Two Peter Jackson (et al) interviews

So, now they've wrapped up principal photography on THE HOBBIT -- though of course this is far from meaning they've stopped filming, if the extensive rounds of pick-up filming that characterized the LotR film trilogy are anything to judge by. And there are various bits in the following interviews about Jackson & co. wanting to film more material from the appendices, apparently with the idea of lengthening the two movies rather than adding a third.

Here's the first link (courtesy Janice):

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/15/peter-jackson-the-hobbit-director-48-fps-comic-con_n_1674177.html

And here's the second link (courtesy Steve B):

http://collider.com/peter-jackson-martin-freeman-the-hobbit-interview/180675

Despite the really, really annoying puffery about 3D (which is a nightmare to watch for anyone with really strong glasses, like mine) and Jackson's snooty dismissal of "guys who are in love with the technology of 1927", I found both of these interesting: there's still a ton of work to do, but we're getting into the final stages now, frenzied as those will no doubt be.

Oh, and don't forget to click on the link at the end of the first paragraph of the second piece: although the Comic-Con people are apparently incapable of spelling Tolkien's name right, there's some interesting point in the attached panel report -- such as the (to me) amusing declaration that they're adding a female character not in Tolkien because they want to stay true to the spirit of Tolkien (try parsing that one out) and Peter Jackson's quip when asked if he'll be doing any SILMARILLION movies someday: "I think the chances of me living past 100 are slim". That about sums it up.

Only about five months to go. Wow.

--John R