So, I've seen this topic, or a version of it, pop up on other boards as we get closer to the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, so I thought I'd bring it up here, since there are a bunch of lore nuts around.
The questions are thus (though by all means, you don't have to stick to them if you have other points to address):
What would work best, a movie, multiple movies, or some sort of high budget TV series?
What parts of the Silmarillion would you most like to see on screen, and conversely, which parts do you think are just unfilmable?
Also, do you think anyone ever takes on the monumental task that would be filming the Silmarillion, or do they try to stay away from it because of its complexity and scope?
For myself, I'd like to see between three and six movies, if it's done at all. I thinking anything prior to the waking of the elves is pretty much unfilmable, except perhaps some version of "Of the Valar" and "Of the Maiar" to introduce the pantheon (for lack of a better term) as some sort of prologue. I would really like to see Fingolfin's battle with Melkor. I've always been enticed by that scene. And I think that someone, some day, gives it a go, assuming The Hobbit is as successful as LotR was in its conversion. There'll be someone who thinks they can make money off it, but hopefully they do it well or not at all.
As a film major I can already tell you this would be really difficult.
I guess what the best that can be done is a TV show, it would be set in Numenor and have in parts, middle earth.
Each episode could have flash backs to events in the Silmarillion. The story could take place around Isildur.
Depending on the success of the show you could plan 4-7 years for the show. The ending could be the fall of Numenor with the final 20 minutes explaining how Gondor and Arnor came to be. The show would work best on HBO, and follow the same graphic nature as Game of Thrones (other than the nudity)
As a film major I can already tell you this would be really difficult.
I guess what the best that can be done is a TV show, it would be set in Numenor and have in parts, middle earth.
Each episode could have flash backs to events in the Silmarillion. The story could take place around Isildur.
Depending on the success of the show you could plan 4-7 years for the show. The ending could be the fall of Numenor with the final 20 minutes explaining how Gondor and Arnor came to be. The show would work best on HBO, and follow the same graphic nature as Game of Thrones (other than the nudity)
Hey...that's not a bad idea.
Like I told you... What I said...Steal your face right off your head. Wink, Vilya, 85-Burg, Olde Hippie
How would you incorporate the flashbacks? Elendil telling Isildur of their heritage or something, and why it's important after the elves have stopped visiting Numenor? Or perhaps something through interactions with Gil-Galad and Cirdan?
How would you incorporate the flashbacks? Elendil telling Isildur of their heritage or something, and why it's important after the elves have stopped visiting Numenor? Or perhaps something through interactions with Gil-Galad and Cirdan?
All of the above, you can't really keep the same format for each episode, you have to mix it up a little.
Also to flow with the story, the Lore would have to be a little wrong here and there, mostly time and dates.
Each season would have a theme.
Season 1. Flashback:The founding of Numenor (including the story of beren and luthien) Present Time: The people of Nemenor longing for the west, to live forever.
Season 2. Flashback: The story of the Silmarils (from the forging, till Morgoth was defeated with the creation of Arda told in short) Present Time: Tricking the elves and Forging of the ring of Power, also some battle in middle earth.
Season 3. Flashback: The story of Suaron, (also focusing on the valar and maiar) Present Day: Suaron goes to Numenor.
That is all I have in my head at the moment.
do you think anyone ever takes on the monumental task that would be filming the Silmarillion, or do they try to stay away from it because of its complexity and scope?
A bunch of people are already working on it. xD
Well, I suppose you could always say "flame resistant sunglasses" if you prefer that to "shoes"
I think for the most part this book is more unfilmable as a whole and I am glad Christopher won't sell the rights and had probable put it in his will somewhere that the rights are never to be sold.
But if they were to do something i think a mini series would work best.
Season one starting with the return of the Noldor to Middle-earth, with their story told in flash backs from the info Melian gets from Galadrial about the departure from the undying lands and the kin slaying. to Thingol banning all things Noldor from his kingdom.
Season 2 the lines of men and the defeat of the Noldor through the 4th battle and the coming of Beren to Dorinth.
Season 3 the story of Beren and Luthian and rescue of one of the Simarilas.
Season 4 the fall of Gondolin and Norgothrian, death of Turin and the dragon.
Season 5 the sons of Feanor and the second and third kinslayings.
Season 6 Elrond and Elros and their lives with the Last two sons of Feanor. End of the first age.
I think animation might be best, if it were handled properly. It frees the director from budget constraints, and it avoids the uncanny valley problems of using CGI on a large scale. The problem is, handling it properly is easier said than done.
Junior Member Online status:
Reputation:
Grand Member Online status:
Reputation:
Originally Posted by Aralt
Like I told you... What I said... Steal your face right off your head.
Poster of Note Online status:
The Crimson Burglar Squad-Glimmer of Red...Then you are dead
Senior Member Online status:
Senior Member Online status:
Senior Member Online status:
Grand Member Online status:
Reply With Quote
Posting Permissions
