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The One Ring Forums: Tolkien Topics: Movie Discussion: The Hobbit:
Once again, mmmmmm-MONEY will triumph.

Sunflower
Valinor

Jun 18 2010, 11:31pm


Views: 4738
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Once again, mmmmmm-MONEY will triumph. [In reply to] Can't Post
Forgive me, everyone, please, but I can't help but think back to the myriad reasons why Del Toro left the project. He of course never specified what all of those were, but he hinted strongly that the MGM situation was not the only reason. Before we laud the possible appointment of Blomkamp, we need to seriously consider what these reasons might have been, and wonder what another director might do when faced with those issues, which are not going to go away, but will likely beocme even more serious. (You can't help but wonder, also..well, the cynic in me can't help wondering....if Blomkamp would exactly fit the money-hungry Suits' need for new premium "product" because, unlike Del Toro, who (maybe, just maybe?) proved "difficult" and "not a team player" on such issues as 3-D and animatronics instead of CGI and other "creative" issues, Mr. Blomkamp is a complete newbie who can be pushed around very easily, and would happliy give into whatever the studio demanded, including post-production cuts and other tinkering with the final product, say, for cost-cutting purposes. (they must slso be looking at the bargain-basement budget of the FX on D9 and thinking with Blomkamp on board, they will easily be able to get TH in with LOTr quakity at a reduced budget. THEY CANNOT. All the money has to be up there on screen for the world to see. TH cannot be a bargain-basement production.

)If he bows to unrelenting studio pressure on the 3D issue, you've lost me right there. The 3D issue was one of the reasons I guess Del Toro left, and on that issue I have changfed my mind 360 degrees. I was initially cautiously for it, but in light of how it has IMO changed Hollywood for the worse in the 6 months since Avatar, I am now against it. There has been a wholesale cheapening of product and a film being in 3D is now the cheif marketing tool the studios use, not the3 film itself. (I wil not ouruse this issue ad neaseum, don't worry.Tongue)

Unlike Del Toro, who has a history of being stubborn and fighting for the quakity of his work (as per Mimic and PL), Blomkamp would be an easy pushover. One of the reasons I lauded the appointment of Del Toro so much 2 yrs ago was not only b/c I'd been a fan of his for the past 4 yrs, but b/c I knew the climate of Hollywood had changed from 2000, the height of the indie era, even back then. And we needed a director who would not be duanted by studio pressure over any issue, and that theere would be the need to fight for the integrity of the final product That issues would indeed arise.

And this was BEFORE the Great Recession.

Don't get me wrong, I love Blomkamp and was one of the enthusiastic posters about D9 last fall, but even as much as I believe he has the potential, he is too inexperieced. He ha snot yet found his voice. One film is daunting enoughm but TWO? It would be like asking the Steven Spielberg to direct the entire "Indiana Jones" trilogy (written as 3 films) after he debuted with The Sugarland Express. As good as Blomkamp already is, you do NOT find your coneatic "voice" on such a big and high-profile project. You need to already have developed your feature-length "voice", and the depth of your vision. And what goes for you, goes even more for yoir CREW.

Likewise, I would not have wanted the Peter Jackson of "Dead Alive" to direct LOTR--he had to get that expansion of vision like "HC in first.

We had a big enough issue with Del Toro not being familar with not only TH, bit Tolkien as well. He had to go to "Tolkien school", and spent many months familarizing himself with everything Tolkien wrote. This will affect the future qality of the films. Would LOTR have been as good if PJ and crew did not have not only the complete knowledge and command and PASSION for the project that many, many months of preperation had not given him. You just CANNOT throw in a replacemernt director just to meet deadlines into a project like this. Del Toro was in the perfect place as a directort to begin filming. Knowledge, intellect, creative fire: poor Blomkamp will have none of these things. How much time will he have to "go to Tolkien school"? Will he be able to make the innumerable changes to the scriot while filming that the project will need so that it is PERFECT? ( hard enough propositon as it is, with this 2-film story expansion.)

If he was drafted, I would feel genuinely sorry for the poor guy. He would secretly be terrified, as much as he'd be exhilerated. And PJ CANNOT babysit him. it has to be YOUR product, YOUR vision on film. (I imagine he would want to put his stamp on the film too, not just stick to Del Toro's script. especially as a newbie.)

(see this Nkii Finke story on Warner Brothers and their new scripts policy: http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com
(see today;s story: "Where's My Script? Studios Crack Down..." etc. Reading the Comments tothat story is also informative, as several appear tp have been written by actial scribes...it sheds a lot of light on the wat not only WB but other studios are now operating. And TH is being made in this climate.)

Finally, as much as the prospect of Blomkamp doing the job of babysitting Del Toro's vision with PJ's crew might excite some people, I am anyhing but excited. I still think the films have lost an irreplaceable amount of quality snd prestiege. Nothing cann replace the films that would have been produced with Guillermo Navarro, Del Toro's Oscar-winning DoP, for example. A Blomkamp working with Andrew Lesnie, for example. cannot help be for me an inferior. product.

I stand by my contention from last week that we have lost something that cannot be replaced no matter how much the miney-hungry studios want to, and for me, the films will never have the same quality a and magic.

Some may dispute this and say, "Well, you have to give someone their chance," for me, that opinion would work on any other project, but not this one. We forget: this will liely be THE defenative film version of TH, a book that, least we forget, is much more of a beloved world literary classic than LOTR ever was, and has notr been filmed in the 75 years it has been around.

This is still a sad thing for me, as I happen to be one of the people who did NOT want Jackson to direct or even babysit, outsdie of writing the script. Which he'll have to end up doing now, no matter who directs.

Let those who want the films to be made *at any cost*, becuase gee, this project is TOO BIG TO IGNORE and has to be made, and have sunnier dispositions about the whole thing, chime in and carry on...but I feel a right to have the cautious skeptical POV heard at least once.

(Message to WB: you are treating TH like Harry Potter and you already have it all wrong. This is NOT Harry Potter...)

And now I yield the floor to those who may feel differently. But I hope I have broight up some issues that merit honest debate....if the studios indeed have a mole reading this site and want to guage opinion.


(This post was edited by Sunflower on Jun 18 2010, 11:41pm)

Subject User Time
Is Neill Blomkamp the next 'Hobbit' director? Maybe News from Bree Send a private message to News from Bree Jun 18 2010, 3:32pm
    This would be a very good choice. Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 18 2010, 10:09pm
        I agree 100% Compa_Mighty Jun 19 2010, 4:34am
            If it is to be: Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 19 2010, 11:35am
                My sentiments exactly, Kangi... Patty Send a private message to Patty Jun 19 2010, 3:33pm
        Genre director Gandalf'sMother Jun 20 2010, 1:46am
            Everyone: For your enjoyment... Sunflower Send a private message to Sunflower Jun 20 2010, 5:51am
    Wow... Its exactly what I imagine when I read GDT`s breaking news! Oscarilbo Send a private message to Oscarilbo Jun 18 2010, 10:11pm
        Once again, mmmmmm-MONEY will triumph. Sunflower Send a private message to Sunflower Jun 18 2010, 11:31pm
            Woah woah woah MrCere Send a private message to MrCere Jun 19 2010, 12:51am
                WARNING: Long and Rambling post ahead. Sunflower Send a private message to Sunflower Jun 19 2010, 4:15am
                    Yes! jedihillis Send a private message to jedihillis Jun 19 2010, 9:09am
                        First i want to thank Vangalad Send a private message to Vangalad Jun 19 2010, 11:25am
                    It is obvious that you have put thought into what you are posting... Owain Send a private message to Owain Jun 19 2010, 4:32pm
                        See Voronwe's post Sunflower Send a private message to Sunflower Jun 20 2010, 5:33am
                    some thoughts... Gildor Send a private message to Gildor Jun 20 2010, 8:04am
                        Why so serious? Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 20 2010, 8:18am
            I don't want the hobbit to be made anymore Alassė Send a private message to Alassė Jun 19 2010, 1:08am
                So much drama R11 Send a private message to R11 Jun 19 2010, 1:23am
                Boy I want the Hobbit made and quick Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 19 2010, 1:41am
                Shark Jumping Voorhas Send a private message to Voorhas Jun 19 2010, 8:40am
                    Shadows and Dreamscapes Sunflower Send a private message to Sunflower Jun 19 2010, 10:38am
                You know, same thing was said after PJ said he wouldn't direct Ainu Laire Send a private message to Ainu Laire Jun 19 2010, 3:15pm
                    Yes, I could get behind Blomkamp Oiotįri Send a private message to Oiotįri Jun 19 2010, 4:58pm
            Mmmmmmmoney is what get's a film made. Owain Send a private message to Owain Jun 19 2010, 6:07am
            I think yoiur overemphsizing some potential problems.... moreorless Send a private message to moreorless Jun 19 2010, 1:49pm
            Re: Once again, mmmmmm-MONEY will triumph. Runk Snusgrop Send a private message to Runk Snusgrop Jun 20 2010, 6:24am
                Once again... Sunflower Send a private message to Sunflower Jun 20 2010, 6:42am
                Maybe 540 degrees? // Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 20 2010, 7:25am
                    This whole thing feels like death by degrees! (GDT leaving; the suspense . . .) Ethel Duath Send a private message to Ethel Duath Jun 21 2010, 3:33am
    Some people may call D9 R11 Send a private message to R11 Jun 18 2010, 10:44pm
        Somehow it seem appropriate that R11 likes D9 ;) // Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 18 2010, 11:53pm
            Brother Kangi R11 Send a private message to R11 Jun 19 2010, 1:03am
                Well Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 19 2010, 1:34am
                    My brain too. Ethel Duath Send a private message to Ethel Duath Jun 19 2010, 1:47am
                    A,E,I,O,U, and sometimes Y? Pipe Dream Send a private message to Pipe Dream Jun 19 2010, 11:48am
                        OK You wany to hear about the feaver I have had for the past 5 days. Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 19 2010, 1:30pm
                            I couldn't resist... Pipe Dream Send a private message to Pipe Dream Jun 19 2010, 2:00pm
                                Thanx am slowly mending. Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 19 2010, 2:08pm
                                    Well then... Sunflower Send a private message to Sunflower Jun 20 2010, 4:03am
                                        Indeed I am on the mend and at work monitoring security all night long. Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 20 2010, 4:13am
                                            Uh, Kangi... Sunflower Send a private message to Sunflower Jun 20 2010, 4:40am
                                                I think that people are uncertain how to respond to what you write. Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 20 2010, 5:48am
                                                    That was my chief lament Sunflower Send a private message to Sunflower Jun 20 2010, 6:39am
                                                I like Knagi's comment of... Huan71 Send a private message to Huan71 Jun 20 2010, 10:49am
                                                    A statement from Guillermo Sunflower Send a private message to Sunflower Jun 21 2010, 12:37am
                                                        Posts, the Director and the vision.. Huan71 Send a private message to Huan71 Jun 21 2010, 9:16am
                                                            Lets call the whole thing off? NOT Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 21 2010, 9:55am
                                                                "Let us all hope for the best. It will save a lot of stomach linings." Patty Send a private message to Patty Jun 21 2010, 3:54pm
                                                Actually I have reponded several times to your posts.... Owain Send a private message to Owain Jun 20 2010, 8:30pm
                    Ahhh, I see R11 Send a private message to R11 Jun 21 2010, 6:43pm
    I had serious troubles liking District 9 - macfalk Send a private message to macfalk Jun 18 2010, 10:52pm
    It's not like we have a choice right? Pipe Dream Send a private message to Pipe Dream Jun 18 2010, 11:26pm
        Basically... Malveth The Eternal Send a private message to Malveth The Eternal Jun 18 2010, 11:30pm
    Any clues from Neill himself? Nerwen Send a private message to Nerwen Jun 18 2010, 11:43pm
    my initial reaction was discomfort Oiotįri Send a private message to Oiotįri Jun 19 2010, 12:05am
    Link for those like me who don't know much about him... weaver Send a private message to weaver Jun 19 2010, 12:27am
    Hmmm... I might like this choice. entmaiden Send a private message to entmaiden Jun 19 2010, 1:26am
    Its an interesting idea ... Elven Send a private message to Elven Jun 19 2010, 1:49am
    Here's something I found Oiotįri Send a private message to Oiotįri Jun 19 2010, 2:12am
    PJ has an uncanny nose for talent. Ataahua Send a private message to Ataahua Jun 19 2010, 3:07am
        Yes, indeed (and do we have any word yet on other departments heads -- DP, Production Design, Costume Design et al) CINE Send a private message to CINE Jun 20 2010, 1:53am
            No word that I know of Arwen's daughter Send a private message to Arwen's daughter Jun 20 2010, 3:49pm
                Costumes CINE Send a private message to CINE Jun 21 2010, 2:04am
                    Hmm... Arwen's daughter Send a private message to Arwen's daughter Jun 21 2010, 3:58am
                        i don't want the hobbit to be made like a harry potter movie! Silmaril Jun 21 2010, 7:20am
                        Great List (Canonero = Legend)! CINE Send a private message to CINE Jun 21 2010, 8:30am
    I have never seen a single movie he has made. Woodyend Send a private message to Woodyend Jun 19 2010, 3:16am
        That's my fear too :( Alassė Send a private message to Alassė Jun 19 2010, 5:28am
        Don't despair before you've even watched District 9 Kyriel Send a private message to Kyriel Jun 19 2010, 10:55am
            I am glad you wrote this Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 19 2010, 1:51pm
                Me too, Kangi. Nicely said, Kyriel Altaira Send a private message to Altaira Jun 19 2010, 3:32pm
    It is a wise guess he would do it especially when... ringer5150 Send a private message to ringer5150 Jun 19 2010, 6:51am
        Brilliant... Huan71 Send a private message to Huan71 Jun 20 2010, 10:52am
    Heavy sigh Doriath Send a private message to Doriath Jun 19 2010, 8:03am
        Amen... Sunflower Send a private message to Sunflower Jun 19 2010, 11:06am
        We do not know Neill Blomkamp's knowledge of Tolkien.// Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 19 2010, 1:56pm
    Well... dormouse Send a private message to dormouse Jun 19 2010, 12:50pm
        There is only the one. Pipe Dream Send a private message to Pipe Dream Jun 19 2010, 1:17pm
    I've always liked the idea of Blomkamp Eldy Send a private message to Eldy Jun 19 2010, 2:27pm
    What can I say? Marionette Send a private message to Marionette Jun 19 2010, 2:37pm
    Neill Blomkamp on the Forums chrismortega Send a private message to chrismortega Jun 19 2010, 3:10pm
        D9: A story of redemption Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 19 2010, 3:39pm
            well... chrismortega Send a private message to chrismortega Jun 20 2010, 12:17am
    Just an Idea... Bound Send a private message to Bound Jun 19 2010, 3:37pm
        Lucas said that? Patty Send a private message to Patty Jun 19 2010, 3:52pm
            yeah Bound Send a private message to Bound Jun 19 2010, 7:07pm
        It's worth noting that TLB also received a lot of praise. Ataahua Send a private message to Ataahua Jun 19 2010, 9:30pm
            I think it will be considered a failure by anyone if it doesn’t equal LOTR. Woodyend Send a private message to Woodyend Jun 19 2010, 9:43pm
                I've just realised Ataahua Send a private message to Ataahua Jun 19 2010, 10:13pm
            I did enjoy it... Buchanicus Send a private message to Buchanicus Jun 20 2010, 12:42am
                Choice of material. Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 20 2010, 12:55am
                Same. / Ataahua Send a private message to Ataahua Jun 20 2010, 1:05am
            which is why he doens't want to do The Hobbit Oiotįri Send a private message to Oiotįri Jun 20 2010, 12:54am
            ... Bound Send a private message to Bound Jun 20 2010, 9:22am
                What do critics know? R11 Send a private message to R11 Jun 21 2010, 8:32pm
                    I agree... Bound Send a private message to Bound Jun 21 2010, 9:09pm
                        Director strong enough to keep PJ out of it Gandalf'sMother Jun 22 2010, 3:37am
                            Couldn't agree with you more... Bound Send a private message to Bound Jun 22 2010, 6:25am
    A rumour, though I still think xy Jun 19 2010, 5:41pm
        I think just the opisit would be true. Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 20 2010, 12:11am
            hmm xy Jun 20 2010, 7:53am
            I dont think SPJ would do that ... just yet anyway ... Elven Send a private message to Elven Jun 21 2010, 10:54am
    i really hope so! marlonbrando76 Send a private message to marlonbrando76 Jun 19 2010, 7:39pm
    Not sold on this guy. Uruk-Hai Send a private message to Uruk-Hai Jun 19 2010, 7:40pm
    I'm open to whatever PJ thinks is best Garfeimao Send a private message to Garfeimao Jun 19 2010, 8:10pm
        Well said! Buchanicus Send a private message to Buchanicus Jun 19 2010, 8:57pm
        That's a very good point dormouse Send a private message to dormouse Jun 19 2010, 10:00pm
            Perhaps something else occurred that caused a crisis. Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 20 2010, 12:28am
                I'm inclined to agree with you Voronwė_the_Faithful Send a private message to Voronwė_the_Faithful Jun 20 2010, 1:28am
                    Curious Sunflower Send a private message to Sunflower Jun 20 2010, 5:15am
                        Nothing so arcane: Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 20 2010, 6:09am
                    That's true dormouse Send a private message to dormouse Jun 20 2010, 7:45am
                    Probably because the announcement had not been made. entmaiden Send a private message to entmaiden Jun 20 2010, 12:29pm
                        Exactly. This is standard practice. Silverlode Send a private message to Silverlode Jun 20 2010, 8:19pm
                            Agreed Owain Send a private message to Owain Jun 20 2010, 8:23pm
                            You're both missing my point Voronwė_the_Faithful Send a private message to Voronwė_the_Faithful Jun 20 2010, 8:27pm
                                I am with you on this. Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 20 2010, 8:46pm
                                I disagree. Silverlode Send a private message to Silverlode Jun 20 2010, 8:47pm
                                    I respect your opinion Voronwė_the_Faithful Send a private message to Voronwė_the_Faithful Jun 20 2010, 8:53pm
                                        Can you help me pasi Send a private message to pasi Jun 20 2010, 10:48pm
                                            pasi macfalk Send a private message to macfalk Jun 20 2010, 11:00pm
                                            People are interested in what GdT does Voronwė_the_Faithful Send a private message to Voronwė_the_Faithful Jun 20 2010, 11:19pm
                                    Maybe, maybe not SirDennisC Send a private message to SirDennisC Jun 20 2010, 9:49pm
                                I agree with Silverlode entmaiden Send a private message to entmaiden Jun 20 2010, 11:30pm
    so Comic-Con is a month away Oiotįri Send a private message to Oiotįri Jun 20 2010, 2:45pm
        comic con annoucment would be great, but on the other hand... ringer5150 Send a private message to ringer5150 Jun 20 2010, 6:30pm
            Comic-con Announcement Kangi Ska Send a private message to Kangi Ska Jun 20 2010, 8:54pm
                Another big (yet disappointing) announcement? ...like the Blu-Ray fiasco? SteveDJ Send a private message to SteveDJ Jun 21 2010, 5:55pm
    About Experience rings7 Send a private message to rings7 Jun 20 2010, 3:55pm
    New hobbit director pasi Send a private message to pasi Jun 20 2010, 5:01pm
        which new words? // Oiotįri Send a private message to Oiotįri Jun 20 2010, 5:05pm
            the words from Ian pasi Send a private message to pasi Jun 20 2010, 5:29pm
                oh, yeah, I read that Oiotįri Send a private message to Oiotįri Jun 20 2010, 5:39pm
    Honestly duats Send a private message to duats Jun 21 2010, 12:07am
    not happy... merklynn Send a private message to merklynn Jun 21 2010, 1:49pm
        Sorry, merklynn dormouse Send a private message to dormouse Jun 21 2010, 2:19pm
            I'm not losing hope... merklynn Send a private message to merklynn Jun 21 2010, 2:37pm

 
 
 

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