GDT TALKS MADNESS

Great article.  It's interesting that he's taking a more zoological approach to his creature design, rather than just going for the cool factor.  One of my main problems with Avatar was the creature design was just boring and had no biological imperitive (why, for instance, would a "horse" derive any benefit to an additional set of legs right in the front, in that envrionment), and it sounds like GDT is reasoning through how creatures like Shoggoths would actually function.

His approach to creating the Shoggoths is awesome. It's all the talk about Cthulhu being in this that is concerning to me. Not enough to cause any negative opinions. But still it feels a bit un-needed.

In the script I read, Cthulhu shows up at the very end and you get a brief glimpse. It didn't feel unnecessary at all in the context of the story, as everything seems to build to his arrival. 

I love this man.

Man, I need to see Madness like yesterday.  

Stay healthy, GDT.  The article's multiple mentions of his weight made me a little nervous. 

I love GDT and this is a great piece. However, reading it I have to say... I'm a little relieved he's off The Hobbit (and yes, I know that's utter blasphemy around here or elsewhere).

I've always wanted The Hobbit to be of a piece with LOTR and feel like it's in that universe and this piece seems to confirm some of my fears that GDT didn't really care to make it "fit" and preferred to put his very distinct stamp on that universe. Especially his descriptions of Smaug coupled with the revelation that "yeah, that wasn't very popular there."

Seems like maybe that split was meant to be.

Having said that, I'm incredibly jealous of the Bleak House. Jesus... that's like my dream refuge from the sound of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeypants 

I love GDT and this is a great piece. However, reading it I have to say... I'm a little relieved he's off The Hobbit (and yes, I know that's utter blasphemy around here or elsewhere).

 

I've always wanted The Hobbit to be of a piece with LOTR and feel like it's in that universe and this piece seems to confirm some of my fears that GDT didn't really care to make it "fit" and preferred to put his very distinct stamp on that universe. Especially his descriptions of Smaug coupled with the revelation that "yeah, that wasn't very popular there."

 

Seems like maybe that split was meant to be.

 

Having said that, I'm incredibly jealous of the Bleak House. Jesus... that's like my dream refuge from the sound of it.

No, you're not alone. I actually think the HOBBIT situation worked out perfectly. The main reason I was so happy for GDT to do it, was that it was going to mean a major career bump for him. But I always wanted Jackson to actually make the film(s). GDT did get a career bump from his involvement, I think. And now Jackson is back where he belongs. Alls well that ends well!

It IS tough though because I can't deny how insanely curious I was to see GDT tackle that universe. But I always, always hoped Jackson would just do it even before they brought GDT on. GDT was, however, the absolute best "next option" for me. It almost made me forget, for a time, how bad I wanted Jackson to do it.

Terrific article. I like that it moves through time and has history. I love GDT's vision and humor. Hollywood is the land of "the slow NO", but I hope they find a way to clone the man so he can up is output.

I'm the other way. I actually thought the LOTR movies could have used a little more baroque imagination, and I wanted to see Del Toro deliver that for The Hobbit. But then, I'd rather see Del Toro making more original movies anyway. (Yeah, I know, AtMoM isn't original either, but it sounds like he's got a lot more room to play around with the material.)

And stuff like that is why GDT is my favorite, favorite, favorite director working today. Who else working today has the kind of mind and imagination as he? Nobody. That's fucking who.