Peter Jackson talks The Hobbit dwarves and more
"The Hobbit is very much a children's book and The Lord of the Rings is something else; it's not really aimed at children at all. I realized the characters of the dwarves are the difference. Their energy and disdain of anything politically correct brings a new kind of spirit to it. And that's why I thought, OK, this could be fun!"
Peter Jackson also talked about the particular challenges of portraying thirteen dwarves as distinct characters:
"That was something I worried about. I imagined 13 guys with long hair and beards and I thought, 'How are we ever going to know which dwarf is which? It's an ensemble from hell really. I thought nine members of the Fellowship was a problem; but here, with Bilbo and Gandalf, we've got 15. It's working out fine though. The dwarves give it a kind of childish, comedic quality that gives us a very different tone from The Lord of the Rings."
Even though The Hobbit films take on a different tone, Peter Jackson assures it all feels like one large story of Middle-Earth:
"I want it to seem like we've gone back on location into Middle-earth; that these two movies feel like they belong at the beginning of the other three. We're the same filmmakers going into the same world."
Peter Jackson's wife and writing partner Fran Walsh adds that the second Hobbit movie will be primarily focused with what the article describes as "war, madness and dragon rage." She explains:
"We always saw The Hobbit more in the golden light of a fairytale. It's more playful. But by the time you get to the end, Tolkien is writing himself into that place where he can begin that epic journey of writing LOTR, which took, as he put it, his life's blood. All those heavier, darker themes which are so prevalent in the later trilogy start to come into play."
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey comes to theaters December 14th, 2012 and stars Cate Blanchett, Saoirse Ronan, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Martin Freeman, David Tennant, Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee. The film is directed by Peter Jackson.
Comments (17)
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The Narrator: The Better Man
He got it right. He's obviously not making it some bogus child-flick, but he has changed the tone to fit the story, and it'll slowly mature into the lead-into the Lotr that it's supposed to be. I wouldn't have done it any other way.
5 months agoby @narratorFlag
XxNickTheFilmCriticXx
@k-man -- Great points, and let's just hope for the best.
5 months agoby @XxNickTheFilmCriticXxFlag
K-Man
I read this article a couple weeks back and I immediately had a bad feeling after reading it. I could go on and on about this film and what I expected from it, but that would take forever. I will say this, though.
I've read the book several times and I know exactly what it is. Yes, it is more geared toward children in the way that it is written but that, BY NO MEANS, means that it has to be a kiddy flick. I was really hoping that Peter was going to take more artistic liberties and raise the tone toward the more serious/darker side in order to match The Lord of the Rings. However, after watching the trailer, which I actually found incredibly underwhelming (I NEVER though I would ever say that about a Hobbit trailer), I quickly learned exactly where Peter was taking this. Needless to say, I'm a bit nervous.
While I still think that its going to be a great film, I can foresee some serious problems with the kiddy, clownlike behavior of the dwarves and it not sitting well with fans and non-fans, alike.
In relation to the drastic change in appearance of several of the key dwarves, both in how they are written AND how the dwarves were portrayed in The Lord of the Rings. I, unfortunately, fear that Peter may have broken one of the few key rules to avoid audience confusion, that would apply in situations like this.......Never adapt the story to meet the audience's needs, make the audience adapt to your story needs.
Again, I truly believe that it will be a great film(s) and I have all the faith in the world in Peter Jackson (who is a complete genius).
All I hope is that the "slapstick comedy" will never be on the same level as what George "douch-bag" Lucas did with the Star Wars Prequels. That would be a true nightmare.
On the other side, I do believe that the films will start out lighthearted and slowly become more and more serious as the story continues on. That could, potentially, be beneficial in the sense that it really shows the innocence leaving the characters as they endur more and more difficult trials on their journey. One can only hope!! Still cant wait for it!
I also think that the next trailer will show more of the serious side of the story......which, by the way, if I had to guess, will be in July attached to The Dark Knight Rises. Both films are WB, they are both geared toward the same audience, probably have the same rating AND they are both tentpole films. It HAS to be The Dark Knight Rises.
@XxNickTheFilmCriticXx - Yeah, thats basically how he is making it sound, which is not cool. I have faith in Peter Jackson that he wont take it TOO far.
5 months agoby @k-manFlag
ollie-styrene
I have no fears whatsoever... Peter will not pull out Jar Jar on this one, he knows what he is doing.. Just think back to the nice warm humour the hobbits gave us in LOTR, this time its with dwarwes.. and they are a meaner more aggro race than hobbits..
5 months agoby @ollie-styreneFlag
XxNickTheFilmCriticXx
@cupid -- Well, let's hope when it "picks up", it's actually good. Because I don't like what I'm seeing so far concerning the project.
5 months agoby @XxNickTheFilmCriticXxFlag
CBF
I've been out of the loop longer than I thought. "An Unexpected Journey"? Last thing I remember it was going to be The Hobbit Part I and Part II. I gotta get with the times, ugh...
5 months agoby @comicbookfanFlag
CUPID
I never read the books but i do agree somewhat with @XxNickTheFilmCriticXx if i'm watching some childish take of LOTR i'm gonna be pissed.....but he did say its gonna pick up at the end, that's not so bad i guess.
5 months agoby @cupidFlag
ROFLitschristian
Not too excited for a different tone, but at least the man realizes that it's there. Family friendly or not, Jackson is still making one of the best films of 2012.
5 months agoby @ROFLitschristianFlag
ZanyZap
I want a hard-R Hobbit with lots of blood, bile and Hobbit sex. I got yo' back Marty.
5 months agoby @zanyzapFlag
slysnide
So I'm guessing Part 1 ends with the gang captured at the Wood Elf Castle?
5 months agoby @slysnideFlag
Josh
He nails it. The Hobbit IS a vastly different tone than LotR.
5 months agoby @shuabertFlag
Bawnian©-Dexeus
No problem here.
5 months agoby @bawnian-dexeusFlag
moviegeek
Exactly. He's got it right. I won't be surprised to see this rated PG.
5 months agoby @moviegeekFlag
Mutant
Can't wait
5 months agoby @zenderFlag
XxNickTheFilmCriticXx
Well, that sucks. What he's basically saying is that we're getting a childlike take on The Lord Of The Ring. Great!
5 months agoby @XxNickTheFilmCriticXxFlag
Andrew Thompson
cant wait peter jacksons is a better george lucas had to break out the old hobbit cartoon again and watch it several times just love it!
5 months agoby @andrew-thompsonFlag
MovieManiac
Thats cool. Although I love the original trilogy, it would be pretty cool to see the tone shifted a bit. Let's just hope that it doesn't end up like Phantom Menace.
5 months agoby @moviemaniac66Flag