First off, I don't think a bridge film is likely, as there isn't a strong enough narrative and it would require Jackson and his team to invent too much material. It would make much more sense to grab various plot details from the Appendices and weave them into The Hobbit, rather then try to conceive an entirely new film based on the Appendices alone.Secondly, Jackson recently admitted that he shot way more footage than he initially expected, which indicates to me that it's entirely possible that he could shift the break points in each of the films and create a third, simply by filming a couple more months next year and combining it with the footage he already has. Remember, he only just wrapped principal photography a couple weeks ago and is just now entering the post-production stage, so a complete edit of the first film likely does not exist yet, is only in a rough format, or is too long. The reason that talks with the studio right now regarding a third film are so critical is that a decision would need to be made sooner, rather than later, in order for Jackson to know how to properly edit and place the break point in the first film, should a third film be approved. I think it's highly likely that a decision about this will be reached in the next couple weeks.Anyhow, with that out of the way here's what I came up with based on chapters from The Hobbit. I hope you enjoy...The Hobbit - Part One: An Unexpected Journey- An Unexpected Party (Bilbo meets Thorin & company)- Roast Mutton (Trolls)- A Short Rest (Elrond and Rivendell)- Over Hill And Under Hill (The goblins and the Goblin King)- Riddles In The Dark (Bilbo discovers the ring of power and meets Gollum)- Out Of The Frying Pan Into The Fire (Wargs, Goblins, burning trees, and Eagles' rescue)- Queer Lodgings (Beorn)- Flies And Spiders (Mirkwood and Spider Attack)The first film would be quite linear, similar to Fellowship of the Ring (which also began in the Shire). An Unexpected Journey would follow Bilbo, Gandalf and the Dwarves as they begin their journey. Gandalf leaves just as they're about to enter Mirkwood Forest where Bilbo must do battle with the spiders. It's likely that we would get our first glimpse of Radagast the Brown around this time, as he would probably be Gandalf's first point of destination since Radagast lives on the western eaves of Mirkwood and is friends with Beorn. The film ends shortly after the spider battle when the dwarves are captured by the Wood Elves and Bilbo is left alone to fend for himself.The Hobbit - Part Two: The Desolation of Smaug- Barrels Out of Bond (The Elven King, escape from the Wood Elves)- A Warm Welcome (arrival at Laketown)- On The Doorstep (the ascent up Lonely Mountain, search for the secret door)- Inside Information (Bilbo confronts Smaug)- Fire And Water (destruction of Laketown and death of Smaug)The second film would follow two story lines: one of course being Bilbo and the dwarves, while the other would explain where Gandalf went. The film would start out with Bilbo rescuing and reuniting with the dwarves by escaping from the Wood Elves and into barrels on the river, then continuing on their journey all the way to Lonely Mountain. Gandalf's story would obviously utilize the LOTR Appendices for extra material and contain a plot concerning the White Council, Dol Guldur and the Necromancer (Sauron). I would surmise that we may see more back history on the town of Dale (especially since Jackson has commented in his VLOGs that its set construction rivals those built for LOTR), probably told by the Bard once the dwarves and Bilbo arrive in Laketown, and we would also be introduced to the controversial new character Tauriel, which would obviously be introduced in the hall of the Elven King. The film would end following the destruction of Laketown and the death of Smaug.The Hobbit - Part Three: There And Back Again- Not At Home (Thorin reclaims his treasure, Bilbo finds the Arkenstone)- The Gathering Of The Clouds (Armies of Men and Elves appear and lay claim to Thorin's gold)- A Thief In The Night (Bilbo sneaks away from Thorin to negotiate with the Bard and Elven King)- The Clouds Burst (The Battle of Five Armies)- The Return Journey (The aftermath and Thorin's death)- The Last Stage (Back in Hobbiton)The third film would focus on Thorin Oakenshield and the growing strain on his relationship with Bilbo as he prepares for battle to defend his reclaimed treasure. This could allow for flashback sequences derived from the LOTR Appendices concerning Durin's Folk (which includes the Battle of Azanulbizar) as Thorin may try to explain to Bilbo the nature of dwarves and why they would fight to protect what they consider rightfully theirs. We would also see the resolution of the White Council story line in which the Necromancer (Sauron) flees Dol Guldur. The film would climax with the Battle of Five Armies, mirroring the epic nature and scale of The Return of the King's battle sequences, and wind down with Bilbo's journey back home.Breaking the trilogy down in this manner would give each of the three films an epic climax:- Film One: Bilbo battling the spiders- Film Two: The death of Smaug- Film Three: The Battle of Five ArmiesI swapped chapter 13 "Not At Home" with chapter 14 "Fire And Water," as technically the events in these chapters don't happen in chronological order and it obviously makes for a better climax at the end of film two. Chapter 13 deals with the dwarves and Bilbo hiding inside Lonely Mountain and wondering if Smaug will return, all the while not realizing that Smaug is already dead. Chapter 14 explains what happens to Smaug while the dwarves were hiding and waiting inside the mountain.Oh, and if you haven't already guessed... I'm one of the crazies that thinks a trilogy could actually work... oh yeah, and one more thing... I'm also looking forward to the day when I can view back-to-back Middle-Earth trilogies as well!*
