The Hobbit: That Christopher Tolkien Did Not Like

[Caswin]

Yeah I don't really care anyway, but three films seems dumb for one children's book. I mean the lengthier books in the LotR trilogy only got one movie per book... not sure why the shortest gets 3. Except that they want more monies.

I totally agree. I think they like taking my money.

I've heard that they're incorporating things from other parts of the mythos of Middle-Earth. The fact that they're actually casting Christopher Lee as Saruman [and that's all I've got to say about that] was an early indicator of this, given that he was only ever mentioned in the book... but if you open up the Silmarillion and stuff, there's a lot more where that came from.

[Sparrow]

I've heard that they're incorporating things from other parts of the mythos of Middle-Earth. The fact that they're actually casting Christopher Lee as Saruman back in his "Necromancer" days was an early indicator of this, given that he was only ever mentioned in the book... but if you open up the Silmarillion and stuff, there's a lot more where that came from.

What? Saruman was the Necromancer? I was always under the impression that Sauron was the Necromancer, not Saruman. Now I'm very confused.

[Caswin]

What? Saruman was the Necromancer? I was always under the impression that Sauron was the Necromancer, not Saruman. Now I'm very confused.

Grrrrrrrrrah. You are correct. I have a reason for the elf thing, at least, but I'm not sure where that came from. ... Well, Saruman is in it, anyway.

[Marc.]

I can't wait for this. And I honestly don't mind that it's three movies. The Hobbit was a children's book, so they're incorporating more of Middle-Earth lore to make it longer and more mature, to stand up to the LOTR trilogy.

[Taps]

Yes, they are using a lot of the appendixes, from the end of ROTK, like the White Council. It will also show Gandalf's travels after he left Bilbo and the dwarves in Mirkwood. I am very excited for this movie, I have faith that Peter Jackson isn't going to let us down.

[The Top Crusader]

There is nothing better than seeing the appendix of a book brought to film.

[Sparrow]

There is nothing better than seeing the appendix of a book brought to film.

Oh, you speak such truth.

[Termite]

They're bringing in the Necromancer and Dul Goldur into the third film... and seeing as it comes out like seven months after the second, I doubt it'll be really long... it'll be pretty awesome, though, especially if he gets to take over Mirkwood. (or whatever it is he does witht e forest. My Middle Earth hsitory is a bit rusty.)

[Aeva]

Something that keeps getting passed around on Answers.com describes them as being "lesser in stature", but I can't find a source for that.

I believe the "lesser in stature" phrase is used to describe the depth of knowledge and fairness of the Mirkwood elves because they are less wise and fair than the elves of Rivendell and Lothlorien. (If memory serves, the Mirkwood elves are descended from elves who never returned to the Undying Lands, while the elves of Rivendell and Lothlorien are descendants of elves who did spend some time in Valinor.)

[BlessedCheesemaker]

New trailer available:

Radagast, and riddles, and rock giants oh my!

[Joy]

It looks epic! And Gollum doesn't look to horrible. Captain's a bit upset at that, but I'm not. The Hobbit looks...epic, to say the least.

[Shennifer]

Oh man, that looks AMAZING.

Can't wait till December 14th.

[Termite]

Gollum looks 50 years younger... which is fantastic, since he's supposed to be.

I.CAN'T.WAIT.

[Musical Shutterbug]

The new trailer has a LOT more material than I was expecting. O_O Not that there's anything wrong with that, I just didn't think that we would get to see so much

85 days left, everyone

[Woody]

I think those "rock giants" are the trolls from chapter two. I'm on chapter nine of The Hobbit, it's my first time reading it, and I should finish just in time for the movie! I'm excited, to say the least.

[The Hippie]

Yeah that'd be weird. But I gotta say, their babies would be straight up badbutts!

[~JCGJ~]

Oh man, that looks AMAZING.

Can't wait till December 14th.

I'M HAVING MY BIRTHDAY PARTY AT THE MIDNIGHT PREMIER!!
Anyone's welcome to join me!

[Shennifer]

Aw man, that'd be awesome to join you for your party and for seeing The Hobbit Unfortunately, I live too far away

[BlessedCheesemaker]

I think those "rock giants" are the trolls from chapter two.

No, there are rock giants in the Misty Mountains during the storm. They are throwing boulders at each other and one of the reasons that the dwarves, Gandalf and Bilbo take shelter in the cave.

[jelly]

I'm actually very interested in the thematic style of this latest venture to Middle Earth. The first trailer was a lot.. darker, a little more serious in tone, and more likely to send chills down your back. This second one is a whole lot more in keeping with the original spirit of the book.

It's probably been an interesting balance for Jackson.. because the book itself is so much more lighthearted and 'fun' when compared to the later depth found in the Lord of the Rings books, yet the studio is probably pushing to market this as a 'sequel' and there's a high standard of expectation for the Hobbit to be as large-scale and 'epic' as the Lord of the Rings was. And given all the rumors regarding everything Jackson has done with the Return of the King appendixes and Gandalf's character, I fear that this new trilogy will spend far more time trying to tie itself into the Lord of the Rings cannon and less time letting itself simply be the fun, exciting stand-alone that it was originally written to be.

Still excited for it, though.