Why 'Hobbit' superfans should let Evi into their treehouse

[sharon_b Profile]

There has been so much hate lately regarding the inclusion of Evi's new character into the movie and of Evi herself but I quiet like this article from the LA Times -

Peter Jackson has inserted a new character into his upcoming "The Hobbit" two-parter -- a character that J.R.R. Tolkien did not write. Repeat: Peter Jackson is messing with the sacred texts. Again. This time, it's via "Lost" star Evangeline Lilly, who shall don the pointy ears and become a new woodland elf named Tauriel.

Judas! It’s only a matter of time before armies of dweebs ball up their disapproval into fiery wads of nerd rage and catapult their ire into the blogosphere. After all, when Jackson announced the creative casting of Saoirse Ronan as another made-up elven character earlier this year, talk among the superfans grew dire.

"To Hobbit purists, this is grave news," Hobbit Central intoned.

But according to academics who have studied Tolkien -- yes, there are those -- purists may wish to step away from their keyboards and let the tar cool. Movies and books are different animals; readers and viewers have different demands. (Translated into superfan-speak: Storytelling in a novel versus storytelling in a film is like, er, the Teleri versus the Noldor. They're both elves, but it goes without saying that a sea elf is nothing like a deep elf.)

In truth, the elves of "The Hobbit" novel don't have much to say. They capture our heroes, who later escape. The elves also go to war, but otherwise we know little to nothing about them on the written page. So is it really any surprise that Jackson has created a new elf to bridge a few gaps in the movie adaptation?

"The wood elves in 'The Hobbit' are pretty underdeveloped," notes Corey Olsen, a Washington College educator who has a website called The Tolkien Professor. "The only elf who has much of a role is the king, and he's not even named.

"It doesn't surprise me that Peter Jackson would want to invest at least one or two elves with more character, because they are pretty faceless in the book," Olsen explains.

So, superfans: Stay thy rage! After all, the rest of the casting is pretty amazing: Sherlock Holmes as Smaug, anyone?

So Hobbit/LOTR fans what do you think of PJ's made-up elf character would you still like the idea of having this character even if Evi wasn't playing her?

[tatibsblp]

my opinion is biased, hell I know that. and probably doesn't count

with LOTR I didn't pictured Arwyn the same way PJ did (casting Liv Tyler) but the character grow on me later. same with Eowyn, I always pictured her much younger but I love the character/actress in the movies.

as for Evi's role, I love it just knowing a bit about the woodland Elves and Mirkwood.

[Time-Flies Profile]

I'm a huge fan of the books, so tbh I'm not completely keen on the idea of him (PJ) making up characters when there are so many characters anyway and there is so much to the story line. However in the LOTR films I understand it was sometimes necessary to leave out a few characters and give some characters a few lines which in the book belonged to others. What works on paper does not necessarily work on film.

Jackson said about bringing a female mirkwood elf to life, as the only mirkwood elf we saw on film was Legolas, so in that sense I can understand him wanting to introduce a new character to maybe fill in a few gaps. I guess if it works for the film then why not. It probably won't be a huge role as they won't want to detract too much away from the main story line; afterall Saruman was a huge role in all the books yet didn't even appear in the original 3rd film, but I guess it will still be interesting to see what happens =)

Good luck to Evi anyway, lol I think I mentioned in another thread I could see her playing an elf =P

[razgriz Profile]

Oh, those people need to chill out.

They have no fun.

[Jenna]

The author of the article makes great points. Apparently Arwen had a very small role in the books and her role was greatly enhanced for the movie. So if they can accept Arwen, they can except Tauriel

[tatibsblp]

Those just start judging even before seeing the movie, it's Peter Jackson
That's all I need to know

[Jenna]

Those just start judging even before seeing the movie, it's Peter Jackson
That's all I need to know

Exactly, great point!

[tatibsblp]

he isn't gonna ruin his reputation, he isn't going to add a character to do something stupid, he is clearly looking for Oscar #689847

[oceanblue9 Profile]

I love how these nerds are still jealous of her dating Dom so many years ago! Get over it geeks, they broke up, and she was WAY to hot for him anyways!!!

[Time-Flies Profile]

I love how these nerds are still jealous of her dating Dom so many years ago! Get over it geeks, they broke up, and she was WAY to hot for him anyways!!!

Or maybe these "nerds" are just bigger fans of the book than they are of Evi. I'm a nerd and I thought Evi and Dom were cute together =)
I'm a fan of the book and Evi so it'll be interesting to see how the films turn out (even if she wasn't in it.)