The Second Hobbit Movie

Question: What will/should Hobbit Movie 2 be like?

Answer (Federica): Well, your question is not easy, we have just a few clues about the "bridge movie." It should be based on the 60 years between the last scene of Hobbit (Gandalf and Balin at Bag's End) and the first scene in LotR (the unexpected party). Moreover, copyright and other stuff like this forces Warner Bros in using just what Tolkien stated in the LotR Appendixes.
Being that, I think the bridge movie should have two main plot lines: Aragorn travelling and Gollum wandering across Middle Earth. Then we could have other stories crossing the main plots: Sauron's setting in Mordor, of course, Balin in Moria and the White Council. But about this last one I have some doubt because in these very years Saruman becomes a traitor and I think it should not be revealed in the bridge movie (it would destroy any suspence about Saruman's betrayal as we saw it in LotR).
As far as the details, this is what I imagine: a "long prologue" about Sauron defeated in Dol Guldur (the White Council and so on). Then the movie would begin with Sauron declaring himself in Mordor, and Elrond revealing to Aragorn his true ancestry. At the same moment we would know the truth about two of the main characters, and I think it would be incredible. Knowing the truth about Aragorn should be not so "disturbing" for the plot as the truth about Saruman, I think.
Aragorn begins his journey and in the meanwhile we could see Gollum leaving his lair, seeking Baggins and the Ring. Through these characters movements, we could see a lot of lands and meet a lot of people we will meet again in LotR (young Theoden for instance, and young Denethor).
In general, I think the bridge movie should give start to all the "side stories" which will be ended in LotR. Moria is a good example of what I mean. I think the death of Balin should be one of the last scenes of the movie: we would see the Dwarves building his tomb, then being attacked and defeated by Orcs into the Chamber of Mazarbul. They all die: Oin with his book still in his hands. Then we would see all slowly fading into a state of ruin - Dwarves becoming skeletons, all covered with dirt - and then we could suddenly hear a cry "Gimli!" and Gimli himself running into the room - like we saw in FotR. I think this could be really awesome.


Answer (Grammaboodawg): First off, I'd like to see Ian Holm reprising his role as Bilbo in The Hobbit as a storyteller to a group of hobbitlings (like at his party). He could be telling them the story of his adventure while we follow along through flashbacks... like they do in the film Princess Bride. It'd be wonderful if we could even have a few grown hobbits listening in with smiles of understanding as Pippin, Sam, Merry and Frodo enjoy watching Bilbo tell the tale yet again. Actually, it could even branch into Elijah Wood playing Frodo as he imagines himself in Bilbo's adventure... like he comments on in Rivendell ("...off with you on one of your adventures."). Although, I don't think it's necessary to have Elijah play Bilbo. He's forever Frodo and it would be a distraction. There are several wonderful candidates who have been mentioned that would make an excellent Bilbo. So let's move on.
The Hobbit's story involving the White Council's meeting could serve as a prelude to what can appear and be expanded on in film 2. Galadriel says she wanted Gandalf to head the Council, but Saruman ended up being the leader. I think film 2 could revisit the White Council members and their trust in Saruman while Galadriel is the only one who has quiet concerns. It'd be the perfect vehicle for showing Saruman's corruption and his subversive plot to search for the Ring for himself. His plans could be fleshed out in various story lines towards the end of film 2 with:

1. His induction of Wormtongue into his service and gaining control over Théoden and Rohan. Towards the end of the film, we could see how Éomer and Éowyn come to be Théoden's wards and how Théodred and they see what's happening and try to protect the realm and help Théoden at the same time. This leads to the storyline for LotR.
2. Gandalf visiting Saruman a couple of times that leads to his enthusiastic, assuring comment to Frodo in FotR that he'll go to the head of his order, "He'll know what to do." This could be precluded by Gandalf's discussion with Saruman in film 2 about the threat of Sauron and Saruman's reassurance that the Ring is most likely lost; and if it was to show up, Saruman would have Gandalf convinced he'd be ready to handle it... hence, "...he'll know what to do." It would lead up perfectly to Gandalf and Saruman's walk and discussion in the gardens surrounding Orthanc in FotR.

I'd love to see Haldir in film 2! I've thought he could be one of Celeborn/Galadriel's escorts as they travel to the Council Meeting in The Hobbit. In film 2, he could be directed by Galadriel to guard the boundaries of Lórien (setting him up for encountering the Fellowship after Moira). She could be acting on her fears of the rising power of Sauron and her discomfort with Saruman.
Then there's Gollum seeking Baggins and reclaiming the Ring. The film should include Gollum's capture, torture and release by Sauron's minions that we catch a glimpse of in RotK when Gandalf and Frodo are discussing the Ring in Bag End. We could also see that Aragorn captured and questioned him with Gandalf as well (like in the book) and subsequently escapes... but this could be left out without much harm to the story. Gollum could end up getting as far as Moria where he begins to trail the Fellowship.
Other storylines could (and should) include Aragorn and Arwen's meeting and romance in Rivendell. It could begin with a very young Aragorn losing his father and coming to Rivendell with his mother Gilraen where he's raised by his foster father, Elrond. As Aragorn grows into manhood and begins assuming identities in the different realms of his kingdom, he meets and falls in love with Arwen where, I hope, Viggo could do a cameo reprise of his role as Aragorn at the end of the film. This could also be the perfect opportunity for Aragorn to go to Mirkwood to visit Thranduil on an errand for Elrond and subsequently meets Legolas... where we see their friendship reflected at the Council of Elrond.
I think it'd be important to show the storylines of Boromir, Legolas and Gimli that brought them to the Council/Rivendell as well. We could also see the relationship between Boromir, Faramir and Denethor. The brothers are obviously very close and are both anxious with Denethor's interference. There's also reference to Faramir failing to protect Osgiliath which could be shown.
It would be wonderful to see when Aragorn and Gandalf meet, and the Rangers begin patrolling the borders of the Shire. Maybe Bombadil could show up giving Gandalf a rest in his travels and they could talk about hobbits and such. Actually, that's where Gandalf could be in contact with Bilbo as he prepares some fireworks for a very special party, loads them into a wagon and drives away.
Then we have Balin going to re-inhabit Moria and looking for mithril. He and the other dwarves who accompany him are established from The Hobbit, and we could see them fighting off the goblins/orcs... leaving us set up for what the Fellowship finds when they reach the Dwarven realm.
I would like to see film 2 end with the period leading up to Bilbo's Long-Expected Party covering life in the Shire after his return from the Mountain. I think it should include the story of Frodo's parents, his birth, and their drowning; then continue the story later with Frodo being adopted by Bilbo and coming to Bag End to live. We could also see Frodo and Sam's friendship along with Merry & Pippin in the mix. It doesn't have to take long. Just a bit near the end of film 2 would do it. Elijah Wood and the others have already said they'd love to do cameos!

I think the overlying purpose of film 2 in joining the 2 stories together is to show not only what happens in the 60 years after Bilbo's return, but to leave the film where The Fellowship of the Ring begins... Frodo tells Bilbo he's off for a little bit of a quiet read; but Bilbo is deep into his work writing in his book and doesn't hear him. A few moments later, we have Gandalf driving down the lane approaching Hobbiton... singing a song.

Very special thanks to Federica and Grammaboodawg for their expertise!











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