: Agreed, the whole Bombadil thing is a real puzzler for those of us who consider themselves "real" Tolkien fans, I just can't imagine hollywood going for it, and if Bombadil goes so does the old forest episode and "fog on the barrow downs" which for me was one of the creepiest parts of the book. Anyway if they're going to start chopping and changing things I think I shall probably boycott it, never mind who they get to play the characters.

Well, I think it would be a tad unrealistic to think that they could film every single scene. Even the BBC radio production, which was extraordinarily well done, cut out the Bombadil scenes--as well as Beregond, one of my favorite minor characters. Just as long as there aren't things added...and dialogue isn't bastardized to satisfy "modern" crowds. They're not going to satisfy every single die-hard Tolkien enthusiast, but at that point, I get mad.