After re-reading the article several times, I think Del Toro meant that HIS version of Smaug wouldn't be in the films, that Jackson would redesign Smaug.

Ohhhhhhh. Okay. That makes sense. I was so confused - I was thinking "If they take out Smaug, then what's the point?"

And the talk on this thread about Bilbo acting like Frodo has made me wonder just what might happen. This is the LotR prequel, after all. I would not be surprised if they try to foreshadow more strongly Bilbo becoming attached to the Ring. While that would be good for continuity, the focus isn't supposed to be on the Ring at this point.

Right. I'm also wondering how they're going to portray the Ring itself. I first read The Hobbit before I had read LotR or seen the movies, so I had no idea the Ring was bad. I love all those scenes where he puts the Ring on and turns invisible, especially the time when But in the LotR movies, the world goes all "fuzzy" when Frodo puts on the Ring. Are they going to keep that effect in, even during the battle scenes?

I think Del Toro meant that HIS version of Smaug wouldn't be in the films, that Jackson would redesign Smaug.

That makes sense. I didn't think he meant that Jackson would eliminate Smaug, but I couldn't figure out what he meant. Now I get it.

But in the LotR movies, the world goes all "fuzzy" when Frodo puts on the Ring. Are they going to keep that effect in, even during the battle scenes?

I hadn't even thought of that. It would look very odd. Bilbo wears the ring a lot, especially in Mirkwood. I have no idea whether or not they'll keep the fuzzy effect. Bilbo (not sure if that was really a spoiler or not, but probably best to be on the safe side) so I don't think it would matter there, but during the bit it would. It could easily be explained that as Sauron regained his power the ring would have a greater affect on the senses of the person who was wearing it and so it wouldn't look the same when Bilbo wore it, but I have no idea what they're going to do.

has anyone seen in the extended edition extras to RofK where they talked about how in the end battle in the Black Gate Aragorn was originally fighting Sauron (sort of fighting his ghost) and they filmed it that way but then in post-production they changed it last minute in CGI to a cave troll (like you see in the movie)? it was really cool!

Yes, Liberty, I remember that extra. It was very interesting and I would've loved to have seen it realised but then again, it would be departing tremendously from the book.

Wow, lots of posts. (duh)
I remember they were going to have the Sauron vs. Aragorn thing too, except I don't have the extended DVD. I saw it at my cousins, and online. I do wish they saved those scenes and put them in the dvd as deleted scenes.

I have been awaiting this news for a number of years now: the press release for The Music of the Lord of the Rings Films. I could go on and on about this, but will control myself. Anyway, October 5th, here we come!

^^^ That's so cool! I love the music in LotR!!!

That is AWESOME! Heeheehee, anything LotR is awesome, but the music is the best part! I have all the "Complete Recordings" Soundtrack by Howard Shore! Oh, is anybody interested in going to the Radio City orchestra LOTR thing in October in NYC? Because I do! I will most probably do, because I'll probably be there. Info is here: http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010/07/28/37688-lotr-the-two-towers-live-at-radio-city-music-hall-tickets-on-sale-now/#more-37688

New York City is a bit far for us, ElfMaiden, but thankfully the same symphony concert/film is being presented in Grand Rapids, MI the following weekend. We were privileged to go last year to the performance of The FotR in the same venue, which was marvelous. It even turned into a mini NarniaWebber Moot. I hope you can make it to the NYC concert, EMAR!

In the Silver Leaves journal (see sig link), we have a few reviews (from NWebbers) from this GR concert last October.

*pines over the lack of Hobbit news*

^^ yeah, it would be nice to hear what's going on with "The Hobbit"! I want to know! the wait is killing me worse that the wait for VotDT somehow.....maybe it's because we know next to nothing about what is happening!

johobbit: I didn't know they had LOTR concerts in MI! Wow, that's great! That would be really cool to meet NWebbers at a LOTR concert, too! I hope you will get to go to the TTT one, and I hope I will get to go to the NYC one.

Yeah, what is going on with the Hobbit right now? I wish Guillermo didn't leave. Now we have to wait for the announcement for a new director whether it be PJ or someone else. Lame MGM financial problems. GRRR. I wonder if Orlando Bloom is going to be in it. That would be cool if he made a tiny cameo in Mirkwood. I hope so. Good thing, most LOTR fans do want him to be in it. Hopefully they're working on something to do with the cast, or props...

this is the best fan LOTR video I have seen! all LOTR fans have to see this!
http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=w ... jmwC9ZDzTg

watch this ^^!!!!!

Oh, about music videos, I found this AWESOME LOTR music video set to "The Call" by Regina Spektor! YAY! Here it is:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yViaGy-LGuc
The uploader has tons of other awesome fan music & trailer vids also. There's one about Aragorn set to "X-Ray Dog"- the trailer music in the LWW trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cw8moi29PfU.
Enjoy!

(BTW, if you're interested, I found a Pride & Prejudice (2005) music vid also set to "The Call":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_z3V2DbP1w&translated=1 )

Here is an interesting article on Tolkien's involvement in the Oxford English Dictionary. Enjoy!

Possible Good News for The Hobbit if the following article turns out to be more than a rumour: http://the-hobbit-movie.com/2010/08/12/mgm-deal-could-see-hobbit-shooting-start-soon/

GB