Riddles in the dark

[Lucky Luke]

Gollum being such an important character, it is safe to say that much of the chapter “Riddles in the dark” will make it on film. If that chapter is in many ways a filmmaker’s dream (think of Bilbo’s escape), it also contain’s many challenges, the main one being the riddle match between Bilbo and Gollum. How will they shoot that very bookish scene? In the novel, the characters exchange five sets of riddles. This seem’s a lot for a film. How much riddles will they keep? Which ones will they keep or toss? Will the riddles be simply recited (like in a play) or will Peter Jackson and his crew add sound and images that will illustrate the riddles? For example, the “Time riddle” could make for some pretty interesting and dynamic film footage :

“This thing all things devours:
Birds, beasts, trees, flowers;
Gnaws iron, bites steel;
Grinds hard stones to meal;
Slays king, ruins town,
And beats high mountain down.”

 

[Elizabeth]

...from this sequence, in the trailor and some of the 'diaries', so it is guaranteed to be included. As you say, it's one of the critical moments. As to how many riddles will be used, and how, there has been (and will continue to be) intense (and fun) speculation.

My guess is that the actual riddle dialogue may be shortened, but the whole sequence lengthened (with more dialogue between Bilbo and Gollum, as well as more action).

 

[DanielLB]

I wont copy paste what he said (as it was his idea/post) so here is the link:

http://newboards.theonering.net/forum/gforum/perl/gforum.cgi?post=418091;search_string=riddle;#418091

We also discussed this quite a lot in the same thread. I always thought that they will film all the riddles, but probably wont all make it into the film. Maybe an extended edition with all?

 

[Celedor]

I agree that the riddle part of this chapter is going to be a challenge. If there were no Lord of the Rings films it would be easier, because you wouldn't be doing "prequels" and be tied down by the precedents and tone of the sequels. I think, however, that Peter Jackson will try to stay somewhat true to the book for this chapter. It's such an iconic chapter for such an iconic book, it would be criminal to do a hobbit movie and not include some of the riddles. We'll probably get an abridged version, like the Rankin Bass cartoon - perhaps with some action mixed in (or as you say, with some sort of montage footage.)

 

[Rostron2]

A montage of some of the riddles imagery as Bilbo thinks desperately of the answers makes sense. It breaks you away from the bookish scene. I also expect that there will have to be some serious feeling of tension/threat/action on Gollum's part to make the ending and Bilbo fleeing the scene actually be tense and exciting.