For Peter, given the fact that you’re working on three films simultaneously, how do you sort of distinguish each film esthetically as you’re making them and then sort of further along those lines, what adjustments or changes do you make in response to sort of the reaction from fans to the first film?
Peter Jackson: I mean, there wasn’t really any ability to respond too much because we’d shot everything more or less, apart from the ten weeks of pickups we did this year. This is a script or story that was charted at the beginning and we shot it kind of in chronological order-ish to some degree.
It was interesting to just get completely into the narrative in the story because as a filmmaker you’re almost being swept along with the characters. You think, okay today they’re going here and so you actually have the filmmakers on the same journey as the dwarves to some degree over that period of time.
You know, the good thing with a middle film is you don’t have to set things up, you literally just drop into the story because we’re assuming that no one’s going to see this film if they haven’t seen the first one.
You just get stuck straight into it. Because, again, you know the ultimate life of these movies is going to be one of home video, Blu-Rays and downloads and hopefully for years to come, so that’s where they are going to find their final resting place. So you kind of, you know, you’re telling a continuous story. It’s three movies, but it’s telling one narrative arc and you’re trying to make each film work individually.
Benedict, what is there to like about Martin Freeman?
Benedict Cumberbatch: What to like about Martin Freeman? Oh, it’s too early in the day to do this, isn’t it? It’s tricky, it’s tricky. I haven’t got my list for the day ready yet. But um, he’s very smart, he’s really good company, he’s one of the funniest men I’ve ever met, and he’s a craftsman. He works incredibly hard and creates authentic characters and moments in drama and he’s an inspiration to work opposite. I’ve got nothing but good things to say about Martin.
Peter Jackson: The one thing about Martin that I think is amazing as a director is that he gives you choices. What that means is that every single take he does is different. Is it the same as on Sherlock as well?
Benedict Cumberbatch: It is.
Peter Jackson: He’s just exploring. He’s exploring the whole time. He’s not saying okay I think that one was perfect. I don’t need to go any more than that.
That concludes the press conference but we’d like to thank everyone for their time. Be sure to catch The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug when it hits theatres this Friday and for more coverage on the film, check out our video of the world premiere below.