First look at Evangeline Lilly in 'The Hobbit: the Desolation of Smaug'

[Aganzir]

Originally Posted by Kuruharan

Actually, I've always been quietly upset about that one. I understand why they did it so they could have a big payoff at the end of the first movie and so Aragorn could look all cool...but I still don't like it.

I was more upset about Brego replacing both Hasufel and Roheryn! He was even the wrong colour. Sheesh!

In fairness, there was a lot of complaining about the look of the all male dwarves back when their appearance was debuted (I should know, I was doing some of it).

And, come on, her ears look terrible!

I know! I was doing it too (in real life if not on the Downs, I think that may have been one of my quieter times)! And yes, her ears and hair do look bad. Still, I've seen comments along the lines 'She's an ugly bitch and doesn't look like an elf at all', and that goes too far.

[Mithalwen]

What we know is pure Mary Sue cliche

young impetuous tick
specially gifted in this case an exceptional warrior tick
red hair tick
high in the favour of high ranking elves tick
has a romance which motivates her tick.

Do we know if she has cerulean orbs?

[Bêthberry]

You know, I just saw someone on FB call a picture of this character "beautiful". (Not the picture we have here.)

Different strokes for different folks.

Originally Posted by Kuru

Perhaps he never had an opportunity to flesh it out. It is part of his "unfinished, published posthumously" work.

Possibly. I've never checked out HoMe on Idril, mainly because I'm still enjoying BoLT too much.

But the lack of time, given how much niggling he did do on the Silm, is not really an explanation. The point still remains that he did spend time on Galadriel and Melian, who have flaws, but not on Idril, who folks here would seem to assume was a very positive character. Would flaws have come to light had Tolkien developed her? Or was he more interested in the flawed characters and less in the good? After all, we have a great deal about Turin but less about Tuor.

Originally Posted by marketing info on Tauriel

slightly reckless and totally ruthless and doesn’t hesitate to kill'

This I am positive would not be appropriate for any of Tolkien's heroes, let along his heroines. It was Gandalf, after all, who warned Frodo against killing Gollem and showing him mercy instead. That could not be said even of the Rohirrim, with their battle ethic. And I'm darn sure Tolkien would not have put it in a bedtime story for his sons.

Originally Posted by Aganzir to Galadriel55

I will only beat you with a banana if you don't like me because of it

Ooh, careful. I've seen how swift Gal55 is with a banana in person.

[Kuruharan]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

Or was he more interested in the flawed characters and less in the good? After all, we have a great deal about Turin but less about Tuor.

There is probably something to that.

[Mithalwen]

Lilly has said there is romance she isnt allowed to talk about

There isnt a lot of direct speech in the Silmarillion which I think it is more to do with it being written as synthetic myth as opposed to the synthetic history conceit of LOTR. Direct speech tends to be dooms and disputes. I don't see that its lack hould be a stick to beat zidril with. Er actions speak for her and even the sainted canary who has a lot more airtime speaks directly only once in the silmarillion and it is fairly banal. In UT Erendis talka a lot doesnt make her a more positive character.

[Nerwen]

Originally Posted by Agan

I don't think there was much of a fuss about Figwit, or Lindir if you prefer, even though it wasn't exactly necessary for him to have a name or lines. We don't complain (much) about Lurtz replacing Uglúk, or any of PJ's other original characters that I just read about on Wikipedia.

I like how by far the longest and most detailed entry is for Brego the Kissing Horse...

[Mithalwen]

I ran a poll on the site I was on at the time ~ yes there was life before the Downs ~ as to whether people would rather snog Brego or Arwen....IIRC the horse got well over 90%

[Kuruharan]

Originally Posted by Aganzir

Still, I've seen comments along the lines 'She's an ugly bitch and doesn't look like an elf at all', and that goes too far.

I certainly agree that personal attacks are inappropriate...however, I did say she looks like a Vulcan earlier in the thread.

Of course, it kind of can't be avoided because the Vulcans are essentially space elves and the Romulans are space dark elves. There is nothing original anywhere.

has a romance which motivates her tick.

Is it confirmed that she will have a thing with Kiligolas? (or is it Filigolas...even I can't keep the two of them straight).

To cross reference this thread, that could lead to some height-related awkward visuals.