it looks like filming of The Hobbit may begin in July.

Well, it's about time! We've waited long enough to see it. Although I suppose they could put it off again.

I thought the Ford scene was excellently done too. But if they insist on having someone other than Glorfindel come to the rescue I want the twins! I really missed them.

(starting with Aragorn falling of the cliff and ending when he arrives at Helm's Deep but before his entrance to the fortress.) I think the whole thing is ridiculous and unneeded. First, he survives the fall and manages to float in the water to the shore. Then there is the weird dreamlike thing with Arwen where he almost kisses the horse. Finally, he is able not only to ride in this weakened state but also miraculously get his strength back. Thoughts?

I really thought it was unnecessary. LotR is exciting enough without pretending that they killed off the hero! The Arwen thing was...............weird.

one thing I am worried about with the Hobbit being made this late is that Sir Ian Mckellen (Gandalf) is getting older. will he be able to pull off all the stunts that Gandalf's role requires? it'll probably be mostly stunt doubles.....

Eh, I think if Christopher Lee could play Count Dooku in his 80s, Sir Ian will be able to handle playing Gandalf in his 70s.

Ian McKellen is irrepressible. He is chomping at the bit and the first one signed on to this film. There are no fears on that score. I expect McKellen to making films for another 20-30 years. The man is amazingly active and full of beans .

GB

*concurs that Sir Ian will have no trouble apprising his Gandalf role again* Methinks he'll be going strong for awhile yet.

Ah, okay, GB, thanks for confirming my thoughts re the arrangement of The Hobbit films. From what I've read, the intervening events between TH and LotR would come into play in a third film ... if they ever attempt such a thing.

daughter of the King, I agree it would have been fun to see the twins somewhere in the films, and more than just a 'nod' at the Council of Elrond and at Aragorn's coronation. Even though they didn't have huge parts to play in the book, they were still very memorable. And how couldn't they be with cool names like Elladan and Elrohir ...

And some bad and good news: TolkienBooks.net has been attacked by hackers and the reason I found this out was when I went on there to see if I could pre-order (and here's the good news) the upcoming release about JRR's brother, Hilary Tolkien, by Angie Gardner and Neil Holford.

Eh, I think if Christopher Lee could play Count Dooku in his 80s, Sir Ian will be able to handle playing Gandalf in his 70s.

that may be true, but in LOTR, Ian Mckellan had a horseriding double because he couldn't do the stunts.....

Ian McKellen is irrepressible. He is chomping at the bit and the first one signed on to this film. There are no fears on that score. I expect McKellen to making films for another 20-30 years. The man is amazingly active and full of beans .

he may be wanting to do it, but is he able to do the stunts? we shall see......

If I can speak for Booky and GB as well, I believe we meant McKellen could reprise Gandalf as the character, no problem, but no doubt he will need a stunt double for some shots, yes ... to be expected at that age.

^^ oh!
I have no doubt that he will be able to be Gandalf.....I am just concerned that they will have to have a lot of stunt people doing all of his stunts because he is, after all, getting older and he's not as agile as he once was.....

Note, though, that in the LotR films one wouldn't have known it wasn't McKellen doing the stunts: the double(s) looked exactly like him (costume-wise), and of course the filmmakers were careful of the angles so we either didn't see the face or it was a shot from afar. No worries. They'll make sure the character, no matter who he is or what he is doing, will look and act like Gandalf the Grey.

^^ that's not what I was worried about. I don't want to repeat myself, but what I mean is that I am wondering if, like Gimli in LOTR, they will have to have the stunties and double be in the movie more than Ian Mckellan?

Ahh but ... why do you see that as a problem? Pardon my lack of understanding. EDIT: As Lady G said indicated below, at least we know who is playing Gandalf—the one person who can do him justice—but it's the actor who is going to characterize Bilbo that has me on tenderhooks.

I doubt it'll be a concern. It will still be the same Gandalf. You know, same voice and such. I'm more concerned about Bilbo.

Apparently Viggo and Orlando did a lot of their own stunts in the original trilogy, but I don't think McKellen did much to begin with anyway. So it's not much of an issue for me.

Besides which, as long as the doubles aren't delivering his lines, it's not too important who does the stunts .

GB

Ahh but ... why do you see that as a problem? Pardon my lack of understanding. EDIT: As Lady G said indicated below, at least we know who is playing Gandalf—the one person who can do him justice—but it's the actor who is going to characterize Bilbo that has me on tenderhooks.

never mind.....I am making no sense (arrgh! I tend to do that )
I am also worried about who will play Bilbo. he has to look like Ian Holm!

I doubt I'll get my wish, but I'm hoping Stephen Rea is considered for Bilbo. He was excellent as the detective in V for Vendetta, looks the part, and has the added bonus of working with Hugo Weaving in V for Vendetta.

GB