Image via New Line Cinema
By
Makuochi Echebiri
Published 24 minutes ago
Makuochi Echebiri is a News Writer for Collider. He has been interested in creative writing from as far back as high school, and he would consume pretty much anything that’s film or TV. However, his truest love lies in the presence of historical epics and thrillers.
Lured by the brilliance of Middle Earth from an early age both in print and on screen, his palate has since expanded to other realms including Westeros, Kattegat among others. He also possesses a great appetite for the stories that emanate from the vastness of space. Even though he is no Avenger.
Obsessed with storytelling and having works of his own that have yet to make it to print, he is content to use that ability to communicate to as many as are reachable. In his spare time, he looks out for avenues where he can aid people aside from his plans to reign over this earthly realm. Yes…you heard that first here.
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There are fewer more engrossing worlds ever created like the one built out on paper by J.R.R. Tolkien. Middle-earth has been subject to several adaptations now, both live-action and animated, and there is more to come. While we look forward to more adventures from Tolkien's world, one older adaptation is making a comeback of sorts on streaming. After delivering on the famous and critically acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy at the turn of the century, Peter Jackson returned in the 2010s with yet another trilogy, The Hobbit. Focused on beloved Middle-earth adventurer, Bilbo Baggins, the prequel trilogy was not able to capture the imagination as its predecessor did. However, its first installment, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, has been gaining traction on streaming platforms, as the film has become a sensation on MGM+.
Directed by Jackson, An Unexpected Journey is almost a children's tale which foreshadows the far more gloomy situation that awaits Middle-earth — the return of Sauron. Bilbo is played by Martin Freeman, with some familiar faces from the original trilogy, like Gollum (Andy Serkis) and Gandalf (Ian McKellen), also returning in major roles. The Hobbit films are largely underwhelming, but that does not mean they were all without merit. An Unexpected Journey holds a score of 64% on the film aggregator website, Rotten Tomatoes, to reflect that truth. The synopsis for An Unexpected Journey reads, "Bilbo Baggins, a hobbit enjoying his quiet life, is swept into an epic quest by Gandalf the Grey and thirteen dwarves who seek to reclaim their mountain home from Smaug, the dragon."
Middle-earth Is the Gift That Keeps Giving
While An Unexpected Journey hopes to continue its sensational run on streaming, there are newer titles set in Middle-earth that will be explored soon. An all-new Lord of the Rings project focused on the White Wizard, Saruman, is coming even as Amazon steps away from an eagerly anticipated multiplayer online role-playing game. Despite that decision, Amazon and Prime Video remain committed to exploring the Second Age of Middle-earth with its fantasy series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. When the show makes its return, Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), the elves, and the other free peoples of Middle-earth will raise their weapons in defiance of the Dark Lord Sauron, even as a massive time jump from Season 2 is planned.
Beyond Prime Video's series, there is yet another Middle-earth project to anticipate on screen. Under the watchful eye of producer Jackson and director Andy Serkis, fans of the franchise can look forward to the premiere of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. Focused on Gollum, the project will explore other corners of Middle-earth as well. McKellen previously teased that both Gandalf and Frodo will appear in the movie, even as Serkis returns as Gollum.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
Like Follow Followed PG-13 Adventure Fantasy Action Release Date December 14, 2012 Runtime 169 minutes Director Peter Jackson
10 Images
Christopher Lee as Saruman in Rivendell in The Hobbit
Bilbo looking to the distance in The Hobbit: An Unexpected JourneyImage via Warner Bros. Pictures
Bilbo runs through Bag End in The Hobbit: An Unexpected JourneyImage via Warner Bros. Pictures
Gandalf looking down with his staff in The Hobbit
Gollum in The Hobbit looking up.Image via New Line Cinema
Cate Blanchett looking regal as Galadriel in The Hobbit An Unexpected Journey
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Martin Freeman
Bilbo Baggins
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Ian McKellen
Gandalf the Grey
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Richard Armitage
Thorin Oakenshield
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James Nesbitt
Bofur
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The Lord of the Rings
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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
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