I would imagine that the principal cast will consist of Serkis, Mortensen and McKellan.
Tyler and Weaving might be tougher. Tyler because she's looking a little matronly these days. And Weaving because I swear to think he announced his retirement from Hollywood. Then again, they're such obvious candidates for inclusion that I find it hard to imagine that the movie trilogy gets announced before they have the main cast locked up. I always got the idea that Weaving had a special affection for Elrond. But maybe I'm wrong.
Lee's passing will certainly complicate matters. I'm not super comfortable with the idea of using CGI to copy him and AI to give him a voice. But if you're going to include Saruman in the movies, then I don't know what the alternative is. Because recasting the character is out of the question in my mind. So, either you use technological trickery to digitally resurrect Lee or else you write the Saruman character out entirely. But I'm unable to see a third choice.
As to what material you could adapt into a film, there's some stuff going on in Appendix B/The Tale Of Years. Tolkien provided some technical details. I would like to think that writers of Jackson, Boyens and Walsh's caliber can craft something using these items. Plus, they've got lead time with this that they didn't have with The Hobbit. So, right there, I think this trilogy is already off to a good start. There's no need to rush the films through production to meet a release date.
I'm pretty optimistic about this. A lot more optimistic than I ever was about TROP.
Tyler and Weaving might be tougher. Tyler because she's looking a little matronly these days. And Weaving because I swear to think he announced his retirement from Hollywood. Then again, they're such obvious candidates for inclusion that I find it hard to imagine that the movie trilogy gets announced before they have the main cast locked up. I always got the idea that Weaving had a special affection for Elrond. But maybe I'm wrong.
Lee's passing will certainly complicate matters. I'm not super comfortable with the idea of using CGI to copy him and AI to give him a voice. But if you're going to include Saruman in the movies, then I don't know what the alternative is. Because recasting the character is out of the question in my mind. So, either you use technological trickery to digitally resurrect Lee or else you write the Saruman character out entirely. But I'm unable to see a third choice.
As to what material you could adapt into a film, there's some stuff going on in Appendix B/The Tale Of Years. Tolkien provided some technical details. I would like to think that writers of Jackson, Boyens and Walsh's caliber can craft something using these items. Plus, they've got lead time with this that they didn't have with The Hobbit. So, right there, I think this trilogy is already off to a good start. There's no need to rush the films through production to meet a release date.
Quote2980I'm calling it now. If this trilogy actually gets made, then I'm betting one of the movies will be titled The Shadow Of Mordor (or something similar).
Aragorn enters Lórien, and there meets again Arwen Undómiel. Aragorn gives her the ring of Barahir, and they plight their troth upon the hill of Cerin Amroth. About this time Gollum reaches the confines of Mordor and becomes acquainted with Shelob. Théoden becomes King of Rohan. Birth of Samwise.
3000
The shadow of Mordor lengthens. Saruman dares to use the palantír of Orthanc, but becomes ensnared by Sauron, who has the Ithil-stone. He becomes a traitor to the Council. His spies report that the Shire is being closely guarded by the Rangers.
3009
Gandalf and Aragorn renew their hunt for Gollum at intervals during the next eight years, searching in the vales of Anduin, Mirkwood, and Rhovanion to the confines of Mordor. At some time during these years Gollum himself ventured into Mordor, and was captured by Sauron. Elrond sends for Arwen, and she returns to Imladris; the Mountains and all lands eastward are becoming dangerous.
3017
Gollum is released from Mordor. He is taken by Aragorn in the Dead Marshes, and brought to Thranduil in Mirkwood. Gandalf visits Minas Tirith and reads the scroll of Isildur.
I'm pretty optimistic about this. A lot more optimistic than I ever was about TROP.