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I'm all for hyperbolic statements Harry, but c'mon! Peter Jackson paved the way well enough.

And now they've already both been mention can we put a ban on a) anyone mentioning the walking criticism from Clerks II, either as their own or a deliberate quote? It's as lame and predictable as a Dalek/stairs joke in a Doctor Who talkback; and b) stop bitching that "The Hobbit shouldn't be split into two films!" - it's not being split. The second film is a film spanning and bridging the sixty years between The Hobbit and Fellowship to show how that seemingly innocent adventure evolved into the darkness that was to come. All from existing Tolkien material that just needs adapting into a narrative form. Read the stories (this was been said since December when it was first announced) before fanboy bitching about something that isn't happening.

Anyone else notice the 2010/2011 release dates are now 2011/2012? Guess they can squeeze in a tenth anniversary re-release of the trilogy at the same time!

Since Snipes was mentioned above, I'll add my $.02. Sure, maybe they were wanting to "make an example" out of him to dissuade others, but 3 years for misdemeanors? And how many *white* white-collar criminals are walking around free every day, having worked out sweet deals or skated altogether?

The law's the law, but in this age of widespread corporate crime, to single out a prominent black artist for this kind of treatment doesn't strike me as random chance.

It will be interesting to see what kind of film(s) Del Toro can make while playing in the wonderful sandbox built by Jackson & Co.

That being said, the only thing that makes me nervous about this is the idea behind the proposed second film. There is no novel or set framework from which to draw upon here. It will take a tremendous amount of effort to craft a film (that will appeal to the average viewer) out of the various segments of Tolkien's overall work. Whoever is assigned this task has certainly got their work cut out for them.

Well, here's to another adventure in Middle Earth. Here's to a smaller, more light-hearted journey. Here's to the return of Gandalf the Grey (Ian McKellan). Here's to finally seeing Smaug on the big screen.

And here's to more HOBBIT Talkbacks on AICN!!!

Guillermo Del Toro, the Spanish Michael Moore (looks wise). Just put a ballcap on him.

Good news for the LOTR series, though!

I'm sure he'll oversee a helluva lot as exec producer though.

queefer- are you 2true in disguise? seriously: "By the third one I wanted to rape Frodo with a shotgun and blow my load through the top of his head". And then saying you know where someone lives?

I'm a bit scared.

You need to relax.

I still preferred Peter Weir or whomever, but this will work and be more of a part of the other films already done.

Hey Ringy-good to see ya. Looking for more breakdancing Wizards in this one-?

He's one scary fucker.

so this time we have "shotgun" and "head" whereas last time I think it was "gravel" and "face"

I wasn't saying it was good to be a geek. I was saying somebody wasn't even reaching that level. Personally, I'm not a geek. I'm the motherfucker that's gonna rape your face and then grind it off on a brick wall.

Dude, you're absolutely right. I hope these assholes who can't deal with this movie don't go to it. I just know I'm going to have one of their whiney asses behind me in the theater and I'm going to be thrown out yet again for slugging another annoying fucking fanboy. Goddamn these pathetic basement dwellers piss me off! You fuckers better hope you're not in the same theater I'm in, or you're going to taste your nut sacks.

Just accept it man, it's alright, you're among friends.

This is good news for most of us, but really bad news for you. You do, of course, realize that this means you and I will be slogging it out in the talkback trenches for the next five years or so. The battle will no doubt commence fairly early, but it should really start heating up once the first production stills surface. I personally can't wait for the first pic of Smaug breathing flames so you can regale us with how terrible it is that the color of the fire is... the color of fire.

Because not only is that kind of thing funny but Ringy might explode through sheer apoplexy.

Queefustice!

Please explain to me why Dwarf tossing is such a big deal to you? It's not like it happened constantly in Jackson's effort.

There's no point trying to explain that every one has a different imagination, and what Jackson put on screen was what Jackson saw it as. He'll just wail and gnash his teeth until he gets as near as possible to what he wants.

Hysterically he once described the elves as being an Aryan wet dream (or words to that effect) and I'd actually like to know how on middle-earth you depict elves without making them look like that.

Would you like his appaling doggerel translated to film as well?

Sorry alocksley, ringy, but the LOTR was fucking amazing.

He never complains about the Dwarves (so refers to Dwarf tossing instead), but I suppose there isn't that much variety in a short dude with a beard.

So what if he finds it amusing?

I have different issues with them, so can understand why you don't like them, but what I am completely mistyfied about are the ludicrous reasons you have for such dislike. I don't think he has "sneering contempt" for it, in fact I think he produced a respectful translation. Would you rather he had slavishly copied everything from the novel (don't answer)?

At least he got rid of Tom Bombadil.

BTW- that scene in the frighteners is funny, as is much of Bad Taste and Braindead. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't quite funny.

I have to say that I do not like The 2 Towers and I HATE return of the king, so I'm not been fanboyish about it,

It doesn't matter how many times you say Jackson made the GREATEST ADVENTURE EPIC FILM IN HISTORY....nothing could be further from the truth.

So no big deal with them making this "bridge" film. If GDT intends to stay faithful to the Jackson version...well, after the hack adaptation of the first batch of three ya might as well write whatever the fuck ya want. Although to be fair it should be stated that it's "loosely" based on Tolkien. Or some other description, such as "somewhat", "kinda", or "marginally".

wah wah wah (fap-fap)...how dare you say that about the diety named Jackson (fap-fap-fap)....

It will hilarious and gloriously stupid.

"we used to smarter"

As if we needed confirmation of that.

Just because he wanted a more physical fight doesn't mean he hates magic.

You know who you are? You're the geek in Nightmare on Elm Street 3 that gets chomped by his own wheelchair: "In my dreams, I'm an all powerful wizard".

Oh wait....I forgot. Sleeping on a gigantic pile of money with lots of beautiful, naked women. Scratch that question.

Your bitterness passed with ROTK into kong so I know damned well it is just against the director.

Good times, good times...

If you think Jackson's "hate" for wizard-style magic is a point of contention, then you should re-read your Tolkien. The master himself did not care for the idea of "magic" especially in the Harry Potter/Bedknobs and Broomesticks manner. Tolkien always meant for the "magic" of his characters to be more low-key, insinuated, and unexplained. The fact that Jackson may not be a big fan of wizards shooting lighting bolts or some shite at one another is lockstep with Tolkien's vision. And he admitted that when putting a wizard onscreen, you've got to be able to somehow show their "power" without them casting ridiculous spells all the time. The fact that their is so little "classic magic" in the book (and film) is one of the story's strengths. You should know this.

What does Gandalf actually do in the way of magic in the books? I think Jackson put in more magic than Tolkien.

Zombie Makeup? on hybrid flesh-eating monsters? heaven forbid.

I don't know who

(and don't go gettin excited, cos it probably won't be you)

But someones gettin a big wet one