Who would have thought that the story, originally conceived as a fairy tale for children, would become a world bestseller. Although the works of John R. R. Tolkien are so distinctive and original that all his fantasies, after reading by a wide range of users, became recognized masterpieces of literature, and after the screen versions of books, moreover, turned into an object of veneration. Let's find out how the Hobbit was filmed and discover interesting facts about the trilogy.
Plot
After the critics and viewers recognized the Lord of the Rings trilogy, director Peter Jackson decided to film another Tolkien film. The Hobbit films have become a prequel to the story of The Lord of the Rings. To start creating the script, it was necessary to agree with the author’s son. By the way, he was an ardent opponent of the film adaptation of his father's works. As a result of negotiations, consensus was reached, which gave rise to the Hobbit project. The films were conceived in order as a dilogy, but after much controversy and thought, the producer, screenwriter and director Peter Jackson decided to shoot the third part.
The story tells of the hobbit Bilbo, a group of gnomes and the magician Gandalf, who set off on a journey to Lonely Mountain. She keeps countless treasures, but they are guarded by the mighty dragon Smaug. On the way to their goal, the heroes fall into various dangerous adventures. Thanks to savvy, courage and, of course, magic, the company achieves the desired goal. Can the gnomes and all the inhabitants of Middle-earth resist the power of gold and remain friends?
Actors of the film "The Hobbit"
The first film of the trilogy "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey" brought together sixty professional actors under its wing, not counting the extras. Many fans were interested in the question of how they filmed The Hobbit, and why Martin Freeman was chosen for this role. Although, in fairness, it is worth noting that he skillfully reincarnated as Bilbo Baggins. As the director admitted, it was Martin Freeman who was originally considered to be the "main" hacker-cracker, but the actor refused the film because of inconsistencies with the filming of "Sherlock Holmes". The director wanted to try James McEvoy, Daniel Radcliffe, Shayu Labuff and Toby Maguire in this role, but for a number of reasons Martin got the starring role.
Ian McKelan returned to his role as the powerful magician Gandalf.
Richard Armitage embodied on the screens the dwarf leader Thorin Oak Shield. Many fans of the book doubted whether this actor was suitable for such a role, was he too sweet. But Richard dispelled all doubts, moreover, he independently let go of his beard and looked after her for all 18 months.
Fans of The Lord of the Rings and Tolkien’s work hoped that the film would resonate with the first trilogy, and the director went even further, confirming the roles of the actors of the previous trilogy who were already in love, thereby ensuring a huge rating for The Hobbit. Films in order again show the audience Cate Blanchett, Elijah Wood, Orlando Bloom and many others.
Trilogy Director
Oscar-winning Peter Jackson immediately after the filming of “The Lord of the Rings” decided to film “The Hobbit”, but the filming process stretched for almost a decade. In 2008, New Line Cinema participated in a lawsuit against Peter Jackson. That is why he was removed from the future project. But due to a lack of funds, financial disagreements in court and the cessation of work on the script, the film process was suspended. If it were not for the exclusive producer Sol Zentz, who owns the rights to the adaptation of Tolkien's works, and his position, the audience would never have seen the film and did not know how they shot The Hobbit.
In 2008, Peter Jackson became the producer of the picture, such a turn of events arranged for all parties. Guillermo del Toro was chosen for the director's chair. In 2010, the new director dropped out of the process, but became one of the scriptwriters, and Peter Jackson returned to his legal directorial chair.
The actors of the film “The Hobbit” note the genius of the director, and in each interview with reverent awe and gratitude speak about working with Mr. Jackson.
The plot of the trilogy is built with Jackson inherent detail, seeing the first frame, it is impossible to come off. You find yourself in a fairy-tale world, but it seems that it is real.
Filming
The Hobbit trilogy has become Hollywood's highest-budget product. The filming process started in the spring of 2011. Fans have long been interested in the question of where the film “The Hobbit” was shot. Peter Jackson did not torment his fans and led a video diary where he uploaded ten-minute videos about the production of the picture. All three films were shot in New Zealand, separate episodes in studios in England.
The first film “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” was released in December 2012, and the second film “The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” exactly one year later. The third film, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, appeared on large screens on December 17, 2014.
Interesting Trilogy Facts
All Peter Jackson’s films are a work of art. Hundreds of people worked on the painting. Makeup, costumes, room design - everything was thought out to the smallest detail. It would seem that the costume of the protagonist Bilbo does not change throughout all the films, in fact these are 78 different variations of clothes.
As a result, the entire video diary of Peter Jackson became a separate film about how they filmed The Hobbit. The picture was shot on high-frequency equipment, which made it possible to show the film in 3D-format, 2D and Imax.
Ian McKelan on the set even wept. The elderly actor played most of the gnome scenes with computer sensors, but he wanted in the old way with live people.