A little late to the game here, but TheOneRing.net is reporting two intriguing rumors regarding the upcoming two-part movie version of The Hobbit:
- Supposedly, a leaked casting summery says of Bilbo that “although. . . he doesn’t have huge courage he does become, particularly in the last battle, very brave.” Since in the book, Bilbo is not very brave during the Battle of the Five Armies — he’s invisible and unconscious for much of it — the website speculates that the filmmakers are rewriting the story a bit, to make the character more active here. This actually makes a lot of sense from narrative point-of-view, though purists will no doubt be upset.
- Filming may finally begin in January with Martin Freeman (Tim from the U.K. version of The Office) in the title role. Freeman has reportedly been offered the part, but had to decline due to previous commitments — though the producers are supposedly committed to trying to make it work.
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Well, speaking as a purist, yes, I’m upset. I’m still bothered by the fact that the 1977 Rankin Bass version of The Hobbit, while keeping in Bilbo’s lackluster performance in the Battle of 5 Armies, did see fit to kill off half the dwarves during the battle. But, besides the elves looking like ghouls, I’m still pretty happy with that movie.
Since I have no plan to ever see the new Hobbit movie, I guess I can’t complain too much though. :)
You’re not going to see the movies?!? Wow, you are a purist. :-)
Why should I see the movies when I know they’ll just upset me? I mean, I should save both the movie producers & myself the grief. I put up with Jackson’s movies until about halfway through Two Towers, which I thought was pretty tolerant on my part. :)
As a side note, I only got about 20 minutes into the first Chronicles of Narnia movie before I said, I just can’t take this anymore.
But I’m not a complete purist. Like I said, I enjoyed the 1977 Hobbit movie & the Bakshi LOTR movie. And I liked the animated Lion, Witch, & Wardrobe from back in the early ’80’s. And I like the fact that anti-spam word I have to enter for this comment is ‘Aslan.’ ;)