Summary
Guillermo del Toro’s relationship withThe Hobbitis well-known, yet while it’s unlikely that audiences will ever get to see the legendary Mexican filmmaker’s interpretation of Middle-earth, one cutLord of the Ringscharacter provides an unexpected window onto the production. Del Toro was famously attached to directThe Hobbitmovies before deciding to step down. Although the movies themselves were a huge financial success, there remains a wistful sense among many fans around what exactly del Toro could have brought to the story.
Part of the reason del Toro’s departure continues to be rued in many quarters to this day is that his movies have always had a distinctive aesthetic. Whether in fantasy epics likePan’s Labyrinthor comic book adaptations likeHellboy,del Toro builds worlds and creatures that blend beauty and horror in a way that is completely unique. The idea of this imagination unleashed on Tolkien’s universe remains a mouthwatering prospect. However, whiledel Toro’sHobbitmovieswill likely always remain tantalizingly out of reach, there is one surprising character who shines a light on what audiences might have missed.
Every Upcoming Lord Of The Rings Movie & TV Show
The Lord of the Rings franchise has seen a resurgence in film and TV. Here is every project coming out of Middle-earth in the near future.
The Mouth Of Sauron Teases What Del Toro’s Movie Could Have Looked Like
The Character Has Much In Common With The Director’s Other Designs
Despite not being designed by del Toro and beingcut from the theatrical version ofThe Lord of the Rings, the sinister Mouth of Sauron is perhaps the closest we’ll ever come to seeing del Toro’sHobbiton the big screen. Appearing just before the Battle of the Black Gate,the Mouth is a servant of the Dark Lordsent to treaty with Aragorn, Éomer, Gandalf, and others. Featured inThe Return of the Kingextended edition, the Mouth of Sauron teases the alliance with Frodo’s mithríl vest, insinuating that he has been killed. This prompts an irate Aragorn to chop his head off, providing the trigger for the final battle in the trilogy.
AlthoughJackson’sLord of the Ringstrilogyfeatures many servants of Sauron, including orcs, ringwraiths, and other evil entities, none are as distinctive as the Mouth. With hideous teeth, covered eyes, and unnerving, juddering movement, he is unlike any of the other monsters that appear on-screen. Despite being cut from the final film,he remains one of the most distinctive and memorable evil creatures in the entire trilogy. More than this, however, the Mouth of Sauron bears remarkable similarities to many of del Toro’s most famous monstrous creations.
…the Mouth is eerily reminiscent of figures like the Angel of Death inHellboy II: The Golden Army, or even the terrifying Pale Man fromPan’s Labyrinth.
With his hideous tooth grin and decaying, corrupt flesh, the Mouth is eerily reminiscent of figures like the Angel of Death inHellboy II: The Golden Army, or even the terrifying Pale Man fromPan’s Labyrinth. While there is no explicit connection, the inspiration is evident for anyone with an appreciation for del Toro’s work. As a result,the Mouth of Sauron is the best example we have of how del Toro-like creatures might have looked within a Tolkienian context, providing a fascinating insight intothe unmadeHobbitmovies.
Del Toro’s Monsters Would Be Perfect For Middle-Earth
The Mouth Of Sauron Proves That The Concepts Work
Although the scene was eventually excised from the theatrical cut ofThe Return of the King, the startling effectiveness ofthe Mouth of Sauron scene proves that del Toro-like monsters would be a natural fit in Middle-earth. Although he has dabbled in multiple genres, del Toro is best known as a fantasy filmmaker. His most successful projects, such asPan’s Labyrinth, make full use of his ability to craft intricately detailed and designed worlds populated by beautifully nightmarish creatures. It’s a strength that is perfectly suited to Tolkien’s stories.
In the Mouth of Sauron, it’s possible to see how del Toro’s design sensibilities (experimenting with eyes, contorted mouths, and making full use of the physical talents of long-term collaborators like Doug Jones) could easily be applied to creatures like orcs and goblins. Given that Jackson himself altered many creature designs between installments, the potential inconsistencies that this approach would have created would also have been inconsequential. Since del Toro has a track record of creating sinister monsters from scratch, he would undoubtedly have been able to blend his signature style with one of the greatest fantasy settings of all time.
How To Watch The Lord Of The Rings Movies In Order (Chronologically & By Release Date)
The Hobbit explores a time period before the Lord of the Rings, meaning Peter Jackson’s movies can be watched in more than one viewing order.
How Del Toro’s Creatures Would’ve Changed The Hobbit
While seeing more del Toro-like creatures in Middle-earth might not have impacted the substance of the story, it would have had a dramatic effect on the feel of the movies. One result may have been to make the movies darker and scarier.While del Toro’s creations are always beautiful, they are often equally terrifying, distorting familiar features in a way that can be genuinely unsettling. Such an approach could have had a profound effect on a story that is often dismissed as being more child-like thanThe Lord of the Rings.
As a filmmaker, (del Toro) is notorious for his love of practical effects versus computer-generated, championing animatronics and puppetry, even when creating hugely ambitious monsters.
Another major difference would come from the way del Toro achieves his vision. As a filmmaker, he is notorious for his love of practical effects versus computer-generated, championing animatronics and puppetry, even when creating hugely ambitious monsters. Such an approach would have produced very different versions of classicHobbitcreatures like Smaug and the spiders of Mirkwood. Without any hard evidence, it’s difficult to compare. However, asThe Lord of the Rings' Mouth of Sauron proves, the effect would likely have been startling.
