My plot outline for the Hobbit Movie!

[Snaga]

Just for fun, I decided to work out how I would shoot the Hobbit, if I was the director. This would be for an expanded (and probably less child-like) Hobbit. What do you think??!:D

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(1) Prologue: Saruman narrating, looking in the Palantir. Smaug descends upon Erebor. The destruction of Dale. Young Thorin meets Thror and Thrain on the side of the mountain, and they escape. Cut back to Saruman… he tells us that Sauron’s people are looking for the Ring (we see orcs searching the Great River)

(2) Credits

(3) The chance meeting at Bree. Thorin meets Gandalf and opens his heart. Gandalf says he knows where to find a burglar…

(4) Gandalf meetings Bilbo.

(5) The Unexpected Party. Gandalf explains about his discovery of Thrain… flashback to his secret search of Dol Guldur, and how he realises that the Necromancer is Sauron

(6) Troll Scene

(7) A Short Rest… arrival at Rivendell

Gandalf meets with Elrond. They debate the forthcoming attack assault on Dol Guldur, and Thorin’s quest. Elrond fears for the fate of the dwarves. Gandalf says a foresight is on him, and the quest though hopeless must continue. He fears Sauron will use Smaug against Rivendell. The attack on Dol Guldur must go ahead, to keep his Eye from the quest. Elrond says the Misty Mountains are too dangerous. Gandalf says he will accompany them. Elrond says there is no time… they must gather in Lorien soon.

(8) Elrond examines the map and reveals the Moon Runes to Thorin.

(9) Over Hill and Under Hill
Riddles in the Dark
Out of the Frying Pan and into the Fire – lengthy action sequence – culminating in rescue by the Eagles who carry them to the Carrock.

(10) Gandalf departs at the gate to Mirkwood and goes South

(11) Flies and Spiders

(12) Barrels out of Bond – Legolas meets the dwarves! Thranduil’s wrath

(13) A Warm Welcome, followed swiftly by…
On the Doorstep
Inside Information

(14) Not At Home leading into...
Fire and Water - Attack of the White Council… inter-cut with Smaug arising in wrath and descending on Laketown… the White Councils attack is going badly… Laketown burns…. Gandalf arrives and turns the tide…. Bard the Bowman slays Smaug

(15) Gathering of the Clouds
But Saruman sneers at Gandalf… Sauron knew all of your plans. He reveals to Gandalf that his “foolish scheme” are failing… tells hims of the quarrel at Erebor, and the march of the goblins and wargs. “I have seen it…” Gandalf departs in haste.

(16) A Thief in the Night
The siege at Erebor… Bilbo takes the Arkenstone and gives it to Bard

(17) The Clouds Burst…
The Battle of Five Armies… Gandalf’s return… The Eagle’s arrival.

(18) Bilbo’s reconciliation with Thorin. His reward… and return home.

Closing credits.

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Oops... I seem to have cut out Beorn! That should get the purists enraged!! :eek:

[Nóm]

I think it is clever for a LotR prequel. Especially the opening.

Not to my liking though. I think The Hobbit stands fine on its own. Whenever the film gets made, I wish that there would not too much emphasis on the One Ring, and that Bilbo's character is well written, well played, and as much like he is in the book as is possible for any book to film adaption. For me it must center on Bilbo.

I reckon a more serious version could be to my liking if it had enough charming moments and Bilbo were well done. I'd prefer not to see it adultized... hehe... though, since that would pretty much kill what I love so much about the book.

[Noldor_returned]

Nice idea, but I don't think they should meet Legolas. I don't think that Gandalf and Elrond should debate what will happen in the attack on Dul Guldur, as most movie-goers wouldn't appreciate the beauty of it. Otherwise looks good.

[Majimaune]

its good i like it

snaga are you a script writer or director or something of the sort cause its really welll writen

[e.Blackstar]

I rather like it, though I would rather Legolas be a mere cameo in the scene with the dwarves and elven king than an active character.

The beginning sets up well for the prequel, but I hope it would be more subtle than that...so it could be a stand-alone movie, y'know?
:cool:

[Snaga]

Nom, I know what you mean about keeping the child-like charm in there. The safest way is to shoot the movie more or less as published. A few chops and changes might be needed, probably mostly due to pacing. I'd love them to do that, but its not a very interesting writing challenge. So I went for the 'expanded Hobbit' version, purely for my own mental exercise. Actually, I wouldn't mind if either the 'original' or 'expanded' version were made: either could be valid, if done well. Indeed, perhaps a really clever director could show the 'original' version for the theatrical, and the 'expanded' for the DVD?

I would contend that my outline would still be quite Bilbo-focussed, just not entirely. I guess it tells two stories: Bilbo's and Gandalf's. Gandalf's mysterious disappearance in the book probably would probably take something away for adult audiences while being perfectly ok for children - who are probably wise enough to accept that's just how wizards are!

e.Blackstar and N_R: you both comment on Legolas. I think that for a tie-in, it would be too good to miss at least a small appearance by Legolas. He shouldn't be allowed to run away with the story: I would expect PJ will want to have some acrobatics on Erebor. Indeed, it has crossed my mind that he might not see the need to introduce a new bowman called Bard, when he has a ready made archer with pointy ears to call upon. That would be horrendous! (I wonder if I'm tempting fate by writing that down... what if Fran Walsh reads it....:eek: )

I don't at all agree with you N_R about my Gandalf & Elrond debate. I think something of this might be important to build tension, by explaining the peril that the White Council sees. I think it helps both storylines. I'd really want to use that line that Gandalf has in UT about fearing "Dragon fire and savage swords in Eriador" - perhaps changed to Rivendell rather than introducing a new name. Of course, I'm not actually sure how much Gandalf would have said of this to Elrond, but it seems likely that such a discussion could have taken place.

Anyway... thank you all for your kind comments. Majimaune - thanks - that's very flattering, but I am not a writer. Maybe one day I will get it together and write something, but its not happened so far!:)

[e.Blackstar]

I think that for a tie-in, it would be too good to miss at least a small appearance by Legolas. He shouldn't be allowed to run away with the story: I would expect PJ will want to have some acrobatics on Erebor. Indeed, it has crossed my mind that he might not see the need to introduce a near bowman called Bard, when he has a ready made archer with pointy ears to call upon. That would be horrendous! (I wonder if I'm tempting fate by writing that down... what if Fran Walsh reads it.... )

I agree entirely. Legolas having a cameo would be fine as a tie-in and a little fangirl revenue ;), but anything more would be blasphemy (not that PJ is likely to care...*grumble mutter*)
:rolleyes:

[Wonko The Sane]

I like it, but I'd love to see Beorn in the films. And if I see Legolas in Mirkwood and he says a SINGLE WORD I'll be very upset.
If we see him sitting at his father's side or catch a glimpse of him wandering the halls with a jug in his hand fine, but if he says ANYTHING I'll cry. :)



(And Snaga, if you mention Fran Walsh again I'm taping your mouth shut! Don't you know that the surest way to call the devil to you is to utter the devil's name?!

Fran Walsh and Phillipa Boyens are good writers, but they have the same problem I had and probably still have. They think of a good idea so they HAVE to include it.
If they think of something good it seems that they ignore everything else just to put it in. Bah. Rubbish. Economy of words is important!)

[Ermundo]

The Hobbit movie...
...
..
Very Interesting But all the same.

Think about it. The Hobbit was a fairy tale for kids. It didn't have the seriousness that LOTR Had. If it did, than it problably would have made more sense to make a hobbit movie first, than LOTR. I don't see how you could put intense action sequences and a scene with the suspense of the Balrog scene into a movie based on the hobbit. Intense action and suspense are what audiences really want, if the studies are true (I hope the studies are true:D). So a hobbit movie would be kinda strange. Also, being made after LOTR than it wouldn't meet up to the expectations of people who expect LOTR quality.

Get my logic?

[Wonko The Sane]

The Hobbit movie...
...
..
Very Interesting But all the same.

Think about it. The Hobbit was a fairy tale for kids. It didn't have the seriousness that LOTR Had. If it did, than it problably would have made more sense to make a hobbit movie first, than LOTR. I don't see how you could put intense action sequences and a scene with the suspense of the Balrog scene into a movie based on the hobbit. Intense action and suspense are what audiences really want, if the studies are true (I hope the studies are true:D). So a hobbit movie would be kinda strange. Also, being made after LOTR than it wouldn't meet up to the expectations of people who expect LOTR quality.

Get my logic?

The Hobbit was written in the style of children's book but it doesn't mean that it doesn't have suspense or action. What about the scene with the wargs? Or the battle of 5 armies? Or the slaying of Smaug? Or even the scene with the trolls? And who could forget the goblins in the misty mountains? Or the scene with Gollum and Bilbo?!

It's full of action and suspense, but the writing style plays this down. To make it into a good movie one might have to downplay the childlike tone of the book and try to play up the scenese of action and tension. Nom believes that this will take away some of the books magic, and I tend to agree, but I still think it could be a good movie.

We all know that the PJ movies are not LotR as we know them, but they are still LotR. The same, I believe, can be true for The Hobbit. It will not be The Hobbit as it was originally intended, but it will still be The Hobbit.

And who's to say that PJ or another director can't make The Hobbit to the same standards as LotR?

A shorter movie it will require a smaller budget and fewer special effects, and PJ might have a hard time using the same settings he used in LotR, same actors, same effects, etc. (Would Christopher Lee really want to come back after what happened in LotR?) but I don't think that means it can't be made.

He just needs to be a sensible hobbit!

[wizard2c]

"I would contend that my outline would still be quite Bilbo-focussed, just not entirely. I guess it tells two stories: Bilbo's and Gandalf's. Gandalf's mysterious disappearance in the book probably would probably take something away for adult audiences while being perfectly ok for children - who are probably wise enough to accept that's just how wizards are!"

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Hey...us wizards need a break now and then........
:D

but perhaps we could write something in for the adults....

:rolleyes:

[Wolfshead]

My plot outline for the Hobbit Movie! (http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/0006754023.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)

;)

[baragund]

Here are my 2¢.

I love the idea of the prologue. You need something like this to establishes the connection to LOTR and make sense of the complex history leading up to the Dwarves quest. Showing the destruction of Erebor and the chance meeting at Bree sets up the purpose of the story nicely. But would it be too much information too soon to tell the audience about the Ring at this point? It might be better to “review” some of that background with the audience when, say, Gollum is introduced.

The biggest challenge I see is how to work The Necromancer, Dol Guldur and the White Council’s attack into the story without bogging things down or confusing the heck out of the audience. A moviegoer who is not familiar with the books is going to have a hard time following the interrelationship between The Necromancer and Sauron, between Dol Guldur and Barad-dur, and the history of the Ring at this particular point. And then you are going to have to explain to the audience what the White Council is and why they feel they need to attack Dol Guldur in the first place. I recognize that this parallel story is necessary to explain why Gandalf splits on Bilbo and the Dwarves before they enter Mirkwood but it needs to be simplified.

How does one do this? Ugh, I don’t know! Maybe eliminate the name “Necromancer” and just stick with Sauron. Maybe eliminating references to The White Council and make the attack a simple partnership between Gandalf, Saruman and Elrond on a Sauron that is perceived to be in his initial stages of “rebirth” and still very weak.

Speaking of Saruman, be careful how you treat him in “Gathering of the Clouds”. The way you have it written, it sounds like he has already tipped his hand to being one of the Bad Guys. You need to make him appear to still be an ally of Gandalf and Elrond even though he is already starting to hatch his own diabolical plans.

To properly establish this parallel story of the attack on Dol Guldur, you may need to split the plot of the film in a similar manner as what was done in the movie versions of TTT and ROTK. That means you will have to take the narratives and descriptions of these events from The Hobbit, the Appendices of LOTR, UT and “Of the Rings of Power and the Third Age” in the published Silmarillion and put them together into a movie plot that will i) complement the adventures of Bilbo and the Dwarves, ii) be entertaining to a movie audience in it’s own right and iii) keep the movie under three hours! Btw, instead of “Dragon fire and savage swords in Eriador”, make it The Shire.

Here are a couple of other comments / observations:

1. It would be great to include Bilbo rushing out of his door “without a pocket handkerchief” to meet the Dwarves at The Green Dragon. It’s such a delightful scene and it establishes his initial “Baggins-ish” tendencies so well.
2. Definitely include Beorn! His shape-shifting capability will give the Special Effects guys something cool to work with. Also, depicting his trained animals without making them look silly will be a big challenge. His involvement at the Battle of Five Armies should really give that scene an extra punch. Vin Diesel with a beard would make a good Beorn!
3. If you need to cut something out, the Arkenstone would be top of my list. Other than being an extra-pretty bauble, it adds relatively little to the story.
4. I like the idea of giving Legolas a cameo in Thranduil’s halls. He could also be an archer in The Battle of Five Armies but the key is to downplay it. Also, it might be fun to show a young Gimli on the battlefield as well.

So write the thing up, send it to New Line and Peter Jackson, and wait for the offers and royalties to pour in!

[Shireman D]

My eleven year old and I were talking about the possibility of a Hobbit film today before reading these posts and had come to the idea of a prologue, but rather like that of LOTR/f with Bilbo at his desk - still played by Ian Holm of course!

[Barliman Butterbur]

Well done and well-thought-out in the main, but I would have stuck closer to the book. No Legolas. No Saruman. No Elrond, except as he actually appears in TH, which isn't much. No expansions.

For the opening, I would have used the scenes from where Gandalf and Thorin meet by chance at Bree from Unfinished Tales. There's plenty of chance for elaboration without going too far afield there. After all, this is a prequel, and this movie should provide the reasons that Gandalf is worried about the fate of Middle-earth and why he's in the Shire — but it should all lead up to the LOTR movie, IMO.

Ian Holme will be far too old to play Bilbo for this movie (who knows if PJ will even get to it or be able to shoot it if he has the opportunity, what with the legal problems), and who knows if Ian McKellan will be willing or able to reprise his role.

I totally agree with keeping the tone at generally the same "adult" level as LOTR, but please! leave out any extra unsolicited fol-de-rol from the director or screenwriters — stick to the story as Tolkien told it — there will be plenty for all with that!

(To Wonks: "few special effects" — I daresay that the Battle of Five Armies would give PJ a chance to trump in spades what he did with the Battle of the Pellennor Fields... ;) )

Barley

[octoburn]

I think the hardest way to "keep by the books", while remaining uniform to the movies is that, in the LOTR movie, Bilbo finds the ring and looks at it, in some dim light, whereas in the book, he finds it in the dark and does not know what it is when he slips it in his pocket (IIRC)

that, and making the dwarves with different colored beards :p

oh, and Glamdring will not glow while Sting does, for some stupid reason :rolleyes:

oh, and I'd much prefer a Bliblo-sitting-at-his-desk-writing "prologue" to a Saruman centered one.

[baragund]

Barley, my morning coffee hasn't kicked in yet so can you elaborate on your "unsolicited fol-de-rol" remark? I take it you meant how the screenwriters tendency to add superfluous stuff (IMO), especially in TTT and ROTK.

Also, does anybody have an update on Mr. Jackson's and New Line's legal feud?

[Barliman Butterbur]

Barley, my morning coffee hasn't kicked in yet so can you elaborate on your "unsolicited fol-de-rol" remark? I take it you meant how the screenwriters tendency to add superfluous stuff (IMO), especially in TTT and ROTK.

Exactly my friend, exactly! :D

Barley

[Chymaera]

Good stuff, focus on the quest and stay away from Gandalf and Sauron.

Bilbo and the Dwarves must become the the center of the story and not the sideshow. That is why the Professor sent Gandalf off on Wizard-business and it is better for the story that you forget about Gandalf until he shows up at the end to show how much Bilbo had matured and grown-up

They can put the Gandalf and the attack on Dol Guldor as a short on the DVD;)

The seen I want them to get right is Durin's Day.

The last new moon of fall is in november/december and the days will be short. The sun will be setting further to the south and the moon will set just after to the north with Bilbo sitting on the doorstep. If it is done right I will be very happy:)


PS I think that while in Rivendale, Elrond should introduce his young foster-son to Gandalf. You know 10 year old Estel. ;)

[Nóm]

Ha! I forgot I ever read this. I just opened it up and when I got to the second post I was amused to find I still hold the same opinion. It would be a super opening to show Smaug right away, and in fitting with LotR films to show Saruman as the means of the vision... but by golly I want to see Bilbo kicked back on his porch with a pipe and a wizard approach in the distance. And poor Bilbo, he thinks that only his good morning was disrupted.

I think of all the things I would be most sorry to lose in the film would be the dialog between Gandalf and Bilbo that morning. It's charming wit pulls one right into the book, real sudden!

Even though some things like Legolas and Saruman and Aragorn aren't necessary I would be surprised if they are absent from the film given LotR.

Barliman, I found the Pelennor disapointing in scale. I think he went too far in TT and the viewers were desensitized or something. But man was it awesome in TT!

[Snaga]

Nom, from reading the interviews in your stickied thread, I think you will get your wish. And in a way, I will too.

It appears the first movie will be more or less a straight telling of 'There and Back Again'. The parts that my plot outline covers, such as the bits with Saruman, Dol Guldur etc... that appears to be a big chunk of the second movie they are planning.

I'm happy enough with that. My plot was in fun. Now maybe I can plot out this second movie!:D