No Hobbit-length Wait

Once upon a time, we donned our elven cloaks and were united as we marched into the battles of Moria, Helm’s Deep, and Pelennor Fields. The Winters of 2001 through 2003 were the glory days during which we clapped when Legolas released an arrow, cheered when Aragorn decapitated an orc, and held our breaths when Gandalf fought the Balrog. We struggled in anguish with Frodo as he inched his way towards the fires of Mount Doom, as Sam supported him to the end of all things. Since then, many of us have remained dormant, waiting and waiting for the day we dearly hoped would someday come to pass.

Then, alas, after years of petitioning, that promised day was finally set in stone. When Peter Jackson announced the new Hobbit movie(s), I knew I wasn’t the only one excited. The fandom finally started to reawaken, just like the Balrog of the Deep. Too long we have waited for Ian McKellen’s reappearance in the series; too long we have waited for another excuse to dress up as Hobbits. When every video of the filmings and each trailer came out, we knew and thanked the Lord that it was all still alive.

The high anticipation for the new Hobbit movies is most certainly not unprecedented. Peter Jackson’s first trilogy created a legend. We swore to ourselves that we will never forget that magnificent day when The Return of the King grandly swept all 11 Oscars. Laughter and tears were shared as the trophies were collected and the applause rang in our ears. But soon, legend became myth, and for nine whole years, J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved trilogy nearly passed out of all news feeds. Petitions began, complaints arose, and finally prayers were answered as Peter Jackson returned to the huge legacy he himself had created—declaring  the production of The Hobbit movies.

Let’s gather our forces and march on December 14 into adventure with Bilbo, Gandalf, and the dwarves.