Though The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey doesn’t hit theaters until next week, reviews are already starting to pop up – and they’re not exactly “glowing.” Some of the criticisms (48fps aside) have been that it’s overstuffed, overlong, and that it includes too many references to Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings.
On a related note, the first image of Legolas (Orlando Bloom) from The Hobbit: There and Back Again – that is, the third film in the trilogy – has been released, along with an explanation from Jackson as to why the blond elf is appearing in the Hobbit movies when he did not appear in the source material.
Check it out below, courtesy of Entertainment Weekly:
CLICK FOR FULL IMAGE
The picture features Legolas (obviously) on the right, and Bard the Bowman (Luke Evans) on the left. So – just a couple of bowmen, hanging out, talking about bows and arrows and that kind of thing.
Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit know that Bard will be a key player in the next two Hobbit films (The Desolation of Smaug and There and Back Again). It’s still unclear how large Legolas’ role will be in the films, though it has been described as being “more than a cameo” – whatever that means.
Peter Jackson explained the reason behind including Legolas in the Hobbit film (films?), saying:
“He’s [elven king] Thranduil’s son, and Thranduil is one of the characters in ‘The Hobbit,’ and because elves are immortal, it makes sense Legolas would be part of the sequence in the Woodland Realm.”
Though too many unnecessary references to LOTR has been one of the complaints for An Unexpected Journey – the beginning, which apparently dragged for some people, features (SPOILER ALERT!) an introduction with Old Bilbo (Ian Holm) and Frodo Baggins (Elijah Woods) – there’s little doubt that many a fan of Jackson’s previous trilogy will be elated.
Phillipa Boyens, Peter Jackson’s go-to screenwriter, also talked a bit about the Bard’s character and how they’ve expanded his role for the adaptation.
“Bard is an interesting character, but [in the book] he’s kind of a random character who comes in after the fact. We take more time introducing him. We know from what follows that he was a father, so we [explore] that. I don’t think we take liberties, because it’s all there in the storytelling.”
Are you happy to see Legolas return in Peter Jackson’s Hobbit trilogy? Let us know in the comments.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey hits theaters December 14th, 2012. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug hits theaters December 13th, 2013. And finally, The Hobbit: There and Back Again hits theaters July 18th, 2014.
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Follow me on Twitter @benandrewmoore.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
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Lets hope and pray SAMUEL L. JACKSON doesn’t get a role in The HOBBIT!!!
im tired of all these mother****** orcs in this mother**** cave!!!!
The Hobbit is my favourite book, but I like that it takes ages to get into the story. Its annoying that Legolas is going to be in the film because he isn’t in the book! But I can’t wait to see the 2nd and 3rd films
Any true LOTR fan will love to see Legolas Greenleaf in this… a Hobbit Fan that has not read the LOTR will be confused and angry- as a True LOTR fan I dont care that this random stuff is added- Seriously HE’S LEGOLAS!!! (Heh Heh Orlando Bloom too *wink wink*)
I agree with Lexie. Espeically with the brackets!;)
All these critics should stop talking about how there are too many LOTR references, when I saw Frodo I looked to the stranger next to me and said, “O MY GOD, IT’S FRODO!” like a true fan of J.R.R.
You’re right dude! I would love to see Legolas in the next Hobbit films. He was amazing in the LOTR trilogy and can’t wait to see again Orlando Bloom, he is dead gorgeous!
I totally agree with you Lexi and you Jessica.
Legolas will be a wonderful addition to the Hobbit. He is extremely attractive, a great shot, and also the battle is in his homeland so duh. I love him
hes wonderful.
I agree completely!!
Well said Iokeline 
Seriously, more LOTR added to The Hobbit?? I liked the hobbit book BUT NOT lord of the rings… with the son of soso here and the son of soso there, and now some random peeps that hobbit/anti-lotr people wont know. . .
I’m just curious as to why people seem to think that The Hobbit and the three books in the LOTR trilogy are somehow mutually exclusive. It’s the same characters in the same world. How can their be “too much” Lord of the Rings? They’re interrelated! That’s like saying there’s “too much” The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe in The Magicians Nephew.
Cheers to those who want to see Legolas (Orlando Bloom)in The Hobbit movie.. there’s really not that much of a change there, I guess? I mean, Legolas isn’t really a big character so maybe a few scenes wouldn’t hurt..
I do belive it is right but also because I think legolas and orlando are pretty hot but in general legolas is thranduil’s son so it should be likely
Just like Tauriel and the open barrels being added- (I dont agree with the barrel) – I love this (as I said before) idea. I do not feel LOTR is weighed down by men, but I am happy to see a lady in this.
so if you have nothing nice to say about this wonderful idea, say nothing about it at all!
I know they take some liberties, but it doesn’t take away from the pure awesomeness of the story at all. Of course the film isn’t going to be exactly like the book, it would take about 5 movies just to get through An Unexpected Journey otherwise.
I’m a big fan of the books, I love them, but I’m interested in seeing how the movie differs. As long as nothing SIGNIFICANT is changed, then why does it bother you? I’m just happy that they are making The Hobbit into a set of movies so that we can enjoy these characters.
As I have stated, nothing truly significant has been altered. As long as it stays that way, then I am perfectly content. Plus it does make sense to introduce Legolas in the series considering he is Thranduil’s son and crown prince of Mirkwood. And he’s gorgeous and completely interesting, but that’s beside the point!
I love Legolas! I mean he is so cool! I know in real life he is just a regular actor. But in the movie your imagination soars and you can dream he is a graceful and immortal elf. I thinks it is funny that Aragorn and Legolas used to banter like, “Your a dirty human.” or “Go manicure your nails elf.” But I think they were friends. I am glad Legolas is playinh in the Hobbit and hope he procures a large role in it!
I am happy to see Legolas there. It makes sense that he would be. Tolkien wrote the Hobbit first, and that is why Legolas doesn’t appear in a story that involves his homeland and father. If things had gone the other way around, I am sure Tolkien would have mentioned his presence. It would have been odd not to. Since the movies are taking the opposite approach, I think not including him would come off quite weird.
I love him hems beautiful
woohooo!! i’d love to see lego again! come on guys……the hobbit is a book for children…so it would be better if peter changes this and that!
Psh. Knowing the Jackson has great respect for the source material and a desire to flesh out Tolkien’s work is enough for me. As long as he keeps me in middle earth, he can tell whatever stories he likes!
Man these girls on here are irritating. “oohhweeee i want legolas hes so haewt!”. I’m glad he’s back too. Easily my favorite from the LOTR triology, but quit acting like those twilight fangirls. You embarrass yourselves.
The reason Bard is such a hero is BECAUSE of the fact that he comes out of nowhere…I think it’s a bad idea to give him more script than the story actually provides, it’ll wear out his character.
Peter Jackson just thinks that because he is rich and popular now, he can do whatever the heck he wants, whether its to add a fricken white orc hero or move around Tolkien’s characters. Not to mention The Hobbit should be a single movie, not a trilogy. If anything LOTR could have had 3 movies for each book lol
When I heard that a Hobbit movie was hoing to be made, I immediately knew Legolas would be in the later oart once the party arrived in Mirkwood. Though his character had not been invented yet at the time the Hobbit was written, he would definately have been present from Mirkwood on (spoiler: the end of the first movie has the party landing at the edge of Mirkwood). As Thranduil’s son and the crowned prince of the realm, he would have definately been present, and it would make little sense if he were left out. You think the crowned prince would not have been in the throne room for the first time in ages that dwarves were in the realm? Do you think an elf prince would have stayed home while the entire elven army marched on mount doom? Do you think the elf prince somehow missed the battle of 5 armies? Do you think the elf prince wouldnt have been involved in the decision making processes leading up to the elven army marching out? Etc… The answer to all the above is NO, the crowned prince of the elves would have been around and there is very little “extra” screentime Legolas can get that wouldnt be supported by the storyline, even if the story maintained its focus on the dwarf/bilbo party. The only thing that would have been an issue would be to have him show up before Mirkwood, which DID NOT happen, so to the people pretending they read the book, or people with a bad memory, go read the book again. Legolas in the story should happen. (However, this whole pale orc thing I do not support.)
Are there any women on here or just little girls squealing “Ooh, Legolas is hot! Yay, he’s in the movie!” I grew up with these books. The Hobbit (imho) is far superior to the LOTR books. I love the Hobbit so much, I was so excited to hear a movie would be made way back in ’05 (I believe). Now, we all love Legolas. He’s a great addition to the party and one bad-a** fighter anyone would want on their team, but whether you like him or not, the fact is he is not in the Hobbit. Just because he is immortal doesn’t mean he wasn’t a child elf at some point. Let’s not throw characters in that are not really there just for the sake of familiarity or views. It makes you a little selfish if you would rather compromise the authenticity of the book just for your personal affections toward a character.
I LOVE the idea of adding Legolas and other qualities that help connect The Hobbit movies to the LOTR! Brilliant! I think Tolkien himself would agree!