Friday Film News: The Hobbit and Harry Potter Updates

[eldritchhobbit]

Tremendous thanks to everyone who responded to my poll yesterday about the best time travel stories. I'll be replying to comments shortly.

For now, I simply have to say that two news items have utterly made my day:

First, confirmation of those lovely rumors about The Hobbit (casting spoiler alert!): Benedict Cumberbatch will be voicing (and portraying via motion capture) the dragon Smaug and also voicing the Necromancer.

Second, yesterday's new trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two is nothing short of awe-inspiring.

See here:

Happy Friday, everyone!


They debated long on what was to be done, but they could think of no way of getting rid of Smaug - which had always been a weak point in their plans, as Bilbo felt inclined to point out.
- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Comments

[agentxpndble.livejournal.com]

:::dies::: from the Cumberbatch luv!

PS - Has he done his manditory-for-good-Brittish-actors audiobook duties yet?

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Oh yes!

He did one abridged, so I don't count it, but he did another that's quite worth listening to, and here's my review.

I also highly, highly recommend his radio series called Cabin Pressure. Let me know if you need any help finding them. ;)

[arymetore.livejournal.com]

The WHO in the Hobbit movie?! What is a person barely mentioned in passing doing showing up as an actual character? *sigh* Aside from that, he does have a good voice and should do well as Smaug. His other "character"... that's a different issue entirely.

[scribblerworks.livejournal.com]

Isn't Jaskson supposedly making two films of "The Hobbit" - the second one actually being Gandalf's mission to Dol Goldur against the Necromancer?

I haven't been paying real close attention to the Jackson developments because I just didn't want to get dragged into discussions. Besides, I'm still ticked off at the way he mangled The Return of the King (What the heck did the Ring have to do with Arwen's life force? And why was JRRT's motivation of "My daughter will wed none less than the king of Gondor" not enough for Jackson's Aragorn? Bleh)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

From what I've heard, the added material (the meeting of the White Council, Dol Goldur, etc.) will be spliced into the main story of The Hobbit, so that both films will include information from the novel and the appendices.

I was quite looking forward to seeing Del Toro's interpretation of Tolkien this time around, but I can't help but be pleased by some of the amazing casting that's happened for this film. It gives me great hope.

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I think his voice and face both will be brilliant for Smaug. And he has such exceptional chemistry with Martin Freeman, that I think this will add considerably to the Smaug-Bilbo interaction, which I can't wait to see/hear!

Jackson's dividing The Hobbit into two films and bringing some of the material from the appendices and from "between the lines" (such as the meeting of the White Council) into the films. So I expect that's where the Necromancer's voice will come into play.

[febobe.livejournal.com]

I'm really excited about TH - thanks for the casting news break! :) What a cutie he is for a dragon-actor, eh? ;)

Hugs to you. I think of you often. Wish you were here for the Tuesday showings of the LOTR movies! :) We are having a splendid time with them.

Hugs,
Febobe :)

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Yes, indeed! I do love his chemistry with the brilliant Martin Freeman (I adore him), so this makes me even more excited about the moments of Bilbo-Smaug interaction. And he has a face that will lend itself well to being a dragon, I think!

Oh, how I wish I could see the screenings of the films with you! I think of you often, too, my friend. I can't wait to compare notes on The Hobbit with you!

Huge hugs to you!

[gamgeefest.livejournal.com]

That is an awesome trailer! I'm getting so excited. Can't it be next month already? I'm going to have to start rewatching the other movies on the weekends to prepare. :D

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

I know!!! I feel like we've been waiting so long, and yet somehow it's still sneaking up on me. I'm due for a marathon, myself, before July 15th. I'm so glad you think the trailer's awesome, too. I had chills up my back and tears in my eyes.

[gods-lil-rocker.livejournal.com]

Just did the very same thing, Amy. Absolutely brilliant. I'm impressed!

[eldritchhobbit.livejournal.com]

Me, too! :)