3 Things You Didn't Know About The Film

TF1 Séries films ventures into Middle Earth this Wednesday November 26. At 9:10 p.m., the channel will broadcast the final part of the Hobbit saga. With The Battle of the Five ArmiesPeter Jackson finished his Lord of the Rings adventure behind the camera. If this second trilogy is debated among fans of Tolkien and his universe, it must be admitted that the adventures of Bilbo continue to have importance for the global cinematographic landscape and more particularly for fantasy on the big screen. A look back at 5 anecdotes that you probably didn’t know.

It is the first film in the franchise not to be nominated for an Oscar.

Lord of the Rings and previous films The Hobbit were recurring guests at the Oscars. It must be said that Weta FX’s work on visual effects is among the most impressive of the beginning of the century. Even today, the studio founded by Peter Jackson is among the most popular around the world. For, at the exit of The Battle of the Five Armiesit’s a cold shower for the New Zealand company. For the first time in the history of the Middle-earth saga, no Oscar nomination for Peter Jackson’s film.

That year it was Ex Machina by Alex Garland who will win the statuette. The science fiction film was in competition against Mad Max : Fury Road, Alone on Mars, The Revenant et Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The appearance of the Orcs, the numerous false connections… Obviously, this final part did not convince the Academy and certain spectators.

A doll with a… special name

For the purposes of a scene from episode 3 of HobbitPeter Jackson’s teams had to create a doll bearing the image of Sir Ian McKellen. The model had to look exactly like her and allow Cate Blanchett, who plays Galadriel, to handle her easily. The object was the source of a joke, concerning the physical resemblance between Gandalf and another famous magician. She was named after Michael Gambon, best known for portraying Albus Dumbledore in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and its aftermath.

Both McKellen and Gambon have repeatedly spoken about public confusion about their respective roles. Many people, still today, are convinced that a single actor slipped into the shoes of the two wizards with the long white beard. The joke even went as far as Michael Gambon’s name being put on the call sheet for scenes involving Gandalf’s line.

Spider-Man and Harry Potter could have been Bilbo

After playing the famous Dr. Watson, Martin Freeman was recruited by Peter Jackson to play The Hobbit. The British actor was chosen over many candidates, including other famous names in pop culture. Tobey Maguire is one of them. The interpreter of Spider-Man at Sam Raimi was not the only one to be offered the role. Earlier, when Guillermo del Toro was supposed to be in charge of the films The Hobbitthe name of Daniel Radcliffe had also been mentioned. At the time, the actor was still very busy with the wizarding world and was even preparing to say goodbye to the character who had been camping since 2001.

Asked about his desire to join another emblematic fantasy saga, the young actor was rather categorical. He confided to Los Angeles Times : “Thanks but no thanks. Honestly, I don’t think he would want to anyway, it’s too close… No matter what I do next, I don’t think there will be any wizards.” And he kept his promise, as he later appeared in smaller productions, like Swiss Army Man or Horns.