Lack of Romance in the Hobbit

[Beren One-Hand]

Some have argued that one aspect that drew so many fans to see the LOTRs films had to do with the element of romance/love story (I seem to remember Jackson saying something to this effect).  Without it, you'd still have an awesome, epic film, but the film might appeal more to guy's, and less to women.  I know a ton of epic action films that say my wife, or mom wouldn't enjoy, but that I love (which lack a love story).  I think the love story within the LOTRs was good and added another element to the overall story.  But my question is: will the lack of a love story in the Hobbit effect its performance at the box office?  Or will it just feed off of the first three LOTRs films?  I don't think there is much that Jackson/Del Toro could do to add this into the story.  Inventing a love interest for Thorin or Bard?  Hmmm . . . I'm not sure that would work either.  What do you guy's think?  Some of the best action/epic films that I know have incorporated the love story thing into their stories with great success.  I.E. Gladiator and Braveheart.  Not sure if there is a place for this in the Hobbit, though.

[Lairënuriel]

I don't need the Romance, but there are many women that will.
Fantasy is not that popular with the general population - so I agree that they might have to reach to find something to draw 'regular' women.  (Please don't take any offence if you are a member (as I am) of the fairer sex - the women on this board are extraordinary).  I don't know what they would find though - maybe more elves - that's the other thing they will add for women - eye candy.

[Bombadil_Ulmo]

Romance does draw a crowd of people (mostly women) to a movie, who would probably not go to see it otherwise.  For example, there were predictions that Warner Bros. would see an increase in revenue from the fifth movie (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix) because of the kiss between Harry and Cho Chang.

On another note, a lot of women/girls saw the LotR movies simply because Orlando Bloom was in them! 

I don't think it would work to add romance.  They could try, but I think it would just detract from the story.  And I'm quite a sucker for romance!

[Andúnië]

Meh, that's not what makes a good story. It shouldn't make much of a difference, and adding it to Hobbit would be pointless as well as spoil a good storyline.

[Lairënuriel]

I remember hearing rumours before LOTR was filmed that the movie execs were trying to get them to change Sam's role to a GIRL.  That would have destroyed it!

[Beren One-Hand]

I remember hearing rumours before LOTR was filmed that the movie execs were trying to get them to change Sam's role to a GIRL.  That would have destroyed it!

Really?  Wow, didn't know that.  I guess one can see how the need to fit a certain theme (i.e. romance) into a film can be overkill.  As I said, I don't know where they would fit this kind of thing into the Hobbit.  And it wouldn't really have a place, in my view.  Maybe we can find an attractive dwarf woman for Thorin?   

[Almyro]

i myself do not think that the hobbit film needs romance.

as you probably know the hobbit was written in a different point of view, more innocent, then the trilogy.

the ring is not told to be evil, the animals talk, etc.
so i think it will be pretty awesome without romance

(if you played the hobbit game for pc you know what i mean)

[Beren One-Hand]

I agree with you completely.  But the addition of romance creates a wider appeal - a wider audience interest.  You don't really see much romance in the LOTRs books, but PJ thought to attract a wider audience that the whole love story between Aragorn and Arwen should become a part of the main storyline.  You don't see that in books (somewhere in the back of the appendices).  As a pure Tolkien fan I don't care, but some people need that aspect to enjoy the movie (many of our female friends and family).  Think about most big block buster, epic films.  In most of them the romantic element is there (maybe not all, but most).  Now I mean the Hobbit has the advantage also of playing off the success and fame of the trilogy films, so in that respect it has an advantage.  But I am sure that PJ and Del Toro will do the right thing with how they spin the story out in the end.

[Orome]

Unless there are cameo's using Arwen and Aragorn in scenes intended to "set the stage" for the LOTR, I cannot see how injecting any romance into "The Hobbit" can be easily done without destroying the intended story line.

Even if Galadriel is used, her character has not thus far suggested any kind of romance with Celeborn.  That is a tale far detacted from the Third Age.

If the production is to be successful without a romantic "by-line", then maybe sticking to JRRT's original intent as being a children's story is very important.  Use The Hobbit as an introduction to Tolkien's world of fantasy and faerie.  That is, until The Silmarillion is made into a series of movie productions....say about 7 different films should do the trick!

[Almyro]

i agree with the both of you
just keep hoping it's not a musical
becasue then it wouldn't matter if there is romance or not, but there probably would be

<.>
)--(

[Beren One-Hand]

i agree with the both of you
just keep hoping it's not a musical
becasue then it wouldn't matter if there is romance or not, but there probably would be

<.>
)--(

A musical would suck.  But you never know.  I'd still see it though.