Thread: New Lord of the Rings and Hobbit animated movies

A discussion of the Silmarillion in film version got me thinking about this one...

What do ya'll think about new animated versions of the trilogy and Hobbit? I know there are those movies from back in the 70s or whatever, but I think it can be done way better now. Animation has become so much more sophisticated now that I think it could turn out really cool. I wouldn't mind breaking it up into parts especially if they could include more of the story. I understand why they had to take out some parts in the movie versions, but this would be a cool way to include the lost bits.

What do ya'll think? Oh and I would love to hear if there's any info out there about this like independent projects and such!

It would be amazing if they did that.

Would be awesome, I also think LOTR series like a chapter=1 episode would be epic, and would give us around 60 hours instead of 9

There is a lot more opportunity to be true to the books in a cartoon, at least, than with live action and its far easier to get across the less obvious concepts (for example, you wouldn't need a flaming eye bolted on top of a tower). Plus you aren't as limited by what real people look like (I mean... Sean Bean).

If it was done episodically and was far better than the original animated film it'd be brilliant.

I am trying to think of cartoon which would look sufficiently epic and not "silly". Can't remember any. Stylization isn't generally a bad thing but I think it might be bad for this.

Originally Posted by Reniannen

I am trying to think of cartoon which would look sufficiently epic and not "silly". Can't remember any. Stylization isn't generally a bad thing but I think it might be bad for this.

The recent Tintin movie's animation style could probably be adapted to give the right sort of feel. Saying that a few of the more 'realistic' looking characters sat comfortably within the uncanny valley..

Originally Posted by Curandhras

The recent Tintin movie's animation style could probably be adapted to give the right sort of feel. Saying that a few of the more 'realistic' looking characters sat comfortably within the uncanny valley..

Yeah but that was CGI "painted" over real actors. I don't think that's what OP had in mind.

Lord of the Rings: The Anime

I like it!

Been awhile since I've posted regularly. Wanted to find this thread again as I had some more thoughts.

If anyone has seen some of the DC Comics based movies being released by WB over the past few years such as Superman/Batman: Apocalypse or Green Lantern: First Flight, this is more what I had in mind. I think the animation on these was well done and the voice acting is top notch. I am not a super huge fan of CGI as a stand alone medium, and in this case to me it would just feel like a repeat of what we already have, especially since they already used CGI to supplement the effects in the films.

I think it would be neat to have a longer series of shorter traditional animation episodes. This way they could include the details left out of or changed in the movies. Perhaps even go chapter by chapter?

More thoughts?

Originally Posted by bambubambubambu

I think it would be neat to have a longer series of shorter traditional animation episodes. This way they could include the details left out of or changed in the movies. Perhaps even go chapter by chapter?

More thoughts?

I completely agree with this. I think LotR needs a "series" style layout to be told well. The only problem is writers tend to feel compelled to end every single 30/60 minute episode on some sort of OMG cliffhanger. It works pretty well in sort of "trashy" TV stuff but LotR would suffer from this I think since understatement is one of its strong points.

I can see it, if it was a mini-series - I think its problematic to go at it chapter by chapter because of the reasons mentioned about having to find a climatic break for each episode. (or worse, build in a climatic break where there isn't one. :/ ) So I think each episode would have to break like the author intended with the climax of each book. ( not each book of the trilogy - but each book of the trilogy was broken into two books) So a 6 part mini-series with maybe a intro/flashback/conclusion episode or two thrown in.

It would definitely have to have a certain style - most anime's or the speed racer stylized look wouldn't cut it, however I think the animation in princess mononoke with a "European" tweak would do marvelously, lots of depth, believable background scenery and incredible detail is required. Characters could be "stylized" to a degree, but i think the more higher the stature or importance of the character, the more realistic they should appear. For example I could see merry and pippin with those stylized annime faces with the big smiles and sweat beads when they are nervous - but Gandalf should always be drawn realistic, similar to the Tin Tin example.

And Dark and evil should be EPIC.

Of course I would rather see a really well done animated mini series of the Silmarillion - XP

Originally Posted by Dwarendele

Of course I would rather see a really well done animated mini series of the Silmarillion - XP

This would be absolutely amazing.

I think computer generated characters as Beowulf would be cole remember that computer movie?

Originally Posted by Dwarendele

I can see it, if it was a mini-series - I think its problematic to go at it chapter by chapter because of the reasons mentioned about having to find a climatic break for each episode. (or worse, build in a climatic break where there isn't one. :/ ) So I think each episode would have to break like the author intended with the climax of each book. ( not each book of the trilogy - but each book of the trilogy was broken into two books) So a 6 part mini-series with maybe a intro/flashback/conclusion episode or two thrown in.

It would definitely have to have a certain style - most anime's or the speed racer stylized look wouldn't cut it, however I think the animation in princess mononoke with a "European" tweak would do marvelously, lots of depth, believable background scenery and incredible detail is required. Characters could be "stylized" to a degree, but i think the more higher the stature or importance of the character, the more realistic they should appear. For example I could see merry and pippin with those stylized annime faces with the big smiles and sweat beads when they are nervous - but Gandalf should always be drawn realistic, similar to the Tin Tin example.

And Dark and evil should be EPIC.

Of course I would rather see a really well done animated mini series of the Silmarillion - XP

I was thinking more American style, but I could dig something like Princess Mononoke. Has to be one of my all time favorite animated flicks and I can see it working for Lord of the Rings. That movie was truly epic!