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Post by beckettologist on Oct 31, 2009 12:25:37 GMT -5
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Post by sasha on Oct 31, 2009 14:27:35 GMT -5
Wow, sounds very interesting... it seems to me that he'd be great in this role! ... all that we can do - just to wait and see... oh, and of course to keep fingers crossed
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sobriquet
Abingdonian
"Aww, well you can't fire me Cal 'cuz, wouldya, wouldya..."
Posts: 141
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Post by sobriquet on Oct 31, 2009 19:00:07 GMT -5
Wow. Whoa. That article is disturbing.
I cannot picture Tom as Bilbo at all. As a JRR Tolkein 'fan' myself, I can see Tom as an Elf, but not a Hobbit, and not Bilbo. But that's just because I can't picture it at the moment. Tom's phenomenal, and long overdue for an opportunity like this, but I just can't see him doing it. It would be an obscene amount of bread that he would get for that role as Bilbo, though.
I just don't want to see Tom stoop to such 'Hollywood' stuff, and especially not for a role that's so iconic that it would alter his career trajectory forever, and not in a good way. (NO ONE from the LOTR trilogy has done anything worth the price of their movie tickets since: Viggo Mortensen became Ego Mortensen and has bombed in everything he's touched, Elijah Wood is circling the drain, again, and Ian McCellan can't do anything without practically being billed as Gandalf. Only the two Seans seem to have taken it all in stride: Sean Bean actually got a boost from it and Sean Astin has simply continued to stay away from Hollywood. He learned his lessons from his mother very well!)
Besides, the people on that forum have been throwing around all kinds of names for all manner of characters, (e.g. Kathleen Turner as the possible voice of Smog the Dragon? That's just a pot-shot at Turner), and Peter Jackson has always so worshiped the ground Ian Holm walks on that he practically stalked him and sold his very soul to cast Ian as Bilbo in the first trilogy. Not to mention, if Jackson casts anyone other than Ian Holm as Bilbo now, all the maniacal LOTR fans will go completely apes**t and revolt against Peter Jackson. (That means monkeys flinging poo at each other and smashing the Samsonite luggage to smithereens, for anyone not familiar with my Midwestern, USA, colloquialism).
(OH, DEAR JESUS!!! TOM IF YOU'RE OUT THERE, JUST STAY INDEPENDENT AND STAY THE HELL AWAY FROM HOLLYWOOD - EVEN IF THE FILM LOCATION IS IN NEW ZEALAND!!!! 'PIRATES' WAS AS CLOSE AS YOU WANT TO GET!!!! FLEE! FLEE FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!)
I hope I am completely wrong, and that if Tom takes the part he'll be given a script that will actually allow him to do some of the real 'craft' that he's capable of, thus allowing him to use it as a showcase and a launching pad. Unfortunately, this film/genre/series is not known for its ACTING. The books are incredibly intellectual - the films are not - it's all about the visual effects being the only mechanism that makes it possible.
Yes, I am freaking-out and I am well aware of it. It will pass...
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ericadawn
Dragon
The Admiral's Lover
Posts: 90
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Post by ericadawn on Oct 31, 2009 22:31:02 GMT -5
I loved the all the Lord of the Rings films and a number of their projects afterwards. At this point, I figure Bilbo will be someone that almost no one has every thought of...
Tom would make an interesting Bilbo, but after what he went through with Pirates, I doubt he'd say yes to something even more controlled and isolating.
As for height, I'd like to remind everyone that for purposes of filming, Hobbits are cast between 5 feet and 5'7 with Dom being the tallest at 5'7. Everyone taller than that would be a Man, Elf or Wizard.
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Post by beckettologist on Nov 1, 2009 0:03:09 GMT -5
As for height, I'd like to remind everyone that for purposes of filming, Hobbits are cast between 5 feet and 5'7 with Dom being the tallest at 5'7. Everyone taller than that would be a Man, Elf or Wizard. Tom is 5'5". Just like me.
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sobriquet
Abingdonian
"Aww, well you can't fire me Cal 'cuz, wouldya, wouldya..."
Posts: 141
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Post by sobriquet on Nov 2, 2009 0:48:36 GMT -5
It's been 24hrs...and I'm doing better this evening, about the whole Bilbo thing. Forgive me fellow Hollanderians, for my rant about Tom as Bilbo, but I'm not completely over it. I love Tolkein and I love Tom. It's just my lack of faith in the process that is Hollywood. I'm just so anti-Hollywood that I start humming the Queen song "Another One Bites the Dust" every time even a semi-brilliant actor, director or screenplay goes mainstream, let alone TOM. As a dedicated Tolkeinite, I love the films, but was there when all the fans were aghast that they distorted some of the things in the LOTR trilogy the last time, like creating a love interest for the main character, Aragorn. (I wasn't joking about the virtual monkey poo being flung around at the LOTR fansites last time. I wasn't flinging it, but I certainly understood their angst!) If Hollywood could be changed from within, and really offered culturally and artistically stimulating product on a regular basis, then Robert Redford wouldn't have had to create Sundance and we wouldn't have so much demand for Independent films in general. So, in a more mature response, I've been trolling all the LOTR sites and looking at the names swirling around as potential Bilbos, and now, I would be really pissed if they didn't choose Tom, because Tom, the Man, is very similar in nature to Bilbo, whereas Tom, the Actor, might sometimes seem more suited to an Elf or other more stoic creature. (Yes, I think I might be one of those people about whom folks say, "She'd complain if she were hung with a new rope!") What initially sounded like a hideous proposal is not sounding so disagreeable to me now. I'm making peace with it. I've come down off the ledge (figuratively, not literally), and I know that Tom would really make the role his own if they let him. It's just that having talent like Tom portray Bilbo is like using an M1A1-Abrams (a tank) to go pick up one's laundry. Perhaps, even more poetically, Tom could function as a real-life-imitating-art Bilbo, and snatch the Ring of Mediocrity from the Gollum of Hollywood and escape its Smog. There, I've given it my blessing... make it so.
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ani
Abingdonian
Posts: 202
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Post by ani on Nov 2, 2009 10:23:18 GMT -5
Tell me about it. O.K. its sounds extreme, but...I understand it. I dont want to see him in this films. He´s all too good for a hobbit.
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Post by beckettologist on Nov 3, 2009 0:04:38 GMT -5
It's been 24hrs...and I'm doing better this evening, about the whole Bilbo thing. Forgive me fellow Hollanderians, for my rant about Tom as Bilbo, but I'm not completely over it. I love Tolkein and I love Tom. It's just my lack of faith in the process that is Hollywood. I'm just so anti-Hollywood that I start humming the Queen song "Another One Bites the Dust" every time even a semi-brilliant actor, director or screenplay goes mainstream, let alone TOM. As a dedicated Tolkeinite, I love the films, but was there when all the fans were aghast that they distorted some of the things in the LOTR trilogy the last time, like creating a love interest for the main character, Aragorn. (I wasn't joking about the virtual monkey poo being flung around at the LOTR fansites last time. I wasn't flinging it, but I certainly understood their angst!) If Hollywood could be changed from within, and really offered culturally and artistically stimulating product on a regular basis, then Robert Redford wouldn't have had to create Sundance and we wouldn't have so much demand for Independent films in general. So, in a more mature response, I've been trolling all the LOTR sites and looking at the names swirling around as potential Bilbos, and now, I would be really pissed if they didn't choose Tom, because Tom, the Man, is very similar in nature to Bilbo, whereas Tom, the Actor, might sometimes seem more suited to an Elf or other more stoic creature. (Yes, I think I might be one of those people about whom folks say, "She'd complain if she were hung with a new rope!") What initially sounded like a hideous proposal is not sounding so disagreeable to me now. I'm making peace with it. I've come down off the ledge (figuratively, not literally), and I know that Tom would really make the role his own if they let him. It's just that having talent like Tom portray Bilbo is like using an M1A1-Abrams (a tank) to go pick up one's laundry. Perhaps, even more poetically, Tom could function as a real-life-imitating-art Bilbo, and snatch the Ring of Mediocrity from the Gollum of Hollywood and escape its Smog. There, I've given it my blessing... make it so. I think Tom would give it his own spin and be wonderful but I also bet he is not anxious to be that tied to a big franchise again. And remember what he said in that interview about never wanting to "move to Hollywood".
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trickypixie
Abingdonian
I'm on the verge of taking a stand...
Posts: 165
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Post by trickypixie on Nov 3, 2009 20:19:04 GMT -5
Hello everyone, I'm new here. I will post something in the Introduce Yourself forum promptly! I just wanted to say that the earnestness Tom brings to all of his performances firmly cements my belief that he would be able to play any role and shine while doing it. He would be a wonderful, shy, warm-hearted Bilbo, no doubt. And I've often thought Tom could easily play Ian Holm's son since they do resemble each other (in looks and talent!), and thus a younger version of him. BUT--honestly, I will put $100 down right now that that they go with someone in their 20's to early 30's to create a bit of parallel with Elijah as Frodo.
However, if Tom did play Bilbo, I would pay mucho dinero to see him make out with Elrond. A little nerdified Bedrooms and Hallways reunion? HOT.
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Post by beckettologist on Nov 3, 2009 22:34:08 GMT -5
Hello everyone, I'm new here. I will post something in the Introduce Yourself forum promptly! I just wanted to say that the earnestness Tom brings to all of his performances firmly cements my belief that he would be able to play any role and shine while doing it. He would be a wonderful, shy, warm-hearted Bilbo, no doubt. And I've often thought Tom could easily play Ian Holm's son since they do resemble each other (in looks and talent!), and thus a younger version of him. BUT--honestly, I will put $100 down right now that that they go with someone in their 20's to early 30's to create a bit of parallel with Elijah as Frodo. . Or as is often the case (Tom has even said so himself) "a bigger name". Sad isn't it?
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trickypixie
Abingdonian
I'm on the verge of taking a stand...
Posts: 165
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Post by trickypixie on Nov 3, 2009 23:26:06 GMT -5
Too sad and too true.
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sobriquet
Abingdonian
"Aww, well you can't fire me Cal 'cuz, wouldya, wouldya..."
Posts: 141
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Post by sobriquet on Nov 4, 2009 1:44:12 GMT -5
James McAvoy, to be exact. I don't mind him, but I'm not crazy about his work and talent like I am of Tom's. Trickypixie, you're absolutely right. If they cast a Frodo character 30yrs younger than the 'real' Frodo the last time, what's to stop them from making this another ode to "youth is king?"
It's when I stumbled upon James' name, (along with several of the usual so-called "bankable" suspects), that my gloves came off and I and my little red wagon just flew completely off our rails yesterday. The fact that those are the names floating around is what made me discouraged and think "Yep, they're 'Hollywoodizing' it" and got that sinking feeling in my stomach for Tom. In that case, Tom would be better off playing a splendid Elf and then running away with the great sack of cash it would pay, leaving his career perfectly unscathed.
If they are going to cast and write Bilbo the way Tolkein wrote him, or cast Tom and allow him to manage it and influence it in his own way, then by God, he'll be the Bilbo to end all Bilbo Bagginses! I get the feeling that I've been misunderstood to be saying that Tom would do a poor job as Bilbo. Nothing could be further from my sentiments!
I'm just unabashedly and remorselessly selfish on this one - I want the audience to be able to see him the way I/we see him: phenomenal, sublime and my personal gold standard of the stage and screen, and if/when he gets the opportunity for that kind of exposure, I want it to be THE opportunity for him. (Cutler Beckett, Darren, Nick and the Kings George were just the tip of the iceberg!) Part of the sheer joy of listening to and watching all of Tom's work is the wishing so much that the world could see him that way, too, and if they don't let him do it his way, the audience is going to be short-changed, pure and simple. It will be a great flick - not disputing that. I love the other trilogy... but I also know where they could have laid off the sappy "Hollywoodishness."
If, however, they're making Tom an offer he can't refuse, but the caveat is that he can only perform the role as Buddy Hackett, then that's OK, too. Bills need paying, and it doesn't change the fact that we all know what Tom's capable of.
P.S. Trickypixie, YES! The outtakes alone of Bilbo and Elrond would be worth the price of a separate DVD! No one would be able to keep a straight face on that set...EVER!
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trickypixie
Abingdonian
I'm on the verge of taking a stand...
Posts: 165
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Post by trickypixie on Nov 4, 2009 10:52:24 GMT -5
I get the feeling that I've been misunderstood to be saying that Tom would do a poor job as Bilbo. Nothing could be further from my sentiments! No way! I totally got that you think he'd be great! My point was just that in this industry, youth and bankability rule, so unfortunately I don't think he has a huge chance. He would kick the role's ass, obvi. What's super sucky is that it's even harder for women. I already feel old at auditions, and I'm 26. And though I don't admire James as much, I could pretty much stare at him all day, I'm not gonna lie. Personally, I think Martin Freeman would be pretty adorable, but he's probably not young or big enough, either.
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sobriquet
Abingdonian
"Aww, well you can't fire me Cal 'cuz, wouldya, wouldya..."
Posts: 141
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Post by sobriquet on Nov 4, 2009 15:26:58 GMT -5
No way! I totally got that you think he'd be great! Oh, good. I'm so glad. I was cursed at birth by a hyberbolic gypsy and sometimes I just can't seem to convey anything the way I meant it: more just becomes more and less just leaves the listener with, well, just less. Almost forgot, here's a cute pic of the Martin Freeman with Danny DeVito, one of the 'spoof' Bilbo suggestions that were getting a good laugh. (He would be a scream as a comic verison of Bilbo on SNL or something like that, though!)
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Post by beckettologist on Nov 4, 2009 22:27:42 GMT -5
No way! I totally got that you think he'd be great! Oh, good. I'm so glad. I was cursed at birth by a hyberbolic gypsy and sometimes I just can't seem to convey anything the way I meant it: more just becomes more and less just leaves the listener with, well, just less. Almost forgot, here's a cute pic of the Martin Freeman with Danny DeVito, one of the 'spoof' Bilbo suggestions that were getting a good laugh. (He would be a scream as a comic verison of Bilbo on SNL or something like that, though!) Ha ha. Love it. BTW...that reminds me. Martin Freeman is in The Voorman Problem with Tom. Hopefully we will get some news about that soon. I have been told to hang tight on it. Stay tuned. It will be worth it.
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