Spring Break
New spin on 'The Hobbit'
Paresh Jha
Issue date: 4/7/09 Section: Focus
The Lord of the Rings films have been completed for a few years now and Hollywood is still figuring out a way to milk the Tolkien franchise for everything it's worth.Immediately after the Lord of The Rings was completed, there was talk about adapting the prequel to the series, "The Hobbit," which features Bilbo Baggins, Frodo's uncle and the one who stumbles upon the One Ring. It is far different from the Ring trilogy in terms of scope. One can interpret it as the match that lit the fire. The story is very linear, almost like "The Fellowship of the Ring," but without the whole grandiose end of the world aspect.
The story is about Bilbo being "forced" into an adventure by Gandalf the Wizard and a group of dwarves to take back a treasure that was taken by Smaug the dragon. Peter Jackson will be involved with production and overseeing the project, but he will not direct. He has stated that the movie should have a different feel from the rest of the films, similar to how the novel was different from the trilogy. Guillermo Del Toro has been tapped to direct the film. His work on "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" show his limitless imagination and style is perfectly suited to take on Bilbo's adventures. Now there are numerous roles in the film that need to be cast. I mean, there are 13 dwarves and other ancillary characters that will show up in this movie, but the following individuals are the most pivotal roles in the story.
Bilbo Baggins:
James McAvoy
The young Bilbo needs to be portrayed as an individual whose life changes once someone gives him the opportunity. In other words, someone who has been secretly dying to get out of a life he has been accustomed to for a very long time. Bilbo is a typical hobbit who enjoys peace, food, and good company, but he also has a very dangerous taste for adventure. When the dwarves and Gandalf come to get his help in getting the treasure, he eventually gives in to his deeper desires.McAvoy has portrayed the man whose life has changed in the film "Wanted" very well. Plus, he has experience with fantasy films like "The Chronicles of Narnia." He also happens to look a bit like Frodo, aka Elijah Wood, and that is certainly a plus, considering that he is his nephew.
The story is about Bilbo being "forced" into an adventure by Gandalf the Wizard and a group of dwarves to take back a treasure that was taken by Smaug the dragon. Peter Jackson will be involved with production and overseeing the project, but he will not direct. He has stated that the movie should have a different feel from the rest of the films, similar to how the novel was different from the trilogy. Guillermo Del Toro has been tapped to direct the film. His work on "Pan's Labyrinth" and "Hellboy II: The Golden Army" show his limitless imagination and style is perfectly suited to take on Bilbo's adventures. Now there are numerous roles in the film that need to be cast. I mean, there are 13 dwarves and other ancillary characters that will show up in this movie, but the following individuals are the most pivotal roles in the story.
Bilbo Baggins:
James McAvoy
The young Bilbo needs to be portrayed as an individual whose life changes once someone gives him the opportunity. In other words, someone who has been secretly dying to get out of a life he has been accustomed to for a very long time. Bilbo is a typical hobbit who enjoys peace, food, and good company, but he also has a very dangerous taste for adventure. When the dwarves and Gandalf come to get his help in getting the treasure, he eventually gives in to his deeper desires.McAvoy has portrayed the man whose life has changed in the film "Wanted" very well. Plus, he has experience with fantasy films like "The Chronicles of Narnia." He also happens to look a bit like Frodo, aka Elijah Wood, and that is certainly a plus, considering that he is his nephew.
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