Tolkien Biopic to Be Released in May
Here on Thoughts on Film we are big fans of his work and the recent films made by Peter Jackson. The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings (LOTR), are responsible for originating a universe that has gone on to inspire movies, animation, fiction, and modern media interpretations.
This is why Tolkien is regarded by many as the greatest fantasy author of all time. His creative stamp can be seen nearly everywhere in modern media. There’s the direct reinterpretation of his work in the recently released action roleplaying game Middle Earth: Shadow of War, where players are thrust into a major role in Tolkien’s literary canon. George R.R. Martin, who originated the now globally-popular Game of Thrones series on HBO, openly reveres LOTR as the inspiration for his work, citing the early death of Gandalf in Fellowship of the Ring as having a profound effect on his “own willingness to kill characters at the drop of a hat.” On the web, more Tolkien-inspired work can be found on leading slot portal Slingo and its many online titles dedicated to the fantasy genre, including Amazon Queen, Fae Legend Warrior, and Magic Castle, all of which feature elements that can be traced back to the author’s massive body of work. Technically speaking, the same can be said of nearly every major fantasy brand out there today, from Dungeons & Dragons to Magic: the Gathering. In short, almost every type of entertainment that features western fantasy can be traced back to the works of Tolkien.
In the upcoming Tolkien movie, the man will be played by Nicholas Hoult, whom is best known for Mad Max: Fury Road and Hank McCoy in the most recent X-Men movies. And now, the actor’s versatility will be tested as he steps into the shoes of the most iconic fantasy writer of all time. Starring alongside Hoult will be the actress Lily Collins as Edith Bratt – the woman whom Tolkien loved above all and is reportedly the inspiration for all “elven princess characters” in the LOTR series.
Helming the film is director Dome Karukoski whose CV includes 2017’s Tom of Finland, a critically acclaimed chronicle of the life and works of the controversial artist of the same name. And while media outlets haven’t yet heard from either the cast, director, or crew of the film, an official synopsis of the movie has been released via Collider. “Tolkien explores the formative years of the orphaned author as he finds friendship, love and artistic inspiration among a group of fellow outcasts at school. This takes him into the outbreak of World War I, which threatens to tear the “Fellowship” apart. All of these experiences would inspire Tolkien to write his famous Middle-earth novels.” It sounds like a real treat for film, literature, and Middle Earth fans.
Feature: 2019 Oscar Predictions
I think it’s fair to say that the run up to this year’s Oscars has been a little messier than usual, from unexpected and bizarre wins at other awards shows (Vice winning Best Editing at the BAFTAs, anyone?) to ridiculous decisions by the Academy to change the show around.
The latter has proved a particular point of contention with both those in the industry to onlookers on social media, with choices such as not letting all the songs be performed to introducing a Best Popular Film category (whatever that means) to not airing four categories live; Editing and Cinematography proved a particular issue, sending the folks of Film Twitter into a Hulk-like rage.
Thankfully all of these decisions except for the one to not have a main host have taken the walk-back of shame; I look forward to Clint Eastwood talking to an empty chair again. Of course there’s still the issue of plenty of thoroughly deserving films, filmmakers and performances not being up for any Oscars at all (*cough* Toni Collette! *cough*) but of course that’s not an issue unique to this year.
The show must go on, as they say, and I thought a week out from this year’s ceremony I’d throw my hat into the ring as far as predictions goes. Below I’ve listed what I think will win in each category, as well as what I personally would like to see pick up that little gold man come next Sunday evening.
Best Picture
Want to win: A Star is Born
Will win: Green Book
Lead Actor
Want to win: Bradley Cooper (A Star is Born)
Will win: Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody)
Lead Actress
Want to win: Olivia Colman (The Favourite)
Will win: Olivia Colman (The Favourite)
Supporting Actor
Want to win: Richard E. Grant (Can You Ever Forgive Me?)
Will win: Mahershala Ali (Green Book)
Supporting Actress
Want to win: Emma Stone (The Favourite)
Will win: Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk)
Director
Want to win: Alfonso Cuarón (Roma)
Will win: Alfonso Cuarón (Roma)
Animated Feature
Want to win: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Will win: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Adapted Screenplay
Want to win: BlacKkKlansman
Will win: BlacKkKlansman
Original Screenplay
Want to win: First Reformed
Will win: The Favourite
Cinematography
Want to win: Roma
Will win: Roma
Documentary Feature
Want to win: Free Solo
Will win: Minding the Gap
Foreign Language Film
Want to win: Roma
Will win: Roma
Film Editing
Want to win: BlacKkKlansman
Will win: Bohemian Rhapsody
Sound Editing
Want to win: A Quiet Place
Will win: Bohemian Rhapsody
Sound Mixing
Want to win: A Star is Born
Will win: Bohemian Rhapsody
Production Design
Want to win: Roma
Will win: The Favourite
Original Score
Want to win: If Beale Street Could Talk
Will win: Black Panther
Original Song
Want to win: Shallow (A Star is Born)
Will win: Shallow (A Star is Born)
Makeup and Hair
Want to win: Mary Queen of Scots
Will win: Vice
Costume Design
Want to win: Black Panther
Will win: The Favourite
Visual Effects
Want to win: Avengers: Infinity War
Will win: Ready Player One
Animated Short
Want to win: Bao
Will win: Bao
Live Action Short
Want to win: Marguerite
Will win: Marguerite
Documentary Short Subject
Want to win: Black Sheep
Will win: Lifeboat
Do you agree? Disagree? Feel free to leave your predictions/wishes for the winners below or tweet @TOF_UK or @rosstmiller.
Roll on Sunday!