As word of Elijah Wood‘s potential return to the franchise that made him a worldwide star picked up yesterday, it was a bit of a question mark how Frodo would factor at all into the story that doesn’t feature him at all. Well, the very well informed and well sourced fansite, The One Ring, have picked up the ball and run with it, revealing that Peter Jackson and co. have found a clever way of bringing the star back and linking “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy with the “The Hobbit.” Obviously, if you don’t want to know stop reading and yes, there are spoilers ahead.
According to the site, Wood was more or less locked down in very early stages of the script writing phase as he was contacted to see if he would be interested in returning. Once he gave his word, the script set up a framing device that will have Frodo appear in the opening sequence of the film. As Tolkien fans know, “The Downfall of The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit or There and Back Again,” are contained in the fictional “Red Book of Westmarch.” In “The Lord Of The Rings” trilogy, Bilbo and Frodo both write in the ‘Red Book,’ later handing it off to Sam Gamgee. So with that in mind, the plan is to open “The Hobbit” with Frodo either reading from or telling the tale from the ‘Red Book’ as he — and the viewers — experience Bilbo’s story.
It will be interesting to see how fans react to Jackson’s shaping of “The Hobbit” but regardless, it’s a smart way to bring back the most recognizable and beloved face from the “The Lord Of The Rings” series. The One Ring also speculates as to whether Liv Tyler’s Arwen and Marton Csokas’ Celeborn will be returning as they are featured in the story, adding that Orlando Bloom and Hugo Weaving are still not confirmed (though we figure official word will be coming soon).
“The Hobbit” will be led by Martin Freeman with some familiar faces and many new ones rounding out the extensive cast. The film lenses in 3D staring next month and lineups will begin soon for the film that opens in December 2012.
