable move to make, I don't think he would be excited over the prospect of such a film, given their abundance.

[Thebumwhowalks]

Annihilation. If Marvel want to kick off their cosmic stories then they need to do something spectacular and not end up with another Green Lantern.



there is no way Marvel are gonna cough up the dough for a space sci-fi epic...I know they spoke of that before, last year, but, nah, no way, maybe in ten years time when they have a lot more capital under their belts and feel they can risk it.
they want to be seen as winners, through and through, they are not gonna want to risk their unbroken record of financially successful movies.

[KangConquers]

Aw, who cares why it was put together, it still reads as a great popcorny sci-fi yarn, the stuff with Doctor Doom becoming god-like was superb, they could hang a good storyline on that for a movie adaptation, while all the usual type of action is going on with the war.
Talking theoretically here of course, as it would be very difficult to find a super-villan who could fill that DDoom role in a Marvel studio production.

Kang, Thanos, Red Skull, or Loki could all fit.

[Thebumwhowalks]

Kang, Thanos, Red Skull, or Loki could all fit.

I never read any with Thanos, but Doom has teamed up with the heroes before, with the FF against the Overmind, and with Spider-man in MTU. As far I know, none of those other villans have teamed up with the heroes, maybe Loki with Thor against a common foe I guess, but I can't really imagine any of those other villans doing a complete turnaround in attitude to the heroes the way Doom did at the end of SW.
He only blew them all up because he perceived them as attacking without provocation.

[Ultimatehero]

http://ridiculouslyawesome.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/namor11.jpg

- This is what Peter Jackson SHOULD do, give him a property that has plenty of mythological spectacle elements behind it.

[KangConquers]

I never read any with Thanos, but Doom has teamed up with the heroes before, with the FF against the Overmind, and with Spider-man in MTU. As far I know, none of those other villans have teamed up with the heroes, maybe Loki with Thor against a common foe I guess, but I can't really imagine any of those other villans doing a complete turnaround in attitude to the heroes the way Doom did at the end of SW.
He only blew them all up because he perceived them as attacking without provocation.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avengers_Forever

[Airwings]

http://ridiculouslyawesome.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/namor11.jpg

- This is what Peter Jackson SHOULD do, give him a property that has plenty of mythological spectacle elements behind it.
Sorry but I rather see him adapt Aquaman

[kedrell]

Marvel Studios doesn't need Peter Jackson. While he could do a Marvel film justice, dealing with some director who wants total control is not what they are likely to want. And why on Earth should they at this point? They're doing fine.

[Thebumwhowalks]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avengers_Forever

Ok, and doesn't Doom make some ref to Kang possibly being a descendant of his? I don't know if that's true, or if he was just making some kind of character comparison there, but, aye, it wouldn't quite be the same, but Kang would be fine in that role I guess.

[The Morningstar]

Marvel Studios doesn't need Peter Jackson. While he could do a Marvel film justice, dealing with some director who wants total control is not what they are likely to want. And why on Earth should they at this point? They're doing fine.

If they wanna take their movies to the next level then they need to get visionary directors like Jackson and let him do what he wants.

I mean sure their films have been good to great, but if they wanna do something really special, they need to stop with these "films by committee" and let a director go crazy.

[Hypestyle]

If they wanna take their movies to the next level then they need to get visionary directors like Jackson and let him do what he wants.

I mean sure their films have been good to great, but if they wanna do something really special, they need to stop with these "films by committee" and let a director go crazy.

absolutely.. same goes for getting Guillermo del Toro involved..

[Majik1387]

Marvel Studios doesn't need Peter Jackson. While he could do a Marvel film justice, dealing with some director who wants total control is not what they are likely to want. And why on Earth should they at this point? They're doing fine.
What adaptations has Jackson done where he's totally redone the source material? :huh:

As far as I hear, his LOTR trilogy is some of the most true to the book movies there are. And considering the crowds he would draw, Marvel should let him have total control.

[S. Grundy]

Marvel Studios doesn't need Peter Jackson. While he could do a Marvel film justice, dealing with some director who wants total control is not what they are likely to want. And why on Earth should they at this point? They're doing fine.

Plus, Marvel are kinda cheap and Jackson is waaaaay out of their price range.

[Ultimatehero]

Sorry but I rather see him adapt Aquaman

I'd like that more too -- BUT this is what Marvel film.

[Thebumwhowalks]

What adaptations has Jackson done where he's totally redone the source material? :huh:

As far as I hear, his LOTR trilogy is some of the most true to the book movies there are. And considering the crowds he would draw, Marvel should let him have total control.

It's not just about that, it's also about how much time he would want to make the movie. Favereu left cause he wasn't given enough time to do IM2 properly, and apparently this is why Kenneth Brahnanaman isn't doing Thor 2. Could have been the same deal with Patty Jenkins too.
it's the downside of this shared universe deal, they want to time all the movie releases to build up to Avengers movies, and also want to make enough money in an alloted time, they don't want to lose any momentum, but the films are suffering in potential quality as a result due to this rushed schedule, in a lot of people's opinions.

[kedrell]

If they wanna take their movies to the next level then they need to get visionary directors like Jackson and let him do what he wants.

I mean sure their films have been good to great, but if they wanna do something really special, they need to stop with these "films by committee" and let a director go crazy.

They have their own plan on where they're going(at least, I think/hope they do and so far all indicators are showing such) and they're not going to hire any director who's not on board with the idea. And there are plenty of directors who ARE on board with the idea and these are the guys who Marvel is going after.

And while PJ's LOTR movies were great(a large amount of that credit must go to Tolkien himself) and I'm sure the Hobbit movies will be as well; what else has he done that was all that great? Nothing as far as I can tell. W/O the LOTR movies on his resume', he'd still be a relative nobody.

[kedrell]

What adaptations has Jackson done where he's totally redone the source material? :huh:

As far as I hear, his LOTR trilogy is some of the most true to the book movies there are. And considering the crowds he would draw, Marvel should let him have total control.

I never claimed that he had. And having his name alone attached wouldn't necessarily draw any bigger crowds than a whole host of other director's names being attached. His last movie didn't exactly pack'em in at the theater now did it?

[kedrell]

Plus, Marvel are kinda cheap and Jackson is waaaaay out of their price range.

I'd say they are fiscally responsible rather than cheap(not one of their movies has lost money for them) but in any event, yeah PJ would ask for too much $ for Marvel's tastes.

[kedrell]

It's not just about that, it's also about how much time he would want to make the movie. Favereu left cause he wasn't given enough time to do IM2 properly, and apparently this is why Kenneth Brahnanaman isn't doing Thor 2. Could have been the same deal with Patty Jenkins too.
it's the downside of this shared universe deal, they want to time all the movie releases to build up to Avengers movies, and also want to make enough money in an alloted time, they don't want to lose any momentum, but the films are suffering in potential quality as a result due to this rushed schedule, in a lot of people's opinions.


Any evidence of this? Because it sounds like the usual fanbase guessing at stuff they really have no behind the scenes view into. Both Branagh ^ Favreau have publically stated that they are still on good terms with Marvel even though they chose not to come back and make another film after their last one.

And I for one think that so far MS's crappier efforts is still better than other studio's golden ones.

[Airwings]

I'd like that more too -- BUT this is what Marvel film.
But you brought up Namor, so there was no way I could stop myself from making a post :woot:

[kedrell]

Personally, I'll take Namor over Aquaman any day of the week and twice on Sunday.

[R_Hythlodeus]

Hell no, that guy complete f***ed the LOTR adaptations up, I don't want that heck anywhere near Marvel movies.

[Thebumwhowalks]

Any evidence of this? Because it sounds like the usual fanbase guessing at stuff they really have no behind the scenes view into. Both Branagh ^ Favreau have publically stated that they are still on good terms with Marvel even though they chose not to come back and make another film after their last one.

And I for one think that so far MS's crappier efforts is still better than other studio's golden ones.

There were quite a few articles about in the lead up to IM2's production, saying that JF was not happy about having to make it in 2 yrs instead of 3, and i guess since it was not that well recieved critically, he didn't want to make another.
And aye, it was someone on a thread said it was the same with Branagh, so I haven't read of that in any article with reputable sources, but it did sound believable to me.

[R_Hythlodeus]

And aye, it was someone on a thread said it was the same with Branagh, so I haven't read of that in any article with reputable sources, but it did sound believable to me.
Let me guess, that "someone" was Alexei?
Branagh wanted to direct another movie (Italian Shoe or whatever it is called) as well as acting in a couple of others. So it really was a timing issue more than anything else.

[kedrell]

There were quite a few articles about in the lead up to IM2's production, saying that JF was not happy about having to make it in 2 yrs instead of 3, and i guess since it was not that well recieved critically, he didn't want to make another.
And aye, it was someone on a thread said it was the same with Branagh, so I haven't read of that in any article with reputable sources, but it did sound believable to me.

And since when was IM2 not well received critically? RT says otherwise.

[Thebumwhowalks]

Let me guess, that "someone" was Alexei?
Branagh wanted to direct another movie (Italian Shoe or whatever it is called) as well as acting in a couple of others. So it really was a timing issue more than anything else.

no, I haven't read any of his posts since the beginning of the year, haven't heard him say that. I don't recall who it was, it was on one of these very threads in this section.

@kedrell...I read a couple of positive reviews of IM2, but they still said that the movie did not measure up to the original film, iirc, Empire magazine's review was along those lines.
So, it was not a bad review, it would have made the positive rating, but it did say it was a step down in quality.
the way I read generally about the movie, there were a lot of decent reviews that said similar things.
But, y'know, there have been a lot of negative things said about it too, I heard RDJ was not happy about it, Favs wasn't, and of course Mickey Rourke, but Favs and RDJ most importantly, as of course, they were very happy with how the first one turned out.

[kedrell]

no, I haven't read any of his posts since the beginning of the year, haven't heard him say that. I don't recall who it was, it was on one of these very threads in this section.

@kedrell...I read a couple of positive reviews of IM2, but they still said that the movie did not measure up to the original film, iirc, Empire magazine's review was along those lines.
So, it was not a bad review, it would have made the positive rating, but it did say it was a step down in quality.
the way I read generally about the movie, there were a lot of decent reviews that said similar things.
But, y'know, there have been a lot of negative things said about it too, I heard RDJ was not happy about it, Favs wasn't, and of course Mickey Rourke, but Favs and RDJ most importantly, as of course, they were very happy with how the first one turned out.


Well that's what happens when you buck the standard superhero movie formula.

1st film = good but not great with much room for improvement
2nd film = significantly better
3rd film = big dip in quality and doesn't even measure up to the first one(i.e. it's not even a good movie).

They made their first effort come out like most second efforts do. It was always gonna be extra hard to top. Basically for film two they made one that is usually of the quality of a first film.

I think IMO the Cap sequel is possibly in danger of this as well. This also happened with the first two Superman movies(I think Supes 1 is much better than #2).

[Thebumwhowalks]

Well that's what happens when you buck the standard superhero movie formula.

1st film = good but not great with much room for improvement
2nd film = significantly better
3rd film = big dip in quality and doesn't even measure up to the first one(i.e. it's not even a good movie).

They made their first effort come out like most second efforts do. It was always gonna be extra hard to top. Basically for film two they made one that is usually of the quality of a first film.

I think IMO the Cap sequel is possibly in danger of this as well. This also happened with the first two Superman movies(I think Supes 1 is much better than #2).

Aye, but what usually happens is that the first film doesn't have as much budget or time allowed for filming(like in the case of X-Men), so once it is a hit, the studio provides more money and time to make the sequel.
The opposite happened with Iron-Man, they gave him less time to come up with a second movie, and when you rush a movie like that, a lot of the budget will go into getting things done faster(like in the case of X-Men3).
and it was not given three years between films, cause they did not want it out the same year as Cap and Thor, which was all to do with getting them all out in time for the Avengers, but not overcrowding the market that year.
They probably also wanted some capital from IM2 to put into Thor and Cap.

[The Morningstar]

Hell no, that guy complete f***ed the LOTR adaptations up, I don't want that heck anywhere near Marvel movies.

Total and utter nonsense. I can't believe I've just seen someone call Peter Jackson a hack.

The LOTR trilogy is the best trilogy ever made. It's a phenomenal achievement in film making.

[R_Hythlodeus]

Total and utter nonsense. I can't believe I've just seen someone call Peter Jackson a hack.

The LOTR trilogy is the best trilogy ever made. It's a phenomenal achievement in film making.
It's a slap in the face of every LOTR fan. Nothing else.

[The Morningstar]

How is it? Because it changed stuff from the books? Get over it. The LOTR is one of, if not the greatest achievement in film making history. Peter Jackson gets a free pass for life because of it.

[R_Hythlodeus]

stuff? he changed every major character, made some of them unrecognizable and changed the theme of story arcs completely. that's not just stuff.
and from a film makers perspective: the overlong 6 endings and the inferior editing of ROTK is hardly what I'd call a great achievement.

[kedrell]

Peter Jackson gets a free pass for life because of it.


I'd never give any director a free pass for life. To me, that way lies the slippery slope to poor film making.

[bubbadoom]

the Lovely Bones was a mess...

[Gamma Goliath]

If I could chose a movie for him, I'd give him TIH2, or maybe Iron fist.

[OsGom]

It's a slap in the face of every LOTR fan. Nothing else.

I think scores of Tolkein fans, including me, would disagree with you. The changes he made to the books were minor. His adaptations were more than any fan could hope for.

[R_Hythlodeus]

I think scores of Tolkein fans, including me, would disagree with you. The changes he made to the books were minor. His adaptations were more than any fan could hope for.
I think a lot more Tolkien fans would disagree with you. The constant mischaracterization of most of the main characters made this even worse an adaptation than Snyders attempt to assassinate Watchmen

[marcvader]

They weren't mischaracterized for me. I thought they were pretty spot on.

[R_Hythlodeus]

They weren't mischaracterized for me. I thought they were pretty spot on.Are you kidding? Seriously?
From the LOTR wiki:


The differences between story and screenplay that are among the most difficult to accept are those that altered characters in some fundamental way—a truthful character is made to lie, a kind one is turned into a brute, one who is sure and determined is now doubtful and lost, or a wise and lordly one becomes a mere lunatic. Rarely do such changes make evil more ambiguous. Usually, their purpose is to "humanize" brave and heroic characters, but all they manage to do for some is ruin especially favorite characters and scenes and taint the moviegoing experience. Many who had already come to love Tolkien's story were deeply disappointed by these changes, and for some, the movies were rendered worthless thereby.
Gandalf
Far from the self-possessed and calculating wizard of the story, Gandalf (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Gandalf) becomes, at one point, crazed and panic-stricken. Both his hopes are diminished and his fears magnified in ways that are not in keeping with his role as a wizard. Gandalf (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Gandalf)'s appointed mission was to contest, mostly indirectly, the Dark Lord and somehow prevent his conquest of Middle-earth (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Middle-earth). The Valar (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Valar) had sent him and the other Istari (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Istari) to act as their emissaries in Middle-earth (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Middle-earth) for this purpose, but only Gandalf (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Gandalf) had not, in some way, been corrupted. In the screenplay, the discovery of the Ruling Ring, far from giving him hope of final victory, brings on a terror that temporarily overmasters him. He almost goes mad in his fear.
Later, in the third movie, Gandalf (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Gandalf) is overcome by the Witch-king (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Witch-king). His staff is broken and he is saved from certain destruction by the horns of Rohan (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Rohan). In the book, however, Gandalf (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Gandalf) is set to challenge the Witch-king (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Witch-king) at the gates of Gondor (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Gondor) before Rohan (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Rohan) arrives. There, he is strong and lordly, prepared to confront the the Witch-king.
Gandalf is overall a much weaker character in the film than in the novel.
Elrond
One of the few remaining Noldorin lords in Middle-earth (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Middle-earth), Elrond (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Elrond), who is over 6,500 years old according to the book, has despaired of all hope and has lost confidence in Men (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Men). His attitude is one of capitulation, and his purpose therefore is simply to quit Middle-earth (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Middle-earth) with as many of his people as possible. His opposition to the marriage between his daughter and Aragorn (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aragorn) is taken to the extreme of deceit to prevent her from remaining in Middle-earth (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Middle-earth). It is only when he fears her outright death that he orders Narsil (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Narsil) reforged and then delivers it to Aragorn (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aragorn) in person. Throughout the screenplay, Elrond (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Elrond) is deeply scornful of men. Isildur (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Isildur)'s fall was, to his mind, the fall of all Men (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Men), and he lacks any confidence in any Man (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Man) or group of Men (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Men) to save the honor of that kindred.
In a sense, Elrond (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Elrond) himself has fallen. His fears dominate him until near the end of the screenplay, and his possessiveness of Arwen (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Arwen) leads him to perpetrate a deception upon her. Knowing of her intent to forsake the immortal life and wed Aragorn (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aragorn), he deceives her by willfully withholding crucial information from her while convincing her to break fealty and abandon her betrothed. It took the intervention of the Valar (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Valar) to prevent the success of his deceit. In the end, he surrenders to the inevitable, but in this, too, his demeanor is one of capitulation.
Aragorn
A man presented by Tolkien (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Tolkien) as having a singular destiny for which he is prepared by Elrond (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Elrond) and toward which he labours throughout his life, the movie version of Aragorn (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aragorn) is, instead, a man of doubts turned inward. His love for Arwen (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Arwen) becomes a weight around his neck, almost literally because of the jewel necklace she had given him. He is full of fears and self-doubt, and he is unwilling to embrace the destiny that had been pronounced over him at birth. He is named Estel (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Estel), that is 'hope', by the Elves, but he is far from being the hope that they are expecting. The reluctant savior might play well in a movie, but it was not the character that Tolkien (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Tolkien) had written.
Thankfully, and somewhat surprisingly, Aragorn (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aragorn) does stay true to Arwen (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Arwen) even as she is in the process of forsaking Middle-earth (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Middle-earth) and her oath to him. Aragorn (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aragorn) had previously suggested to Arwen that she take advantage of her chance for a better life in the Undying Lands (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Undying_Lands), and he later tells Galadriel (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Galadriel) that he would have her take the ship to Valinor (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Valinor), which is possibly a reflection of the doubt he suffers in the movie. In the story, Aragorn (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aragorn)'s destiny drives him as much as his love for Arwen, but in the movie, it seems that he would have Arwen without the kingship if he could.
Aragorn (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aragorn) is portrayed as alone in the world without kith or kin, but in the story he has dozens of kindred, at least, among the Dúnedain (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/D%C3%BAnedain), and the sons of Elrond (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Elrond) were his especially close friends. (Note: Elladan and Elrohir (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Elladan_and_Elrohir), the sons of Elrond (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Elrond), do not appear in the movie.) In the screenplay, Aragorn (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aragorn) takes the Paths of the Dead (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Paths_of_the_Dead) with only Legolas (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Legolas) and Gimli (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Gimli), but in the story they are joined by thirty others including the sons of Elrond (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Elrond) and one other named man, Halbarad (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Halbarad).
When Aragorn (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aragorn) challenges Sauron (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sauron) with the Palantír (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Palant%C3%ADr), far from wresting it to his will as he did in the story, he falls under Sauron (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sauron)'s control and is overmastered by him. The jewel of Arwen (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Arwen) is destroyed, which signifies the loss of her immortal life, and he is thrown back a defeated man. In the story, his use of the Palantír (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Palant%C3%ADr) to reveal himself to Sauron (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sauron) is a brilliant stroke that accomplishes Aragorn (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aragorn)'s purpose. Sauron (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sauron) is terrified by the sight of the blade that had once defeated him, and his doubts and fears cause him to miscalculate his preparedness for war and launch his offensives prematurely. Unlike in the movies, Aragorn (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aragorn) never despairs even when his doubts and fears are at their height.
Aragorn's nobility in the books is markedly reduced--he has no qualms about murdering an emissary in cold blood, for instance.
Frodo
Frodo (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Frodo), who resisted the power of the Ring much longer than most others could, was depicted as succumbing to it much more rapidly and was almost completely overmastered by the time he had reached Ithilien (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Ithilien). Of his interrogation by Faramir (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Faramir) in the story he could say, "I have told you no lies, and of the truth all I could," while in the screenplay, he told a bald and brazen lie about "the gangrel creature" that had been seen with him. Even under the strongest influence of the Ring, Frodo (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Frodo) never lied in the story.
While it is true that Frodo (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Frodo) is eventually so overcome by the power of the Ring that Sam (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sam) must drive, and eventually carry, him on the Quest, the screenplay causes the loss of his will much more quickly and thoroughly. By the time they reach the top of The Stairs of Cirith Ungol (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/The_Stairs_of_Cirith_Ungol), his wits are so completely scrambled that he does the unthinkable and forsakes Sam (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sam) on the Quest. This is one of the most unacceptable plot changes to Tolkien (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Tolkien) fans because the friendship between Frodo (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Frodo) and Sam (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Samwise_Gamgee) is the solid road on which the Quest is driven. At no time does Frodo (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Frodo) turn on Sam (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sam) in this way in the book.
Sam
Tolkien (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Tolkien) regarded Sam (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sam) to be the "chief hero" of the story, and his role was a key one in driving the Quest to completion. The screenplay, however, has Sam (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sam) actually abandoning his master at a moment of highest danger--a moment where, in the book, came the most tender and poetic scene of the story in which Sméagol (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Gollum) was very nearly reformed. The idea that Sam (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sam) could turn back from the Quest even if so ordered by Frodo (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Frodo) is preposterous(in the movie version, Sam was seen walking down the stairs, crying until he accidentally slipped and fell to a cliff where he found the remains of the lembas Smeagol threw away. Angered, he looked up the stairs). There is no doubt that Sam (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sam)'s love for Frodo (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Frodo) would have held him on the road even if he had to follow at a distance. He did not have to do so, however, because Frodo (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Frodo) and Sam (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sam) entered the tunnel of Shelob (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Shelob) together in the book, and they fought the terror of Cirith Ungol (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Cirith_Ungol) together--until, of course, Frodo (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Frodo) was overcome. Aside from this, Sam (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sam) was depicted so faithfully that one wonders why the screenwriters felt the need to deviate so drastically at this crucial moment of the story.
Faramir
Faramir (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Faramir) is a widely loved character in Tolkien (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Tolkien)'s story. This is due to his wisdom and purity of heart that makes him a great leader and an excellent judge of difficult matters. Despite his love for his brother Boromir (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Boromir), he is his exact opposite. The Ring had no purchase on him, and he understood that it must not come near the White City (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/White_City). He and his men treated Frodo (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Frodo) and Sam (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sam) with courtesy and honor, and even Gollum (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Gollum), when he was captured, received only kindness.
A major departure in the movies is that, rather than assist Frodo and Sam on their quest, Faramir decides to send the Ring back to Minas Tirith, crossing the Anduin and forcing a dubious detour into the journey. However, while tempted by the Ring, he never attempts to claim it for himself. While Boromir tries to take it for personal use, Faramir intends that the Ring would be a gift for his father(although the temptation seems as harsh as it was on Boromir. In the movie version, Faramir, tempted by the Ring, intended to gain personal glory by taking the Ring to Minas Tirith). He also does not react with anger when Frodo refuses to give him the Ring.
The fact that Faramir (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Faramir) and his men (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Men) brutalized Gollum (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Gollum) is another major change from his character in the book, and does not really match his character in the movie either. This is somewhat incongruous to the man that we see in the scenes with his brother. While Faramir (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Faramir)'s taking the Ring to Osgiliath (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Osgiliath) may be explained by the desire of the screenwriters to have Faramir "grow" in his understanding, as well as create suspense, there is no explanation given for the brutality that he exhibits.
It is likely that these scenes were given to us for the development of Gollum in the film and that the filmmakers did not care how it reflected on Faramir.
Denethor
Instead of Tolkien (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Tolkien)'s wise and mighty Lord of Men (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Men) who had simply been overwhelmed by the lies of Sauron (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sauron), Denethor (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Denethor) is turned into an imbecile and madman. In him, nobility is reduced to premature and artificial senility. It might be argued that this was done so that there would be no ambivalence about Aragorn's takeover, but the degree and tone of these changes borders on the farcical. For example, to plunge from the Embrasure Denethor would have had to run up two levels and entirely across the city, all the while burning to death.
Arwen Evenstar
For some strange reason, the fate of Arwen (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Arwen) is tied to the Ring as if its survival, and that of Sauron (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sauron)'s, would precipitate her own death. Fears arose after the first movie that she was to be made into a warrior princess due to her replacement of the character Glorfindel (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Glorfindel), but then she fell in later movies into a weak and failing elf-maiden. While Tolkien (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Tolkien)'s character was strong, bold, and independent in his story, the screenplay made her over into a frail and dependent child who was easily manipulated by a selfish father. Aragorn (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Aragorn)'s love for her was used by Sauron (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Sauron) to strike a blow against him and prevent him from mastering the Palantir (http://lotr.wikia.com/wiki/Palantir) to his own will.

[CConn]

That's nitpicking to the 87th degree.

[marcvader]

Are you kidding? Seriously?
From the LOTR wiki:


[B]

No and yes.

[kedrell]

That's nitpicking to the 87th degree.

I dunno. Character stuff is important. To me nitpicking is geting bothered when in the book a character picked up an object with their left hand but in the film that character did it with their right hand. THAT is nitpicking. It's all about something that really doesn't matter either way. Characters being got right in their characterization is quite a bit more important than that.

And I'm a guy who likes both the books and the films.

[The Morningstar]

Accuracy to the source material can go get ****ed. Great movies are great movies. The LOTR trilogy is beyond great. Fellowship of the Ring specifically, is a bonafide masterpiece.

Although I did have a problem with how Faramir was portrayed, it is certainly not a deal breaker. He was still a great character in the movies.

[kedrell]

The way I look at the LOTR films is this: As pure movies they're pretty great; as far as faithfulness they're about as good as could be hoped for but still quite a bit too streamlined. Now IMO the only visual venue that would have a better chance of being more true to the books would be an HBO mini-series or something like that. But odds are if we ever do get that it won't happen for probably another 20 years so as to not be perceived as stepping on the Jackson trilogy's toes.

[chiefchirpa]

Devil Dinosaur and Moon Boy

[Saitou Hajime]

Now IMO the only visual venue that would have a better chance of being more true to the books would be an HBO mini-series or something like that.

Yeah, RIGHT. Game of Thrones is struggling to do it themselves, and they're nowhere near as fantastical and epic (scale-wise) as LOTR.

[kedrell]

Yeah, RIGHT. Game of Thrones is struggling to do it themselves, and they're nowhere near as fantastical and epic (scale-wise) as LOTR.

Well I didn't mean to imply that I thought it was going to happen, just that if it did that's what it would take to fully bring the books to the screen w/o the need to leave whole chunks of them out. Films just don't have that advantage so a season of 20 or so hour long episodes would likely be the only way it would be even possible. But that's not to say I think that will happen. The cost alone would be prohibitive.

[berikson]

peter jackson should direct a new star wars