The film adaptation of the John Tolkien trilogy “The Lord of the Rings”, as well as his fairy tale “The Hobbit”, turned into three magnificent films, aroused interest in books released more than half a century ago. But Tolkien did not write two books at all, but much more. One of the most global is the Silmarillion. The screen version of this work causes a lot of controversy both among the Tolkienists and film critics. We’ll try to figure out whether there will be an adaptation of The Silmarillion or whether it will remain the destiny of the fans’s dreams.
What is the Silmarillion
First you need to figure out what lies behind this sonorous and hard-to-pronounce word.
This is actually a book written by John Tolkien. He wrote it for several decades, starting from the 30s (when he had not yet begun work on The Hobbit), and continued until his death, when The Lord of the Rings was published, translated into many languages of the world, and brought the author world fame.
Unfortunately, he did not manage to finish the book - his son Kristofer Tolkien had to continue his father’s work, using his oral stories and drafts. Therefore, the book was printed after the death of the author. The more interested fans of the book "The Silmarillion" film adaptation of this work.
Why is this book interesting?
First of all, The Silmarillion is the most complete and all-encompassing work dedicated to Arda (the world, of which Middle-earth is part, where the action of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit takes place). However, an unprepared reader will not be able to master the text. Many hundreds of names are found throughout the book - some of these characters play an important role in the history of Middle-earth, while others are passing. Huge complex maps are also very confusing - you need to know the geography of this world well so as not to get confused and at least somehow orient yourself.
The book is really difficult to read and understand. Perhaps even reading the Bible is much easier for many people - you don’t have to get used to a completely new geography. Although, of course, the events described in it are truly global and exciting. It is The Silmarillion that most fully reveals all the splendor of the world created by Tolkien, while already filmed works show only its tiny piece.
The book tells about the creation of the world, people, elves, gnomes and dragons, the origin of the barlog, the rebellion of Melkor and his disciple Sauron, the death of Numenor, Feanor’s campaign for the Silmarils stolen by Morgoth, the death of the glorious Turin Turambar, the immortal love of Beren and Lutien and many other events. Therefore, there is nothing surprising in the fact that many fans are sure that the film “The Silmarillion” should have an adaptation sooner or later.
Copyright Challenges
But whether it will be is a completely separate question. In the near future, most likely not. The fact is that the rights to the book belong to the son of John Tolkien - Christopher. The father generously shared his vision of the world with his son, discussed many episodes with him, and after death left all his property to him. He, as mentioned above, finalized the book The Silmarillion and released it.
And if John Tolkien sold the rights to the film adaptation of “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” during his lifetime, then Christopher is not in a hurry to do the same with “The Silmarillion”. The fact is that he was completely dissatisfied with the films made on the books of his father. The heir claims that the atmosphere is conveyed very poorly, and the basic thoughts that his father put into books are completely lost in the film adaptation. Therefore, he refuses to sell the rights to shoot a film on the global work of John Tolkien's whole life. This is in the story about the prospects of the film "The Silmarillion" Peter Jackson confirmed.
Technical difficulties
Nevertheless, rumors that the film will be shot are pestering in certain circles for years. Some optimists even say for sure that the Silmarillion film will be shot - the release date, however, is not announced.
But besides the rights to the film adaptation, there are other difficulties.
Fans of Tolkien’s work know that the events of The Hobbit, or There and Back, take only one year. The book "The Lord of the Rings" covers a period of about 20 years (in the film it takes up to several months to give more dynamism). And the Silmarillion is much more global. He talks about what happened in Arda, starting with the creation of the world by Eru Iluvator and ending with the events that followed in the coming decades after the destruction of the Ring of Omnipotence. Thus, it covers about 14 thousand years.
For clarity, it is worth noting that the entire book "The Hobbit" is mentioned here in a few lines. And the thick book "The Lord of the Rings" (translated by Muravyov and Kistyakovsky - almost 1000 pages) fit here on a few pages.
That is, to cover such a gap in the trilogy is simply impossible. In the best case, it would be possible to shoot individual episodes, which are the most beautiful, interesting and have had a great influence on the entire history of the Middle-earth world.
Hope does not die
But even with all this, there are often rumors that Peter Jackson is filming The Silmarillion.
Indeed, from time to time there is a statement of serious critics that the film will still be shot.
For example, not so long ago there was information that Amazon bought the rights to shoot a film on the Lord of the Rings universe. Data on the project is still very small. But experts say that this will not be a re-shoot of the popular trilogy, but a full-fledged series of two seasons, showing other world events. Perhaps they will capture other eras.
Conclusion
Well, while the debate is underway, whether the book “The Silmarillion” will have an adaptation, the fans of the Professor’s creativity can only wait and guess. How will it really be? Time will tell.