Just when you thought we couldn’t get any more cool trailers for today, along comes this new one for Peter Jackson’s second installment of The Hobbit trilogy. Sorry, having to type ‘The Hobbit Trilogy” reminds us we were angry about this one book having to be split into three movies.
However, we’ll try to get over it, at least for today. That way, we can take a look at this trailer objectively and enjoy the fact that, at long last, we get a glimpse of the dragon Smaug.
From the looks of things, Jackson at least knows his way around a dragon. Plus, it’s nice to see Orlando Bloom show up again in what looks like two different roles. Guess he was jealous of John Rhys-Davies during the last trilogy.
Anyway, take a look at the trailer after the break. Look for The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug to arrive in theaters on December 13.
It’s been nearly ten years since Middle Earth unfurled across the screen, and in that time, the Lord of the Rings films have cemented their place in cinematic history. The actors have aged, technology has evolved, and the influence of Peter Jackson’s trilogy is evidenced in all the three-plus-hour epics we’ve seen over the past decade.
Jackson slips back into this world seamlessly, elevating the grandeur but also reigning it in; instead of army battles and global chaos pitting kings against wizards and demons, this is a merrier tale of Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, and a band of dwarves hunting a lost treasure guarded by the fierce dragon Smaug.
Smaug, we’re told (and cleverly not shown until the very end) attacked the thriving dwarf city of Erebor years ago, evicting dwarven kind from their homeland (writing that I’m starting to wonder if there’s a parable here, big noses and all…) and forcing them to have it out with every other race in Middle Earth, from the orcs at Moria (the chief of whom kills the leader dwarf, Thorin’s, grandfather and becomes the main antagonist) to the elves at, uh, Elvania (the elves chose not to help the dwarves in the battle against Smaug).
Agree or disagree with their politics, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are just plain funny, no matter the situation. Recently, both men appeared on Jimmy Kimmel’s show, which is being taped in Brooklyn this week.
Putting aside our cynicism for a moment (and our dislike for brash commercialism), we bring you this new airline safety video from the folks at Air New Zealand. Why is this one of interest to us, or anyone else?
Well, it’s inspired by, and features quite a few characters from, The Lord of the Rings and the upcoming Hobbit films. Because they are all produced in New Zealand, get it?
Confused? You won’t be if you just watch and enjoy.
Even though we’re still not quite sure why The Hobbit has to be three movies (unless you consider good, old fashioned greed), we’re still pretty excited about seeing it (or them). Yes, we may have mentioned our reservations before once or twice, so?
Anyway, after some other bits and pieces, the first TV sport for part one has hit the airwaves. Check it out below.
Even if a few of us might not quite understand why The Hobbit, which is only one book, needs to be three movies, that doesn’t mean we’re not interested in seeing them. Quite the opposite, in fact.
So, when new trailers arrive for the first installment, we’re not only interested, we’re pretty excited. That’s just what happened this morning with the release of a new one for Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
This new one features more of your favorite dwarves, monsters and even more Gollum. Good times. Set in Middle-earth, 60 years before Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogy starts with An Unexpected Journey on December 14, followed by The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug on Dec. 13, 2013 and then The Hobbit: There And Back Again on July 18, 2014.
The Hobbit is now a trilogy, we all know that now and most of us have made our peace with that very surprising news. Where there were two films now there are three, and one of the more important and simple things a film needs when it is announced is a title and a release date. Few films are brazen enough to release with out a title and a release date, and it seems the third Hobbit will not be as well.
The third film will now be known as The Hobbit: There and Back Again, sharp readers will no doubt recognize that title as the one for the second Hobbit film. Seeing as how that title has some sense of finality to it, they shipped it over to the third film which means the second film will now need a new moniker, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smuag.
This new title was expected, but it does seem to confirm how Peter Jackson and company are splitting the known portion of the narrative. The second film will likely climax with the confrontation with the dragon Smaug and the third film will be the epic Battle of the Five Armies. It was always considered tricky how they would do both justice in one film, so there is a small since relief knowing that both rather large events will have time to breathe on-screen.
As for the release date, the third and final(?) Hobbit film will buck all trends and reason and release July 18th 2014. This allows a Peter Jackson middle earth film to test the Summer blockbuster waters for the first time ever.
Stay tuned to The Flickcast for any more Hobbit based news bits as the first film gets closer and closer.
If you are on The Flickcast, you already know the story. A band of mismatched heroes takes an impossible journey to escort the smallest of men to the most dangerous of locales all to destroy a ring that could destroy them all. How do you improve on that ageless tale? Why, add LEGOs of course.
At Gamescom, WB Games revealed the latest trailer for LEGO The Lord of the Rings. Following in the tradition of LEGO Star Wars or LEGO Indiana Jones, LEGO The Lord of the Rings will follow the events of the movies while adding in the quirky LEGO humor. In the tradition of LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, the game will also feature voice acting.
New to the LEGO brand though is having actual sound bites from the movie used in the game. While it hasn’t be revealed whether or not any new audio has been recorded for the game, it will be interesting to see how much Traveler’s Tales has fun with some of the most iconic scenes while using the current audio that so many of us have memorized at this point. The trailer below already gives a hint both at some of the epic scenes brought to life using LEGO as well as some of the lighthearted fun that the developers have had playing with some of the films’ memorable scenes.
Check out the full trailer after the break and keep it here for more on LEGO The Lord of the Rings set to come out this fall for Wii, Nintendo 3DS, PC, XBox 360 and PlayStation 3.
Wow, leading up to comic-con this concept was inconceivable. Take the already stretched tale of The Hobbit and transform it into a trilogy, to paraphrase Bilbo, it seemed like an idea that make the story feel like butter spread over too much bread.
Then the avalanche started to roll when Jackson himself alluded to the potential of a third film. We talked about the potential expanding of the story in the wake of the first rumors. Now, thanks to a posting on Jackson’s Facebook fan page, we have confirmation:
So, without further ado and on behalf of New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Wingnut Films, and the entire cast and crew of “The Hobbit” films, I’d like to announce that two films will become three. It has been an unexpected journey indeed, and in the words of Professor Tolkien himself, ”a tale that grew in the telling.”
Go visit Jackson’s page for the whole note to the fans, it goes a little deeper into the why of this decision.
So there you have it, The Hobbit is officially a trilogy. This is an interesting turn of events for one of the most anticipated films of this and next year.
We need some processing time to decide of this is wonderful or treacherous news. Stay glued to The Flickcast for a more in-depth reaction and any new news regarding the new, third, Hobbit film.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the greater trilogies in film history. Famously there is a story about Jackson originally pitching the adaptation as two movies. The eventual producer of the films heard the pitch and asked if there were three books why not make three films.
Well that was one of the first sparks that lead to Middle Earth arriving on cinema screens in epic and beautiful detail. Now it seems like that original logic is being turned on its head as The Hollywood Reporter thinks rumor of a third Hobbit film is quite firm:
Warner Bros., Jackson, producer Fran Walsh and writer-producer Philippa Boyens began exploring the logistics of what it would take to make another movie. Those talks are said to have accelerated in recent days, with the studio on board if the right financial arrangements can be achieved. That includes securing new actor deals for the expansive cast as well as shoring up certain rights associated with the property.
Of course certain novels benefit from being told over nine hours instead of three or even six, but not necessarily The Hobbit. Tolkien’s first middle earth book is smaller and simpler in size and scope from each part of the Lord of the Rings series, so some serious padding needs to take place.
Stay glued to The Flickcast, as any ultimate decision that comes down about this will have to happen pretty soon.
One of the biggest presentations this year at Comic-Con was The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey panel in Hall H. Peter Jackson and company showed off twelve minutes of new footage and a brand new production vlog.
While it is highly unlikely we will ever see the footage in its comic-con form, we have been graced with the production vlog. In fact it has even been enhanced to give us a peek at Peter Jackson’s experience at the convention itself.
Typically these vlogs do a wonderful job of making you feel apart of the larger whole that is The Hobbit production, but the additional Comic-Con aspects actually allow fans everywhere to feel, at least in a small way, like they partook in The Hobbit Comic-Con experience.
Aside from all the con goodness on the front end, the main vlog itself is also one of the better yet released. It detailed the final days of shooting, and gave us our first look at some key elements.
You can check out the full new vlog after the jump, and I am sure no one needs reminding that The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits theaters this December 14th.
Sure The Avengers was great and The Dark Knight Rises has a couple of people interested in checking it out, but the real big boy of the 2012 movie year is The Hobbit. Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films have managed to become the most successful franchise ever in terms of Box Office, Critical Reception and Award Recognition.
So when the first of two prequel movies hits theaters this winter it will be a very big deal. Especially when you consider Peter Jackson using the exposure of the Hobbit films to push a new revolution in picture clarity, shooting both films in a staggering 48 frames per second.
So with that in mind take a gander at these beautiful stills from the upcoming first part of The Hobbit. These debuted over at Entertainment Weekly for their upcoming Comic-Con heavy issue. You can’t deny that Peter Jackson has the look of Tolkien’s world down.
These images should fill any Lord of the Rings fan with excitement, everything about these movies look like a return to form for Jackson and his New Zealand based crew. Expect The Hobbit to have a big presence at Comic-Con this year, so like always keep your eyes peeled to The Flickcast for any thing juicy out of San Diego.
After the jump you can take a look at all the new pictures.
It’s not a secret that The Hobbit is one of the most anticipated films coming out this year. While we wait for it to be relased Peter Jackson and company have been kind enough to share some making of and behind the scenes videos with us.
A new one has arrived and it’s pretty cool. This one is a tour of the New Zealand sets where the movie is being made and shows some of the actors at work.
This is another in a series of videos that helps people understand all that goes into the making of giant spectacles like Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Let’s hope it helps build the appreciation for all the work that goes into them and all the people, especially those not in the spotlight, who do that work.
Saoirse Ronan is not only starring in Twilight author Stephanie Meyer’s The Host, but is now attached to headline yet another Snow White centric flick called The Order of the Seven. The film will have a completely new spin on the old story.
It will follow a centuries old and once revered Order of Warriors from around the world, who are now a jaded group of outlaws, as they reclaim their destiny after the reemergence of an ancient evil empress. Ronan will play Olivia Sinclair, a British ex-pat of 19th Century Hong Kong who guides the warriors back to their noble roots. The film will be lined with stars from China, Russia and Japan.
Ronan has been making a name for herself over the past few years as she has taken on larger and larger roles, which have included Peter Jackson’s The Lovely Bones, the Oscar-winning Atonement and not to mention the action packed Hanna. This will be her first leading role.
The second stretch of filming for the two-part Hobbit adaptation is set to begin later this month. Even though there has already been over one hundred days of shooting, the final roles are still being cast for parts in the later portions of movie two.
Deadline is reporting that the great Billy Connolly has been cast as Dain Ironfoot, the leader of a fierce band of Dwarf warriors and cousin to Thorin Oakenshield:
We could not think of a more fitting actor to play Dain Ironfoot, the staunchest and toughest of Dwarves, than Billy Connolly, the Big Yin himself. With Billy stepping into this role, the cast of The Hobbit is now complete. We can’t wait to see him on the Battlefield!
It is hard to call this perfect casting before we see Connolly in action, but if it is possible we here at The Flickcast are somehow now even more excited for the final Hobbit film. The next two years are going to be very big for Billy Connolly who has yet to really break out here in the states.
Aside from his role in 2013′s Hobbit finale he will also be providing a pivotal voice in the next Pixar film, Brave.
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