It would be a shame if the two studios couldn't get together and come to some kinda agreement and get it made.
He should get Hillary to play Smaug...she'd be PERFECT!
If New Zealand is smart, they will allow Jackson to build Hobbiton and let it stay as a tourist attraction. Some may think it crass, but I KNOW there are lots of folks who would love to see the set. They could use it as part of a permanent LOTR exhibit. It is surely the most important film project NZ is likely to EVER have.
I hope Jackson gives some kind of tribute or nod to the music of Glenn Yarbrough. GY performed all the music to the 1973 Rankin & Bass cartoon version of 'The Hobbit'.
In my mind it totally gave the feel and flavor to the movie, the feeling of mystery, fantasy, far away travel, adventure etc.
'Where there's a whip, there's a way!'
Several points: 1) The Hobbit was written for children. It has child-like humor, fears, wonder, and naivete. I hope Jackson keeps it that way. The darkness that was pervasive in LOTR is not appropriate to the Hobbit. 2) Because children are not as demanding as adults with respect to timing and narrative rate, I hope Jackson tells the Hobbit over two movies. This would allow him time to do full justice to the development of the dwarves, the Gollum encounter, and the assorted wonders of Middle Earth. (It would also allow New Line/MGM to rake in substantially more $$.) Since the tone will be much lighter than LOTR, and the audience will skew quite young, the importance of using the same actors for roles (Gandalf, Bilbo, Elrond) is minimized. 3) Finally, what's this about a "slimmed-down Jackson"? He's going to have his hobbit membership revoked.
Bttt
bttt
Would you mind asking your LOTR friends if anyone knows who holds the movie rights to the Silmarillion?
If he rebuilds Hobbiton for the movie, I hope that he doesn't dismantle it, but makes it part of a LOTR Museum, where all those things that have been on tour can be placed permanently. I think New Zealand would be thrilled to have it; talk about a boon for tourism!