Other possible movies based on Tolkien's work

[mormegil]

The only viable option I can see is The Hobbit. Yes the story is more simple, yet that is one of the major reasons why it would make a good movie. The movie could stay fairly true to the books.

The other movies you suggest, while extremely interesting to me, probably wouldn't be that interesting to many of the LOTR movie fans. The crowd would be too much of a niche crowd for a major motion pciture. The Hobbit, however, is something that would draw most all fans of the movies and books and would likely be less violent than the trilogy movies and therefore be viewed even by a younger crowd. Likely it would be a great box office success.

[Macalaure]

There are many tales from The Silmarillion that would make a good movie: The Rebellion of the Noldor, Beren and Lúthien, The Children of Húrin (with Túrin), The Fall of Gondolin (with Tuor) (perhaps together with the Ruin of Doriath and the Voyage of Eärendil). These four could make a nice quadrilogy as they're the main ingredients of the Silmarillion proper. The Drowning of Númenor and the Last Alliance would make a good one film, too.
The problem is, that the rights to the Silmarillion are with Christopher Tolkien. Talking him into selling them might prove to be not so easy a feat, mildly speaking.

There's a whole forum working on a Silmarillion movie fan project (Link) You will even find some resident Downers there.

Here's a site that has a lot ideas on a Númenor movie. (Link) Made by the same person who runs Ardalambion.

There was a film script for the Children of Húrin somewhere on the net once, too, but I can't find the link right now. I will maybe edit this later.

[Anguirel]

Macalaure, you are my conscience! I haven't visited the Silm Film project for a long time and I think it's time for me to pop back there occasionally...

I've written a Leithian script there and there's also an exciting Fall of the Noldor script by the other relatively active member, Huinesoron...

[Tuor in Gondolin]

Turin and Tuor
I have seen discussion of a possible book to be released by Christopher Tolkien. These stories, particularly if used as a sort of counterpoint, might make a good movie.

It's unfortunate that (at least so far) CT hasn't found/edited a
more comprehensive account of Tuor (like that provided for
Turin). Together as a film , intercut somewhat like Peter Jackson's
LOTR, they would make an interesting movie, with the more
upbeat Tuor tale contrasting with Turin. Of course, it would
probably be a higher movie rating, unless the unwitting incest
is finessed.

[Aiwendil]

I've said it before - the Turin saga would make a cinematic masterpiece. Or rather, it could make a cinematic masterpiece; if done in Hollywood in this day and age I don't expect it would nearly live up to its potential. I can see it as a dark "cult classic", not well received or known in the mainstream but revered by a certain breed of film connoisseur. I can see it as a Bergman-esque film, for instance.

There are other stories in the Silmarillion that could make good movies as well. "Beren and Luthien" has all the trappings of a great hit. "The Fall of Gondolin" could perhaps be done. "The Ruin of Doriath" might work.

But I suspect that if any of these were done today as big budget, high profile films, they would not be done right. And I do not just mean that changes would be made to the stories.

Here's an idea I haven't seen before: what about Roverandom as a sort of children's movie? Perhaps a cartoon? Though I would worry that the style would be "Disneyfied" to use Tolkien's (disparaging) word.

[Elladan and Elrohir]

Aiwendil, I think you've hit the nail on the head regarding CoH. It's such an incredibly dark story with a tragic, almost quasi-Shakespearian ending (yes, I know Tolkien hated Shakespeare, but still). I think it would make a PHENOMENAL movie, if done right, but I don't trust even PJ to do that one right.

The best possibility I can see (after The Hobbit) is Beren and Luthien. It would probably have to be longer than ROTK, and again, I don't know that I'd trust PJ with it, but talk about an incredible story. Romance, adventure, treachery, heroism, and Carcharoth -- it's got it all.

But of course, there will be no Silmarillion-based movies in CJRT's lifetime. And who knows whether his heirs will be any more willing to sell film rights than he was.

[Gothmog]

Hmmm, CSteefe, you seem to be more succesful than this pathetic attempt I would love to see a movie/movies based upon Silmarillion! I've always dreamed of that, but as others have said, it's close to impossible right now. But if, IF, it could be done, someone decide that money could be made and Ct gave his approval, then Turin's story would indeed make a great movie. If done the correct way.

You'll have to capture that dark feeling of ever present doom and the tragic of it all. I'm not sure the ordinary audience will be drawn to that kind of movie, not if they expect an other LotR. The fans (and there are a few of those) will of course be thrilled, but that might not be good enough for greedy film companies.

It's an advanced project, but I hope it can, and will, be done!