Now that Peter Jackson is re-attached to “The Hobbit” (he is the beast that brought you the ‘The Lord of the Rings’), he has gotten a lot of casting down. Martin Freeman nabbed the role of the movie’s focus, Bilbo Baggins. (Ian Holm portrayed the older Bilbo in the LOTR films.) Martin is recognizable to some from the book to silverscreen movie, “The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy” and “Hot Fuzz.”
The rest of the cast is currently building. Richard Armitage will play Thorin Oakenshield who is a leader of a crew of dwarves that take on a dragon in order to take back Lonely Mountain. Aidan Turner and Rob Kazinsky scored the roles Kili and Fili who are a part of Oakenshield’s forces.
Jackson also confirmed that Graham McTavish will play Dwalin and Mark Hadlow was cast as Dori. (Mark was in Jackson’s ‘King Kong’ revamp.)
“Graham is a terrific actor, with a great depth of experience, which I know he will bring to the role of Dwalin. I have worked with Mark Hadlow on many projects, he is a fantastic actor…I am also proud to announce the casting of New Zealand actors as Peter Hambleton, John Callen and Stephen Hunter. Fran and I know that they will bring great depth and talent to our Company of Dwarves.”
Deadline reports more casting rumors and reiterates the rumor that Ian McKellan will return to play Gandalf.
“None of this is set, but I’ve heard that James Nesbitt and David Tennant are up for roles, and that Ian McKellan and Andy Serkis are expected to reprise Gandalf and Gollum, though I don’t believe they have made deals. Stephen Fry, Saoirse Ronan and Bill Nighy (as the voice of the dragon Smaug) are possible participants, and Aiden Turner was in contention for the Elf King before he got the role of Fili.”
These roles are coveted thanks to a large amount of clout and recognition that will move a lot of unknowns into the American spotlight. If you recall Orlando Bloom enjoyed a surge of interest as his career exploded (before fizzling – I blame his role choices and the films Troy and Elizabethtown) after being a part of the Lord of the Rings trilogy as Legolas.
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