Look what they’ve done to my… Tolkien?
The Summer 2012 Future 100 edition of Total Film includes six Hobbit actors. A comment by Aidan Turner, who plays Kili in the films, has caused a little stir today. As reported by TheOneRing.net, here is part of what Turner told the magazine about his character:
Kili’s part has been expanded from the novel; as well as chasing treasure, he’s also pursuing female elf Tauriel. But is he setting his sights too high? “I guess he knows nothing can ever happen,” he explains. “She’s about 20ft tall and he’s only two!”
A romance?… between a dwarf and an elf? What has Jackson done to JRR Tolkien’s beloved children’s book?
But this isn’t the first hint of romantic feelings of a dwarf for an elf in Jackson’s version of Middle-earth. Remember how awestruck Gimli was with Galadriel? Gimli’s request for a single hair from her head, and her gift of three hairs, is straight from the book.
Of course, Tauriel, played by LOST’s Evangeline Lilly, is not a character Tolkien created, but I’m sure it will be debated how “true” to Tolkien’s spirit her character is. And Turner’s hyperbole may extend beyond the difference in height.
What do you think? Is this “romantic” twist something of which Tolkien would have approved, or has Jackson gone too far? Feel free to leave your comments below.
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June 11th, 2012 at 3:38 pm
I trust Jackson.
June 11th, 2012 at 4:27 pm
I think it’s kinda strange but I have to see the movie before I can judge accurately
June 11th, 2012 at 4:47 pm
Okay… I’ve long been in the “this is the best Tolkien we could ever have hoped to get from big-budget films” camp, even coming off as a PJ apologist… but the gloves are off.
Everyone in the know is aware that the fan base helped keep Jackson and co. on the rails for LoTR. I’m no longer content to “trust Jackson.” As Mal says in Serenity, “I aim to misbehave.”
June 11th, 2012 at 11:11 pm
I “trust” Jackson to make two movies in pretty much the same spirit as the first three. This not to say they will be as dark. He understands that the Hobbit is supposed to be more light-hearted than The Lord of the Rings. They won’t be movies fit for young children, but there will probably be much more humor and frivolity.
The “spirit” I’m talking about has to do with Jackson’s view of life, which differs quite a bit from Tolkien’s. So I expect the same with the two Hobbit movies. I hope to discuss some of these differences as we learn more about what Jackson has done to The Hobbit.
Most of what he has done won’t be evident until the movies have been screened, so I must agree with Lubiana that an accurate judgement will not be possible until then.
My impression is also that there are much fewer “leaks” with these films than the previous ones. So, it might just be more difficult to keep Jackson “on the rails” this time. I don’t think we have enough information about Tauriel to know if Jackson has completely derailed… or maybe I’m just too enamored with the idea of seeing Evangeline Lilly as an Elf.
July 7th, 2012 at 9:45 am
“I guess he knows nothing can ever happen,” he explains. “She’s about 20ft tall and he’s only two!”
This implies that it may only be the sort of unrequited adoration that Gimli had for Galadriel, and therefore may be sweet, and nothing offensive or alarming.
My hope, anyway
July 8th, 2012 at 7:03 am
That is my hope, too, Kathy. Thanks for the comment.