Regarding casting choices, I think Alan Rickman would probably be a good choice for one of two possible roles, though there are problems with each:

-Thranduil, though he'd need a blond wig. I've tested one of Thranduil's lines (where he's sending the Dwarves off to their cells) by saying it in the best imitation of Rickman I could do, and I think it's pretty good. He could definitely pull off the personality aspect, but it's the visual part that needs work.

-The voice of Smaug. I believe he can do sarcasm quite well, and he's quite good at playing "arrogant bad guy" roles. Smaug would be right up his alley, though I'm not sure his voice carries the same kind of strength that a dragon would need.

For Smaug, what about Jeremy Irons? Just the right sort of aristocratic drawling sneer.

Interesting developments! My read: the exec producer credit is usually taken by someone who oversees or owns some stake in a project, but isn't deeply involved in day-to-day production. In other words, that credit suggests strongly that Jackson won't direct.

All the information coming out right now -- and for the next few months -- should probably be taken with a grain of salt, but according to this Entertainment Weekly article, Jackson's manager is saying he definitely will not direct.

I'll bet you'll be able to get a good gauge of how hands-on Jackson will be by the director they ultimately select. I can't imagine some of the bigger name directors whose names are being slung about being willing to just come on as a workman to execute Jackson's vision. There'll be more of a partnership there if you hire, say, Sam Raimi, mark my words. A lesser-known protege, like Neill Blomkamp, the guy who was supposed to helm Halo, might indicate a more hands-on approach by Jackson.

The article implies that Jackson's writing team won't be directly involved either, which is good or bad depending on your point of view.

As far as content, I can't imagine they'll come up with a complete film from whole cloth of the time between TH and LotR, as some reports suggest. What is there to do? Show Bilbo using the ring to hide from neighbors?

I expect a beefed up Hobbit in two parts, with every off-screen action or backstory element you can imagine dramatized -- Smaug's original attack on Lonely Mountain as a prologue, maybe Gandalf retrieving the map and key from Thrain in the Necromancer's dungeons as a flashback somewhere, and so on. And of course battle sequences drawn out for maximum effect. There's plenty of material there for a couple of two hour films, I daresay, though I haven't read through The Hobbit in a while. This is a good excuse for a re-read!

Anybody remember Marketsaw.com? A few weeks ago they predicted much of what became public a few days ago regarding Jackson and two more Middle-earth movies. They were mostly correct and time will tell if they were correct about the 3-D part of their story. Now here is the latest from that same site regarding Jackson, his schedule and directing THE HOBBIT.

<Artie Johnson mode=ON>Verrrrrrrry Interrreshtink.<Artie Johnson mode=OFF> (5 trivia points to the first person who can name what show that's from.) That would be good news indeed. Of course, before yesterday I'd never heard of Marketsaw, so I don't know whether their accuracy in the story heretofore is just a fluke, or if they are generally reliable. Very cool to watch events develop here.

Rowan and Martin's Laugh-in.

I accept checks, money orders, and Krugerrands.

I'm sorry, WCH, but the fine print in the disclaimer at the bottom of your trivia points explicitly says, "No cash value." :D

sorry if someone's already mentioned it (I'm lazy) - but the hobbit story itself could easily be split into two films especially if you take into account the dealings of the White Council, some of which took place during the time of Bilbo's adventures. You know, when Gandalf kept bogging off and leaving Bilbo to rescue the Dwarves' all the time.

I always remember reading the Hobbit at School - and we kept wondering where Gandalf was going. Also, I would love it if Gandalf used the term 'I don't give a toss' in the film - I remember the titters it gave us young English Literature students when we read that bit out loud!

I'd love to see the arguments and wranglings between Gandalf and Saruman etc. and of course possibly the 'back story' of Gandalf getting the key and map etc

PS anyon reckon if we're going to have a talking bird? I think they'll HAVE to have Smaug talking (or there will be MUCH grinding of teeth!) - But that thrush having a chat? mmmmmm not sure!

~ Mister Underhill

Hee hee, they'll have to call it: "The Sackville-Bagginses Chronicles: At Bilbo's Wits End"

~ Meneltarmacil

First of all, that is brilliant.:D
I'll have to agree though, he would make a formitable Thranduil, and it is about time he recieved a different role than what he usually has. As visually, hrmm. Possibly he could work, facial wise more than likely, it just goes with the identity of his style. The other things to change are quite simple, if makeup artists use their magic to transform Hugo Weaving into Elrond (Whom I usually identified as the infamous 'Mitzy':rolleyes:), I definately think they can make an amazing Thranduil out of Rickman.

Alan Rickman's too old for Thranduil. I've seen him in the Harry Potter film and all that make-up isn't fully covering up his age. How about David Bowie?(He wanted to play Elrond in LOTR.)

And how about letting Bernard Hill(Theoden) play one of the Dwarves? He's a great actor but he rarely gets any good roles. He deserves more fame.

David Bowie's getting on a bit too, though, isn't he?

No one seems to have speculated yet on what might be the most thrilling appearance of them all.

What cameo do you think Peter Jackson will choose for himself? Hobbit or dwarf? Or will he put his kids into the movie/s? Laketown children perhaps?

Master of Laketown. No acting required.

PJ = Lonely Mountain dwarf caught in Smaug's attack. You heard it here first!

In the speculation and debate about Jackson not having enough time to do more than just lend his name to the two pics,, here is something which could be good news for the pro Jackson lobby. It seems that one of the big obstacles preventing Jackson from directing is his obligation to Steven Spielberg to direct a TIN TIN pic. But now it looks like Spielberg is filling up his own schedule with lots of work other than whatever the heck a tintin is.

from Variety..

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My own two cents --- I would really love to see Spielberg direct both LINCOLN and CHICAGO 7 and Jackson the HOBBIT. Forget about tincan or whatever it is.

Il est un journaliste et aventurier, avec son chien Milou ('Snowy' in english versions). Plus, Captain Haddock as well.
He's the main character from the graphic novel series by Herge (George Remi, a Belgian artists). It's pretty big, and has been for the past 70 years.

Ugh, I completely forgot PJ was working on Tintin! I am so torn now...:(

Though, Tintin has been made into films before. There has even been whole television series in a slew of countries, the latest I believe was Canada (only because I watched it as a little whelp). So, this won't be the first exactly.

Hmm, well, I think I'd rather see PJ working on The Hobbit, just to save it from the complete mayhem and disaster that could be risked without him.

~ Ka

Demise of New Line?
 

This was posted on the OneRing.net that took it from IMBd, which apparently took it from a blog. If this is true (and who knows if it is), I'm not sure what difference it will make in the production of the Hobbit. Has anyone heard anything else about this?

No, I haven't heard anything apart from the rumour, Child of the 7th Age. But if it's true, I have to say New Line had it coming. Before LOTR, they were a second-rate studio helming endless horror flick rehashes(Friday the Thirteenth, Elm Street series etc.) and most of the work they've done after LOTR is of the same caliber. With LOTR's popularity they had the chance to make it into the 'Big Studio' league and blew it with crap like Freddy vs. Jason and the Golden Compass.:mad:

And I doubt this will affect the production of The Hobbit. It's too much of a cash cow for Warner Bros. And Peter's made himself some powerful friends(Harry Sloan, anyone?), so he won't have to worry about getting sh*tcanned, either.

If this is true, it will be major news. New Line has only itself to blame as zxcvbn has wisely observed. Shaye took a once in a lifetime opportunity with NL poised on the brink of being a real major studio and completely reversed their fortunes with it. One bad decision, one bad movie after another. And his own Last Wimzy probably the mostinglorious achievement of them all.

I wonder if this will cause even a short delay in the 2 ME films?

Here is another link on the "firing" of Shaye and Lynne: http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.co...wed-by-bewkes/

theonering.net is now reporting that they have gotten an email from New Line denying any thruth to the reports that Shay is being fired or HOBBIT is going to be under the Warner label.