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Giants

2008-02-09T19:26:28Z

78.150.250.127:

'''Giants''' were perhaps the most mysterious of the [[Races]] of [[Middle-earth]], Giants are mentioned only fleetingly by [[Tolkien]], but sufficiently often to show that they did exist in his world. They lived in the [[Misty Mountains]], and maybe the [[Ettenmoors]].

The only sign of [[Giants]] that is definite happened during the [[Quest of Erebor]], when [[Bilbo]] and the [[Dwarves]] were traveling through the [[Misty Mountains]]. This could just be a figure of speech, for there was also a thunderstorm at the time, and that could have been causing the rocks to fall. [[Bilbo]] said that this was the act of [[Giants]]:

''across the valley the stone-giants were out, and were hurling rocks at one another for a game...''

That is fairly unlikely, though. The [[Dwarves]], [[Bilbo]], and even [[Gandalf]] act as if the [[Giants]] are real. [[Thorin Oakenshield]] is even worried about being picked up by one, and [[Gandalf]], the wisest one there, suggests that they find a friendly Giant to deal with the [[Goblin]] problem in the [[Misty Mountains]].

It is possible that the Giants of the Misty Mountains are some form of [[Ent]], Tolkien having derived the word Ent from the Anglo-Saxon for Giant. Ents are indeed described as something close to the common conception of a Giant (''"a large Man-like, almost Troll-like, figure, at least fourteen foot high, very sturdy, with a tall head, and hardly any neck."''). Their ability to tear rock "...like bread-crust." and hurl huge boulders is described by Tolkien when the Ents of [[Fangorn]] attack [[Isenguard]]. Individual Ents are also known to vary greatly among themselves, and some are said to be full of anger and hate.

Given these facts, it does not seem far-fetched that the reference to 'stone-giants' is analogous to 'stone-Ents': some group of [[Ents|Ent]] that has an affinity for, or is charged with the upkeep of, mountains rather than forests. The difference in terminology being similar to the interchangeable uses of ''[[goblin]]'' and ''[[orc]]''. That such a group would endanger travellers by throwing boulders fits with the detached attitude towards other inhabitants of Middle-earth Ents are known to have. However Gandalf's suggestion that they find a friendly Giant/Ent to help them reflects his knowledge that Ents are a fundamentally good race.

Another possibility, given that mountain-dwelling [[Trolls]] are described by [[Treebeard]] as an evil mockery of Ents (as Orcs to Elves), the Giants of the Misty Mountains could be a mix between the two. As [[Saruman]] bred Men and Orcs, it is feasible that in an early experiment Saruman (who had dealings with the Ents of Fangorn) or an older power such as [[Angmar]] or [[Dol Goldor]] bred Ents and Trolls creating the Giants which remain in the Misty Mountains.
[[Category:Races]]

Giants

2008-02-09T19:25:58Z

78.150.250.127:

'''Giants''' were perhaps the most mysterious of the [[Races]] of [[Middle-earth]], Giants are mentioned only fleetingly by [[Tolkien]], but sufficiently often to show that they did exist in his world. They lived in the [[Misty Mountains]], and maybe the [[Ettenmoors]].

The only sign of [[Giants]] that is definite happened during the [[Quest of Erebor]], when [[Bilbo]] and the [[Dwarves]] were traveling through the [[Misty Mountains]]. This could just be a figure of speech, for there was also a thunderstorm at the time, and that could have been causing the rocks to fall. [[Bilbo]] said that this was the act of [[Giants]]:

''across the valley the stone-giants were out, and were hurling rocks at one another for a game...''

That is fairly unlikely, though. The [[Dwarves]], [[Bilbo]], and even [[Gandalf]] act as if the [[Giants]] are real. [[Thorin Oakenshield]] is even worried about being picked up by one, and [[Gandalf]], the wisest one there, suggests that they find a friendly Giant to deal with the [[Goblin]] problem in the [[Misty Mountains]].

It is possible that the Giants of the Misty Mountains are some form of [[Ent]], Tolkien having derived the word Ent from the Anglo-Saxon for Giant. Ents are indeed described as something close to the common conception of a Giant (''"a large Man-like, almost Troll-like, figure, at least fourteen foot high, very sturdy, with a tall head, and hardly any neck."''). Their ability to tear rock "...like bread-crust." and hurl huge boulders is described by Tolkien when the Ents of [[Fangorn]] attack [[Isenguard]]. Individual Ents are also known to vary greatly among themselves, and some are said to be full of anger and hate.

Given these facts, it does not seem far-fetched that the reference to 'stone-giants' is analogous to 'stone-Ents': some group of Ent that has an affinity for, or is charged with the upkeep of, mountains rather than forests. The difference in terminology being similar to the interchangeable uses of ''[[goblin]]'' and ''[[orc]]''. That such a group would endanger travellers by throwing boulders fits with the detached attitude towards other inhabitants of Middle-earth Ents are known to have. However Gandalf's suggestion that they find a friendly Giant/Ent to help them reflects his knowledge that Ents are a fundamentally good race.

Another possibility, given that mountain-dwelling [[Trolls]] are described by [[Treebeard]] as an evil mockery of Ents (as Orcs to Elves), the Giants of the Misty Mountains could be a mix between the two. As [[Saruman]] bred Men and Orcs, it is feasible that in an early experiment Saruman (who had dealings with the Ents of Fangorn) or an older power such as [[Angmar]] or [[Dol Guldor]] bred Ents and Trolls creating the Giants which remain in the Misty Mountains.
[[Category:Races]]

Guillermo del Toro

2008-02-09T18:32:34Z

78.150.250.127:

'''Guillermo Del Toro''' (born 9 October 1964) is an Academy Award-nominated Mexican director. He is set to direct the upcoming [[New Line Cinema]]/[[MGM]]/[[Peter Jackson]] [[Peter Jackson's The Hobbit|adaptation]] of [[The Hobbit]].

Del Toro is known for his imaginative visuals; his major works include comic-book adaptations ''Blade II'' and ''Hellboy'', and the critically acclaimed ''El Laberinto del Fauno'' (Spanish, lit. The Labyrinth of the Faun. Released in English-speaking countries as ''Pan's Labyrinth'').

Although he has stated he 'loved' The Hobbit, Del Toro's lack of knowledge about Tolkien's works has already worried some fans:
: ''"I tried my best to read [[The Lord of the Rings|Lord of the Rings]] [sic], the trilogy. I could not. I could not. They were very dense. And then one day, I bought The Hobbit. I read it and I loved it."''[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2007/12/will-guillermo.html]

== External Links ==
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0868219/ IMDb Profile]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillermo_Del_Toro Wikipedia Profile]

[[Category:Directors]]

Guillermo del Toro

2008-02-09T18:32:09Z

78.150.250.127:

''Guillermo Del Toro'' (born 9 October 1964) is an Academy Award-nominated Mexican director. He is set to direct the upcoming [[New Line Cinema]]/[[MGM]]/[[Peter Jackson]] [[Peter Jackson's The Hobbit|adaptation]] of [[The Hobbit]].

Del Toro is known for his imaginative visuals; his major works include comic-book adaptations ''Blade II'' and ''Hellboy'', and the critically acclaimed ''El Laberinto del Fauno'' (Spanish, lit. The Labyrinth of the Faun. Released in English-speaking countries as ''Pan's Labyrinth'').

Although he has stated he 'loved' The Hobbit, Del Toro's lack of knowledge about Tolkien's works has already worried some fans:
: ''"I tried my best to read [[The Lord of the Rings|Lord of the Rings]] [sic], the trilogy. I could not. I could not. They were very dense. And then one day, I bought The Hobbit. I read it and I loved it."''[http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2007/12/will-guillermo.html]

== External Links ==
* [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0868219/ IMDb Profile]
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guillermo_Del_Toro Wikipedia Profile]

[[Category:Directors]]

The Hobbit (film series)

2008-02-09T18:11:34Z

78.150.250.127:

[[New Line Cinema]] and [[MGM]] announced on December 18th, [[2007]] that two films based on ''[[The Hobbit]]'', "'The Hobbit' and its sequel" will be made immediately and shot simultaneously, with principal photography to take place in [[2009]], and a release date of [[2010]] and [[2011]]. New Line Cinema has also announced the litigation between Peter Jackson and them has been settled. New Line Cinema has started an "Official Movie Blog" for the films at [http://www.thehobbitblog.com TheHobbitBlog.com].

==The Hobbit film==
The Hobbit film, set to be released in 2010 and will cover the events in ''[[The Hobbit]]''. [[Bilbo Baggins]] and [[Thorin and Company]] set forth to the [[Lonely Mountain]].

==Sequel==
Little is known about the sequel to The Hobbit film aside from it will be filmed at the same time as the first film, and has a release date of 2011. The film is assumed to portray events after ''The Hobbit'', but before ''[[The Fellowship of the Ring]]'', drawing extensively from material in the Appendices found at the end of ''The Return of the King'' (leading some to dub it the "Appendix movie")

Possible focuses:
* The White Council meets to discuss The Necromancer
* The White Council attack The Necromancer’s stronghold at Dol Guldur. Sauron abandons Dol Guldur and takes up residence in Mordor.
* Gollum leaves the mountain, searching for the “thief” Baggins.
* Sauron declared himself openly, starting to gather power to Mordor.
* Aragorn and Arwen's love story.
* Aragorn's ascent from a young man first meeting Arwen into a seasoned traveler and warrior, meeting Gandalf, and his career in Gondor under the pseudonym "[[Thorongil]]" driving back an invasion by the Corsairs of Umbar.
* Aragorn searches the wilds for Gollum.

==Confirmed people involved==
* United States Distribution - New Line Cinema
* International Distribution - MGM
* Director - [[Guillermo Del Toro]] [http://film.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2250245,00.html]
* Executive Producers and Writers - [[Peter Jackson]] and [[Fran Walsh]]

==Unconfirmed people involved==
* [[Ian McKellen]] has expressed interest in returning as [[Gandalf]].
* [[Andy Serkis]] has expressed interest in returning as [[Gollum]].

==Locations==
Scouting for locations for the films has already begun. [http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2007/12/18/28158-location-scouts-scope-new-zealand/#more-28158]

==See also==
* [[The Hobbit screenplay]]

==External links==
* [http://www.thehobbitblog.com/?p=41 Official blog post at TheHobbitBlog.com]
* [http://hollywoodinsider.ew.com/2007/12/mgm-ceo-on-the.html Interview with Harry Sloan (MGM CEO)]

[[Category:Films]]