Official 'The Hobbit' Thread - - Part 16

[regwec]

Yes, that's a fair comment, but I think he has a real flair for epics, and a good command of both the big ideas and the details that are required in successful world building. Poor Ridley movies generally have a messy script, and I would be hopeful that would be unlikely if the story being adapted was stellar.

But, as you say, you can never be sure.

 

[Donut]

Can original stories be made with these characters ?

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Not before a blood bath.

 

[regwec]

Can original stories be made with these characters ?

Large parts of the Hobbit movies do exactly that. Beyond them, I don't really see the point. Why not just make new characters, or an original fantasy movie?

 

[Iceman]

I think the Tolkien world for all its brilliance is going to be to difficult to continue to the same standard as LOTR if there is always going to be an ongoing battle with the estate, and with the best known property already done fully. I'd like some other fantasy world to get started instead that can gradually be built up and go on for a very long time, preferably one to which multiple authors contribute so it isn't heavily tied to one person's talent.

 

[regwec]

I doubt it would ever reach the same heights, but I do think that would be a sensible approach for a movie studio to take. Everything is about the "franchise" at the moment, and I think problems really occur when something that doesn't fit that mould is forced into it. Comic book movies probably do well partly because they are so amenable to that kind of exploitation.

If I was a studio exec, I would consider what loosely-knit fantasy worlds there already are. Conan seems an obvious choice for exploitation, as does Solomon Kane; both have numerous stories and comic books on which to draw, without having a firmly structured narrative to prevent expansion. Old legends like Robin Hood or King Arthur's round table might also do well, if the right kind of format could be found. It's worth remembering that Pirates of the Caribbean came from nowhere.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Old legends like Robin Hood

As long it isn't like Ridely Scott's dark and gritty proto-Robin Hood.

 

[regwec]

I really enjoyed that film, though it would have been better if the name "Robin Hood" were not used.

 

[Iceman]

I doubt it would ever reach the same heights, but I do think that would be a sensible approach for a movie studio to take. Everything is about the "franchise" at the moment, and I think problems really occur when something that doesn't fit that mould is forced into it. Comic book movies probably do well partly because they are so amenable to that kind of exploitation.

If I was a studio exec, I would consider what loosely-knit fantasy worlds there already are. Conan seems an obvious choice for exploitation, as does Solomon Kane; both have numerous stories and comic books on which to draw, without having a firmly structured narrative to prevent expansion. Old legends like Robin Hood or King Arthur's round table might also do well, if the right kind of format could be found. It's worth remembering that Pirates of the Caribbean came from nowhere.

Good point on PotC. That's the kind of effect I'm thinking of with obviously a fantasy work. I read books from the Black Library which are fantasy novels based in the Warhammer world (same world as the tabletop game) and they are loosely connected to each other but just the fact they're connected at all makes reading different stories within them very fulfiilling and feel like I'm contributing to something ongoing rather than something that will stop dead after the last word. And like you say everything is about franchise and universe at the moment. There is definitely a gap inthe market for that kind of a fantasy universe if they can maintain LOTR/Game of Thrones standards throughout.

 

[regwec]

The Warhammer stuff seems like an obvious venture: as far as I can tell, it has millions of fans all over the world already.

 

[Iceman]

Yeah across books, games, the tabletop game itself and those who participate in the background, eg collecting (like me) and painting figures, there are a ton of fans globally and they are also very loyal. And the universe is a really good one to adapt as there is a lot of variety and history to it being a kind of amalgam of every fantasy universe and race created before it. Really hope it happens and it would probably be seen as one of the safer bets in term of established fantasy universes.

 

[dark_b]

i am afraid that one week before the movie is out WB will change their mind and split the third movie into 3 seperate movies and realese in the next years.

 

[Venomfan]

interesting that it was controversial that Legolas is blond in the films. I just watched some clips of the animated film and he was blond there too.

anyway, is it just me or was Legolas by far, at his coolest in FOTR? I feel things like walking on snow was way cooler than anything in the sequels or the hobbit. It was subtle, they didn't throw it in your face he was doing it, it wasn't the focus of the scene, and showcased the "mysteriousness" of the elves

Plus this was his best action scene in all of the movies
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[CGHulk]

"A Six-Part Saga" Featurette now on apple.
http://trailers.apple.com/movies/wb/thehobbit3/hobbit3-asixpartsaga_h1080p.mov

 

[Venomfan]

original Bolg cameos in the film and of course looks amazing

 

[Broseph44]

Anyone else gonna do a little marathon at home before five armies? I'm gonna watch both my extended editions of AUJ and DOS for sure.

 

[Quasimod0]

I'm definitely gonna do the same.

 

[Boom]

original Bolg cameos in the film and of course looks amazing

The metal plating is a bit excessive, but this is still leaps and bounds better than the one we ended up with.

 

[Roose Bolton]

original Bolg cameos in the film and of course looks amazing

That Bolg actually looks like he could be Azogs son.

 

[Victarion]

Good for Conan. He got something besides the Games Workshop miniature.

 

[Victarion]

Good point on PotC. That's the kind of effect I'm thinking of with obviously a fantasy work. I read books from the Black Library which are fantasy novels based in the Warhammer world (same world as the tabletop game) and they are loosely connected to each other but just the fact they're connected at all makes reading different stories within them very fulfiilling and feel like I'm contributing to something ongoing rather than something that will stop dead after the last word. And like you say everything is about franchise and universe at the moment. There is definitely a gap inthe market for that kind of a fantasy universe if they can maintain LOTR/Game of Thrones standards throughout.

If we're looking at game-related franchises...this particular Magic plotline

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Or, an adaption of Eberron. Lovecraft meets science-fantasy.

 

[Marvolo]

original Bolg cameos in the film and of course looks amazing

Oh what could have been.

The metal plating is a bit excessive, but this is still leaps and bounds better than the one we ended up with.

I actually know one person who prefers the design of cgi Bolg to this more practical Bolg. Showed a friend of mine the original Bolg (remember the behind the scenes photo of him?) and I **** you not his words were "That looks ****ing ******ed. Glad they changed it." I asked him what he didn't like about it and he said it was just "too much". The mace, the metal, the giant bones, the hair etc. was all just too much. I may have to see what he thinks of the design within the film and properly lit.

That Bolg actually looks like he could be Azogs son.

Yep. Same piercing blue eyes. Same skin color. There is an actual resemblance.

And I'm willing to bet that he has some digital enhancements in that shot.

Did y'all know that even Beorn had cgi enhancements in DOS? It's revealed in the DOS EE special features. I figure a few here may not have watched them all yet. Anyways, his eyes were digital to match the eyes of his bear form and they made his mohawk smaller. Yes, you read that right. His actual wig was even more ridiculous on set. It seems most costuming and makeup was enhanced in Post production in some small way. Most of it goes unnoticed tho and blends really well. Had Jackson taken that approach to all the orcs we could have gotten some beautiful stuff on screen. I mean, look at that up there. It looks "real". Like if Thorin or Legolas swung a sword at that behemoth you'd believe he was there with the actors. The texture, the grit,the slime, the "skin"...it's all there. I like the more free and agile movements of cgi Bolg but I can't deny that practical Bolg just looks so so much better.

 

[Doc Ock]

original Bolg cameos in the film and of course looks amazing

Spoiler

Merlin's, Gandalf's and Odin's beard combined. It's beautiful. Oh to what could of been indeed.

 

[Marvolo]

So my theater is only going to offer two showtimes of this in 2D at 8:30pm and 10:45PM for the foreseeable future. They almost always offer more 2D showings than 3D so I have to assume the studio requested this or at the very least suggested it. Most likely they will put those two showings in the smallest auditoriums as well. Sucks but I can't watch this film in 24fps 3D. My head will be splitting by the end.

Anyways, here are some

New clips:

"The dwarves are out of time."
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"Never underestimate dwarves, Master Baggins."
[YT]n_xum1j3SzM[/YT]

"Attack the City!"
[YT]kQIspKwj8Tk[/YT]

And last but not least:

Dain

The pig is pretty silly, but I think Dain looks good.

 

[regwec]

I like the design a lot, but wish it wasn't all GGI.