The Silmarillion is a compilation of J.R.R Tolkien’s works published after his death by his son Christopher Tolkien. It’s basically a prequel to The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings telling us about everything that happened previously, including: The Rise Of Sauron, The Fall Of Morgoth, The Lost City Of Gondolin and how the races of Middle Earth came to be. It’s basically a Middle Earth bible. It’s not a large novel but it’s epic. It is enough to melt one’s brain. You have to keep rereading the same sentences about three or four times before carrying on. It’s a novel that most people will not fully understand on the first read. It’s a hard novel to read. It’s heavy. It still kills me even now. There are still many bits that I don’t fully understand.
There’s enough material in the book for at least six films at the three and half hours each or television series at one hour episodes at thirteen episodes per season at ten seasons. The network’s I’d feel would do the book the most justice are HBO or Netflix. An adaptation will never be word-for-word so I understand Tolkien elitists would probably get annoyed at every detail that’s been changed. In my opinion, in the past few years HBO & Netflix have made greatest contribution to modern television.HBO have been making quality television for fifteen years but Netflix has become a force to be reckoned in the past five years.
If it were a movie series, it would have to be filmed in the same style as Lord Of The Rings. Back-to-back filming on location in New Zealand using as little studio filming as possible. I wouldn’t let Peter Jackson direct. Some of the directors on Game Of Thrones have proven themselves quite remarkable. e.g. David Nutter (Dance Of Dragons & Rains Of Castamere) or Miguel Sapochnik (Hardhome). All three are works of visual genius. Writing could be done by Michael Hirst (Vikings), John Logan (Penny Dreadful) or Ronald D More (Outlander). Even the great author George R.R Martin could write. I am sure he knows the world inside out after using inspirations from the world for A Song Of Ice & Fire. I have no qualms with a television writer penning the scripts rather than a big hollywood film writer. I’ve found a lot television series these days are surpassing many films in cinematography, writing and direction. The quality of shows has done a number on movies.
The following is my cast for a television show or a movie series. This is not subject to budgets and whatnot. This is just who I’d cast if money wasn’t a factor.
N.B: Ungoliant will be CGI.
Perfect casting choices. Please develop this book into the wonderful work on film as it is in literature so that the world can view it.
I am no filmmaker. Just a very keen nerd. :p