The Hobbit: a tale of two movies

It’s well known that an adaptation of The Hobbit is currently in the making. But did you know the narrative will be divided into two films? Angela Burton assesses the evidence so far, and predicts how the story will be reworked for the film adaptation.

At the helm is the monster-loving Guillermo del Toro. Naturally, Peter Jackson is also involved, as executive producer and co-writer, after his crowd-pleasing, award-winning, visionary role in bringing The Lord of the Rings trilogy to the screen. The Hobbit is rather less intimidating than the mighty tome that is The Lord of the Rings, but it’s still going to be split into two movies, released a year apart. The point at which the first film will end is, apparently, an obvious one.

Del Toro has hinted at the point where the break will be, saying: “What we’re doing is because we have the relationship between Bilbo and Thorin and all the dwarves, there is a logical place for that relationship. There is a moment in the book where something is accomplished…” After reading this, I’ve brushed up on my knowledge of The Hobbit and I can see two possible places where the break point might be. But before I give you my best guess, it might be helpful to assess what is definitely being included.

To those of you who are unaware, JRR Tolkien set the wheels in motion for The Hobbit in the tale The Quest of Erebor, in what was published after his death as Unfinished Tales (edited by his son Christopher Tolkien). In this story, Gandalf devises the plan that sets Bilbo and the thirteen dwarves on their mission to slay the dragon Smaug and reclaim the dwarves’ treasure in the Lonely Mountain. Del Toro has said he would like to take this into account as well as “including the White Council and the comings and goings of Gandalf to Dol Guldur.” Thráin II is also said to be included; he is a dwarf in possession of one of the last of the Seven Rings of the dwarves. A dying Thráin gives Gandalf his ring and the map that he in turn passes over to Thorin Oakenshield, Thráin’s son and leader of the dwarves accompanying Bilbo. So we might get to see pre-corrupted Saruman the White and watch his downfall, as an introduction to Bilbo and the dwarves’ adventure.

With all this extra material said to feature in the film of The Hobbit, it’s no wonder the story is being split into two parts. From what I can gather, nothing is being excised from the story to make room for these additions. Even Beorn the skin-changer (or shape-shifter) has his place in del Toro’s vision. Beorn was not included in the 1977 animated adaptation by Rankin-Bass.

Based on del Toro’s hints, my initial thought was the split would occur when Bilbo wins the famous ring from Gollum after their riddle competition. The ring allows Bilbo to escape the pursuing goblins; consequently, the dwarves’ opinion of him improves. This happens quite early on in the story, but with the additions of the White Council and Gandalf’s private adventures at the start, it could push this incident towards the middle of the narrative arc.

Another possible place for the break is after the defeat of the dragon. Bard the Bowman, a human who lives in the village next to Lonely Mountain, overthrows Smaug, leaving the dwarves to reclaim the mountain and its treasure. Being selfish creatures, they will not share it with Bard. Bilbo steals the Arkenstone, the one treasure Thorin sought after, and gives it to Bard, causing Thorin to banish him. But this happens much too late in the story, especially with del Toro’s additions. Among bloggers, a popular idea for the break point is after Bilbo uses the ring to help the dwarves escape from the wood elves’ dungeon. Personally I’m not convinced this is the natural stopping point that del Toro suggests is evident.