Bilbo

H

Ham_Sammy

Tol Eressea
Pardon if this has already been addressed, I haven't read through all of the threads.

What do you make of the fact that we can "see" Bilbo in Smaug's Lair? Do you think this is just for the trailer? do you think he will have the "ring effect" come movie release?

Something I was just wondering about. He definitely should be invisible. Smaug does say "show yourself" but he's blocked by that large piece of stone there.
 
Which probably makes sense, as it might not work as well in a trailer (too blurry in a fast moving trailer?). Bilbo will clearly be invisible in front of Smaug, since he says at the end "Where are you?"
 
there are one or two things which suggest that Bilbo could have a confrontation with Smaug without his ring on at first.

Firstly Gandalf says in AUJ that 'hobbits are remarkably light on their feet and can pass unseen by most if they choose'. The film might show this and therefore provide more of a reason for Gandalf placing his faith in hobbits being an advantage to have on the quest. There is nothing to stop Bilbo from being so quiet in this scene that the dragon isn't sure where exactly he is.

Secondly in the trailer Bilbo appears to be fighting spiders without the ring on.

Thirdly when the DOS preview came out I am sure there was a clip of Bilbo saying the final line that is in the book which ends '...and so do burglars' as a final parting shot at which point he puts the ring on.

I had actually thought the scene would have been done with Bilbo wearing the ring, so I am not saying that they have or haven't done this. Like yourself I think there is a possibility Bilbo wears the ring. I just wanted to point out one or two things which suggest to me that they might have deviated from the book and Bilbo first meets Smaug without the ring on. Perhaps it would be more effective on screen if Bilbo is visible when he encounters Smaug? [:)]
 
And you might be right. I hadn't thought of it like that.

"I just wanted to point out one or two things which suggest to me that they might have deviated from the book and Bilbo first meets Smaug without the ring on. Perhaps it would be more effective on screen if Bilbo is visible when he encounters Smaug?
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In the book, Bilbo sees Smaug twice, so maybe we have seen scenes from each of these confrontations? Perhaps there is one scene wearing the Ring, and one where he isn't?

(I'm sure there is a picture of Bilbo in the chamber wearing the Ring, I'll try and track it down.)

Edit: Here's the picture click here.

So at some point, during a confrontation with Smaug, he is wearing the Ring. And interestingly, this promo picture is almost identical to the trailer shot:

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It's a sequence of frames at the end of the trailer that, I think, clearly show the ring on Bilbo's finger. As he moves out of the darkness the ring is visible. I upped the brightness and reduced the contrast.

http://i.imgur.com/4VDIgml.jpg

I think they have just removed the use of the ring effect we saw in AUJ for the purposes of the trailer.
 
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For a trailer it really doesn't work as well to have the ring washout effect. And for those who haven't read the book (probably not many in the audience but still) it might not make sense in the trailer.

My original take was that they would add the washout effect later. Some folks on here have had good ideas though about when he puts on the ring. I had wondered whether he initially goes out into the cavern with the ring off then puts it on when Smaug starts to move.

He needs to be invisible though and I'm sure Jackson will hold to that in the end. Those pitcutres do show him wearing the ring in parts.
 
Ignore the dragon for a moment and look to the left hand side of the screen. I am pretty sure that is Bilbo in the background without his ring on. What do you think?


at some point, during a confrontation with Smaug, he is wearing the Ring.
Click to expand...

I am in no doubt that Bilbo will at some point wear the ring. Certainly by the time he needs to run from Smaug I am sure he will be wearing it. Giving it more thought, I think the film makers will want to add tension and suspense to the first meeting though and if Bilbo doesn't have his ring on at that point I think that might give the suspense that would be needed for this scene. [:)]
 
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