New Hobbit film - songs or not?

[Kahuna Burger]

Thinking specifically of the songs that are in the book, "That's what Bilbo Baggins hates" and "15 Birds" are the two I remember, there might be more. Should they be included in the movies or left out?

 

[Ranger REG]

In their entireties? If it "fleshes" the scene.

Do it in moderation, unless you want to turn it into a musical.

Oh, in case you haven't heard. Things have settled between PJ, New Line, and MGM.

Good news: PJ and wife Fran Walsh will be executive producers of The Hobbit two-part films.

Bad news: PJ is not named director. Not yet anyway.

 

[Orius]

No!

I generally don't read the songs and poems throughout The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings. So I certainly wouldn't miss them.

Besides, PJ pretty much didn't include the songs in the movies. So I'd imagine he'd do the same here.

 

[Felix]

Songs like the "Inn of the Green Dragon" with Pippin and Merry in Two Towers are OK. But they shouldn't be the focus of a scene.

 

[Hypersmurf]

The issue with a song like "That's what Bilbo Baggins hates" is that it's obviously made up on the spot, since they've only just met Bilbo Baggins... but all the dwarves sing it in unison.

So either the dwarves are all experienced improv comics who know each other well enough that they can sing improv songs in unison (not entirely unthinkable, I suppose, given dwarven lifespans)... or you get the "Once More With Feeling" we're-living-in-a-musical vibe.

-Hyp.

 

[Mark Hope]

Unless the film reproduces note-for-note the glory of the "Goblin Town " song from Rankin-Bass' version of The Hobbit, Peter Jackson will be dead to me! My chief complaint about his version of Return of the King was that he neglected to include "Where There's A Whip, There's a Way". Completely ruined the film.

 

[Pinotage]

I voted 'No'. I can't remember the exact details of the song, so I'm not actually sure of the contents or wording. My general opinion is that unless it serves some greater purpose in the overall story advancement, just leave it out. People have seen enough hobbits in LotR to know all about them - there's no need to add to that. Even then, I'm hoping for a gritty LotR style game which will likely be spoiled by some songs sung for no particular reason.

Pinotage

 

[Shayuri]

Not! Not! Emphatically not!

The constant songs in the Hobbit are one of my major beefs with the book. I prostate myself before the altar of, and offer sacrifices to, whatever god, goddess or demiurge Peter Jackson subscribes to the services of, and implore it with my soul as collateral...PUH-LEESE do not let him include the songs!

Thank you.

 

[Remus Lupin]

I prostate myself

Oh God, no! Remember Eric's Grandma!

 

[Umbran]

So either the dwarves are all experienced improv comics who know each other well enough that they can sing improv songs in unison (not entirely unthinkable, I suppose, given dwarven lifespans)... or you get the "Once More With Feeling" we're-living-in-a-musical vibe.

...or, dwarves have songs designed to have names filled in.