As we finally come face to face with Tolkien's Smaug on the big screen, Philip Hoare sets off in search of the greatest of all mythical creatures – from the satanic lizards of the Bible to the Jungian monster within us all
I doubt if Jrr Tolkien would recognise his Smaug in Peter Jackson's new CGI Hobbit spectacular, with its colossal, grandiose dragon voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. Tolkien's beast, at least in the author's original illustrations, was an elegant Rackhamesque creature: a fire-orange, slightly languid lizard, all stuck over with jewels from years of lolling about in his lair, where his vast treasure was stored.
Smaug was created by Tolkien out of his love for Beowulf, whose hero battles with "the fiery dragon, the fearful fiend". But Tolkien also threw in a little wordplay for good measure: the name came from the old German smugan, meaning to squeeze through a hole,...
I doubt if Jrr Tolkien would recognise his Smaug in Peter Jackson's new CGI Hobbit spectacular, with its colossal, grandiose dragon voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. Tolkien's beast, at least in the author's original illustrations, was an elegant Rackhamesque creature: a fire-orange, slightly languid lizard, all stuck over with jewels from years of lolling about in his lair, where his vast treasure was stored.
Smaug was created by Tolkien out of his love for Beowulf, whose hero battles with "the fiery dragon, the fearful fiend". But Tolkien also threw in a little wordplay for good measure: the name came from the old German smugan, meaning to squeeze through a hole,...
- 12/10/2013
- by Philip Hoare
- The Guardian - Film News
Filmmaker James Cameron has tapped noted science fiction author Steven Charles Gould (Jumper) to write four stand-alone novels based upon – and expanding — Cameron’s history-making 2009 film Avatar, and Cameron’s stories for his three upcoming Avatar sequels.
Cameron commented, “Steven Gould is one of the shining lights in contemporary science fiction, and I’ve long admired the worlds and characters he’s created in his books and stories. We’re very fortunate to have Steven bring his formidable talents to the Avatar universe. He is already working closely with me and the screenwriters to flesh out the expanding world of Avatar.”
While Gould is best known for his 1992 novel Jumper, which Twentieth Century Fox and New Regency turned into a motion picture in 2008, he has been acclaimed for his short fiction, including his Hugo Award-nominated short story “Rory,” and the novelette “Peaches for Mad Molly.” The latter was also on...
Cameron commented, “Steven Gould is one of the shining lights in contemporary science fiction, and I’ve long admired the worlds and characters he’s created in his books and stories. We’re very fortunate to have Steven bring his formidable talents to the Avatar universe. He is already working closely with me and the screenwriters to flesh out the expanding world of Avatar.”
While Gould is best known for his 1992 novel Jumper, which Twentieth Century Fox and New Regency turned into a motion picture in 2008, he has been acclaimed for his short fiction, including his Hugo Award-nominated short story “Rory,” and the novelette “Peaches for Mad Molly.” The latter was also on...
- 8/23/2013
- by Kellvin Chavez
- LRMonline.com
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