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O/T: Peter Jackson names first cast members for 'The Hobbit'


Reported by Mike Fleming at Deadline.com (updated):

BREAKING: While Peter Jackson and Warner Bros are figuring out where they'll shoot back-to-back installments of The Hobbit, Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh have begun to set his cast for the ambitious projects that will begin shooting in February for release in December 2012 and 2013. The castings were announced by New Line Cinema COO/president Toby Emmerich, Warner Bros COO/president Alan Horn, MGM co-CEO Steve Cooper, and Jackson. As Deadline told you last week, Martin Freeman is set to play Bilbo Baggins, the adventurous Hobbit whose adventures and discovery of the One Ring leads the story up to The Lord of the Rings. Freeman has appeared in films ranging from The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and Hot Fuzz to Love Actually.

Jackson has cast several other significant Dwarf characters. Richard Armitage (MI-5 and Captain America: The First Avenger) will play Thorin Oakenshield, leader of the Company of Dwarves which sets off to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from a thieving dragon. Aidan Turner (Being Human) and Rob Kazinsky (EastEnders) will play Kili and Fili, members of the Company of Dwarves. Graham McTavish (Secretariat) will play Dwalin, John Callen (Power Rangers Jungle Fury) will play Oin; Stephen Hunter (All Saints) will play Bombur, and Mark Hadlow (King Kong) plays Dori, while Peter Hambleton (The Strip) will play Gloin. That casting has just beginning, and there will be many more opportunities for the kind of career-changing roles that went in the original trilogy to the likes of Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Elijah Wood and Sean Astin. 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 [Aidan] Turner was in contention for the Elf King before he got the role of [Kili].
To continue, click here: http://www.deadline.com/2010/10/peter-jackson-sets-first-names-for-the -hobbit/#more-77862.


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Reported by xoanon at TheOneRing.net:

PETER JACKSON ANNOUNCES LATEST ADDITION TO THE HOBBIT CAST James Nesbitt Confirmed to Play Major Role in The Hobbit. (LOS ANGELES November 1, 2010) – One of Britain’s most beloved actors, James Nesbitt (Millions and TV’s Cold Feet), is the latest actor to join the ensemble cast of The Hobbit, it was jointly announced 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.

Nesbitt will play Bofur, a disarmingly forthright, funny and occasionally brave Dwarf. “James’s charm, warmth and wit are legendary as is his range as an actor in both comedic and dramatic roles. We feel very lucky to be able to welcome him as one of our cast.” said director Peter Jackson.

Newcomer, Adam Brown will play Ori, another of the Dwarf Company which sets out to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the infamous dragon, Smaug. Jackson comments, “Adam is a wonderfully expressive actor and has a unique screen presence. I look forward to seeing him bring Ori to life”.
To continue, click here: http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010/11/01/40005-breaking-news-james-n esbitt-is-bofur-adam-brown-is-ori/.

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[deleted]

Link: http://www.mckellen.com/cinema/index1.htm

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From the latest press release posted at TheOneRing.net:

CATE BLANCHETT, KEN STOTT, SYLVESTER MCCOY, MIKAEL PERSBRANDT JOIN CAST OF PETER JACKSON’S “THE HOBBIT”

Los Angeles, CA—December 7, 2010—Cate Blanchett, Ken Stott, Sylvester McCoy and Mikael Persbrandt and 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.
Cate Blanchett is, as expected, reprising the role of Galadriel. Ken Stott is the Dwarf-lord Balin; Sylvester McCoy is Radagast the Brown; Swedish actor Mikael Persbrandt is Beorn; Ryan Gage is cast as Drogo Baggins; Jed Brophy is the Dwarf Nori; and, William Kircher rounds out Thorin's Company as Bifur.

To continue reading the press release, click here: http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010/12/07/41135-torn-exclusive-cate-b lanchett-ken-stott-sylvester-mccoy-mikael-persbrandt-join-cast-of-pete r-jackson%e2%80%99s-%e2%80%9cthe-hobbit%e2%80%9d/.

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Posted at TheOneRing.net:

Deadline.com is reporting that Orlando Bloom is expected to reprise his role as Legolas Greenleaf in the upcoming ‘Hobbit’ films. You may ask, how can this be? Well, quite simply, the character of Legolas was very much alive during the timeframe of The Hobbit. In fact, he was probably several thousand years old at the time of The Lord of the Rings! Since Legolas is the son of Thranduil (The Elvenking), a major player in ‘The Hobbit,’ one can easily see Peter, Phillipa, and Fran writing him into the script. *MINOR SPOILERS* Not only would he appear in Mirkwood with the other wood-elves, he could very well lead the wood-elf contingent into the Battle of Five Armies! Deadline also mentions the negotiations for Ian McKellen, Hugo Weaving and Andy Serkis are still ongoing.
Link: http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2010/12/08/41248-deadline-com-orlando- to-reprise-legolas-in-hobbit/

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Posted at TheOneRing.net:

EXCLUSIVE – Deadline hinted first but TheOneRing.net can confirm that Elijah Wood will step in front of Peter Jackson’s cameras and return to Middle-earth for a part in 'The Hobbit,' — and we even know how. Despite how some fans will respond at first, the reasons are organic and natural and might not upset some of the most ardent purists.

***MAJOR HOBBIT MOVIE SPOILERS AFTER THE BREAK***
Link: http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2011/01/07/41520-elijah-wood-will-be-i n-the-hobbit/

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1. Andy Serkis Signed To Reprise Gollum In 'The Hobbit' - http://www.deadline.com/2011/01/andy-serkis-signed-to-reprise-gollum-i n-the-hobbit/

2. Sir Ian McKellen to reprise his role as Gandalf in “The Hobbit” - http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2011/01/10/41586-ian-mckellen-to-repri se-his-role-as-gandalf-in-the-hobbit/

3. It’s Really Official Now: Wood & Serkis Press Release - http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2011/01/11/41633-its-really-official-n ow-wood-serkis-press-release/

4. Sir Christopher Returns in The Hobbit - http://www.theonering.net/torwp/2011/01/11/41639-sir-christopher-retur ns-in-the-hobbit/

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