It's official: Jackson to direct the Hobbit

[Greylock Crescent]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

So you have no idea if it would even work what you propose, if it could even be as immersive as you want it to be, and dismiss the current 3D anyway.

What exactly am I proposing? Beyond a refinement of the current technology to the point where it is truly immersive and seamless in its presentation of three full dimensions? Current 3D isn't an abject failure, nor have I ever argued it as such. But it has proved a detriment for many viewers, and it clearly has plenty of room for improvement. And it will improve.

And please, do read my statements again. Where do I "dismiss the current 3D"? I have said, repeatedly, that current 3D, while limited, can be used effectively:

I am not at all arguing against the idea of 3D cinema in general, nor even the current incarnation of 3D, provided it's used in such a way that its limitations are minimized.

​

Acknowledgment of limitations is not outright dismissal. And as I've said before, even in its limited form, I have actually enjoyed certain 3D presentations and am looking forward to others -- but not with The Hobbit.

 

[Shazam!]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

But it has proved a detriment for many viewers

How many 3-D films have there been? I mean, actual 3D and not converted?

and it clearly has plenty of room for improvement. And it will improve.

Yes, and the only to improve it is to keep doing it.

 

[Captaindemotion]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

So this movie could have two Magnetos (McKellen and Fassbender) and two Doctor Whos, Scottish Doctors, at that (McCoy and Tennant). If Martin Freeman lands the title role, I think we need to get Jude Law cast, so we could have two Dr Watsons. Alternatively, they could cast John Krasinski from The Office (US) as he played the equivalent of Freeman's Tim from the original version.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

So this movie could have two Magnetos (McKellen and Fassbender) and two Doctor Whos, Scottish Doctors, at that (McCoy and Tennant). If Martin Freeman lands the title role, I think we need to get Jude Law cast, so we could have two Dr Watsons. Alternatively, they could cast John Krasinski from The Office (US) as he played the equivalent of Freeman's Tim from the original version.

Alternatively (again), they could cast Simon Jones and have two Arthur Dents.

 

[Skywalker]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

Why would there need to be a "young Ian McKellen"? Gandalf isn't a human, he's a divine spirit sent to oppose Sauron and provide guidance to the peoples of Middle-earth, along with Saruman and three other Wizards. They'd all been in Middle-earth for about two thousand years by the time of The Lord of the Rings, though two of the Wizards disappeared into the East and were never heard from again.

I wasn't being entirely serious.

Gotcha.

Sorry about that, I just figured someone would ask about recasting McKellen since The Hobbit is supposed to be a prequel.

 

[Tulin]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

Samuel Waters - Is that Judge Reinhold in your avatar?

 

[LOKAI of CHERON]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

as much as I'm sick of Blu-Ray. Time for these fads to fade away.

As larger HD displays become the norm for consumers by default, the limitations of standard definition carriers like DVD will become obvious. I live in the UK, and cannot think of a single major high street retailer who sells SD panels - they are all high definition, most full 1080p.

42"-50" sizes are becoming more and more affordable - and I assure you, all but a handfull of the very best encoded DVD's I own look like shit as you hit 42" - worse as screen size increases. Conversely, my "fad" Blu-ray's look absolutely stunning, cinematic and beautiful on my panels. Not to mention running at 24fps, giving me totally smooth playback - avoiding NTSC DVD's jerky 3:2 pulldown effect, or PAL DVD's 4% movie "speed up".

Oh, then there's the uncompressed HD sound formats included for the majority of movies on BD - that sound f**king awesome on my AV Receiver.

I dunno, perhaps we should have stuck with VHS, and the whole DVD fad thing might have gone away.

 

[FalTorPan]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

I agree that modern 3D isn't very realistic in most of the 3D films that I've watched. The image looks more like a complex pop-up greeting card, with multiple layers of mostly flat elements, rather than a truly three-dimensional representation of the action.

I'm also not convinced that this round of 3D isn't a fad. Then again, I'm not convinced that it is a fad either.

Having said that, I've no problem with The Hobbit or any other film being made in 3D. Realistic or not, 3D is an enjoyable effect. Heck, I still like the old anaglyph 3D stuff!

 

[Greylock Crescent]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

Samuel Waters - Is that Judge Reinhold in your avatar?

It's Jon Stewart ... in monochrome 2D!

 

[borgomatic]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

If the 3D version of the Hobbit is well recieved, I would not be at all surprised if they converted the LOTR trilogy to 3D at some point. Going a bit off topic here I am looking forward to the extended versions of LOTR on blu ray. There were some scenes of a few the characters filmed after the end of return of the king.(during the beginning of the fourth age) Id like to see those incorperated into the blu ray release. Back on topic, I like 3D if its done well like in Avatar. The chances that PJ will do half assed 3D are pretty slim I think.

 

[JarodRussell]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

Interesting is that they can't do any camera trickery anymore like they did in LotR. For instance building a giant table for Frodo and a tiny table for Gandalf and then have both in camera to create the illusion that Frodo is much smaller than Gandalf. Doesn't work in 3D.

I'm sick of 3-D just as much as I'm sick of Blu-Ray. Time for these fads to fade away.

Yeah, these silver discs are just horrible.

 

[Greylock Crescent]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

They make bodacious frisbees, though.

 

[Brandonv]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

I just read on Dark Horizons that David Tennant is being pursued for a role in the movie.

Does anyone have any guesses about what character he could be playing?

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

Can I hope for Bard?

 

[Captaindemotion]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

I'm guessing Tennant would be an elf. He looks pretty elven to me.

 

[Quinton O'Connor]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

I'm guessing Tennant would be an elf. He looks pretty elven to me.

Crazy elf. Crazy elf.

Yessssssss.

 

[barnaclelapse]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

If Ian McKellan is still on board then I'll probably wind up seeing them. Otherwise I'm not sure I care anymore.

 

[paudemge]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

Interesting is that they can't do any camera trickery anymore like they did in LotR. For instance building a giant table for Frodo and a tiny table for Gandalf and then have both in camera to create the illusion that Frodo is much smaller than Gandalf. Doesn't work in 3D.

Forced perspective works in real life, so I would think it could still work in 3d, but I don't know enough about it.

 

[Brandonv]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

Some new casting news at TheOneRing.net!

http://www.theonering.net/torwp/201...eter-jackson-sets-first-names-for-the-hobbit/

Martin Freeman is confirmed as Bilbo.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

Re: The Hobbit OFFICIALLY greenlit, Jackson to direct and in 3D

I'm guessing Tennant would be an elf. He looks pretty elven to me.

Crazy elf. Crazy elf.

Yessssssss.

Aside from Elrond, I can't think of many Elves in The Hobbit. I found Lord of the Rings to be extremely Elf-centric, The Hobbit is Dwarf-centric (the Dwarves didn't take as strong a stand against Sauron).