New Tolkien Book to Rival 'The Hobbit'
Filed under: Sci-Fi & Fantasy, RumorMonger, Fandom, Newsstand
It's been thirty years since author J.R.R. Tolkien passed away, but that hasn't stopped a brand new book from hitting shelves with his name on the cover. The Children of Hurin (which hits bookstores today) was pieced together by Tolkien's son Christopher from his father's old manuscripts, and already folks are talking big-screen adaptation. Essentially much darker than The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, Hurin was told in fragmentary form in The Silmarillion (originally published in 1977) and its story takes place long before Frodo's famous journey.
Yes, we're back in Middle-earth, but this time the tale revolves around Turin and his sister Nienor; two victims of an unfortunate curse placed upon them by the first Dark Lord, Morgoth (to give you an idea as to how badass this dude is, Sauron was Morgoth's servant). Word on the street has it that Hollywood is all over this bad boy, but since Tolkien's estate owns the film rights, a move won't be made until all parties involved are on the same page. It's also important to note that, as of now, New Line has nothing to do with The Children of Hurin. Thus, if another studio were to pick it up, I'm sure Peter Jackson would be the first name on their go-to list (if, for some reason, he doesn't wind up helming The Hobbit instead). Could you imagine if two Tolkien adaptations were in development at the same time, with one to be directed by Sam Raimi and the other by Peter Jackson? Screw big-screen fantasy, for some that would be the ultimate real-life fantasy! Aren't you just giddy with anticipation? I know I am ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-17-2007 @ 1:01PM
Brian said...
Being as it was "written" by Christopher Tolkien, who was so against the films he cut off his own son for involvement, I don't see a film on this book happening in the near decades.
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4-17-2007 @ 5:52PM
ben said...
I don't know about that. Adam (Christopher's son) has an essay on Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/?docId=1000074611) about the work. So while Christopher might have been a bit peeved it sounds like they are on speaking terms. And besides, how long now until Christopher knocks off and Adam becomes in charge of the estate anyway? I say we'll see a movie in under 10 years.
~Ben
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4-23-2007 @ 3:29PM
Adam said...
It will be interesting to see if the Tolkien Estate shows any interest toward a Hollywood adaptation. Christopher Tolkien was against the original adaptation of LotR, but I also believe he was somewhat reconciled to it when all was said and done.
BTW...the book was not "written" by Christopher Tolkien. He merely pieced together the various drafts and remnants already in existence. The tale of Turin was a very well-developed text that JRR Tolkien came back to time and time again throughout the years.
But the Tolkien Estate does control the film rights to this novel, not movie producer Saul Zaentz.
You can find more info on story and its background at http://www.tolkien-online.com/the-children-of-hurin.html
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5-09-2007 @ 6:26PM
solicitr said...
Two different sons. CRT and the son of his first marriage, Simon, have been estranged for a long time. The films had very little to do with it. Son Adam has in the last couple of years become Christopher's deputy and looks like the heir-apparent.
Christopher did *not* 'reconcile himself' to Jackson's films. Very, very much the reverse. And he has stated categorically that he is never going to sell any film rights that lie within his control, not no way, not no how. Period. "I block all exploitation."
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