Ring Cycle
I saw "The Hobbit" recently. Great times. Man, I remember when the trilogy came out. I was in my elementary school's production of "The Hobbit" at the time.
I'm totally happy with the decision to spread it out over three films. When I like something, I just want more of it. An excess is never enough. However, the fact that the smallest book in the saga can elegantly be extended over three films just makes me think of opportunities that were missed by the truncation of the other movies. Obviously, the decompression of "The Hobbit" was just allowed because of Jackson's proven ability to make massively successful fantasy films. That wasn't really known a decade ago.
But those were the books that would benefit most from this sort of treatment. A lengthy cycle of three films for each book? Totally awesome. Then you'd finally have time to throw Tom Bombadil in there! Because time constraints were clearly the reason for his absence in the movies. Tom Bombadil, man. Played by Peter Jackson. Apt!
I don't really think that this exact scenario will come to pass, but that's mainly because the films were already made. Similar things definitely could, though. Most of the concluding books of successful sagas are split into two films now. That's become the norm. Beyond that, the whole deal with "The Avengers" is a very similar one. What's the count for that at this point? Five movies that were wrapped into one big one? It's rising. Lord Jackson's contract mentioned seven with room for expansion. I'm pretty sure that that's unique in western cinema. I don't think that anything outside of Shintaro Katsu's legendary engagement in the Zatoichi franchise can really beat Nick Fury for the longest run of an actor in a single role. 26, Mr Jackson. Get up there. I have faith. While we're on the subject of actors who never get tired of particular characters, I'd like to send my best wishes to Johnny Depp and his quest to make the highest possible number of Jack Sparrow movies. Do you remember those old Bing Crosby road movies? Those went on forever. I really love that approach. Do you think that that counts? Technically, each one had different characters. Anyway, it's a great way to do things. I'm still holding out for "Rush Hour 4".
Bonus Question!
Best ring? Any of the ones I've lost. I don't think that I'm meant to wear rings. After a year of wearing the only one I never lost, I discovered that it was made of lead. That's what the green stain on my finger meant! There might have been one other that I didn't lose, but it broke. Then I lost it.