The Hobbit

[X-SOLDIER]

More Returning Cast

Cate Blanchett, Ken Stott, Sylvester McCoy and Mikael Persbrandt have joined the cast of Peter Jackson's highly anticipated adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's epic 'The Hobbit.' Also joining them are Ryan Gage, Jed Brophy and William Kircher. The films, which are scheduled to commence principal photography in February 2011, mark Jackson's return to Middle-earth following his Oscar-winning 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. The announcement was made jointly today by Toby Emmerich, President and Chief Operating Officer, New Line Cinema, Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer, Warner Bros. and Steve Cooper, co-Chief Executive Officer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc.

Jackson, who directed all three 'Lord of the Rings' films, will helm the two films back-to-back, telling the story of 'The Hobbit' in two parts from a screenplay by Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Guillermo del Toro.

Cate Blanchett ('Lord of The Rings' trilogy, 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button') will reprise her role from 'Lord of The Rings' trilogy as Galadriel, the Lady of Lothlorien. Ken Stott ('Charlie Wilson's War', TV's 'Rebus') will play the Dwarf Lord Balin, Sylvester McCoy (TV's 'Doctor Who') will play the wizard Radagast the Brown and well-known Swedish actor, Mikael Persbrandt ('Everlasting Moments', 'Day and Night') will play the shape-shifter Beorn. British actor Ryan Gage ('Outlaw', TV's 'Doctors') will play Drogo Baggins, with New Zealand actors Jed Brophy ('Lord of The Rings' trilogy, 'District 9') playing the role of the dwarf Nori, and William Kircher ('Out of the Blue'; TV's 'Legend of the Seeker') rounding out the company of Thorin Oakensheild in role of the dwarf Bifur.

Peter Jackson welcomed the news of Cate Blanchett's return to Middle-earth 'Cate is one of my favorite actors to work with and I couldn't be more thrilled to have her reprise the role she so beautifully brought to life in the earlier films' On the casting of Scottish actor Ken Stott, Jackson commented 'Fran and I have long been fans of Ken's work and are excited he will be joining us on this journey.' Jackson also welcomed the addition to the cast of Swedish actor, Mikael Persbrandt 'The role of Beorn is an iconic one and Mikael was our first choice for the part. Since seeing him read for the role we can't imagine anyone else playing this character.'

The actors join the previously announced cast including Martin Freeman (TV's 'Sherlock,' 'Breaking and Entering') as Bilbo Baggins, Richard Armitage (upcoming 'Captain America: The First Avenger'), Aidan Turner (TV's 'Being Human'), Rob Kazinsky (TVs 'EastEnders'), Graham McTavish ('Secretariat'), John Callen (TV's 'Power Rangers Jungle Fury'), Stephen Hunter (TV's 'All Saints'), Mark Hadlow ('King Kong') and Peter Hambleton (TV's 'The Strip'). Additional cast announcements include James Nesbitt ('Millions' and TV's 'Cold Feet') and newcomer Adam Brown.

'The Hobbit' films received a green light on October 15, and have release dates targeted for December, 2012 and December, 2013. Jackson will utilize groundbreaking visual effects and his incomparable storytelling to bring J.R.R. Tolkien's novel to the big screen. Both 'Hobbit' movies will be filmed in Digital 3-D, using the latest camera and stereo technology to create a high quality, comfortable viewing experience.

The two films are being co-produced by New Line Cinema and MGM, with New Line managing production, Warner Bros Pictures handling domestic distribution and MGM distributing internationally.

Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Carolynne Cunningham are producing the films, with co-writer Philippa Boyens serving as co-producer and Ken Kamins and Zane Weiner as executive producers. The Oscar-winning, critically acclaimed 'The Lord of the Rings' trilogy, also from the production team of Jackson, Walsh and Cunningham, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide at the box office.. In 2003, 'The Return of the King' swept the Academy Awards, winning all of the 11 categories in which it was nominated, including Best Picture – the first ever Best Picture win for a fantasy film. The trilogy's production was also unprecedented at the time.

X

 

[Hisako]

My memory of the Hobbit is fragile and fickle, but where the fuck did Galadriel factor into that book?

 

[Super Mario]

Sylvester McCoy! SOLD!

 

[X-SOLDIER]

FUCK YES!!!!


All the talks are completed, so it's official now that Andy Serkis is coming back as Golum, & Sir Ian McKellen is coming back as Gandalf!!! They're apparently going to start filming in February. Also - Elija Wood is back as Frodo, and if you're interested in how that's going to work (spoilers) check it out at TheOneRing. I am very excited about all of this.


X

 

[Alex]

My excitement about these films has just been ramped up. The news of returning cast both in front of the camera and behind the scenes has given me new confidence.

 

[Tetsujin]

My excitement about these films has just been ramped up. The news of returning cast both in front of the camera and behind the scenes has given me new confidence.

^This.

 

[X-SOLDIER]

My excitement about these films has just been ramped up. The news of returning cast both in front of the camera and behind the scenes has given me new confidence.

I couldn't agree with you more.

I was still quite confident that the Hobbit films were in good hands with Del Toro, but even then, I was a little doubtful that the same feeling that the LotR trilogy evoked would hold true, since Del Toro's films have a very... "him" quality about them. I was especially nervous after Del Toro departed, but it seems that everything with the delays played out for the best, with Peter Jackson returning to finish off the world that he really is responsible for bringing to life. Now with the confirmation that everyone's officially coming back on board, it's no longer the "I hope they make a good Hobbit film" feeling, but the, "I can't wait to see the Hobbit" because it's the true extension from the Lord of the Rings films.

Also - for anyone that read the bit about Frodo, I can't state how pleased I am with that.

Spoiler

The fact that the Lord of the Rings opens with Bilbo writing "A Hobbit's Tale" in the Red Book of Westmarch, seems to have been carefully conceived, and will let the Hobbit films' narrative of being told to Frodo transition almost perfectly into the trilogy.

Also: TORn has a really good breakdown of the new cast for anyone unfamiliar with them.


X

 

[Sprites]

This new information makes me want to squeal very loudly with excitement, glomp something and re-read the Hobbit

 

[Max Payne]

It's a shame that there hasn't been a big event blockbuster fantasy film series since LOTR.

Pretty much every attempt at such since has been failure.

 

[Gym Leader Devil]

Can't believe I missed this thread for so long after coming back. Let me ask, am I the only one who had some nerd rage at Jackson and crew over some of the things that were changed in the film versions of LOTR? Like making Treebeard and the Ents have to be tricked into marching the wrong way and seeing the damaged forest before going to war with Isengard for instance, where in the books they already knew of it and going to war was the fastest decision they could remember making? Or making Theoden into an unhelpful ass and forcing Aragorn to do all the heavy lifting at Helm's Deep and beyond? Or making Gimli a comic relief character when in the book he out-murdered Legolas in terms of killing orcs?

Ok, nerd rage over, aside from those issues I did quite enjoy the films, and while I honestly would have preferred Del Toro for a change of pace I will put my faith in Jackson. Plus Gandalf and Gollum were some of my favorite things about LOTR so the confirmation of their actors returning makes me very hopeful. Between this and Del Toro moving on to Mountains of Madness I may have to buy two movie tickets in the next few years.

 

[Hisako]

It's a shame that there hasn't been a big event blockbuster fantasy film series since LOTR.

Pretty much every attempt at such since has been failure.

How about Narnia?

I only just thought of this now, partially because I never watched the movies

 

[Gym Leader Devil]

I thought the first Narnia was pretty decent. The second was almost pure fail.

 

[Xelazander]

Aye 2nd Narnia was a load of shite. The third one is now out though so will investigate soon.

 

[Interslicery]

The first one was too biblical for my taste. Felt like I was being fed the bible in a new coating and I didnt really enjoy it aside from that fact. Second one was alright. Nothing special, and I have no real interest in seeing the 3rd tho I heard its not bad.

 

[X-SOLDIER]

As far as Narnia is concerned, I just want The Silver Chair. It was my favorite of the books, and of the BBC films.

On a related note: Saoirse Ronan is apparently going to be in The Hobbit. No idea who as, though.


X

 

[Gym Leader Devil]

You know, reading this thread made me realize how similar Bilbo Baggins and Arthur Dent are as characters. They're both very much of the "I got sucked out of my comfortable if somewhat boring life to go do crazy shit, and whatever the universe thinks its doing to me I'd like it to kindly stop" types. This gives me even more faith in the casting choices to go along with the returning actors.

 

[Super Mario]

Saorise is portraying some chick named Itaril apparently.

 

[Max Payne]

How about Narnia?

I only just thought of this now, partially because I never watched the movies

Mediocre but sometimes entertaining films.

I still consider them a failure simply because they have failed at having any real sort of impact as films.

 

[Super Mario]

I thought the first narnia was going to be good from what the trailer originally showcased. Upon theatrical release, I was disappointed. Narnia blows. LOTR forever.

 

[Cthulhu]

Saorise is portraying some chick named Itaril apparently.

Wait, don't tell me they're forcing a woman into the movie just for the sake of having a woman forced into it, are they? Because The Hobbit is a man's thing.

Maybe a woman's thing, but it's hard to tell considering Dwarfish women's beards are just as big as their men's.

I mean, fuck, what's it going to be?

Hi, I'm an old and powerful wizzard, I pwn noobs with my beard and stick!
Hi, I'm an adventurous hobbit, I pwn noobs and spiders with my glowing sword!
Hi, we're an awesome band of beer-guzzling dwarves, we sing manly songs about manliness!
Hi, I'm a random hot chick, look at my prettiness whilst I prove that women are cool too and can act manly parts, you know, like in LotR! I'm totally going to have an awesome one-liner like 'I am no man!' too, almost exactly the same but a little different, even though it wasn't in the book! OO LOOK A UNICORN WITH SPARKLES I MUST HAVE IT ~<3^___^

Shit.

Edit: Fuck, googling for the name only brings up this particular subject. Here's the role:

"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&#8217;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. This role will require a wig and contact lenses to be worn. Some prosthetic make-up may also be required. LEAD. AGE: 17-27."

Just what I said. "Look, I'm a girl, short, but quick lithe physically adept liek i cna fight with bow & sord & i m a fighter! I'll probably provide comic relief by humiliating a dozen dwarves too with my 1337 skillz that show that you don't have to be strong and wield an ax to pwn, and Gandalf will go 'lol!' at me and I'll share stares and wooy scenes with the lead role"

Son, I am disappoint.

Hollywood, please stop inserting women into fabricated roles into movies they don't belong just to please the extremist women's organizations that sue you when you bring out movies that do not have a strong female lead role. It's okay to bring out movies without women. It's okay to have women stay in the background or have not very striking roles. It's okay to put ugly and/or obese women in serious roles, too, instead of men dressing up as ones or them only playing comic roles.

Shit. Movie now ruined the more I think about it. This chick'll be in half the scenes, play a major role in the movie, and all people that read and love the books will pay attention to is how this movie and its story's getting raped by some compulsion to put roles like this in movies.

 

[X-SOLDIER]

Filming starts March 21st.

This date has been chosen following practical considerations of the filming schedule requirements, actor availability and the NZ seasons. Shooting will take place at Stone Street Studios in Miramar and on location around New Zealand.

X

 

[Dana Scully]

That shit about the random female lead is fucking stupid. :/

 

[X-SOLDIER]

I don't think she's a lead. I believe that she's just going to be an elf. Not all lead-charactery. More remains to be seen though. I do hope she's not a random overly-important new character inserted for no reason.


X

 

[Glaurung]

Shit. Movie now ruined the more I think about it. This chick'll be in half the scenes, play a major role in the movie, and all people that read and love the books will pay attention to is how this movie and its story's getting raped by some compulsion to put roles like this in movies.

They tried to do the same with Arwen in The Two Towers, but fans protested loud enough and they scrapped the idea. They even shot the scenes but never used them.

I only hope they do the same here.

Shit, I am a woman, and I hate when they force a female character totally unrelated to the original story down our throats

 

[X-SOLDIER]

Press shot of Bilbo & the Dwarves.

X