The paradox of The Hobbit is that while it is less close to LOTR than many think, it is closer to The Silmarillion than LOTR is. Tolkien drew freely on the Silmarillion which he thought unpublishable when he wrote the Hobbit - which he also did not originally intend for publication.
Note especially the debate between Bilbo and Gandalf at the edge of Mirkwood - can we not go round? What Gandalf says about the Grey Mountains is not a throwaway line. The Grey Mountains are a remnant of the Iron Mountains of Morgoth's realm. There is a rhythm there in Middle Earth's history.
The theory of evil in LOTR is quite different from Silmarillion - Morgoth is a Christian vision of the angel who rebels through pride. At this stage Sauron has no distinct character - he is just Morgoth's lieutenant. In LOTR he acquires a character, as the amender of Morgoth's chaotic creations (the orcs were at first just a caricature, not meant for actual use...). Much of this Tolkien works out by developing the new character Saruman. But Gandalf, as he first appears is really an enemy of Morgoth - the relics of Morgoth's evil. No coincidence that he is finally killed by a Balrog.
Saruman understood the difference between Morgoth and Sauron better than anyone. He probably considered Gandalf et al as well enough as enemies of the relics of Morgoth's evil, but not up to Sauron as he took shape again. The weight of this would have to lie on himself. This, as context for the chance of the Ring being found again, may have been what led him into evil...
In short, there is a rhythm in the history of Middle Earth through the 2nd and 3rd ages, between the fragmentory evil left behind by Morgoth, and its periodic co-ordination into a coherent realm as Sauron returns - not quite what Gandalf tells Frodo, about the Shadow periodically being defeated, and then returning! I think the back story for film 2 lies here - if there is any way you could present it.
Yours in haste
Although the Bridge Film will definitely be considered more of a review of what we've already seen, with little new locations, there are some overlooked characters that I think would do well.
Radagast the Brown - Should and could definitely appear at the White Council and has the potential to be a compelling new character. Skipped over in the fims, Del Toro could easily adapt Saruman's tricking of Radagast into this plot, especially since Radagast lives near Mirkwood and as such could be an integral character in the film.
Glorfindel - Replaced by Arwen in the films, he could also make an appearance as a member of the White Council and would make up for the lack of some of the more heroic characters like Boromir, Faramir, and Haldir.
Galadriel - Of course, Galadriel has already appeared in LOTR, but it would be interesting to see the dynamic between she and Saruman. She outwardly spoke in the books that she would prefer Gandalf to be the leader of the Wizards, and may be one of the only characters to begin to see through the treachery of Saruman.
Note especially the debate between Bilbo and Gandalf at the edge of Mirkwood - can we not go round? What Gandalf says about the Grey Mountains is not a throwaway line. The Grey Mountains are a remnant of the Iron Mountains of Morgoth's realm. There is a rhythm there in Middle Earth's history.
The theory of evil in LOTR is quite different from Silmarillion - Morgoth is a Christian vision of the angel who rebels through pride. At this stage Sauron has no distinct character - he is just Morgoth's lieutenant. In LOTR he acquires a character, as the amender of Morgoth's chaotic creations (the orcs were at first just a caricature, not meant for actual use...). Much of this Tolkien works out by developing the new character Saruman. But Gandalf, as he first appears is really an enemy of Morgoth - the relics of Morgoth's evil. No coincidence that he is finally killed by a Balrog.
Saruman understood the difference between Morgoth and Sauron better than anyone. He probably considered Gandalf et al as well enough as enemies of the relics of Morgoth's evil, but not up to Sauron as he took shape again. The weight of this would have to lie on himself. This, as context for the chance of the Ring being found again, may have been what led him into evil...
In short, there is a rhythm in the history of Middle Earth through the 2nd and 3rd ages, between the fragmentory evil left behind by Morgoth, and its periodic co-ordination into a coherent realm as Sauron returns - not quite what Gandalf tells Frodo, about the Shadow periodically being defeated, and then returning! I think the back story for film 2 lies here - if there is any way you could present it.
Yours in haste
Gawain
Radagast the Brown - Should and could definitely appear at the White Council and has the potential to be a compelling new character. Skipped over in the fims, Del Toro could easily adapt Saruman's tricking of Radagast into this plot, especially since Radagast lives near Mirkwood and as such could be an integral character in the film.
Glorfindel - Replaced by Arwen in the films, he could also make an appearance as a member of the White Council and would make up for the lack of some of the more heroic characters like Boromir, Faramir, and Haldir.
Galadriel - Of course, Galadriel has already appeared in LOTR, but it would be interesting to see the dynamic between she and Saruman. She outwardly spoke in the books that she would prefer Gandalf to be the leader of the Wizards, and may be one of the only characters to begin to see through the treachery of Saruman.