Del Toro will be directing 'The Hobbit'

[Tavrobel]

Similarly, this is the reason why we will never (or at least, never while Chris Tolkien is alive) see a film version of the Silmarillion because those film rights belong firmly with Tolkien Estates and Christopher Tolkien. Which is such a shame because the Silmarillion is my favorite Tolkien book. It's just absolutely majestic and there's enough material in the Silmarillion for multiple films.

One of the reasons. Unlike the LotR primary trilogy, the Silmarillion was never written to be a full constructed narrative. It plays more like a history book, and there's no true overall theme (other than killing people is bad and that Melkor is GG-gangsta-hawt-stuffz). Every theme that was introduced in the Silmarillion was also addressed in LotR, except in a more palatable manner, literature-wise. The Silmarillion is difficult to enjoy without a previous immersion into the world; most specifically, the trilogy itself, which is stock full of reused names, and is a new and compelling structure entirely. I'm sure you're aware of this too.

Additionally, the plotline itself is so fragmented and contains a whole ensemble of characters. There's no true protagonist that the people could relate with or follow; the only exception I've found is the Vala Ulmo, who is hardly a compelling character. Arguments could be made for any of the grandchildren of Finwe, barring that a good chunk of them die in battle, half are mentioned only sparsely, and only Galadriel survives into the Third Age (okay, Maglor, too), which means little recognition for non-Silmarillion buffs. No one wants to root for the bad guy: Melkor is out, Sauron isn't the main evil, and he loses fights, like, every which way. While a talking, pwning, best-dog-ever beats him down, not even the beat down would redeem enough or convince people to pay attention.

Silm's adaptation would probably benefit the most as a miniseries, like Band of Brothers. ~ One hour episodes, one for each major event/character group. Alternatively, you could also bring in some Lost Tales stuff, the histories and such. One such method I've been brewing is bringing in the Cottage of Lost Play; after the Elves + Frodo depart for Valinor, they'd visit the Elves on Tol Eressea, and then the Silmarillion would be recounted in story form, as all flashbacks. Of course, this meets some of the problems of a 3rd=person-omniscient form of adaptation, but it would ease a good deal of them considerably. This method is also much more difficult to pull off, because not even Silmarillion buffs would recognize everyone.

How old is Chris Tolkien?

83 according to Wiki.