Of hobbits and dragons and sequels that you love.

[layne67]

Just finished re-reading The Hobbit and I was reminded all over again on why I loved that book ( and Bilbo! ) when I first read it all those years ago. And it's nice to get re-acquainted with Bard and Beorn and Smaug and all the rest.

I googled up the cast of the movie just now and wow, the dwarves!! Totally approved of Luke Evans as Bard and I'm over the hill and under the hill and all over the hill with Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug. I was initially disappointed when I found out that we'd only get to hear his voice in the movie but Smaug has Benedict written all over him and he'd be totally wrong as Beorn, and I bet Smaug's interaction with Bilbo will have all the Sherlock/Watson shippers squeeing in delight!

Btw, is it confirmed that Evangeline Lily will be playing an elf? She'd made a pretty elf maiden with her freckles and her long, curly tresses. And is Stephen Fry really going to play the Master of The Lake???

Next book : The Landscape of Love by Sally Beauman. I first knew of her when I read her sequel to Daphne du Maurier's classic 'Rebecca', Rebecca's Tale. I don't usually read sequels when they're written by different authors as I found them usually less satisfying than the ones written by the original authors, but Beauman more than delivered with her equally haunting 'Rebecca's Tale. Still didn't get to find out the name of the second Mrs de Winter though but I'm glad that she had remained nameless. She probably wouldn't be as mysterious if we knew her name!

Comments

[katikat.livejournal.com]

Isn't Benedict playing also the Necromancer?

ETA: My aunt hated the Rebecca sequel. Isn't it the one where Mr. de Winter ends up dead?

[layne67.livejournal.com]

Yes, he is. But the Necromancer was only mentioned in passing in the book so I guess PJ would be writing "new" materials on him.

I think there're two sequels to Rebecca written by two different authors, one is by Beauman and the other by Susan Hill called Back To Manderley. I haven't read the latter but from what I gather from the internet reviews, it was generally considered a disappointment.

Beauman's was really well-written, I love it but your aunt probably read that one since Maxim had died in it ( the story started many years after the end of the first book ). But the sequel wasn't really about the husband, it was more about the first Mrs de Winter, her character as seen from other people's POV, and not just from the second Mrs de Winter as was in the original book. But I guess if your aunt is a fan of Mr de Winter, she'd dislike the book!

[leelust.livejournal.com]

I like Hobbit. Don't remember all names but saw my flist very excited with casting so far :)

[layne67.livejournal.com]

I had no idea who Luke Evans was ( the one cast as Bard ) but baby, look at ::THIS::

(http://s4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/layne67/?action=view&current=luke-evans-2.jpg)

*drools*

[cairistiona7.livejournal.com]

Yep, he's really playing the Master of Laketown. I think he's a good fit for the role. All the parts seem pretty aptly cast, although I'm not sure about the guy playing Beorn... I always pictured him looking more like Hagrid! But they can do a LOT with hair and makeup in these things. I'm anxious to see the publicity shot of him.

I wonder if they'll let Evangeline Lilly's freckles show or cover them with makeup?

[layne67.livejournal.com]

I pictured Beorn looking like hagrid, toooo!!!!

So she really will be in the movie then? Lol, now if Merry were back in the movie as well, her interaction with him would be fun to watch!

An elf with freckles would be adorable.

[claudia603.livejournal.com]

Yep, those dwarves are promisingly hot! :)

[layne67.livejournal.com]

Do you watch Games Of Thrones, Claudia? I think if the dwarves were all like Peter Dinklage, I'd be very, very happy. But I approve of PJ's casting especially Fili ( or is that Kili? The dark-haired one. )

[suzy-74.livejournal.com]

To bad the pretty faces will be covered with beard, no? ;)

Say, would you recomend me to read the book again before the movies come out? I mean, I have read it but honestly I don't remember all these characters. I draw a blank. *lol* I only read the Hobbit because I wanted whatever "backstory" there might have been before I started reading LOTR. So I read it very quickly and probably didn't give it the attention it deserves.

[layne67.livejournal.com]

Yes, yes, yes, do go reread The Hobbit. You'll fall in love with Bilbo all over again. I kind of forgot how awesome and adorable young Bilbo actually was when Frodo somewhat "took over" in the LOTR trilogy. And also, I kept thinking of Bilbo as old and infirmed when he was young and vibrant ( and funny! ) once.

But I'm thinking that PJ is going to take a lot of creative licence with the movie. You love Stephen Fry, don't you? :))

[suzy-74.livejournal.com]

Oh yes, I am quite certain PJ will change a lot. I like Stephen yes. I follow him on twitter. :)