THE HOBBIT (2012/2013): News, Rumors, Pics Till Release

[Skywalker]

Yeah, Townsend was way too young to play Aragorn. I remember the leaked image of Townsend in costume as Aragorn (I think it was just a makeup test), and he looked all wrong for the part. Sucks that he was let go, but I think they made the right decision.

But I don't have any problems with Townsend, as an actor, and I really like the idea of him as Bard. Moreso than David Tenant, a.k.a. the Walking Beanpole.

I'm not terribly worried about Saiorse Ronan's character. It's likely Itaril will just be a minor role with no major impact on the story. I'm guessing she'll have a couple small scenes when Thorin and Company are in Mirkwood, and she'll probably be at the Battle of Five Armies, too.

Plus there were a lot of random minor characters in LOTR who weren't actually in the books, and none of them really made a major impact on the story. Well, except for Lurtz.

[DarthPipes]

Townsend STILL looks too young to play Aragorn. Viggo was the absolute right casting.

I'm still not happy this is going to be two movies. The Hobbit is less than 300 pages wrong...I would rather take one three-hour movie. I've seen the results of Peter Jackson stretching out flims...you get garbage like King Kong.

[Skywalker]

Stretching it out to two films was probably Warner Bros.' idea. Cha-ching!

[Emh]

Well, TORN got me.

The above reported news was an April Fool's Joke and I fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

In my defense, I'm floating in the Pacific Ocean so it was April 2nd already when I read the article.

That all being said, Saiorse Ronan as Itaril is still a persisting rumor, one that's gotten strength from a short magazine article where Ronan confirmed she's in the films.

[Skywalker]

Bah! I hate April Fools'.

[Set Harth]

Skywalker wrote:

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I'm not terribly worried about Saiorse Ronan's character. It's likely Itaril will just be a minor role with no major impact on the story.

If they feel the need to introduce a character into the Elvenking section who wasn't in the book, I can think of an extremely logical candidate. But I haven't yet heard any rumor or other indication that he is slated to appear in the film.

[Emh]

Set Harth wrote:

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If they feel the need to introduce a character into the Elvenking section who wasn't in the book, I can think of an extremely logical candidate. But I haven't yet heard any rumor or other indication that he is slated to appear in the film.

If you're thinking of Legalos, Orlando Bloom is all but confirmed to appear.

[Candlelight]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment...-more-lifelike

Peter Jackson has revealed he will shoot The Hobbit using extremely lifelike film technology never seen before in mainstream theatres.
In a blog post on his Facebook page today, the director said he is shooting the Lord of the Rings prequel at twice the normal frame rate - use 48 frames per second instead of the normal 24.
Films have been shot at 24 frames per second since the late 1920s, and although many modern cameras are capable of shooting at the faster rate, most cinemas are not capable of projecting the footage they capture.
Jackson said they had chosen to shoot the Hobbit at the faster rate to make the film "more lifelike" and easier to watch in 3D.
When projected at the higher frame rate, the "result looks like normal speed, but the image has hugely enhanced clarity and smoothness," he said.
"It looks great, and we've actually become used to it now, to the point that other film experiences look a little primitive. I saw a new movie in the cinema on Sunday and I kept getting distracted by the juddery panning and blurring. We're getting spoilt!"
Jackson said Warner Bros were supporting the move to shoot in 48 fps, despite there never being a wide release feature film made at the rate before, and the lack of cinemas capable of projecting the material.
"We are hopeful that there will be enough theatres capable of projecting 48 fps by the time The Hobbit comes out where we can seriously explore that possibility with Warner Bros," he said.
"However, while it's predicted that there may be over 10,000 screens capable of projecting The Hobbit at 48 fps by our release date in December, 2012, we don't yet know what the reality will be."

Beating James Cameron to the punch with Avatar 2. Love it.

[Skywalker]

Great, now Cameron's gonna want to shoot Avatar 2 at...I dunno...some ridiculous frame rate. Unless 60 is the highest or something.

[bigdaddy]

Well the lame Cameron bitching - bashing didnt take long.

[Gep Malakai]

I can only imagine that double the number of frames makes Weta Digital cry.

[firehawk12]

I'm curious to see how high frame rate movies look, especially since games that run at 60 fps have this fantastic, fluid look to them. I'm probably more likely to go to a movie because of that than because of 3D anyway.

[Gaith]

"Right! This calls for immediate discussion!"

[Andrew_Kearley]

firehawk12 wrote:

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I'm curious to see how high frame rate movies look, especially since games that run at 60 fps have this fantastic, fluid look to them.

In other words, stuff will look like videotape rather than film. Sounds like a great move to me.

[AvBaur]

Andrew_Kearley wrote:

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In other words, stuff will look like videotape rather than film. Sounds like a great move to me.

How does "fantastic, fluid" equal "videotape"?
From what I've heard 48/60fps film absolutely looks like (digital) film, only sharper and more fluid.

Anyway, I'm excited to see it.