LOTR Prequel - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Nogrod · 11-23-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug*platypus

1. The forging of the Great Rings. Sauron as Annatar.

2. The forging of the One Ring. Sauron's war upon the elves of Eregion. Death of Celebrimbor.

3. Sauron's capture and the Akallabêth.

4. Formation of the Last Alliance and the defeat of Sauron.

This would be great, but it would take at least a trilogy (and we would be whining again how this and that important thing was missing!).

And let's face it. This would be a movie-series for the hardcore fans, not to the wider public that wishes more of Harry Potter and Spider Man (with the doll-faced celebrity actors filling the main roles). To make such an investment as the LotR-trilogy, there should be the commercial assurance that it would sell more than enough. With this scheme there is none.

So if anyone makes it, it will be 1/100'th of a budget and so on... you know how that looks.

Naria · 11-23-2006, 02:53 PM

And there's this...

Quote:

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - Peter Jackson says he will not be directing a movie based on J.R.R. Tolkien's novel "The Hobbit" or a planned prequel to "The Lord of the Rings."

I just don't know if anyone could even do a better(or same?) job as PJ did

Fordim Hedgethistle · 11-23-2006, 04:09 PM

Let's face it guys....any prequel to LotR which is going to have any hope of making it to the big screen is going to need something with guranteed audience appeal and draw power. So look for something like:

The Chronicles of Legolas Three Films! Eleven Hours! All the Wild Stunts Anyone could ask for! And, as an added bonus, Great Amounts of Plot Commentary so you needn't worry about Getting Confused!

Macalaure · 11-23-2006, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nogrod

This would be great, but it would take at least a trilogy (and we would be whining again how this and that important thing was missing!).

You're right, and it might not have enough appeal to draw audience for three films. Though, concerning LotR, I was more bothered by what had been changed and didn't fit than by what had been left out. After all, better to pick a few things and do them properly than to do everything a little.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nogrod

And let's face it. This would be a movie-series for the hardcore fans, not to the wider public that wishes more of Harry Potter and Spider Man (with the doll-faced celebrity actors filling the main roles). To make such an investment as the LotR-trilogy, there should be the commercial assurance that it would sell more than enough. With this scheme there is none.

Would it really just be for hardcore fans? It can't be denied that the PJ trilogy sparked some interest in Middle-earth, even with people who never even thought about touching the books after watching. And let's take the Drowning of Númenor: A magnificent villain, a magnificent semi-villain. intrigue and suspense, Isildur and Anárion for the teenage girls, battles and almost-battles - and the drowning itself! Even without hobbits and wizards (and humour), I think it would attract a sufficient audience, for one film at any rate.

Nogrod · 11-23-2006, 06:04 PM

You make a compelling case Macalaure, but unfortunately in these times of re-versioning James Bond, Sin City, Star Wars, Erroll Flynn's pirate movies, 50's grand Rome stories etc. we need to have something that is already familiar with the fans or having a marketing machine (via McDonalds etc) to make it thus or taking in the hottest nice-guys and primadonnas... Sorry, I don't like to sound like a cynic, but I just can't help it.

LotR was a risk taken and it made a profit, but who would invest millions to try another as there are easier ones to gain money like putting Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant to yet another romantic comedy...

Macalaure · 11-24-2006, 06:45 AM

LotR was a risk taken and turned out a major success. Because of that, I think, any other movie to come with the name Tolkien on it will have it much easier.
It is very similar to the Star Wars Prequels after all. The general audience has seen the Fellowship Prologue and the much-repeated shot of Isildur cutting the Ring. Like with Star Wars, they already know how it's going to end. And everybody already knows the name Sauron and perhaps even liked to have seen more of him than an eye. In this movie we would finally get to see him as an actual character (and maybe even the central one). And Second-Age-Sauron could be one of the most formidable diabolic villains of movie history.
I'm not only argueing from a "Tolkien fan who wants to see his favourite stories on screen" point of view. I really think this is material for a darn good and profitable film.

goldfinger · 11-28-2006, 06:31 PM

I would love to see either the destruction of Arnor or the War of the Dwarves and Orcs.

Tar-Telperien · 11-29-2006, 11:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macalaure

And let's take the Drowning of Númenor: A magnificent villain, a magnificent semi-villain. intrigue and suspense, Isildur and Anárion for the teenage girls, battles and almost-battles - and the drowning itself! Even without hobbits and wizards (and humour), I think it would attract a sufficient audience, for one film at any rate.

Have you ever read this? It's a long essay containing Helge Fauskanger's ideas for bringing this very story to the screen. He (and I; I've read through this several times and have some opinions of my own) think it would work extremely well as a prequel movie on its own.

And we're supported by the words of none other than Tolkien himself: "Both [The Rings of Power and the Akallabêth] are the essential background to The Hobbit and its sequel." from Letter 131

Macalaure · 11-30-2006, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tar-Telperien

Have you ever read this?

Have. I even posted that link on another thread here some time ago.

Quote:

And we're supported by the words of none other than Tolkien himself: "Both [The Rings of Power and the Akallabêth] are the essential background to The Hobbit and its sequel." from Letter 131

Let's spam-mail Christopher Tolkien with it so he lets the rights go.

And welcome to the 'Downs!

Tar-Telperien · 11-30-2006, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macalaure

Have. I even posted that link on another thread here some time ago.

Let's spam-mail Christopher Tolkien with it so he lets the rights go.

And welcome to the 'Downs!

Well that essay's awesomeness is such that it can never be linked too many times.

*tries to think up devious and elaborate schemes for obtaining the film rights*

Also, thanks for the welcome! As you can probably tell, I'm a huge Númenor fan and so have a vested interest in this idea.

11-23-2006, 04:09 PM	#3
Fordim Hedgethistle Gibbering Gibbet Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Beyond cloud nine Posts: 1,844	Let's face it guys....any prequel to LotR which is going to have any hope of making it to the big screen is going to need something with guranteed audience appeal and draw power. So look for something like: The Chronicles of Legolas Three Films! Eleven Hours! All the Wild Stunts Anyone could ask for! And, as an added bonus, Great Amounts of Plot Commentary so you needn't worry about Getting Confused! __________________ Scribbling scrabbling.

11-23-2006, 06:04 PM	#5
Nogrod Flame of the Ainulindalë Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Wearing rat's coat, crowskin, crossed staves in a field behaving as the wind behaves Posts: 9,308	You make a compelling case Macalaure, but unfortunately in these times of re-versioning James Bond, Sin City, Star Wars, Erroll Flynn's pirate movies, 50's grand Rome stories etc. we need to have something that is already familiar with the fans or having a marketing machine (via McDonalds etc) to make it thus or taking in the hottest nice-guys and primadonnas... Sorry, I don't like to sound like a cynic, but I just can't help it. LotR was a risk taken and it made a profit, but who would invest millions to try another as there are easier ones to gain money like putting Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant to yet another romantic comedy... __________________ Upon the hearth the fire is red Beneath the roof there is a bed; But not yet weary are our feet...

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

11-24-2006, 06:45 AM	#6
Macalaure Fading Fëanorion Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: into the flood again Posts: 2,911	LotR was a risk taken and turned out a major success. Because of that, I think, any other movie to come with the name Tolkien on it will have it much easier. It is very similar to the Star Wars Prequels after all. The general audience has seen the Fellowship Prologue and the much-repeated shot of Isildur cutting the Ring. Like with Star Wars, they already know how it's going to end. And everybody already knows the name Sauron and perhaps even liked to have seen more of him than an eye. In this movie we would finally get to see him as an actual character (and maybe even the central one). And Second-Age-Sauron could be one of the most formidable diabolic villains of movie history. I'm not only argueing from a "Tolkien fan who wants to see his favourite stories on screen" point of view. I really think this is material for a darn good and profitable film.

11-28-2006, 06:31 PM	#7
goldfinger Haunting Spirit Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: KC, Missouri Posts: 60	I would love to see either the destruction of Arnor or the War of the Dwarves and Orcs.