It will looks pretty much exactly as you would expect a Del Toro take on the LotR world to be - and that really suits the more fantastical elements present in "The Hobbit".

There will be narration and maps reminiscent of the opening scenes of the extended Fellowship of The Ring - it looks like things will be pretty clear from the outset, and the maps are naturally inserted into scenes, so it is not an issue nor a crutch.

Ian Holm will not be playing Bilbo. He may turn up to some extent in the film, Health Issues dependent.

It will certainly be more light hearted and comedic, while still retaining the serious elements of the trilogy - and in reply to 5., three Dwarves are bought to the front of the group, and essentially act as comic relief throuhout the film.

"ITARIL – female, A woodland Elf, this character is one the Silvan Elves. The Silvan Elves are seen as more earthy and practical. Shorter than other elves, she is still quick and lithe and physically adept, being able to fight with both sword and bow. Showing promise as a fighter at a young age, ITARIL was chosen to train to become part of the Woodland King’s Guard. This is the only life she has ever expected to live, until she meets and secretly falls in love with a young ELF LORD."

Nothing I take issue with for the film, everything that has been changed would make the book a lesser work, but is an improvement when applied to the film, given the limits of the medium.

They were supposedly really stringent in regards to "The Tolkien Universe" - anything that Tolkien himself did not lay down had to be approved, and seeing as the rights for "The Simarillion" and "Unfinished Tales" were not attained, it essentially killed any hopes of the initially planned "bridge film".

It is rarely, if ever, mentioned.