The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

With the Lord of the Rings being the sixth-highest grossing franchise ever, expectations are high ahead of the 14th December release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

Peter Jackson made a household name for himself directing, producing and co-writing the Lord of the Rings series and now he has returned to the story releasing the prequel, The Hobbit later this year. Martin Freeman has also made a return to the big screen playing Bilbo Baggins, after the success of the TV series, Sherlock. The Hobbit will be his first film appearance since offering his voice in last year’s animation, The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists.

Joining Freeman in the stellar cast of the first instalment is Elijah Wood, Cate Blanchett, Hugo Weaving, Orlando Bloom, Evangeline Lilly, Andy Serkis, Christopher Lee, Ian McKellen and many others. Also making an appearance in the film is Freeman’s Sherlock co-star, Benedict Cumberbatch who is not playing one character, but two – The Necromancer (Sauron) and Smaug the dragon.

In a recent interview Cumberbatch fuelled further hype concerning the film’s release, telling MTV that ‘it’s going to be an amazing film’. “I was very lucky [to work] with Pete. As far as the experience, what an extraordinary one it was because at the time I was in my work; I was in isolation with him and this incredible tag team. And at the very cool place with that technology doing mo-cap for two characters, Smaug the dragon and another character, which will remain nameless, and it was an awful lot of fun.

“It’s a sort of wonderful ongoing process. I spent a lot of time recording voice as well as doing movements. So, it was sort of freeing; it was fun. It was like playing a game. It’s going to be an amazing film; it’s going to be a real treat. I watched ‘The Lord of the Rings’ again before I started working, and the way those films grow in depth of craft on every level are extraordinary. Their mark is for that.”

Peter Jackson has decided to split the JRR Tolkien masterpiece into three parts with the last instalment set to be released in 2014. The first chapter of the trilogy entitled An Unexpected Journey will see the curious and lovable Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins venture to the Lonely Mountain, leaving Bag End behind for the first time. Armed with thirteen Dwarves Baggins sets out to reclaim treasure that was stolen by Smaug the dragon.  Combating trolls, engaging with Elves and fighting alongside Gandalf is all part of his adventure, but it isn’t until he discovers a mysterious gold ring when the story beings to unfold.

The Hobbit is expected to be just a successful if not more than the Lord of the Rings trilogy as Peter Jackson has once again won over many critics with his re-imagined Middle Earth.  Going by the trailer and the hype that it has created audiences should be pleased with Jackson’s portrayal of this classic story.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has been written by AFD one of the UK’s busiest fancy dress retailers who offer customers with a large range of costumes.

A Tribute to Tony Scott

As we mourn the passing of Tony Scott, I thought you might like to enjoy Tony being directed by his older brother Ridley in Boy And Bicycle, one of Ridley Scott’s first films.

Tony Scott (left) with brother Ridley

In this atmospheric film Tony stars as a schoolboy playing truant for the day in Hartlepool.

His bike trip takes him from the beach, to a funfair and to a deserted shack, as we listen to his random thoughts (everything from fish shops to women’s hairy legs).

Boy and Bicycle is truly a family affair, as Scott’s father drove the car used for the many tracking shots, while both of his parents make cameo appearances.

Made on an old 16mm spring-wound Bolex camera in 1962, the BFI provided Scott with post-production funding, and the film was finished with a score by John Barry.

You can watch Boy And Bicycle on The Space here.