Not sure how I feel about the title change. It fits for the reasons PJ says, but on the other hand... it doesn't have the same ring to it. No pun intended.

Yeah, it was a bit of a let down when I heard the news - but at least we'll get the same movie come December. 🙂

Huh. Is the battle gonna take up the whole movie or something? 😐

I myself think that the change in titles is very reasonable and at first I was upset with the name change as I as well as all the other Hobbit fans, was used to referring to it as TABA. But after a little consideration I can say that I am actually happy about the switch, though I still would have loved TABA. I believe the majority of negative reaction to it, is because we were so used to TABA and had thought it was the official title, and change isn't very welcomed when it comes to a trilogy that already has stirred up mixed feelings. But I am sure that eventually it will be more welcomed 🙂

@Albero I think that the title really has little to do with what the entire movie is about, and of course the main event in this movie will be the battle it is also what brings all the storylines together and leads to a major event (if you have read the books you will understand) But I think just like Desolation of Smaug (in which you see about 3 seconds of the actual desolation) Its just supposed to be a title to grab the audiences attention because all moviegoers aren't die hard book fans 🙂

@Eria: I was being sarcastic. 😉 I'm quite disappointed at the title change. 🙁

@Eria: point about how people take change when it comes. 🙂

I'm a few days late replying to this because I typed out a response at the time, but lost it before posting.

Basically, I'm quite okay with the change in name. While I've always been a fan of the title "There and Back Again", I've always liked it as the subtitle given to The Hobbit as a whole. It would have worked for Part 2 of a two-part film (as it was used as the title for the second half of The History of the Hobbit books), but my first reaction on hearing the film title change, before even seeing PJ's explanation for it was, "Well they're kinda already there and the back again part is going to be rather minor."

As a matter of fact, I seem to remember when they originally announced the split into three films in 2012, there were rumours that they'd applied for the rights to the titles "Desolation of Smaug" and "Battle of Five Armies" and for a while it was up in the air as to whether "There and Back Again" would be used at all. So on that note, the choice of alternate title, was no surprise to me.

And finally, I don't think we can complain/worry that the change of title is going to change the emphasis of the film. I think it was always clear that the Battle of Five Armies was going to be the major focus of the film, regardless of its title. It is the major plot line of the end of the story. The Battle of Five Armies was, after all, Tolkien's title for the battle and it's one I've always been fond of.

What I'm most intrigued about is which will be the Five Armies? In the book, if I remember right, it's the Dwarves, Elves and Men vs. Orcs and Wargs, but it's always been a bit ambiguous. Why do the Wargs count as a separate army and not the Eagles or Beornings? Should Dain's army be counted separate from Thorin's & Co? What about Gandalf? For the film however, it will be interesting to see if they bring in the Goblins as a separate army to the Orcs (given their clear distinction in the first book). I could see them making the five armies as Dwarves, Elves and Men vs. Goblins and Orcs, with the Wargs as a subsidiary of the Orcs. The Beornings, Eagles and others (maybe a contingent from Rhosgobel, lead by Sebastian the Brave, 😉 ) could be additional forces but not part of the main armies. I guess we shall have to wait and see.

P.S. Don't take my last paragraph very seriously 😛

I didn't realize there was a distinction between goblins and orcs. I always thought the Author's Note in The Hobbit said "goblin" is just a translation of the word "orc"... Maybe Tolkien say different elsewhere.

@Ajjie: A battle being the main focus of a film? Yuck. *doesn't like violence or orcs*

@Spree: He did say that goblin was a translation of orc. But I guess the filmmakers didn't notice or something...

Goblins are the smaller cousins of orcs. Generally. The Goblin-King is a bit of an exception.

*snickers at Ariel's comment about the Goblin-King*

*Bounces* A new teaser trailer for the next Hobbit!! I REALLY need to make some sets now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSzeFFsKEt4
(youtube is not affiliated with TLC in any way. Click at your own risk etc...)

What do you think?

Bilbo's voiceover - wow, (I just wonder who he is talking to). I like the somber tone of Pippin's song from RotK (aka the Walking Song) and it works well with the shots shown. I can't wait to see how things turn out in this film even if I came out of DoS a little underwhelmed, (I do like it now after many viewings).

Ooh, me likes. It leaves me hyped up and sad at the same time...

I like the tone of the trailer. It's has an air of tense solemnity to it. Too much of Legolas and Tauriel though. Pulls the focus away from Bilbo and Thorin. On another note, I love what I see of the Dwarves' armour!!!! *is also excited to see Thranduil in battle-gear and hopefully sporting some sweet moves*
And Bard!!! (... with Elves?)
And desolation a la Cumber-Smaug!!!
And... Galadriel? *not sure how she feels about that one*

Bard (I think) will command the archer elves... At least that's what I'm getting.
I have watched this trailer so many times it's embarrassing. I really think this one may top Unexpected Journey, for me. I also believe it will come close, if not match, the tone of LotR, as it should.

I really want to know how the four dwarves (Fili, Kili, Bofur, and Oin), are reunited with the rest of the company. From what is seen they are there early on.