Ever since it was announced, Peter Jackson’s Hobbit series has been highly anticipated by long-time fans of Tolkien’s adventures in Middle-Earth, and moviegoers alike. To celebrate the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey this week, Phil and Jason have come together to give you a list of our most anticipated things in the Hobbit trilogy.
Jason: I’ve been planning a movie of The Hobbit for 38 years, roughly since I recognised both my love of film and my love of Tolkien’s world. I’ve mentally plotted it, scene-by-scene, on sleepless nights or when in the dentist’s chair. Since I discovered the website TheOneRing.net during the making of Fellowship of the Ring, I’ve clocked in every day I could. Normally I avoid spoilers, will turn my eyes away and mentally go ‘la, la, la’ during a trailer which goes on too long, but not with the Hobbit. I know the book backwards, so there are no surprises, and I already have several story-board versions in my head.
So, I have extended what would have been a single (ok, triple) cinematic treat into a 9-year experience. Browsing TheOneRing is a weekday ritual whilst munching through my salad-box. Casting rumours, glimpses of sets, speculation on the inevitable plot changes all build up the excitement. After watching nine different trailers, an hour of behind-the-scenes webcasts and a good ten minutes of preview footage, I’m still not spoiled. And even after the release of An Unexpected Journey, there are two more years of pointy-eared fun to come!
Benedict Cumberbatch and his scaly counterpart Smaug
Phil: With all the exciting things that have been announced about the trilogy, my most anticipated part may strike you as somewhat unusual. After all, in a film series featuring Sirs Ian McKellan and Christopher Lee, Cate Blanchett and a host of other rightfully-celebrated thespians, it seems odd that the actor whose presence I am most enthusiastic about is a mere television actor, but it is: my most anticipated part of the Hobbit trilogy is the inclusion of Benedict Cumberbatch.
While this is based partly on Cumberbatch’s awesome acting chops, it is mostly down to the characters he is playing. That’s right, characters, plural: Cumberbatch is donning the motion capture suit to play both Smaug the dragon, and the Necromancer, later revealed to be none other than Sauron himself. I’m interested in seeing how he handles the dual villain role, as well as the motion capture duties involved in both, and if the two characters will be recognisable as Cumberbatch or not.
However, this anticipation comes with considerable waiting time, as it is unlikely that we will be seeing much of either character until 2013’s The Desolation of Smaug, and there is plenty to look forward to in An Unexpected Journey before then.
What are your most anticipated parts of The Hobbit trilogy? Let us know in the comments below!
Related posts: