NEW Lord of the Rings movie has a MAJOR problem...

[@MiddleEarthUpdates]

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[@daveythrice]

Oh man, why do they do this with beloved movies?! Prequels hold zero tension, which creates drama. De-aging tech looks horrible still, uncanny valley. This is a giant mistake.

[@dybala.joyaedits]

@@daveythrice nah this is a great idea

[@daveythrice]

@@dybala.joyaedits what makes you think this? I hope you're being sarcastic. You can never tell

[@debrickashaw9387]

We were so lucky we got the LOTR movies when we did. Any earlier and we wouldnt have gotten the right cast and any later it would have been riddled with a lot more unnecessary CGI

[@rovhalt6650]

and politics

[@Alex-cw3rz]

​​@@rovhalt6650 if the exact same LOTR we got came out today you'd complain about politics. The movies increased the role of the female characters, you'd be jumping up and down about Arwen saving Frodo from the Nazgul when it was a man in the books. Let alone that there 2 women screen writers and only 1 man. The I'd dread to think how you'd act when you found out most of the Riders of Rohan were women dressed as men.

[@debrickashaw9387]

@ lmao so true. Culture warrior bullshit

[@el_kasztanejlo8555]

@@Alex-cw3rzyou know in the whole lotr trilogy there isn’t a single line two women spoke with each other? I highly doubt your argument

[@Alex-cw3rz]

@@el_kasztanejlo8555 You've made a seperate statement and used that to deny reality it is not Arwen in the books who rides with frodo. There are 3 screenwriters two are women. And the vast majority of riders of Rohan were women because they owned the horses that were been rented. In addition, in general most movies fail that test you mentioned and almost all fail if it is talking about something that isn't men. That's a pretty famous study.

[@aoibhg1211]

The thing is that the most important thing about any film is going to be the STORY!!! If the story suck, it won't matter how good the visuals are!!!

[@tonypapas9854]

It's only in reality a "short story". A LOTR fan group already sis a 30-minute movie on this, and it's good. 2 full-length movies is a bloated waste.

[@freshyill]

Story is critical, but bad cgi can doom a movie like this. It won’t matter how good the story is if all anybody can focus on is the uncanny valley. People already have very legitimate doubts about whether they should even make this movie, so they need to nail both the story and the cgi.

[@MrMirco003]

Well, there is already a Video 14 years ago, The Hunt for Gollum with 14Million views, watch this and why are you waiting for the film if visuals doesnt matter?

[@trentevenson8988]

Except avatar

[@Nuklz1981]

I can understand the concern, if its not done successfully then you cant "suspend disbelief" as you need to do for the story to be told.

[@stevenc5399]

You forgot an important factor. They should, if possible use the same film the LOTR movies were filmed on. There's a huge difference visually between analog and digital, no matter how much post processing they do. It'll help to recreate the look and feel.

[@MiddleEarthUpdates]

I’d love it if they chose to do that!

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

Interstellar in 2014 was intentionally shot on film when most all movies were being shot in digital specifically because Christopher Nolan A) likes it better and B) it fit with the protagonist’s personality and love for all the old, manual technology.

[@AWSVids]

@@jefffinkbonner9551 Nolan does that on every movie, though. Not just Interstellar.

[@MrNeilTV]

Agreed!!! And no cgi orcs!

[@genericscottishchannel1603]

LOTR was converted from film to digital and back to film so it doesn't matter

[@saj3694]

Even to re-cast them won’t feel the same. The honest truth is, all the cast who were chosen are irreplaceable!

[@Smellyssimus]

It's sad we can't see Boromir and Faramir together again

[@TheAnakinn]

Next up: The Stewards of Gondor

[@strawbam6786]

Sean Bean and David Wenham still lives so why not?

[@TheAnakinn]

@ I'd honestly love to see that

[@stinkvingertjie]

As long as it is not in the Hunt for Gollum. Has nothing to do with the story

[@VukasinKraljevic-vj2jo]

Where was gondor when 3 orcs from dol guldur mug me?!

[@barrufy]

I can see the first part of the Hunt for Gollum focusing on the people Gandalf and Aragorn meet while travelling together towards Minas Tirith: Since the route is not specified anywhere, I'd have them cross the Misty Mountains to question the Beornings about the rumors of Gollum dwelling there, then meeting Lady Galadriel in Lorien where a) Gandalf discusses Council stuff and Aragorn talks with her about Arwen. Then down towards Rohan through Fangorn, where Gandalf might help the Ents and therefore earn their trust, until finally reaching Rohan to salute a very new King Theoden and pay respects to Thengel. Maybe during the trip to Minas Tirith Aragorn finds the Way of The Dead but refuses to enter, and finally in Minas Tirith Denethor refuses him after recognising him as Thorongil , leaving Gandalf alone in his search for information and setting Aragorn towards the Dead Marshes. It'd be cool if along the way he met a young Faramir learning to be a commander in the outskirts of Osgiliath. And then the 2nd part of the movie where Aragorn interrogates Gollum, takes him to the Woodland Realm, Gandalf tells Frodo to leave the Shire and goes to discuss the matter with Saruman, and as the final epic scene the assault on Woodland Realm where we see Legolas and Thranduil fight and discuss Gollums escape. The movie ends with all the main characters reaching Rivendell for the creation of the Fellowship with it's iconic soundrack playing in the backround, maybe even with the original audio of Elrond introducing the council as the camera pans away and the sound fades

[@MichaelaCloyd]

0:37 I love how Orlando Bloom looks the same 😂

[@LikeWhyTF]

He definitely has actual elven blood in his veins

[@MichaelaCloyd]

@LikeWhyTF LOL that MUST be it 😂😂

[@IIII-IllllllIIIIllIl]

Definitely looks older.

[@TheNetab32]

IKR!! I had to watch twice to see what had changed 😂

[@draltar]

he doesn't look the same at all lol

[@Alex-cw3rz]

I think a bigger issue is what is the point of story, we looked for him, sauron got there first.

[@cheetarah9199]

They found him after he 'escaped' from Mordor. And it was years of searching, so there are probably stories to be told. Ending with Gollum being left with the elves....

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

Yeah the plot is inherently bland and linear. If they go for an action packed romp with some impactful, endearing dialogue scenes here or there, we see our heroes on screen again, and they wrap it up in under an hour 40, then it could be fine. A 2+ hour movie or even worse a ~3 hr slog is gonna be brutal.

[@abelmedina7879]

Yeah bro it's gonna su___uuuck!

[@rj8877]

Whatever make up/effect they used on Hugo Weaving during The Hobbit would work for me, he genuinely and convincingly looked younger than in LOTR to me

[@KaneChamp]

60 years is only a mere blink in the life of an elf, as Thranduil would say. No need for making Elrond look younger in The Hobbit compared to LOTR. He wouldn't have changed at all. (I'm aware they had to use some effects to make Hugo look younger cause of his age)

[@Achel_Ram]

I'm more worried with Ian and with the presence of Orlando Bloom. Do we really need him on this story aswell? On The Hobbit his presence (+Tauriel) ruined the movie for me, so do we really need him coming unto this story too? I would be fine with a small cameo but I think Thranduill is way more important than Legolas in this part. And Ian on The Hobbit looked way older and tired, and I get it that it's normal because he got older, but I would be lying if I didn't say that in some scenes it was really obvious and it took me out a bit. Anyways I'm more worried about these two than Viggo, the man who always said that he would only come back as Aragorn if it made sense story wise and if he was still able to do it, so if he comes back, I trust his judgment 100%

[@TheAnakinn]

Well, part of the movie takes place in Mirkwood, so it would be weird not to see Legolas there. Especially since him and Aragorn were friends even before the Fellowship iirc. But yeah, maybe a role that's a bit smaller. However, Orlando Bloom is now more of a name than he was during LotR, so it might be hard to get him to commit to a role that is as small as a cameo.

[@Achel_Ram]

@TheAnakinn yea I know that but for example, the story of the Hobbit also has a great portion in Mirkwood and yet Legolas is not mentioned once, if I'm not mistaken and yet in the movies he was all over it. But I see your point and you are right, it's just my wish ahah

[@OpalLitedits]

Well, Legolas did kinda play a part in the story. Idk it just feels like it could work

[@VITAS874]

Ian crying when they started make first hobbit movie... so you understand how hard it is.

[@Achel_Ram]

@OpalLitedits did it? I must admit my knowledge of the Lore about the Hunt of Gollum is not the most fresh rn but I don't remember Legolas being mentioned in it, just his Father

[@zozwoz]

A tale from Silmarillion should have been chosen instead of the Gollum prequel.

[@mtcelticharper]

The rights to the Silmarillion have never been released, so they are limited to what is in LOTR and the Appendices. I can dream that one day the Silmarillion rights are released and used well to create excellent films faithful to the book... But realistically, those are pipe dreams.

[@zozwoz]

@mtcelticharper Thank you. I wasn't aware of a rights issue.

[@SurnaturalM]

The LOTR movies were made at the perfect time. The technologies were adequate enough, and people weren't obsessed with deconstruction, representation and PC.

[@mtcelticharper]

Agreed!

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

Very very true. Plus its cgi looks better than a lot of later movies which look like video game cut scenes. Of course, I prefer the look of 35 or 70mm film instead of digital, which is too smooth. I’m probably in the minority that RotK is my least favorite of the trilogy (still love all 3 tho) because it has so much more cgi and much less of the sweeping, panoramic cinematography.

[@VictoriaScamehorn]

ALL of us fans WANT our original actors back in their iconic roles. DO whatever it takes to make it happen!! Peter Jackson went to no expense to produce those master pieces and no expense should be given to the sequels. If there is the possibility of more sequels, do them back to back before we lose Ian McKellen.💖

[@dellcoc]

They have over 20,000 years of lore to bring to the screen, and they chose something that has no real story and already covered. This is a major snafu.

[@joyfulyes]

There's a rights issue with the Silmarillion though...

[@Dutchforsure]

No black elves, dwarfs and hobbits please, no short haired elfs, no connection to rings of power please…. If you must have a black character make it a haradrim and makes us care about him/her

[@konstantinospantazis6325]

Two points First, it is essential that the actors' spirit isn't lost in the deaging process. It would be much better imo to just use some makeup and let them be. No one would complain for them being older in a prequel since it is made 25 years after Second, they really need to focus on the story to be out of the books and not their own material like in half the hobbit. Plus they should make a trilogy only if they feel the story needs to fit in a trilogy. Not to do the same as in the hobbit where they stretched it so much that we had to watch a barrel roll down a riverside or watch characters being there only for funs. The lotr was three books, therefore three movies. The hobbit was one book and look what happened. The rings of power (i can't believe i brought that up) was a poem and look at this abomination they dare to place in the lotr universe. So just be cautious with the new project and acknowledge that you can't surpass the original lotr and that's ok. Make something good and you will have us along your side

[@mrcydonia]

I hope that at age 85, Ian McKellen is physically able to make another epic movie.

[@RiteMoEquations]

Since _The_ _Hunt_ _for_ _Gollum_ runs concurrently with some of the events from _The_ _Fellowship_ _of_ _the_ _Ring_ ("FOTR"), then the filmmakers will have another opportunity to include characters and interactions omitted from the 2001 film. Although I highly doubt it will even be considered, the timeline will make it possible to include the FOTR chapters that describes the four Hobbits leaving the Shire and meeting Tom Bombadil and Goldberry in the Old Forest.

[@MiddleEarthUpdates]

Maybe Gandalf visits old Tom after leaving Bag End before heading to Minas Tirith?

[@WMfin]

I am more concerned about the movie as a whole. There's so many good ideas to put to screen: War of the Ring but focused on the War in the North. Or the Fall of Arnor. With good writing they could explore the Fourth Age! First we were given Hobbit movies, which were poor. Then served RoP which was utter failure. War of the Rohirrim which honestly, I have not even seen yet, not a fan of anime and the plot sounded boring. Now Hunt for Gollum over so many other good plot ideas!? Hunt for Gollum would be the last thing I'd ask.

[@RicoLee27]

They are gonna mess up with the remakes and everything. They should leave it alone

[@Curt_Randall]

They need to just let it go. They were desperate to recapture the magic that the first trilogy delivered and made the much less magical Hobbit trilogy. That they are going to try it again 25 years after the first trilogy is cringe. That sort of magic can only happen once with a franchise. Are LotR fans really asking for this, or is this just another attempt at a blatant cash grab?

[@joyfulyes]

I'll pay to see it either way though. I can't not.

[@brewster_4]

After watching War of the Rohirrim, I'm a lot more confident writing-wise about the film, and how they'll expand it to be feature length. CGI wise I'll have to see a trailer before making any judgements. If it looks good enough, I'll be on board with deaging. I'm still curious whether Viggo will say yes, and if he doesn't, I think that'll make it feel weirder. Like we'll have deaged Ian McKellen playing Gandalf and deaged Orlando Bloom playing Legolas, and then suddenly some new young actors playing Aragorn. I think they should go for an all or nothing situation. A mix of the two may just feel jarring.

[@mathijnd]

The beard and long hair will also help. And i guess he will be pretty filthy most of the movie so with dirt on his face etc it will help + stunt double for action scenes etc.

[@Kacpa2]

He also isnt that visibly aged, meaning it would be far easier to deage him if needed. Its not as extreme as baby faced downey junior in Civil War for example, but it also worked there. He is still active and fit he can do it. I would be more concerned with how limited Ian might be, it might be quite a lot like with Christopher Lee in Hobbit, where he can only do speaking parts, while he liked being more active and doing some stunt work himself.

[@mathijnd]

@ I completely agree. And with the Saruman action scenes you never really notice its not Sir Christopher Lee doing it. So its pretty easy to hide stunt doubles if needed

[@Ex0rz]

Plus the obvious other makeup... And then you can add some final de-aging touches on a computer if needed. Shouldnt be an issue really.

[@xMareZx]

Maybe that will be the trick: make them stay really dirty all the time so you can hardly see the aging 🤣

[@dstinnettmusic]

Can’t wait for them to somehow stretch a random few pages where Gandalf tells Frodo how he found out more about Bilbo’s ring by capturing and torturing Gollum into three movies.

[@stinkvingertjie]

A single movie should suffice. Could have done the same with the Hobbit, but we'll see what happens

[@godlygamer911]

@@stinkvingertjie The fans fixed that, the tolkein edit is great

[@strawbam6786]

We have hit such a deep and punishing bedrock that we arent that picky anymore. Just respect the source material and the theme. Dont need alot of woke stuff, love triangles or nonstop lines of comedy. I have hope but War of the Rohirrim left me in a wretched state

[@agonsfitness7308]

I disagree. I'm extremely picky because of this. Any announcement is met with, "Aw sheet, hier we go agin." Instead of excitement. This movie will have to be exceptional to even get me to consider going to watch it. After ROP War of the Rohirrim was a big no no for me

[@strawbam6786]

@ I agree and I misspoke!

[@Consumstra]

Even though I love the original lord of the rings trilogy and the hobbit trilogy too, I don't really think this movie idea has enough depth to be interesting. This new movie is supposed to happen before the first trilogy which is strange especially when the original stories were based on books but this new movie is a new plot of some sort.

[@stephensimmonds184]

No, it’s in the books. Admittedly in the appendices and background books, but it’s there. 100% authentic source material, but with scope to expand into a full story.

[@Marias.Icerunner]

"Not even the wisest can see all ends"

[@NinjaBananes]

Why not just make a War in the North or Rise of the Witch King trilogy 😢

[@VITAS874]

Or silmarillion, or old age aragorn, or how hobbits fight against saruman

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

“The Ring Awakens” “The Last Dunedain” “The Rise of the Witch King” What could possibly go wrong? 😅

[@TheAnakinn]

With how much passion went into the LotR trilogy I have confidence that they will get it right. The Hobbit trilogy turned out pretty good already and that was after taking over from a different team with less prep time. Now that they're working on it from the start and a lot of the LotR team has reunited, I think they can pull this off. Nobody expected LotR to be as great as it was, so I'm confident they can do it again

[@azoniarnl3362]

This isnt a passion project.. its a money printer, going purely of name recognition. I have zero hopes for this, that way I cannot be disappointed like most you guys will be.

[@nerfherder33]

@TheAnakinn The Hobbit was some of the worst garbage ever produced. An absolute travesty and a waste of money and time. That barrel riding scene alone was the most cringe worthy piece of shit I've ever seen..... and you liked it?!?

[@TheAnakinn]

@ Damn, calm down, you're acting like I insulted your entire family. The Hobbit trilogy is not as bad as many make it out to be. It had it's problems and unnecessary fluff (like the whole Kili/Tauriel thing) and way too much CGI, but it's by no means "an absolute travesty". The first two were great and if you don't agree, fine, but let me enjoy what I want and you can go back to your hate boner.

[@zachleary108]

De-aging software is pretty convincing, almost perfect. I'd go far as to say that this is the least of our problems. Having a good script that doesn't feel like a gratuitous waste of time is the big problem - not the actors ages.

[@LivK-hs2sl]

I think this movie can really work if the de aging is successful

[@XraviaEdge]

With enough pre production it will be an improvement on the hobbit and I'm here for it

[@TheAnakinn]

And Hobbit wasn't even bad, just not as great as it could have been. I'm confident they can pull it off

[@BilboBaggins1237]

@@TheAnakinnI agree! Just trying to stay positive and hope for the best 😁

[@Golemofstone]

Either way it'll still be far better than anything Amazon have done with the franchise imho

[@Pirelli913]

I think the story idea is great and even though it takes place slightly before/during the early events of Fellowship, while we'd all like to see the original actors return, an alternate idea is to do what they did with X-Men: First Class by having younger actors play the roles of the characters. Now, I know it's not preferred and we all want Ian, Viggo, Orlando, Andy, etc. returning for their respective roles, but as what was previously mentioned, they're not getting any younger and de-aging can only do so much. I'm cautiously hopeful, though.

[@StopMotionFilmsJr]

Bring back the same magical feeling how it was with the LOTR Trilogy.

[@TheForce_Productions]

"Time is a tide that disobeys and it disobeys me". -David Gilmour

[@TNT-King-of-Men]

I'm still really hoping for a Return to Moria with Ken Stott leading. Would be great. Ian might not need any deaging for Hunt For Gollum I think

[@andishyti7664]

Gandalf woukd suppose to be old so kinda. Its going to be like sir christopher lee in the hobbit, he could barely walk but he nailed his part as usual!

[@Rick_King]

Great video! I'll say this. None of this matters. If Viggo and Sir Ian don't reprise their roles, the movie will be an immense flop. Viggo *is* Aragorn, and Sir Ian *is* Gandalf. Period. I thought the de-aging in Indiana Jones was great, so yes, the technology is there and no doubt better, but they need Viggo and Sir Ian.

[@genlob]

The problem with all of these adaptations is that they weren't written by Tolkien. His main preoccupation was language - he was a medieval language professor, after all. For many people, this is what attracts and brings them back them to Silmarillion, Hobbit and LoTR. Literally epic language that evokes a mythic past. Jackson worked from the texts, so a lot of that language is in his films. As the writers of RoP and War of the Rohirrim have shown, they have zero interest in it. So while it may look like Middle-Earth, it won't be Tolkien. I don't think the ageing will be the problem; it'll be the writing.

[@rovhalt6650]

There are so many issues to get around in both ageing and politics and representation. It's gonna be a miracle if this movie works.

[@GazBeasley]

It doesnt happen before the fellowship, it happens during it. And the age change shouldnt matter any more because of the advancement of AI technology. If they cant do the films convincingly with AI and digital technology then they shouldnt bother. They should never ever recast any of the characters under any circumstances

[@joelthomson8697]

The Irishman is the worst and most distracting example of de-aging in my opinion. Looks terrible.

[@TheUberjammer]

I honestly couldn't care less if they just put a nice hat on Viggo and let him be older. Hats change everything. Age progression between a trilogy would matter - I wouldn't want him looking older in Two Towers than in Return of the King, but a little makeup and hair dye would be absolutely enough for me in the hunt for Gollum. And a hat, as I said. Andy Serkis ages backward anyways, so his voice won't need any changing. Also, will this movie require him to knock two daggers out of the air with his sword, or will it require him to knock a short-sword out of the air? How does that work?

[@brewster_4]

Yeah, this is my mindset too. I can accept that this film was made later and suspend my disbelief. I can sort of disconnect it, and let it be its own separate entity. While Middle-earth is meant to be a 7 film series watched from War of the Rohirrim to Return of the King, the cohesion is not really there, and I can take each story as is. It doesn't really matter to me that Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, and Christopher Lee were visibly older in the Hobbit movies, I can watch that trilogy on its own.

[@Primus_prime_time]

I think we're overthinking perfection. They'll get some usual makeup and post production will do... post production, and their age will be noticeable but acceptable. I don't really care if gandalf has some extra wrinkles, Aragorn looks more rugged, or if Legolas aged a bit... CGi faces are distracting, wrinkles aren't.

[@comicop2513]

Eh, never been too bothered by digitally deaged faces, especially in VFX heavy films. I'm already suspending my disbelief, what's a weird face or two more?

[@wolpertinger.]

Tbh I'd rather have a slightly wonky, digitally altered version of the original actors than a new cast playing these beloved characters. Viggo will forever be my Aragorn, and Orland forever my Legolas. And Ian as Gandalf, of course.

[@rjdalchow]

I trust PJ and WETA and their teams implicitly. I'm sure they would never have gone ahead with htis project if they didn't have it all sorted out first or were confident they could do so later.

[@c.r.broken_human]

I believe that Viggo is the greatest fit for a fictional character ever in movie history. I have read TLotR at least 13 times and to me in my imagination Viggo is Aragorn. I just hope that the new film is done with care and finesse.

[@NiclasHorn]

the actors should play their dad´s in the LOTR "lore" / "story" not the original characters from 26 years ago.

[@shanester1832]

"Hobbyist" and amateurs have a much stronger grasp of this tech than professionals. They need to seek them out and most importantly give them the time necessary to polish it just right. It would be a shame if something was rushed to be released on a certain date, forever condemning it to look like garbage, when if those people were given that extra month, it would look great eternally.

[@rovhalt6650]

Weta Digital is gonna have to work their asses off to make this work

[@stefanlilienthal6072]

To me there's absolutely no need for The Hunt For Gollum. There would have been so many possible story seeds in different times in Middle Earth (even years after the time of the original trilogy). A side track of the original trilogy with the old cast? With the Hobbit and all of it's faults and weaknesses in mind I expect a half-a**ed cash grab.

[@_Thorondor]

I think I would be fine with Aragorn looking a little older than in the LOTR movies, probably preferring it over doing too much digital deaging.

[@Amechaniaa]

The biggest problem for me is that it's just not enough substance for a full length movie

[@stickmastergib3665]

I agree. Even if it’s good, I feel like it might turn out to be more of a fan service project than a standalone story. Either way, I hope it works. LOTR fans deserve another W

[@Faygris]

Let's hope they won't make a trilogy out of it 😅

[@anni.68]

They have the book summary and can invent the rest of the story. Tolkien called this process "other minds and hands". After all, these events DID happen in Middle-earth.

[@curriphacreator]

Some of the best fanfics I’ve ever read were about this story. One, which I fully believe Tolkien would have enjoyed and approved of, clocked in at over 400,000 words. The journey from Mordor to Mirkwood is over 1000 miles, and that doesn’t even include the hunting beforehand. Guess what I’m trying to say is there are ways to lengthen a story without it dragging.

[@horsebattery]

The difference here RE: "Other minds and hands" is that these are minds of metal and wheels, primarily concerned with turning the brand recognition into profit. The Hobbit was such an appalling debacle, thinking this will be anything better is folly. Too much money is in play.

[@peachysparkles]

Considering how well technology reconstructed young Mark Hamil I'm sure it can handle reconstructing young Viggi, Ian, and Andy and Orlando too. Tho Andy was never really an issue bc he was always cgi anyway 😆

[@MrNeilTV]

The only time I’ve seen where I thought chi rewind worked was luke and Leia in star wars buuut those were 2sec scenes. This idea makes me very nervous, love the original cast but it’s time for new series in a different period

[@JamieHitt]

They NEED to film two different movies back-to-back while they have the cast together. THfG of course, ...and...the reign of King Elessar. Which film would you pay more to see?

[@TheIceCrypt]

Better call Saul proves you wrong about characters needing to look youthful.

[@curriphacreator]

Take notes, Andy Serkis and Co.! Now I’m still worried about whether the storyline will actually be good, and more worried that even if it is, it’ll be impossible to do right! All sorts of things can happen, though, so I’ll hold my judgement until at least casting is complete.

[@Count_VonKrolock1260]

I really wish there would be in the future Smeagol/Gollum movie where we would see more of his backstory and how he becomes Gollum

[@kattmazi1934]

Seeking perfection in anything is a fool's errand

[@Raycheetah]

The major problem will be taking a minor sub-plot and expanding it into a full-length movie. Remember what happened when The Hobbit was turned into a trilogy? Meh. =9[.]9=

[@JamailvanWestering]

I don’t think The Hunt for Gollum takes place before Fellowship but during. I mean when Gandalf read Isildur’s account, he says to Frodo: I looked everywhere for the creature Gollum, before he had his suspicions about the ring

[@MiddleEarthUpdates]

What we mean is that the movie will likely also explore Gollum’s past before Fellowship.

[@nikolayaleksandrov3834]

I don't know Legolas looked better in the hobbit then in the original so I'm sure Legolas will look amazing

[@TamásBorsos-m5d]

It's just not the right story for a new movie.

[@Nuklz1981]

I think there are many other events that took place in Middle Earth that could have been a far better story to tell. They could have gone all the way back to Valinor in the first age. There are lots of events that would make an amazing movie or even a trilogy.

[@helgardkwiatkoski7135]

They don't have the rights for the Silmarillion so I rather doubt anything set in that time would be possible.

[@Nuklz1981]

@helgardkwiatkoski7135 thats too bad, theres a lot of potential there.

[@RafaelZanolla]

Never has "You must be at least 80!" rung so true

[@northernlight8857]

Interesting take. I feel you forgot one aspect though. And that is experience/honing of their crafts. Most of the people mentioned have continuously worked their craft and gained more experience. They can bring even more to a movie that will have more interpersonal acting rather than an action oriented one.

[@phoule76]

The hunt for youth, amirite?

[@dime628]

Latest Indiana Jones movie did a fantastic job. Technology is definately there now.

[@ASaund-qb6wy]

I have a feeling I'm going to be ok with it. I've probably watched the extended LOTR 20 times. I'm happy they're involved, that's all I need from their appearance. Let's hope the story is well done!

[@Pachi27]

Orlando Bloom aged real well, wow.

[@nickk8650]

I mean better call Saul is an incredible prequel and they just let the actors age 🤷‍♂️ I’d rather just see older versions than digital de-aging tbh

[@galatician8063]

Forget CGI for a moment. Are they going to use Chat GPT to create the script, or are we going to get a real movie and not a cash cow?

[@Lakritzwolf]

The way I cackled... Let me buy you a drink.

[@FemaleVillageElder]

I think this can be done successfully. But they had better get their skates on as far as Ian McKellen goes. It’s more important to me that those actors play those roles then it is that they use the aging technology to do it. I believe it was successfully done in the X-Men movie where Ian McKellen was the aged. It might be a little bit jarring for the first couple of minutes but thenwe will be back in the world as it was earlier with our same people.

[@ivanrares607]

In Peter Jackson we trust, he will find a way.

[@ObiGommGaming]

I don’t actually understand why they are making this film. We already know what happened and it’s not actually that interesting a part of the story? We know he looked for Gollum, but Gollum had been kidnapped and was being tortured

[@warrengouldthorpe5091]

Well there is a 17 year time game from when Bilbo leaves the Shire to when Frodo leaves the Shire, so the film is easily placed in that time gap

[@ST_Law]

It's been dark days since the Rings of Power was made. This movie will take us back to real Tolkien's Middle Earth.

[@TNT-King-of-Men]

real Tolkien's Middle Earth only exists in the books in my opinion

[@LikeWhyTF]

How’d you feel about War of Rohirrum (definitely spelt wrong don’t want to look it up)

[@anni.68]

Season 1 was good, but definitely had problems with the pacing. Season 2 was fantastic.

[@ArturoPladeado]

No, it won't. It's being made by modern Hollywood, the same one that made rings of power. You're huffing both copium and hopium if you think it won't be the rings of power but with gollum.

[@KasugaJopie]

@@LikeWhyTFhated the movie, horrible writing and horrible main characters. Lovely music and animation though

[@LikeWhyTF]

You think they’ll bring Saruman back to life? 😅

[@calchambers605]

"Somehow, the Emperor survived..." LOL gosh I sure hope not. ;)

[@MineLantern]

I think Aragorn above all other characters communicated with delicate facial expressions. Washing this down with cgi could turn out horrible.

[@stancanner]

Looks like I'm in the minority here, but I think it's a terrible, terrible, mistake to recast the old actors. Don't get me wrong, the original films are the greatest films of all time. BUT the cast were perfect for the roles back then, not now they're 25 years older. I can't help feeling we're holding onto something that has already been and gone, rather than striving to do something new and good in its own right.

[@an6153]

I agree with you. Can't step into the same river twice

[@sandb5859]

Peu importe que ça se voit un peu s'ils sont retouchés, j'espère de tout coeur qu'ils garderont les même acteurs, on les aime, ce sont eux et pas quelqu'un d'autre 🩷🩷

[@tonypapas9854]

The BIGGEST issue is that this movie was already made by LOTR fans into a 30-minute movie, which is about all it should be given the little time Tolkein spent on it. And I thought "The Hobbit" was bloated......2 movies about THIS?! Love the books and the PJ trilogy, but this will be a waste.

[@MiddleEarthUpdates]

Producer Philippa Boyens has confirmed that The Hunt for Gollum is definitely a single movie.

[@oneworldfamily]

Excellent video, addressing some critical aspects that I'm concerned about. It would be wonderful if everyone involved (original cast and the crew) could see this and consider what you're saying. I can't deny that, for me, while I'd love to see Viggo, Sir Ian, Orlando etc again, sadly, any form of digital altering will lead to a disconnect between the actor and viewer and the film will lose a lot of the magic that was in The Lord of the Rings. But, I do hope I'm wrong.

[@jennym.2631]

I am full of hope. Those are the actors, who have already put their full hearts into the story.

[@rrrrrrosiles]

Alíen Romulus’ ash is a good example of “deaging” that throws you off a lil bit

[@jonaskoldenmidtb7688]

Don't de-age them, we get used to it after watching the movie for a little while.

[@Kacpa2]

Practicly deaging him with facial hair and make up. Dyed hair would enough, Viggo looks very fit and youthful for his age. CGI face replacemant would be far too much, minor touchups to reduce his wrinkles around the eyes would be all that's needed.

[@Faygris]

Personally, I never got used to older Gandalf and older Legolas in the Hobbit movies. It constantly stood out to me like a sore thumb. And that was over a decade ago now

[@louyou6614]

Dude aragon was a very athletic role , and Virgo is old

[@an6153]

no we don't

[@Adamadam-zc6pe]

I really Hope they don’t do this. I’d rather them be entirely re cast. Better yet. Choose a much more complete story to adapt. I already think more about how dead and stagnant their eyes and face are gonna look instead of what the movie is even about. It will be a massive distraction. Just don’t do it.

[@willostrand6555]

I sincerely hope Gollum looks like he did mid-transformation in the beginning of Return of the King

[@lonelyqueen86]

There is also the issue of Elrond. Hugo Weaving has said in no uncertain terms that he is DONE and feels he is too old to play Elrond. A Lotr movie would feel strange with no Rivendell or Elrond. If Weaving cannot be coaxed into returning, they will have no choice but to write him out of the story or recast.

[@esindirik4447]

If they use more than absolutely minimal digital effects, I'm gonna riot big time.

[@wbiro]

The Indiana Jones work was good. It was the first time I saw it for an extended period in a movie, rather than short cameos.

[@joachimvk5692]

I don't see any merit in a Hunt for Gollum movie. No stakes, predictable story, lack of action and most of the time only Aragorn and Gollum walking together.

[@christopherwhite7876]

I think they should completely abandon any attempt to de-age. Regardless of its convincingness, it will always hamper and cover the emotions of the actors. Who cares if they look older? It won’t matter for the stand alone film/films.

[@devollo98]

2:02 you forgot to mention the recent Alien Romulus, they recreated Ian Holm

[@jimmythedrum446]

And he looked like shit

[@kaiden2003]

I can’t wait! I’m so excited, and I hope to hear that classic soundtrack again. If I hear the theme of The Ring, I’ll literally scream 😂

[@valandhol9four680]

As long as the actors pull off their original characters well, as I believe they will, then de aging tech right now probably will make the transformation seamless

[@AnRoEppOmilid-Setit]

Well, Gandalf does not need deaging. His chronological appearance was in reverse

[@thisnthatcormak]

I think that Viggo looks amazing for 26 years older. I love the LOTR trilogy so much and i don't think it can ever be replicated. So much worked. The actors, costumes, makeup, lighting, music etc. It was genius. I fear for too much digital interference. Obviously some is needed but i loved the real backgrounds in so much of LOTR. I'm hopeful for this new movie because of who's working on it and who may possibly be in it. I'm excited as i was 26 years ago. I'm Viggos age now that he was in LOTR when it was filmed. Watching these movies brings me back to my 20s when the world felt more magical. I long for that feeling again.

[@helgardkwiatkoski7135]

But what I'll miss is the magic of Andrew Lesnie as director of photography. He and Peter Jackson worked brilliantly together and between them created that unique vision of Middle-earth.

[@thisnthatcormak]

@helgardkwiatkoski7135 I agree!