WHO SHOULD DIRECT THE HOBBIT?
June 18th 2010 01:18
Who can blame Del Toro when it became clear due to intense financial wrangling beyond his control that the production of the two movies (Part 1 & 2) would consume six years of his life? He didn’t sign on for that kind of duration, he’s got too many other projects on the boil (including adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft’s The Mountains of Madness, Frankenstein, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) , and the career clock’s a-ticking.
There’s reports that David Yates (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix/Half-Blood Prince/Deathly Hallows) may direct, and even rumours that Jackson may resume the director’s chair, but in the meantime (following inspiration from my good buddy Captain) I’ve put together a list of directors who I think would make for a very interesting choice at the helm of this hugely anticipated production. I initially had a contentious and overwhelming list of twenty names, so I’ve ditched nearly half down to my Horrorphile rule of thumb: thirteen, in alphabetical order.
Dario Argento
Key movies: Suspiria, Inferno, Phenomena
Stylistic forte: Phantasmogorical nightmares that feature the wicked realm of witches.
Ralph Bakshi
Key movies: Heavy Traffic, Wizards, The Lord of the Rings
Stylistic forte: Bakshi made an animated adaptation of Tolkein’s opus (albeit only The Fellowship of the Ring) back in 1977.
Timur Bekmambetov
Key movies: Day Watch, Night Watch
Stylistic forte: The convoluted merging of humans and demons in a battle for domination.
Tim Burton
Key movies: Sleepy Hollow, Planet of the Apes (2001), Alice in Wonderland
Stylistic forte: Gothic imagination that toys with the middle ground between children’s fantasy and adult phantasy.
David Fincher
Key movies: Alien3, Se7en, The Game
Stylistic forte: Nail-biting suspense, deep characterisation, and dramatic intensity.
John Hillcoat
Key movies: The Proposition, The Road, The Man From Black Water
Stylistic forte: Gritty, grim, apocalyptic vision … with heart and soul.
Alejandro Jodorowsky
Key movies: El Topo, The Holy Mountain, Santa Sangre
Stylistic forte: Spiritual mysticism and surrealist fables.
David Lynch
Key movies: Eraserhead, Dune, Lost Highway
Stylistic forte: Existentialism horror and science-fiction from a parallel universe.
Sam Raimi
Key movies: The Evil Dead, Darkman, Drag Me to Hell
Stylistic forte: Kinetic nightmare action like an outrageous rollercoaster ride.
Ridley Scott
Key movies: Alien, Legend, Gladiator
Stylistic forte: Elaborate design, large-scale production, and meticulous execution.
Zack Snyder
Key movies: Dawn of the Dead, 300, Watchmen
Stylistic forte: Violent, sensual comic-book action for discerning adults.
Richard Stanley
Key movies: Hardware, Dust Devil, The Island of Dr. Moreau
Stylistic forte: Mysticism, mutation, madness and murder.
Jan Svankmajer
Key movies: Faust, Alice, Little Otik
Stylistic forte: Adult fairie tales made with stop motion animation and live action.
So who do you think should direct The Hobbit? One of these directors, or someone else entirely?
In case you’re unfamiliar with the synopsis of the novel, first published in 1937, here’s an abridged version taken from wikipedia; it’s a rollicking, frightening, haphazard quest full of mirth and mayhem (and I actually prefer it over The Lord of the Rings):
Gandalf tricks Bilbo into hosting a party for Thorin's band of dwarves, who sing of reclaiming the Lonely Mountain and its vast treasure from the dragon Smaug. Gandalf unveils a map showing a secret door into the Mountain and proposes that Bilbo and the dwarves steal the treasure.
The group travels into the wild, where Gandalf saves the company from trolls and leads them over the Misty Mountains where they are caught by goblins and driven deep underground. Although Gandalf rescues them, Bilbo gets separated. Lost in the goblin tunnels he stumbles across a mysterious ring and encounters Gollum. With the help of the ring Bilbo escapes and rejoins the dwarves. The goblins and Wargs give chase but the travellers are saved by eagles before resting in the house of Beorn.
They enter the black forest of Mirkwood without Gandalf. Bilbo saves the dwarves from giant spiders and from the dungeons of the Wood-elves. The travellers are welcomed by the human inhabitants of Lake-town. The expedition travels to the Mountain; Bilbo scouts the dragon's lair and steals a great cup. The enraged dragon sets out to destroy Lake-town. A noble thrush knowing of Smaug's vulnerability reports it to Bard, who slays the dragon.
When the dwarves take possession of the mountain, Bilbo finds the Arkenstone, an heirloom of Thorin's dynasty, and steals it. The Wood-elves and Lake-men besiege the Mountain and request compensation for their aid. Thorin refuses, reinforces his position and banishes Bilbo, and a battle seems inevitable.
Gandalf reappears to warn all of an approaching army of goblins and Wargs. The dwarves, men, and elves band together, and with the arrival of the eagles and Beorn they win the Battle of Five Armies. A mortally-wounded Thorin reconciles with Bilbo. The treasure is divided, but Bilbo refuses most of his share. Nevertheless, he returns home wealthy.
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Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD
I am one of those people who thinks The Hobbit is the best read of the series. It's not a tied down in verbose descriptive prose and moves at a steadier pace.
As for the screenplay bridging the gap, Tolkien's middle earth sagas don't end with these books. Theer was plenty in his files about where he wanted it all to go and novels like The Adventures of Tom Bombadil.
Onto to the fine choice of Director. All those visionary filmmaker's mentioned would bring something to the cinematic landscape of the film.
My additional contenders:
Terry Gilliam (Time Bandits - 12 Monkeys)
Alfonso Cuarón (Children of Men)
Mel Gibson (Apocalypto)
Jean-Pierre Jeunet (City of Lost Children)
Neil Marshall (Dog Soldiers - Centurion)
Richard Donner (Superman - Ladyhawke)
Terrence Malick (Thin Red Line - Days of Heaven) - this is a dream list, right?
Paul Verhoven (Flesh and Blood - Starship Troopers) - It may not be as prestigious but he certainly would have fun
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Some interesting additions there, only one of which was in my extended list (Neil Marshall), although Verhoeven was nearly included. Definitely Gilliam, Jeunet, and Cuarón. The list of options is endless it seems ... And chances are the wrong director will be chosen.
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Never fear I have a good one up my sleeve that hasnt been mentioned yet - Marc Forster - I can totally see him pulling this off.
Fun Post Bryn - I dont think John Hillcoat would be the best best choice or even actually do it but it would certainly be interesting to contemplate what that would look like cinematically.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
The Mama Sutra
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach
As for Del Toro, I too am looking forward to his other projects, especially Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde... my favourite little horror novella.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Yes, I hope he directs Jekyll and Hyde too and not just produces, and makes an adult horror movie to boot!
Comment by Dave Creech
Comment by Mountain Fog
Anyhoo,
of those who might get a look in, Jackson with Andrew Lesnie behind the lens would be the safest bet, but, I think you are right, it deserves a new approach, maybe Lynch is the man, can't speak of some of your suggestions as I have not seen their work, but maybe Burton, or Jeunet, could bring some of their particular magic to the film too?
But, if I could raise the dead, I'd love to see Fellini or Pasolini do their version; Fellini for his amazing artistry and imagination, and Pasolini for his socio-political conscience.
cheers
fog
P.S. If you want to see Infestation, I will be in Sydney on Friday next, in the east, I know the Lord Dud well, so let me know if you want to see the review copy, as I could drop it into you.
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by Deni
Abstract Magick
Cinema Herald
I think Uwe Boll should direct The Hobbit. Just KIDDING!!!
I would add Gore Verbinski and Darren Aronofsky to the list of directors.
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Comment by ShaunK
Screen Adventure
Really Long Link
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Darren was in my original list of 20.
Shaun, cheers for that, actually Neil was also in my original list of 20. That would be the best news, because of that close working relationship between him and Jackson, and also Neil's brilliant savvy of CGI integration.
Comment by Mountain Fog
okay, no probs, actually the DVD plays perfectly, it's a review DVD from ICON.
The Lord Dudley in Paddington, I thought you knew it for some reason, thought I read you commenting about it.
anyhoo, I can post it if you still want to see it or even meet up on Friday.
cheers
fog
Comment by Bryn
Horrorphile
Comment by JohnDoe
Film & TV on DVD