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The Lounge => Media and Inspiration => Topic started by: pspahn on April 25, 2008, 01:32:19 AM

Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: pspahn on April 25, 2008, 01:32:19 AM
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080425/ap_en_mo/film_hobbit_del_toro

My, my.  That's certainly going to have a different feel than TLotR.

Pete
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: arminius on April 25, 2008, 02:05:43 AM
What's the sequel to The Hobbit?
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: Jackalope on April 25, 2008, 03:08:34 AM
Quote from: Elliot WilenWhat's the sequel to The Hobbit?

Lord of the Rings, if you want to get technical.

The sequel they are referring to is part of a project MGM has had in the works for several years -- originally Peter Jackson was set to direct.  MGM chief executive Harry Sloan described the sequel as being based on "footnotes and source material connecting 'The Hobbit' with 'Lord of the Rings.'
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: Drew on April 25, 2008, 03:11:47 AM
Quote from: JackalopeLord of the Rings, if you want to get technical.

The sequel they are referring to is part of a project MGM has had in the works for several years -- originally Peter Jackson was set to direct.  MGM chief executive Harry Sloan described the sequel as being based on "footnotes and source material connecting 'The Hobbit' with 'Lord of the Rings.'

That part of the article has been deleted for being factually incorrect.

There was talk of splitting The Hobbit into two movies, but I recall the rationale being to have more screen time for Gollum and the Battle of Five Armies. I have no idea if that's still on the cards, but Del Toro tends not to pad his films like Jackson, so I doubt it.
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: pspahn on April 25, 2008, 01:54:46 PM
Quote from: DrewThat part of the article has been deleted for being factually incorrect.
Yeah, right.  Sounds like somebody leaked that info too early and the bigwigs are afraid it will detract from the Hobbit hype.  I predict if the Hobbit does wel (how could it not?), we'll see the sequel (sounds like they've already got a deal inked to that effect).
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: Drew on April 25, 2008, 02:00:35 PM
Quote from: pspahnYeah, right.  Sounds like somebody leaked that info too early and the bigwigs are afraid it will detract from the Hobbit hype.  I predict if the Hobbit does wel (how could it not?), we'll see the sequel (sounds like they've already got a deal inked to that effect).

"Detract from the Hobbit hype?"

Seriously? If anything I think it'd give both films a massive boost.
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: pspahn on April 25, 2008, 02:03:51 PM
Quote from: Drew"Detract from the Hobbit hype?"

Seriously? If anything I think it'd give both films a massive boost.
I don't.  It would get slammed before it even got release, before it even went into production, especially by the hardcore Tolkieners, many of whom hate what Jackson did with TLotR.  I'd love to see a sequel, personally--preferably one that dealt more with Moria.
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: Drew on April 25, 2008, 02:21:26 PM
Quote from: pspahnI don't.  It would get slammed before it even got release, before it even went into production, especially by the hardcore Tolkieners, many of whom hate what Jackson did with TLotR.

I think the hardcore would likely be the only group who had a problem with a two movie deal. Remember they also had huge problems with the LotR trilogy before it was released, with box office returns suggesting that no-one on earth gave a flying fuck about what they thought. So no, I can't see this kind of announcement having anything like the effect you envisage.

 
QuoteI'd love to see a sequel, personally--preferably one that dealt more with Moria.

On this at least we agree, although I'd prefer to see the White Council's assault on Dol Guldur...:)
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: pspahn on April 25, 2008, 02:28:19 PM
Quote from: DrewI think the hardcore would likely be the only group who had a problem with a two movie deal. Remember they also had huge problems with the LotR trilogy before it was released, with box office returns suggesting that no-one on earth gave a flying fuck about what they thought. So no, I can't see this kind of announcement having anything like the effect you envisage.
The difference is that Jackson was adapting a novel to the screen, and there were a lot of non-hardcore Tolkien fans who got on board.  A Hobbit sequel will essentially be a made-up fantasy story written by some guy/gal, so it's kind of iffy on how well it will be received.  

But I guess the thinking would basically be, why create any more negative hype before you have to?
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: pspahn on April 25, 2008, 02:29:45 PM
Quote from: DrewOn this at least we agree, although I'd prefer to see the White Council's assault on Dol Guldur...:)
Yeah, but that would mean they'd have to include *gasp* magic instead of pipe bombs.  :)
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: Serious Paul on April 25, 2008, 03:33:22 PM
I have yet to really like a movie Del Toro has been involved with-he just doesn't speak my language, or to me. So I am afraid I have low initial hopes for this-I'll try to give it a fair chance.
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: Drew on April 25, 2008, 05:29:26 PM
Quote from: pspahnThe difference is that Jackson was adapting a novel to the screen, and there were a lot of non-hardcore Tolkien fans who got on board.  A Hobbit sequel will essentially be a made-up fantasy story written by some guy/gal, so it's kind of iffy on how well it will be received.  

But I guess the thinking would basically be, why create any more negative hype before you have to?

As I recall it's more a question of detailing the events that bridge The Hobbit and LotR than creating an entirely new story. There's plenty in there that could work well as a movie.

Anyway, I remain unconvinced, and suspect there's no way you're likely to be swayed either. Whatever we end up with I'm hoping that they do the book justice. I think one of the biggest challenges will be cramming all those Dwarves in without making them too similar or too 'Disneyfied', ie. with a single characteristic each.

Knowing Del Toro they'll all have eyeballs in their palms or something...:D
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: Drew on April 25, 2008, 05:31:39 PM
Quote from: Serious PaulI have yet to really like a movie Del Toro has been involved with-he just doesn't speak my language, or to me. So I am afraid I have low initial hopes for this-I'll try to give it a fair chance.

Funnily enough I enjoyed Pan's Labyrinth far more than Hellboy, when it really should have been the other way around.

I do agree that he's an acquired taste, though.
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: Serious Paul on April 25, 2008, 05:34:37 PM
Hellboy was pretty bland to me, I haven't made it through Pan's Labyrinth yet. Two starts and stops so far. Blade II sucked, but I did like Mimic. Still I'll keep the hope alive-if nothing else I'll see it to support the genre.
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: Drew on April 25, 2008, 05:54:32 PM
Quote from: Serious PaulHellboy was pretty bland to me, I haven't made it through Pan's Labyrinth yet. Two starts and stops so far. Blade II sucked, but I did like Mimic. Still I'll keep the hope alive-if nothing else I'll see it to support the genre.

Whilst I appreciate the sentiment I think it'll do well enough without any of our support. If the previous films are anything to go by it'll make gajillions.
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: Settembrini on April 25, 2008, 07:04:37 PM
Hellboy was soooo pretentious and CGIed, only "Van Hellsing" was worse.
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: jgants on April 25, 2008, 09:45:57 PM
Quote from: Serious PaulHellboy was pretty bland to me, I haven't made it through Pan's Labyrinth yet. Two starts and stops so far. Blade II sucked, but I did like Mimic. Still I'll keep the hope alive-if nothing else I'll see it to support the genre.

For me, I mostly sat watching Pan's Labryinth with wide eyes and my mouth agape while my brain went, "This is being billed as a kid's movie?  It's practically on level with The Devil's Rejects!?!?!"

Don't get me wrong, I loved The Devil's Rejects and have no qualms about movies being "too violent" or whatever, but it should fit the genre.  

Combining a kid's fairy tale story with some of the most horrific violence I've ever seen - WTF???  I pity the parent that didn't screen that movie first.
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: Dr Rotwang! on April 26, 2008, 12:18:31 PM
I've liked Del Toro's work ever since i saw Cronos in Ye Olde Mid-1990s.
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: pspahn on April 26, 2008, 12:56:57 PM
Quote from: jgantsFor me, I mostly sat watching Pan's Labryinth with wide eyes and my mouth agape while my brain went, "This is being billed as a kid's movie?  It's practically on level with The Devil's Rejects!?!?!"

Don't get me wrong, I loved The Devil's Rejects and have no qualms about movies being "too violent" or whatever, but it should fit the genre.  

Combining a kid's fairy tale story with some of the most horrific violence I've ever seen - WTF???  I pity the parent that didn't screen that movie first.
I resisted watching Pan's Labyrinth because all I kept hearing was "critically acclaimed" and "a masterpiece" from the Hollywood crowd and that usually translates into "this movie sucks, but if you think it sucks it just means that your primitive non-Hollywood mind cannot understand it."  Then on a quiet night, with nothing else to watch, I pulled it off On Demand just to see if I could stomach the first few minutes and guess what, Hollywood was right for once.  It was a pretty good movie.  

A children's movie though?  No way.
Title: [Upcoming Films] Bilbo's Labyrinth?
Post by: Insufficient Metal on April 26, 2008, 10:39:28 PM
Let's not forget that Peter Jackson's work prior to Lord of the Rings consisted largely of fare like Brain Dead and Meet the Feebles. I certainly didn't take those films as good indicators that Jackson would handle LotR's source material well when I saw he was directing, but I think he did fine.

That, and that Pan's Labyrinth was rated R on its release. Forget screening in advance, just look at the damn rating.